Kine, dumbfounded, heartbroken solitary stood there helpless and saw Di leave without turning back at him.
How so ever, his heart felt like shattered glass beneath his ribs, every breath a quiet bruise. The rejection still echoed in his chest, but the world around him spun on—unbothered, unaware. So he straightened his collar, pressed the cracks back into place, and wore a calm expression like armour. Heading back into the noise of the corridor, he smiled where it hurt most, collecting himself silently—because falling apart wasn't an option. Not here. Not now. Kine straightened his clothes, ran his hand through his hair, wiped his tears, took a long deep breath and went back home. At Kine's home, Kine enters, puts down his helmet, and doesn't have a cheerful face which he usually carries.
Kine's mother : Awww.... My son, apple of my eye, why are you frowning? Did someone say.....
Kine (calmly) : It's just work stress Ma, nothing else. I'll get better
Kine's mother : Alright, go wash up and sleep, Roxine is inside showering anyway.
Kine enters his room preparing his set of clothes to wash up. Roxine walks out of the washroom in a bath robe. Roxine walks towards Kine and back hugs him.
Roxine (sweetly) : Hubby ~. In a bad mood, why don't I help you with this.
She lustfully glides her hand to unbuckle Kine's belt to which Kine stops her
Kine (politely) : Not right now Xine, I'm not in the mood right now, some other time....
Roxine (furiously) : "Some other time" this is what you have been saying lately. I'm your wife if not you then whom shall I go to tell me?!
Kine (calmly) : I'm really not good, please spare me na....
Roxine (still furious) : Whatever
Kine goes to wash up and then sleeps with a heavy mind full of thoughts of sadness. Next morning Kine wakes up, yet not in good weather but pretends he is fine. Washes up and goes to the dining table for breakfast. The next day, Sunday morning, the whole family is gathered for breakfast.
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Author : Before moving forward, Kine's family need an introduction. Those who are uninterested can skip this section. However, this part will be important in understanding relations in chapters ahead. So it goes like this :
Kine's father : a very humble, kind-hearted family man supports Kine in his every step of life in good and shows him the way when wrong and he's kinda scared of Kine's mother
Kine's mother: a good person but trusts her son (Kine) way too much, her son can never be wrong, she cannot bear her son being in the wrong which pushes Kine to not do even a slightest error in his life
Kine's brother: Good simple man, supports his brother no matter what, though at times when their mother treats Kine better than his he never complains. Moreover he isn't jealous of Kine for this.
★Kine's wife (Roxine) : Became Kine's friend in University just because Kine was popular, moreover when his friend (Mek) used to visit him, she would try to flirt with him and she trapped him with her lies and manipulation.
Kine's niece (author's friend) : The person who shared this info with us. Good person and a secret shipper of her Uncle (Kine) and Her class teacher (Di). Even though, they don't live under the same roof but has every inside info required.
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Kine's Brother (worried) : Bro you ok? Heard you are under pressure at work.
Kine : It's fine Vikki, if you wanna achieve something big you need to.....
Kine's mother: That's my son, unlike someone who got their job just because of someone's recommendation
Vikki calmly eating.
Kine's father: Enjoy your food na, (sees Roxine leaving) Xine, daughter where are you going early in the morning, it's Sunday today?
Roxine (coldly) : Got some work I'll be back by evening.
Nobody dared to say anything to her cause it would only turn into a fuss and nothing less.
Kine's mother: Kine, child why don't go out and get some fresh air.
Kine didn't argue much and went out.
Kine in his own thoughts wandered on the streets and guessed whom he saw, the person he desperately wants to be with but doesn't want to see at this moment when he's overcoming and that too with a girl, Riv. Di didn't appear much happy but pretended to be. Their eyes met and this silent attraction was pulling them yet they went their ways. Riv sees Kine
Di and Riv enter the mall across the street.
Riv (exclaimed) : See Di!!, your.....
Di(coldly): There's nothing between us. Don't bring him up again.
Riv(surprised) : What the heck you bastard! Weren't you dying to be together with him, not long ago and now what's this? You....
Di : Don't you want ice cream? Let's go and don't pay attention to this, just enjoy your birthday, will you?
Riv couldn't say much. Leaving Riv, he goes to the restroom. Riv waiting encounters some perverts. At first Riv ignores, then it turns unbearable. Riv was about to confront but heroically Kine enters the scene, protecting Riv from those creeps. Riv is grateful yet questions Kine like a culprit.
Riv (upfront) : What's the deal between you guys? Don't you dare pretend dumb.
Kine: Miss what are you talking about? There's really nothing between us. It's....
Riv (furious with worry) : I said.... Don't play dumb! If really there's nothing between you guys then why was he crying his eyes out since he came back from school till morning. His eyes were damn red and swollen this morning. (calms herself a bit) Look, I'm worried that's it.....
Kine (hastily) : He cried?!
Riv (taken aback) : You didn't know?! Tell me what really happened? Or else how would I be able to understand all of this....
Kine: I proposed to him yesterday and he turned me down. (turns silent)
Riv (scoffs) : Like for real, that guy? He was dying to be with you. Oh please!
Kine affirms by nodding. Kine notices Di coming back.
Kine : I'll leave then don't tell him any of it. See you around, bye. (Rushes to leave)
Di comes a moment after Kine left.
Di : Do you want to go anywhere else after this? If not, let's go home.
Riv nods. Some random repairmen in the mall
Worker 1 : Shouldn't the mall be closed down for a day if they wanted repairs, what if a mishap occurs?
Worker 2 : Nothing can be done, just be extra careful.
Di on the ground floor pauses for a moment to answer the call from his mother. Suddenly somebody pulls him aside, that familiar comforting touch and scent, the warmth surrounds him which is followed by a loud noise of glass breaking, chills run down Di's spine.
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★ This statement is fictional, but the other characters' sketches are real.