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"Oh, Raphael, how are you?" Yunah's mother entered the room with Yogesh, her smile warm despite the bruises marring her face. Her left hand and foot were bandaged; Yogesh carefully supported her as they walked in.
********
Raphael, who had been standing in the room, looked like he'd seen a ghost. His eyes were frozen on Yunah and Noah — who, just seconds earlier, had been kissing.
*******
The door clicking open had startled them both— Yunah and Noah. Now they sat too close — breath mingling — until Yunah's mother's voice hit her like thunder. Panic flashed in Yunah's eyes. She shoved Noah with both hands as he staggered back, almost falling before catching himself against the wall. He blinked at her, disbelief flickering in his gaze. "Seriously?" his expression seemed to say. But Yunah avoided his eyes, her face flushed scarlet.
I'm doomed. I hope Mom and Yogesh didn't saw us being close… she cursed silently, biting her lower lip.
Noah, on the other hand, just stood there smiling faintly, his gaze fixed on her blushing face — completely simp for her.
*****
Raphael? What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost," Yunah's mother said, confused by his stiff posture.
Raphael blinked, forcing composure back into his tone. "Auntie…" He smiled warmly, stepping forward. "How are you? You should be resting in your ward, not walking around."
He gently took her arm, helping her as Yogesh stepped aside.
"I'm fine," she said softly. "I just couldn't stay away from my daughter."
"Mom…" Yunah said, voice tender but uneasy. Her cheeks were still burning. "You shouldn't have come. I'm fine, really."
Yogesh rushed to her bedside, brushing past Noah like a gust of wind. Noah barely kept his expression neutral as Yogesh nudged him aside.
"Are you okay, Di?" Yogesh asked, placing a hand on her forehead. "No fever. Then why's your face so red?"
Yunah nearly choked. "M-Maybe… it's the soup," she stammered, holding up the tiffin as evidence — even though the soup inside was long cold.
"Yeah right." Yogesh scoffed, glaring. "Who are you trying to fool? The soup's cold, and you haven't eaten a bite." He turned to Noah, irritation sparking. "Why didn't you feed her when it was warm?"
"It's not his fault!" Yunah snapped, too quickly. "I… got distracted talking to Raphael." She shut the lid firmly, then turned on her brother. "And why did you bring Mom here? She needs rest — she can barely walk!"
"Like she listens to me," Yogesh muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Don't scold him," Yunah's mom interrupted gently, smiling as Raphael helped her sit on the edge of the bed. "I made him bring me. I'm fine. It's only a leg and a hand — doesn't even hurt."
"Yeah right." Yunah folded her arms. "You never admit it, even when you're in pain."
Her mother chuckled. "Same goes for you," she teased softly, then turned to Noah. "You must be Noah?"
"Yes, Auntie," Noah replied quietly. Social interactions weren't his strength — not unless it was with Yunah.
"Wow," she said with a grin. "So you're the one who is protecting my useless son at school?"
"Mom!" Yogesh exclaimed, his face twisting in mock despair.
Yunah burst into laughter, joined by Raphael. Noah's lips curved in a polite smile. "Yes," he said simply. "That's me."
Her mother smiled warmly. "Then we owe you a lot. When I get better, I'll treat you to dinner."
"Then I'll look forward to it, Auntie," Noah said, bowing slightly.
"Oh, I really like this kid," she said fondly. "Polite, kind… and handsome too."
"Mom, stop! You're embarrassing him!" Yunah hissed, shooting Noah an apologetic glance.
"I guess someone already stole my place," Raphael said, pretending to sulk.
"Aiyooo!!!.You'll always be my number one, Raphael," she replied with playful affection, opening her arms. "Come here."
He hugged her warmly while Yunah and Yogesh smiled at the sight.
But Noah's gaze darkened. He stood silent, his jaw tight, watching Raphael fit so easily with her family.
I hate this guy, he thought coldly. Since the moment he walked in he is getting on my nerves. Maybe I should just make him disappear…
-----------------
Later That Evening.
After everyone left, the room sank into silence. The kind that made every heartbeat feel louder.
Only Yunah and Noah remained.
Both of them were thinking about the kiss.
Yunah fidgeted, trying to find words. Noah sat back on the couch, pretending to scroll through his phone — though he hadn't actually opened anything. He just stared at his home screen, pretending not to die inside.
"Ugh!" Finally, Yunah cleared her throat breaking the awkward silence. "About the kiss…" Her voice cracked slightly. "I know you didn't mean it. Raphael left us no choice, and I get it. But don't do that again, okay? Even if they try to test our fake relationship." She turned towards him, forcing confidence. "I don't want you to ruin your image because of me. And…I'm sorry I didn't deny it earlier. I'll fix it soon. You don't have to keep pretending."
Noah looked up, eyes serious now. "But I want to."
Yunah blinked. "What?"
"I want to help you, Di," he said, his tone low and sincere. "I don't care about my image." His gaze softened — yet there was something magnetic, dangerous, in the way his eyes locked onto hers. "And… that was my first kiss, you know. So don't you think you should take some responsibility?"
Yunah's eyes went wide. "Wh-what do you mean 'responsibility'?" she stammered, flustered. "And for the record, you kissed me! I never told you to just— just do that because Raphael provoked us!"
Noah chuckled, his grin playful and bold. "But you didn't pushed me away, did you?" He leaned slightly forward, teasing. "Was I that good? I didn't know I had a talent for kissing."
"Yahhh!" Yunah shouted, face flaming. "Who said I liked it?! I only— I only kissed you back so Raphael wouldn't suspect anything!"
Noah smirked. "Oh really? Because it didn't feel fake when you grabbed—"
"YAHHH!" she screamed again, cutting him off — but the sudden pressure on her stomach made her wince in pain. "Ah!" she gasped, clutching her operation wound.
Noah's smirk vanished instantly. "Di!" He rushed to her side, gripping her arm gently as he sat beside her. "Are you okay? Damn, I shouldn't have teased you—" His voice softened with guilt.
"I'm fine," she murmured, smiling weakly. "Just a small pain. It's gone now."
Noah's eyes softened, his guilt turning into tenderness. "You have to take care of yourself. I can't stand seeing you hurt." He brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear with gentle fingers.
Yunah's heart stuttered. His touch always did that — made her chest tighten and her thoughts blur.
"Why?" she asked quietly, gazing at him. "Why do you care so much, Noah? It feels like you've known me forever."
Noah opened his mouth — but his phone buzzed sharply, breaking the tension.
"Pick it up," she said, looking away.
He nodded and stepped to the window, answering the call. "You better have a good reason for calling me, Da," he said coldly, his tone flipping from warmth to steel.
Yunah watched him, curious. His posture, his expression — they were different now.
"Wow," Nerav's deep, amused voice came through the speaker. "You're threatening your big brother now?"
"Stop wasting my time and get to the point," Noah said flatly.
"That hurt," Nerav laughed. "Anyway, Grandpa wants everyone at the family dinner tonight. Be on time."
"Dinner?" Noah's grip on his phone tightened. "Why suddenly? Did something happen?"
"Probably," Nerav replied casually. "You know him he never call us unless it's not an emergency." He said cooly continuing "Then see you tonight, little brother."
The call ended.
Noah stood by the window, phone still in hand. The warm evening sun lit half his face — the other half was shadowed, unreadable.
Something dangerous flickered in his eyes — a mix of dread and resolve.