The house felt quieter after Keng left.
Ping stood by the window longer than he should have, staring down the road even after the sound of the car had completely faded. He only moved when his mom cleared her throat behind him.
"You're smiling," she said.
Ping turned, surprised. "Am I?"
She nodded, amused. "That kind of smile doesn't come from nowhere."
Ping sighed and sat beside her on the couch. "You're teasing again."
"I'm relieved," she said softly. "You used to carry so much weight on your shoulders. I was worried you'd closed your heart for good."
Ping looked down at his hands. "I was scared too."
His mom placed her hand over his. "But now?"
Ping smiled, small but honest. "Now… it feels different."
She nodded, satisfied. "Then that's enough for me."
Later that evening, Ping helped his mom wash the dishes. It felt strangely comforting—familiar movements, familiar sounds. For once, his mind wasn't racing.
"You keep checking your phone," his mom said casually.
Ping froze. "I do not."
She laughed. "You're worse than a teenager."
"Mom you're probably being dramatic," Ping muttered, though he still reached for his phone the moment he was done.
Keng got home later that evening.
The house was quiet—too quiet to feel like home. Ever since the incident that forced his family to relocate to England years ago, things had never returned to normal. His parents were there, especially his mother, but the warmth was… distant. Present, yet unreachable.
"Good evening," Keng greeted as he stepped into the living room.
His father merely nodded. His mother looked up from where she sat.
"How did the vacation with your friends go?" she asked gently.
"It went well," Keng replied flatly.
Before she could say anything else, he walked past them and headed straight to his room.
Once inside, Keng shut the door, leaned against it briefly, then sighed. He stripped, took a long shower, and let the water run over him longer than necessary. When he finally came out, towel around his waist, he reached for his phone almost immediately.
Ping. That was the only thought that ran through his mind.
A small smile tugged at his lips as he typed a message, but halfway through, he paused.
Instead of texting, he tapped the call button.
The phone rang only once.
"Hello," Keng said softly.
"Yes, phi," Ping answered. "Did you get home safely?" He asked.
"Yes I did," Keng replied.
Ping went quiet for a second. "You miss me already?"
"Yes," Keng said honestly. "A lot."
Ping chuckled on the other end. "You're exaggerating."
"I'm not." keng said childishly.
There was a brief pause, then keng spoke again. "Oh—before I forget. I was going to ask… does your mom like me?"
Ping frowned slightly. "What do you think?"
"You both treated me like I didn't even exist," Ping replied dramatically. "But… she likes you. So yes, she likes you too."
"Really?" Keng asked, as if he needed to hear it again.
"Yes," Ping said. "But don't let it get to your head."
"Too late," Keng laughed. "I'm already planning our wedding."
"You're impossible," Ping said, shaking his head even though Keng couldn't see it.
Just then—
Knock knock.
Keng stiffened.
"Hold on," he told Ping and stood up.
When he opened the door, his mother stood there.
"Keng," she said softly. "What would you like to eat for dinner?"
"I'm fine," he replied, his tone unintentionally cold. "I'll pass."
Before she could respond, he closed the door.
Back on the bed, Keng picked up his phone again. Ping hadn't said anything, but he'd clearly heard the exchange.
After a moment, Ping spoke.
"Phi… you know everything about me."
Keng smiled faintly. "Is that a bad thing?"
"No," Ping said slowly. "It's just… I don't really know anything about you."
That made Keng sit up.
"You don't?" he asked, then chuckled. "Alright then. What do you want to know? Ask away."
Ping hesitated. "Well… I don't know anything about your parents."
Keng went quiet.
"My parents…" he repeated.
Another pause.
"Let's talk about that next time we see each other," Keng said gently.
"…Okay, phi," Ping replied.
A soft yawn followed.
"Seems like it's time for someone to go to bed," Keng said, smiling.
Ping laughed quietly. "Yeah… I should sleep."
"Good night," Keng said.
There was a short silence.
"Good night, phi," Ping added, his voice softer. "I love you."
Keng froze.
Then smiled—slow, real, unguarded.
"I love you too," he replied.
The call ended, leaving both of them staring at their phones, hearts a little heavier… and a little closer.
EXTRA
Elsewhere, Rain lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His phone buzzed.
Jinn:
Did you get back safely?
Rain:
Yeah.
A pause.
Jinn:
Good.
That was it.
Rain scoffed softly. "Weirdo," he muttered—yet his chest felt warm.
That night, in different rooms, different houses, different lives—
none of them felt completely alone.