The soft golden glow of the bedside lamp painted a quiet picture in the room. Rain still tapped gently against the windowpane like a lullaby. After the emotionally draining evening and Evander's wound being cleaned, silence settled between them like a gentle blanket.
Alina was curled up on the couch, arms wrapped around herself, her long lashes brushing against her cheeks as her breathing slowly evened out. The ache of the day still lingered, yet she had chosen to rest on the couch instead of the comfortable bed.
Evander stepped out of the washroom, a towel lightly brushing his damp hair. He paused at the sight of her, curled up like a kitten on the corner of the couch, and sighed deeply. His eyes softened. His steps quiet as ever, he walked over and leaned down.
"Alina," he said softly, nudging her shoulder.
She stirred, eyes fluttering open. "Hmm?"
"Go sleep on the bed."
She blinked up at him groggily but shook her head. "No. You need rest more than I do. You're injured, remember? I'll sleep here."
Evander's brows twitched, and he let out a small, amused sigh. "You're really so stubborn," he muttered under his breath, though his voice held no irritation—only quiet fondness.
Before Alina could protest, he gently slid one arm beneath her knees and the other around her shoulders.
"Evander—what are you—" she gasped.
He effortlessly picked her up and carried her to the bed. Her cheeks flushed crimson, but she didn't fight him.
He gently placed her down on the soft mattress and leaned over her. His face hovered close to hers—dangerously close. Her breath hitched. Was he going to kiss her?
He leaned in further, his lips nearly brushing her ear. The scent of his shampoo mixed with the faint smell of antiseptic still clinging to his shirt.
"If you don't want me to sleep on the same bed with you tonight…" he whispered, his voice low and teasing, "…then sleep here quietly. Otherwise, I won't bother going back to the couch."
Alina froze. Her heart hammered inside her chest like a frantic bird. She quickly grabbed the blanket and pulled it over herself up to her nose, hiding her burning cheeks.
Evander chuckled under his breath and walked back to the couch. He lay down but didn't close his eyes.
"Evander?" she whispered into the darkness.
"Yeah?"
"That woman at the hospital… who was she?"
There was a pause. The sound of the clock ticking grew louder.
"Evander? Say something. Who is she to you?"
He exhaled slowly. "She… was my old classmate from university," he began quietly. "We were good friends. Nothing more."
Alina's fingers tightened around the blanket.
"One day, out of nowhere, she confessed her feelings. I didn't see it coming. She was one of the most popular girls at college—confident, rich, admired by everyone. But I never… felt that way for her. So I gently turned her down."
Alina was quiet, listening intently.
"She didn't take it well. She made it look like I'd led her on. It spread like wildfire. People took sides. I was called cold, emotionless… even cruel."
His voice faltered. "But that wasn't the worst part. A few weeks later, she visited my parents. Alone. Brought them a marriage proposal. I wasn't even informed until my mother suddenly began pushing me to meet her again. My dad, thankfully, understood. But my mother? She was completely influenced by her. I don't know what she said—but it was enough to make my mother obsessed with the idea of me marrying her."
Alina turned on her side, facing him through the dim lamp light, heart slowly breaking at the pain in his voice.
"Rumors started in the university. She was spreading them herself, claiming we were getting married. I hadn't even agreed. I felt… cornered. So, I left. After graduation, I cut ties and moved here to start over. But… somehow, she's found her way into my life again."
A deep silence stretched between them. Alina's fingers traced invisible lines across the sheet, as if lost in thought.
Then she whispered, "I'm glad you never wanted her. That matters. It's not your fault. Don't let her shadow touch your peace again… I'm with you."
Evander looked at her, and in that dim light, her words were like balm on old wounds. He smiled—not just with his lips, but with his eyes. A deep, genuine smile that he hadn't shown anyone in years.
Their gazes locked, full of something unspoken, something quietly blooming. They stayed like that for a long time—until suddenly—
"AHHHHHHHH!" Alina screamed, scrambling to the center of the bed like a cat startled by thunder.
Evander shot up, startled. "What?! What happened?"
"A… A ROACH!" she pointed at the wall, eyes wide, heart thudding like a drum.
Evander squinted. "A what now?"
"A roach!" she shrieked. "OH MY GOD IT'S MOVING—EVANDER!! Open the lights! Open the damn lights! Jesus Christ I almost DIED!!"
He quickly switched on the lights, blinking in the sudden brightness. "Okay okay—just stop screaming! The neighbors will call the police at this rate!"
"But it's disgusting!" Alina pointed at the wall like it was a scene from a horror movie. "I can't sleep in this room anymore! Burn it down!"
Evander laughed despite himself. "You're overreacting."
"No, I'm underreacting! That thing is—" she paused mid-sentence, pointing to him again, this time trembling, "Evander. It's on your shirt."
His entire body went rigid.
"WHAT?!"
Alina was already standing on the bed, hopping like a terrified bunny. "Evander! Take off your shirt! It's crawling on you!"
He panicked, flailing. "WHAT THE HELL?! Are you serious?! Why do these creatures always find me?!"
Alina yelled again. "HURRY UP!"
In a flurry, Evander stripped off his shirt and threw it on the floor. The roach skittered off and darted toward the corner.
Alina screamed again, "IT'S MOVING AGAIN! EVANDER DO SOMETHING!"
He stared at her with wide eyes. "Do I look like the leader of the Roach Resistance? Do you think I have a magical pact with them or something?"
Alina burst into laughter despite her fear. "It's not funny! Put it OUT of the room! Now!"
Evander grabbed a slipper, chased the roach, missed it, tripped over his own discarded shirt, and fell face-first onto the carpet.
"Ow."
"I'm not laughing," Alina said, laughing.
"You are laughing!"
"Because you tripped like a grandpa!"
"Maybe I am a grandpa now. This roach aged me ten years."
After what felt like a mini-war, with screams, slipper attacks, and a few broken tissues, Evander finally managed to escort the roach outside using a towel and sheer courage.
Alina sighed with visible relief. "Ohh God. I thought it was the end."
Evander flopped back onto the bed, exhausted. "If I ever see another roach, I'm moving out."
"You can't. You're my neighbor," she mumbled, pulling the blanket over them both.
They looked at each other and then burst into laughter—tired, breathless laughter. It felt good. It felt real.
The storm had passed—inside and out.
As their laughter faded, a peaceful silence settled once more. They didn't even realize when their heads rested on the same pillow, inches apart. The warmth of the shared laughter lingered as they closed their eyes, and soon, sleep gently pulled them under—together.