When Taufik stepped out of his room, the familiar smell of fried chicken greeted him.
He walked into the living room and found his mother already seated on the couch, eating while watching the evening news.
The TV screen cast a soft glow over her tired yet gentle face.
He quietly sat down beside her and reached for a piece of fried chicken on the table.
Dinner like this had become their unspoken routine.
His mother always brought food home after work, and Taufik, ever since years ago, had developed the habit of eating only lightly beforehand so he could share the meal with her.
It was a small gesture, but one that had grown into a kind of cherished tradition between them.
A tradition that began after his father went missing… or perhaps died. They never received certainty. Just grief, and a hollow space in their home.
Afterward, his mother had finally chased the dream she had once buried, becoming a designer.
She spent years working in different boutiques, collecting experience, building courage, and sharpening her craft. When she finally felt ready, she used the insurance money she had quietly saved and took a risk: opening her own boutique.
A gamble, but one that paid off.
Now her designs were worn by artists, models, and influencers. Her boutique flourished, and for a household of just two, they lived more than comfortably.
The moment Taufik sat beside her, she smiled warmly, until her expression froze.
Only now, without the towel obscuring him, did she truly see him.
His skin, paler than usual.
"…Fik, are you okay?" She asked, her voice tightening with concern. "You look a little pale. You're not sick, right?"
"Hm? Ah, this?" Taufik pointed casually at his face. "Don't worry, Mom. I'm fine"
"…If you say so." Her brows remained slightly furrowed, motherly worry refusing to fade. "But if you start feeling unwell, tell me immediately, okay?"
"Yes, Mom. I will"
Reassured only halfway, she turned her attention back to the news.
The report currently airing detailed a series of recent missing-person cases. Grainy photos, names, and dates flashed across the screen.
His mother stiffened.
"Fik…" she said quietly, turning back to him with serious eyes. "There have been a lot of missing people lately. Too many. So please... Please be careful on your way to and from school. Don't stay out late, don't wander around. Just come home, alright?"
Her voice carried a hint of fear she tried to hide, but Taufik could hear it clearly.
Knowing what had happened to his father, her concern was more than understandable.
Trying to lighten the mood, Taufik grinned and puffed out his chest.
"Relax, Mom! Your son is strong. If anyone comes at me, I'll beat them all... like this! And this!"
He threw a few dramatic punches in the air, intentionally exaggerated to make her laugh.
But no laughter came.
Not even a smile.
He slowly lowered his hands, sensing the shift immediately. When he turned, he found her watching him, not amused, but even more worried than before.
Ah. He messed up.
"…Mom?" he said softly.
Feeling a sting of guilt, Taufik quickly reached out and held her hands. "I'm sorry, Mom. I was just joking. I didn't mean to scare you. I'm really, really sorry"
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then, she suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace.
Her voice trembled against his shoulder. "…Losing your father was hard enough. If anything happened to you too… I don't think I could bear it"
Her pain hit him like a punch to the chest. His breath caught, and for a moment, he couldn't move.
She had carried everything alone.
Her grief.
Her fear.
Her responsibility.
Her love for him.
And he had just made light of the one thing she feared most.
He closed his eyes, guilt twisting in his gut.
'Don't worry, Mom… I know why Father disappeared now. Once I have enough evidence, I'll tell you everything. No… I'll find him. And I'll bring him home. Just wait a little longer…'
Determination burned quietly within him.
Gently, he wrapped his arms around her, returning the hug she needed, even though guilt still lingered in his heart.
"Don't worry, Mom," he whispered, stroking her back in slow circles. "I'll never leave you. I'll always be by your side"
Gradually, her trembling eased.
When she finally pulled away, he offered her the warmest smile he could.
"But," he added with what he hoped was a lighter tone, "I wasn't kidding about being strong!"
He flexed his arm playfully, showing off the muscle that was noticeably firmer after obtaining the Progenitor Vampire Bloodline.
"See?"
This time, she let out a soft chuckle.
The sound made his chest loosen with relief.
"Yes, yes~ I believe you," she said fondly. "Now… can my strong son get me a glass of water from the kitchen? I'm feeling a bit thirsty"
Taufik stood up with a salute-like gesture.
"Of course, Ma'am. This strong son of yours is at your service!"
But before he could take a single step, his mother spoke again.
"…Fik, have you gotten taller?"
Taufik stopped instantly.
His whole body went stiff.
'…Of course, she'd notice. How naive was I to think she wouldn't? She sees me every single day. And I really thought I got away with it since she didn't say anything earlier. Is this what they call a mother's instinct?'
Panic tickled the back of his neck as he scrambled for an excuse, something believable, something she'd accept.
"…About that…" he began awkwardly, scratching the back of his head and staring anywhere but at her. "Well... I've been exercising a lot in my room lately. Maybe I grew taller because of that?"
Silence.
His mother stared at him with a blank expression, her eyes narrowing slightly.
She didn't look angry, just unconvinced.
Very unconvinced.
"…Hmm~ I didn't know that," she finally said, her tone not quite buying it. She looked him up and down, squinting, before suddenly grinning. "... But why the sudden exercise? Huh? Are you in love?"
Her voice rose dramatically as she clutched her heart.
"Hehh~ my son is growing up. Soon you'll leave me alone. Sob~ sob~ sob~"
She fake-cried so dramatically even a soap opera actress would feel ashamed.
Then, with stars practically glowing in her eyes, she leaned forward eagerly.
"…Tell me! Who is it? Is it a friend from school? Should I expect a granddaughter soon?"
Taufik groaned so hard his soul nearly left his body.
"Mom! I'm only 17! How can you jump straight to granddaughter when I don't even have a girlfriend?!"
She gasped loudly.
"What?! My handsome and strong son doesn't have a girlfriend? REALLY?! Is something wrong? By any chance, are you a ga-"
"Mom, stop!" Taufik cut her off quickly, face burning. "I'm normal, okay?! I just haven't found the right person yet!"
His mother raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, but not convinced she should let him go this easily.
He didn't give her the chance.
"…*Sigh* I'm getting your water now!"
And with that, he darted toward the kitchen like a man escaping for his life.
Behind him, he heard her soft laugh.
"You're so handsome but still single... It's only natural people start to wonder if something's wrong with you," she teased, shaking her head with a fond smile.
She always found joy in teasing him about relationships. Despite being attractive, Taufik had been single since he was born, and she never missed a chance to poke fun at him for it.
A moment later, Taufik returned and handed her the glass of water. She thanked him with a gentle smile before settling comfortably, resting her head on his lap as they continued watching TV together.
They watched until they noticed it was nearly midnight. As usual, they cleaned up, turned off the lights, and headed to their rooms, ending the day the same way they always had.
Warm. Familiar. Peaceful.
A quiet moment in a life that had started to change in ways his mother could never imagine.
....
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