The house felt quieter than usual.
Not the peaceful kind of quiet — but the kind that presses against your chest, making every breath heavier.
It was one day before Hari Raya Aidiladha.
Outside, the neighborhood was alive.
Children laughed.
Takbir echoed softly from a distant surau.
But inside the house… time moved differently.
Aina sat beside Aiman on the sofa.
She hadn't moved much since he came home from the hospital.
Not even when their mother called her to eat.
Not even when guests came earlier to visit.
Her eyes stayed on him.
Watching.
Waiting.
As if the moment she looked away… he might disappear.
Aiman leaned back slowly.
Even sitting felt tiring now.
But he forced a small smile when he noticed her staring.
"Aina…"
His voice was soft. Almost teasing.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Aina didn't smile back.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of her sleeve.
"Because…"
(she hesitated)
"I'm scared."
Silence filled the space between them.
Not awkward.
Just… honest.
Aiman looked down.
For once, he didn't have a quick answer.
"Scared of what?" he asked gently.
Aina shook her head, eyes already glistening.
"I don't know… but it feels like…"
(her voice broke slightly)
"…like I'm running out of time with you."
Aiman's chest tightened.
Not from pain.
But from her words.
He looked at her properly now.
Not as someone he needed to protect.
But as someone who already understood more than he wanted her to.
"You're not running out of time," he said softly.
Aina let out a small, broken laugh.
"Don't lie to me, abang."
That word.
Abang.
It hit differently today.
"I heard everything."
Aiman froze.
"At the hospital…"
"Myself, Farid… Pakcik Malik…"
"We were outside when the doctor called."
The truth finally stood between them.
No more hiding.
No more pretending.
Aiman closed his eyes for a moment.
Then exhaled slowly.
"I didn't want you to know."
Aina's tears fell freely now.
"Why?" she asked.
"Why do you always do this alone?"
Aiman smiled faintly.
A tired, fragile smile.
"Because if you cried…"
(he looked at her)
"I wouldn't be strong enough."
Aina shook her head immediately.
"You think you're strong now?"
Her voice trembled, but there was strength in it.
"You're the one who's sick…
but you're the one taking care of everyone else."
Aiman didn't reply.
Because she was right.
Aina moved closer.
Slowly… carefully…
as if he might break.
"I don't need a strong abang," she whispered.
"I just need you."
That was it.
That was the sentence he wasn't ready for.
Aiman looked away.
His eyes burned.
"You have me," he said quietly.
Aina grabbed his hand.
Tightly.
"For how long?"
Silence.
From the corner of the room, Farid stood still.
He had been there for a while.
Leaning against the wall.
Listening.
Unable to interrupt.
Pakcik Malik sat nearby, his face heavy with thoughts.
The doctor's words still echoed in his mind.
"The condition is progressing faster than expected."
Farid finally stepped forward.
"Aiman…"
Aiman turned slightly.
Farid's eyes were red.
But his voice tried to stay steady.
"You should've told me."
Aiman gave a small smile.
"And make you worry all the time?"
Farid clenched his jaw.
"I'm already worried."
Silence again.
Pakcik Malik cleared his throat softly.
"Young man…"
Aiman looked at him.
Respectful. Calm.
"You carried this alone for too long."
Aiman didn't deny it.
"But you don't have to anymore."
Aiman nodded slowly.
But deep down… he knew something they didn't.
Some things… couldn't be shared.
Aina tightened her grip on his hand again.
"You're not allowed to leave," she said suddenly.
Childish.
But real.
Aiman smiled.
"I'm not going anywhere today."
Aina shook her head.
"Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever."
Aiman didn't answer.
Instead, he lifted his other hand…
and gently placed it on her head.
Just like he always did when she was younger.
"Aina…"
His voice was softer now.
Almost a whisper.
"If one day… I'm not here…"
"Don't."
She cut him off immediately.
"I don't want to hear it."
Aiman nodded.
"Okay."
A long pause.
Then he spoke again.
"Then promise me something."
Aina hesitated.
"What?"
Aiman looked at her.
Really looked.
As if trying to remember every detail.
"Don't be late."
Aina frowned slightly.
"Late for what?"
Aiman smiled.
"For your life."
Aina didn't fully understand.
But something about it… stayed.
She nodded slowly.
"…okay."
Outside, the takbir grew louder.
Echoing into the night.
Inside…
they sat together.
Closer than ever.
As if trying to hold onto something
that was already slipping away