Kaivan swallowed hard. He lowered his gaze to the wooden floor, his hands gripping the hem of his shirt as though clinging to something in the middle of a rising tide of anxiety.
"Really, Mom. I don't know anything. They just… suddenly fell asleep next to me," he whispered, his voice fragile like wind slipping through cracks. His body swayed slightly, restless, as if searching for a hiding place.
His mother narrowed her eyes, studying him carefully, as though peeling back layers to find the truth he might be keeping. She leaned back deeper into the chair, her hand supporting her chin.
"They really like you, you know," she said, her tone softening but still firm. "Girls don't just sleep in the same room as a boy, not unless they feel something. You're sure you didn't do anything?"
Kaivan looked away, his eyes drifting toward the wall. Memories ran through his mind like flickering frames of an old film.
"Maybe Felicia…" he murmured. "Back at the old mall, I helped her. I told her… that we'd protect each other. Forever."
His mother sighed deeply. She lifted her hand and rubbed her temple in slow circles, exhaustion painting her expression.
"Good grief, Kaivan… When a girl hears something like that, it's not just 'normal'. She'll take it as a promise."
She lowered her hand and looked into his eyes, warmth and worry blending softly.
"And Thivi?" she asked again, gentler this time.
Kaivan bit his lower lip, thinking hard before answering. "Thivi almost fell off her motorbike, Mom. I helped her. So now she thinks… I'm a really good guy."
His mother fell silent. She studied him again, trying to read the truth in his expression. After a long moment, she exhaled, shorter this time.
"How did you even get into a situation like this…?" she muttered to herself.
Kaivan shrank, lowering his head even further, guilt pooling around him.
"I'm sorry, Mom," he said hoarsely.
But before he could continue, she raised her hand, silencing him.
"That's enough," she said, her voice softer now, wiser. "Just live your life properly. Don't do anything reckless. Whether it's Thivi or Felicia, whoever you choose someday, choose the one who's truly there for you. But remember: grow up first. Be stable first. Only then you marry the girl you love."
A small, bittersweet smile touched her lips.
"To me… whether it's Thivi or Felicia, they're both good girls. But you have to be an adult first, Kaivan."
Kaivan looked up, eyes shimmering. He nodded slowly, taking in every word the way morning dew absorbs light.
"I understand, Mom," he said sincerely.
After bowing slightly, he opened the door and stepped back into the living area.
The atmosphere had changed. Ethan sat stiffly on the sofa, flanked by Felicia and Thivi, who leaned close to him. Felicia's cheeks were flushed, her eyes sharp, while Thivi crossed her arms firmly. Their voices were low, but their tone unmistakably scolding. Ethan let out a weak laugh, raising his hands defensively, only to fall silent when he noticed Kaivan.
The moment Kaivan appeared, Felicia and Thivi turned at the same time. Their eyes brightened. Both girls stood almost simultaneously and moved toward him, graceful, yet hurried.
Ethan could only watch them with a pitiful look, as if he had just been pushed off the stage of the story.
"So? What did your mom say?" Felicia and Thivi asked almost at the same time.
Kaivan offered a thin smile, trying to ease the air. "It's fine. She just said… don't let that kind of thing happen again."
Felicia hesitated. "Seriously? She's not mad at me?"
Thivi shifted nervously. "She didn't misunderstand anything about me, right?"
Kaivan nodded, still smiling. "No. She understood. As long as nothing like last night slips out of control again."
Ethan lowered his head, guilt crawling across his face. "Sorry, everyone… I was the one who showed her the photo."
Kaivan patted Ethan's shoulder. "It's okay. Come on, let's head to the workshop. We need to cool our heads."