Ever since that day, Malak's view of the world seemed to shine brighter and pinker. Every time he thought about that night, he would disconnect from reality with a smile plastered on his face. Some people believed Malak was sick. It was a sickness that everyone on Earth got or will get at least once in their lifetime. Most of the reported cases were not fatal.

Love.

The first stages of a romantic relationship had always been filled with rainbows and unicorns, and this was where Malak’s state of mind was. To his eyes, everything was perfect as long as Kian was in the picture. When he wasn’t present, the young adult would long for his boyfriend. The emotions were new and untainted. The need to act on his newly found feeling was high.

Therefore, whenever he had the time, Malak would grab his phone and text Kian who always replied after a brief moment. It became their routine to text each other during Malak’s lunchtime and the short breaks in between the classes. Someone would believe they would eventually run out of topics to discuss, but it wasn’t the case. Because of that, Malak was always glued to his phone and was oblivious of his surroundings. He did not notice that his friends were still trying to discover his lover’s identity.

A few weeks ago, Lesley contacted Kayla on the day Kian and Malak became lovers. Since then, Malak’s friends and sister knew about his secret, but they were still not satisfied. They needed more information and were hunting for it. Almost like three hysterical hyenas. Weeks passed, and they still knew nothing about Malak’s lover. On multiple occasions, the trio tried to stalk him. They usually secretly followed him after school or during the weekends. As a result, they either followed him to work or lost him in the crowd. It was as if something or someone was working against them. At some point, they were wondering if Malak wasn't actually playing an elaborate plan to mess them up. However, they couldn't give up. To their eyes, Malak never dated or was never interested in someone before. Their curiosity pushed them to discover who that special person was.

In the cafeteria, a group of friends shared a table while enjoying their lunch. They shared multiple topics, but the girls mostly talked about fashion while the boys were about video games. They each enjoyed their own conversation while forgetting about the classes, homework, and exams that were typically filling their days. After a while, Malak slowly drifted away from the discussions and concentrated on his phone. His heart always beat faster when he received a text or a call from Kian. At this point, even if his friends tried to include him in their conversation, he was slow to answer and always distracted. Fully immersed in his phone, his twin sister and friends gathered their focus on Malak's lover.

“So, did you discover something new?” Kayla asked Lesley after they finished talking about fashion.

Enrico immediately perked up. “Is she hot?”

Lesley sighed and shook her head. “I don’t know. He never talks about it, and he doesn’t leave any clues. Although…” she eyed her twin’s phone.

“If we could get his phone, it would solve everything,” Kayla expressed Lesley’s hidden thoughts. “But he never lets go of it,” she pouted before stabbing a piece of potato in her salad.

“We can’t. Ever since he started dating, he never let go of it.”

“He even brings it when he goes to the bathroom. I bet he texts while in the shower too,” Enrico joked before groaning. “Don’t you girls realize?”

Both Lesley and Kayla stared at their male friend with a slight frown of confusion. With their hope high, they leaned closer, so they wouldn't miss a fragment of information.

“How hot and loaded could she be to make Malak, the pure one, so infatuated?”

Kayla rolled her eyes at his friend’s stupidity and crudeness. It was her fault to have hoped for something more from him.

Surprised, Lesley commented, “I didn’t think you knew words like “infatuated”.”

“You’ll be surprised. I’m not always a nincompoop," he retorted after shaking his head. Their comments on his intellect didn't even surprise him anymore.

“A what?” Both girls tried to contain their laughter.

“A nincompoop, it’s a proper word. Didn’t you know that?” Enrico stated as a matter of fact.

Unable to contain it anymore, they laughed as Enrico returned to his lunch. Although he also wanted to know who Malak's girlfriend was, he didn't want to intrude on his friend's privacy. He was certain that Malak would reveal the news to them when he was ready.

After a moment, Enrico noticed that Malak was now staring at them in confusion.

“Why are they laughing?”

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“Because I said I was a nincompoop,” the black-haired teenager briefly answered before slurping his sprite through a straw.

“Oh… I see,” Malak answered, even more, confused than before.

“You’re not texting your girl anymore?” Enrico bluntly asked, completely forgetting about his noble thoughts from a moment ago, before he could take a bite of his burger.

“I don’t have a girl?” Malak innocently answered while tilting his head slightly to the side as Enrico sank his teeth into the soft bun.

“Come on,” Enrico whined after swallowing. “Isn’t it, your girlfriend, that you were texting all day? Do I know her? She must be hot, isn’t she?” he added while moving his eyebrows up and down, insinuating something inappropriate.

Malak gave his friend a disgusted look. “Stop, you sound like an old pervert.”

“I’m your best friend, aren’t I? Don’t I get to know?”

“Oh, you weren't a nincompoop?” Malak joked as Enrico rolled his eyes before shaking his head with a smile.

“Come on, stop joking. I'm curious alright? I never thought you would date before me.”

Malak observed his friend and considered it. He knew Enrico for years and usually trusted him. If it was on another matter, he wouldn't have hesitated. However, no one knew he liked men and not women. He was afraid that everyone he loved and cherished would turn their back on him. He didn't want to be hated and abandoned. Sometimes, he wondered why couldn't have been born with a different personality. If he did, he wouldn't need to hide his relationship with Kian. It was unfair to both of them.

“Yeah, don’t WE all get to know?” the girls who have finally regained their breath joined the conversation.

As Malak remained silent, his friends, and sister were staring at him with curiosity. Although they didn't mean to do it on purpose, it only gave him more pressure. In the end, he couldn't do it. The fear of losing the ones he cherished overwhelmed him.

Malak smiled nervously. “What is there to know?”

“Are you saying you don’t have a girlfriend?” his twin sister asked as she clearly believed otherwise.

Malak swallowed the accumulated saliva in his mouth before answering confidently. “Yes, I don’t have a girlfriend.”

To his eyes, Malak wasn’t lying. He was answering her question honestly while hiding the truth. He didn’t have a girlfriend, but a boyfriend. If Lesley formulated her question differently, she may have had a different answer.

“Impossible!” Kayla exclaimed loudly before slapping the table and surprised everyone.

“But he’s not lying,” Lesley added, still confused by her twin’s answer.

“How do you know?” the red-haired girl snapped at her friend.

Kayla never talked to anyone like that before. She had always been cheerful and rational. Therefore, her tone not only surprised everyone but also angered the receiver.

“Because we shared a womb and have a connection that you’ll never understand. Now, calm the fuck down,” Lesley snapped back before she could control herself.

As the tension grew between the two girls, the boys stayed silent. In contrast, the surrounding students whispered and didn't so subtly glance at them. They'll be the subject of gossip for the rest of the day. After a moment of silence, they finally stopped staring at each other before quietly returning to their lunch.

Enrico cleared his throat. “Did you guys finish the graded homework for organic chemistry?” When both girls nodded while playing with their food, he smiled. “Good, can you help me? I really need help.”

“If it’s about organic chemistry, I’m sure Kayla will be glad to help you. Didn’t you know? She loves organic chemistry. It’s her favourite subject,” said Lesley as everyone frowned at the lie, except for Enrico.

“Really?” Enrico perked up. “Then, let’s start before the lunch break ends,” he took out a notebook and a pencil.

“Haha,” Kayla stiffly laughed before glaring at Lesley. “Although it’s my favourite subject, I’m sure Lesley wants to help too since she cares so much about her friends. Isn’t that right?”

To Enrico’s eyes, both girls were acting friendly to each other. He was totally oblivious to the situation he just stepped in. As for Malak, he was purposely ignoring them. He didn’t want to get caught in the middle of a battlefield. Their smiles were nothing else than a pretense. There was not one ounce of sincerity in their gesture and words. Therefore, for his own survival, Enrico had to be sacrificed and hopefully, they will be satisfied after unleashing their anger on him.

(๑°⌓°๑)

At home, after eating dinner with his family, Malak closed his phone and concentrate on his studies. Although he only wished to talk to Kian, he had to complete his duties as a student first. He also didn’t want to betray his parent’s expectations again. Everything they did was for his own good, for his future. Quietly, he diligently made his way through the pile of lectures and homework.

A few hours later, he was finally done. With some time left before bedtime, he called Kian. Unfortunately, no one answered the call. Not wanting to bother him in case he was busy, Malak went to bed early. He suddenly felt the exhaustion and let himself fall on the mattress. Lying comfortably in bed, the young adult stared at the ceiling while waiting for sleep to come.

Surrounded by darkness and silence, Malak recalled the dreams he had. Although they differed from each other, he could not remember much. He knew his dreams meant something. There must be a reason why the same man kept appearing in them. But after waking up, he couldn’t remember his appearance or his name. Why? He didn’t know. Yet, each time he woke up, nostalgia clouded his heart. How could he miss someone that he never met before? Unable to have answers frustrated him to no end.

Without noticing it, Malak fell asleep, and another dream came.