He nodded, focusing on his plate instead of the two girls beside him.
For a moment, only the quiet clinking of utensils filled the room. Then Kira broke the silence with her bright voice.
"Felicia, do you have a boyfriend?"
Felicia looked up briefly, then answered in a flat tone, "Not anymore, Teh. I'm single now."
"That's a shame. You're beautiful, and you can cook too," Kira said with a sigh.
Felicia gave a tiny smile. "It's okay. I want to focus on myself for now. Besides… I'm comfortable with the way things are," she murmured, glancing softly toward Kaivan.
Thivi noticed, and the uneasiness inside her tightened. She quickly jumped in, voice lively.
"Bu, was my cooking good yesterday?"
Kaivan's mother smiled. "It was delicious. You're very skilled for your age."
Thivi's eyes sparkled. She seized the moment.
"Then that means I'm totally daughter-in-law material, right, Bu?"
The entire table froze. Felicia, mid-bite, suddenly choked and turned bright red. She covered her mouth, struggling not to cough, staring at Thivi with wide, mixed eyes.
Kaivan's mother let out a small laugh, trying to lighten the tightening air.
"Haha, let's not rush. You're all still students. Unless… are you two dating?" she asked playfully.
Before Thivi could answer, Felicia cut in, her voice still raspy.
"No, Bu. They're not dating."
Thivi snapped her head toward her. "Why are you answering?!"
Her voice rose, unable to hide her irritation, and jealousy.
The table grew tense. Raphael smirked quietly, enjoying the drama. Ethan, seated next to Kira, lifted his phone.
"Teh, look. I've got something funny to show you."
Kira leaned over. Her expression shifted instantly as she stared at the screen. Her eyes widened, then flicked sharply toward Kaivan.
"Kaivan. What is this photo?" she demanded, her voice jumping an octave.
The mood tightened. With firm steps, Kira snatched Ethan's phone and approached Kaivan's mother.
"Bu, look at this," she said, handing over the phone.
On the screen was the picture, Kaivan, Felicia, and Thivi asleep together in the same bed.
Kaivan's mother looked at the screen calmly before turning her eyes to her son. Her voice was gentle, yet carried unmistakable weight.
"Kaivan, come with me for a moment, alright?"
The room fell silent instantly. Felicia and Thivi, who had been nudging each other earlier, froze. They knew that when his mother spoke like that, something serious was coming.
"Okay, Mom," Kaivan replied softly. His tone was flat, but his heartbeat thundered in his chest.
A few minutes later, he followed her into the living room. Tension hung thick in the air. Only the ticking of the wall clock could be heard, as if marking the gravity of the moment.
A middle-aged woman sat leaning back on a beige chair. Her face was calm, yet firm. Her fingers tapped lightly against the armrest, her gaze locked onto Kaivan, who stood stiffly before her.
"You really didn't do anything to them?" she asked, cutting straight to the point.