The sound of typing on the keyboard was the only sound audible in Kirana's room that night. The desk lamp burned warmly, illuminating the laptop screen and several stacks of notebooks scattered on the table. Every now and then, Kirana took a sip of her warm tea, which was starting to cool. Her eyes were starting to feel heavy, but she couldn't finish this presentation on her own.
Kirana (mumbling): "Just a little bit more... just a little bit more..."
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Or... more accurately, it was opened without permission.
Raka (from the doorway): "Sis, do you have an HB pencil? For drawing..."
Kirana immediately turned, her eyebrows raised.
Kirana: "Raka... do you know what time it is?"
Raka (grinning): "Yeah, I know. That's why I was looking for someone who was still awake. You're on duty."
Kirana: "Using 'kebo' and all...!"
Raka barged in before permission was given. He was carrying a neck pillow, wearing shorts and a hoodie. Kirana sat comfortably on her bed, stretching her arms.
Raka: "Oh, I'm so tired. Can I study here?"
Kirana (annoyed, half-amused): "What are you studying at this hour?"
Raka: "Studying to get to know a mature woman who's ambitious and loves to get angry..."
Kirana held back a smile. Her hands remained busy on her laptop, but her eyes occasionally glanced at the boy who was now actually sitting stretched out on the carpet, near her feet.
Kirana: "If you're just going to be a nuisance, you'd better get out."
Raka: "I'm serious about studying. Seriously. Show me your assignment, who knows, I might be able to help."
Kirana (raising an eyebrow): "Do you understand PowerPoint?"
Raka (confident): "Of course I do. I often give presentations... I bribe the teacher."
Kirana couldn't help it. Finally, she let out a small laugh. And half-lazily, she moved her chair, making a small space next to her.
Kirana: "Come sit. But don't disturb me."
Raka (immediately moves closer): "Ready, Kirana! The best student in the house is ready to help."
And they sat side by side. Raka was watching the screen, but occasionally glanced at Kirana from the side. Her face was focused, her hair was tied up, and the scent of her body lotion was faint but calming.
Raka (in his head): How can I... be angry but still so beautiful?
Kirana opened her presentation file. Raka also pointed to the third slide, which he thought had too much "writing." His hands moved quickly, and without realizing it—their hands touched.
Kirana (gently startled): "Eh—"
Raka (reflexively): "Oops…"
They stared at each other for a moment. Kirana's hand immediately pulled away, but not out of disgust. More like… confusion. Because the touch was brief but felt like an electric shock.
Kirana (nervous, closing the laptop): "Okay, okay. I can continue on my own."
Raka: "Seriously? I haven't even seen the conclusion slide yet."
Kirana: "That's exactly it. You're distracting me."
Raka: "Or maybe... I'm the one you're focusing on?"
Kirana (flat, but a smile playing on her lips): "Go. Now."
Raka (standing, joking): "Okay, lecturer. But if I dream about the slide and your face tonight, who will I blame?"
Kirana: "Blame your own hormones."
Raka (laughing): "Deal."
Raka walked out with a relaxed pace, but his heart was pounding. Because even though it was only for a moment, sitting next to Kirana, feeling their distance only an inch apart, and the accidental touch of her hand earlier—it was all enough to make his heart lull to sleep.
Kirana, meanwhile, remained seated at the table. But the hand that had just touched Raka's… still felt strange. Cold. But warm.
And what was even stranger—he didn't want to forget it.
Kirana had just returned her attention to her laptop screen. But her mind was still distracted. Not by the presentation, nor by the statistical data she was compiling—but... the touch of that hand.
It was only a moment, though. Why did it feel so long?
She sighed, trying to banish the strange thoughts. But she'd only just opened one more slide when suddenly...
"KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!"
It wasn't the usual knock on the door. This was... a very Raka-like knock. Two hard knocks, then one soft knock, like his own code.
Kirana (half-shouting): "RAKA, DON'T COME IN AGAIN!"
Raka (from outside, feigning innocence): "I'm just returning the HB pencil I borrowed... You're so fierce."
Kirana: "Just put it in front of the door!"
Raka: "Sis... but... can I have a hug?"
Kirana immediately snorted loudly.
Kirana (grumbling softly): "This kid... is crazy."
She walked to the door, opened it slightly, and indeed—Raka was standing there. But not with a mischievous expression, instead he looked a little sleepy, his hair a little messy.
Kirana: "What kind of hug so late at night?"
Raka (half-smile, low voice): "I don't know. I was watching a movie and suddenly thought… it would be nice to have a big brother to hug."
Kirana (pause): "Are you kidding?"
Raka (gently): "No. I wasn't joking."
Kirana almost couldn't answer. Raka's gaze that night was different. Not his usual mischievous one. This… was serious. But not flirtatious either.
Finally, Kirana opened the door a little wider. Raka didn't come in right away. He waited.
Kirana (gently): "Come in for a minute. But don't be nosy."
Raka entered slowly. He sat on the floor, near Kirana's feet, who was sitting on the chair.
Raka: "Sis…"
Kirana: "Hm?"
Raka (quietly): "If I don't disturb your work, can I sit here until you're done?"
Kirana (slightly confused): "What for?"
Raka: "I don't know. I just feel calmer when I'm near you."
Kirana didn't answer. But her heart was starting to race. She just went back to staring at her laptop, trying to work as usual.
They were silent for a few minutes. The only sound was the keyboard. But Raka wasn't being particularly nosy tonight. He just sat, sometimes leaning against the wall, sometimes sneaking glances at Kirana.
And then...
Raka: "Sis... your hands are really cold, aren't they?"
Kirana: "Because you drank cold tea."
Raka (approaching slowly): "Can I warm you up?"
Kirana (surprised): "Huh? What do you mean—"
Raka suddenly grabbed Kirana's hand and held it gently. Warmly. For a long time.
Raka (quietly): "Don't be afraid... I know my limits."
Kirana (still silent, but not pulling her hand away): "...There's nothing to be afraid of."
They were silent again. But now it wasn't because they didn't know what to say, but because they were all too aware... this wasn't just a high school kid's distraction anymore. This was... Raka who was starting to get braver.
Kirana (quietly): "Are you serious, Rak?"
Raka: "I don't know why, but every night I think about you."
Kirana (holding her breath): "We live in the same house. You should watch your thoughts."
Raka (deep gaze): "I've tried. But it's hard, Sis."
Silence. Only their heartbeats could now be heard in each other's ears.
Kirana gently pulled her hand away.
Kirana (gently): "I still have to work. But... thanks for being quiet today."
Raka (smiles slightly): "Sometime, I can be more than quiet."
Kirana (stands up and opens the door): "Go ahead. Before I change my mind and throw the mouse at you."
Raka: "Okay, boss. But... your hands aren't cold anymore tonight, are they?"
Kirana (smiles slightly, without looking directly at him): "No. They're warm."
Raka left with a faint smile. A small victory. But for Kirana... it was a big defeat. Because now, every time she opened her laptop, she wasn't just thinking about her assignments. But also... the touch of Raka's hand.