We need to talk, he said as he stepped toward us.
Chak looked at me and said,
"Vikran is coming tomorrow."
"Why?" Anamarija asked.
"Because of something," Chak replied vaguely.
"What did he tell you?" I asked.
"I'll tell you later," he said and walked out of the room.
Anamarija and I exchanged glances. I followed Chak.
When I reached the stairs, I gently grabbed his hand and said,
"Tell me what's wrong."
"Nothing," he replied shortly and continued down the steps.
I felt a slight pain in my chest and thought, He'll tell me soon…
Chak went into the living room and began going through some documents.
I followed and sat on the armchair, silently watching him.
His face was serious and cold — frozen, almost.
Anamarija entered and sat on the couch. We exchanged a glance.
Then Chak suddenly asked,
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No, I don't,"she replied, looking at me in surprise.
"That's a shame," Chak said.
"Why?" she asked.
"You'll find out soon."Then he added,
"Take whatever you want for dinner."
Anamarija stood up and headed to the kitchen.
A few moments later, I stood up and followed her.
While we were eating, she asked,
"Why does he care if I have a boyfriend?"
"I have no idea," I replied.
After we finished dinner, I did the dishes and went back to Chak.
I sat in the same place as before.
"Good night," Anamarija said, heading upstairs.
"Good night," Chak and I said in unison.
I looked at him, still hoping he'd meet my eyes — but he didn't.
His face was unreadable, distant.
After a while, I moved closer, slowly, until I was right next to him.
I reached out and gently took his hand, brushing my fingers over his tricep.
Softly, I said,
"Tell me what Vikran told you. You don't have to keep it to yourself."
"Go to sleep," he replied coldly, still not looking at me.
Before I stood up, I gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Not now," he said, turning his face away.
I got up and went to my room. After a quick shower, I went to the kitchen, grabbed a chocolate bar, and returned to him. Quietly, I sat down on the armchair and watched him.
Chak looked up at me. "Go to sleep," he said.
"I'm not going," I replied. "Not until you tell me what's wrong. Why you're acting like this."
"Please, don't pressure me," he said, his voice cold and distant.
I stood up and sat beside him on the couch. I unwrapped the chocolate and took a bite. Then I held it in front of his nose and said:
"Maybe this will help you melt. So you won't be Ice Man anymore."
"Niran, leave me alone," Chak said sharply.
"I'm not giving up," I told myself.
I got up and stood in front of him. I crouched down and softly said, "If you eat it, I promise I'll leave you alone. Otherwise, when this one melts, I'll just go get a new one."
I brought the chocolate close to his mouth. He turned his face away.
"Chak," I raised my voice a little.
He turned back to me and looked into my eyes, his expression unreadable.
"Please eat it," I said quietly.
He reached for my hand, lifted it slightly, and took a bite of the chocolate. The whole time, his eyes stayed locked with mine.
"Happy now?" he asked once he finished.
"Not yet," I smiled, and sat down on his lap.
"How am I supposed to finish anything with you on me?" he asked.
"You don't have to," I replied softly. "Just be here."
I rested my head on his shoulder.
After a while, I felt his hand gently rest on my knee. I closed my eyes, and soon after, I felt his other hand softly covering mine. His touch was light — like a quiet apology.
The next morning
Soft morning light slipped through the curtains. I felt myself lying on something warm and soft.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Chak watching me.
"Good morning," he said.
"Good morning," I replied, smiling back.
I was covered with a black, soft blanket.
"Did I sleep on you the whole night?" I asked.
"Mhm," Chak nodded.
He brushed a strand of hair from my face, leaned in, and kissed my forehead gently.
"Why were you so persistent yesterday? Why did you stay with me even though I pushed you away?" he asked, almost whispering.
"Because I wanted you to know… that I'll be here. Even when things are hard. Even when you shut me out," I answered quietly.
Chak pulled me into a stronger hug. His arms wrapped around me with quiet intensity.
"I'm sorry for pushing you away," he said. "I wanted to be alone. I'm not used to having someone stay when things get heavy."
"Well, now I'll be the one who stays," I whispered, and kissed his cheek.
Chak gently ran his hand down my back before pulling away slightly.
"Come on," he said softly. "Let's eat something."
We both got up from the couch. I stretched a little, still feeling the warmth from his arms, and followed him into the kitchen. The morning felt quiet, almost too still — like the world around us was waiting.
Chak opened the fridge and pulled out some eggs and vegetables.
"Sit down. I'll cook," he said, not waiting for a response.
I sat at the table, quietly watching him. There was something calming about the way he moved — precise, familiar. Even in silence, being around him made me feel grounded.
A few minutes later, he placed a warm plate in front of me and sat across from me.
"Thanks," I said, taking a bite. The taste brought a small smile to my face.
Chak didn't eat right away. Instead, he looked at me seriously.
"I need to tell you something," he said.
I slowly lowered my fork. "You're finally telling me about yesterday."
He took a quiet breath, eyes locked on mine.
"Vikran said he wants to get to know Anamarija better," he began.
I tilted my head. "Like… just talk? Or—?"
Chak looked down at his plate, then back up again. "I think he's interested in her. More than he should be."
I blinked, unsure how to respond. "Do you think he's being genuine?"
Chak leaned back in his chair, folding his arms.
"I don't know. With Vikran, nothing is ever just casual. He always has a plan. And I… I don't trust his timing."
I nodded slowly. "Do you think she's in danger?"
"No," Chak replied firmly. "But I don't want her to be dragged into anything complicated. Not when she's just starting to find her place here."
His voice had a hint of protectiveness I hadn't heard in a while.
"You care about her," I said quietly.
"She's my sister " Chak said simply. "Whether I've known her for a day or a year — I won't let anything happen to her."
I reached across the table and took his hand gently.
"We'll protect her. Together."
He looked at me, his eyes softer now.
"Thank you."
We sat there for a few seconds, our hands still touching, as the morning light poured in through the kitchen window.
And even with all the uncertainty ahead… I felt like we were ready to face it.
Together.
But just as I started to take another bite, a thought tugged at me — and this time, I couldn't swallow it down.
I set my fork down.
"Chak," I said slowly, "you need to tell her."
He looked up. "Tell her what?"
"About Vikran. That you don't trust him. That he might be using her."
Chak's expression darkened. "Not yet."
I leaned forward, more serious now. "Why not?"
He hesitated, then finally spoke. "Because… she reminds me of me."
I blinked. "What?"
"She has that same guarded look I used to have," Chak said quietly. "Like she's been carrying things alone for a long time. If I tell her too soon, if I make her doubt people before she even finds her footing here…" He trailed off.
I stayed silent, watching him.
"She's strong," he added, softer now. "But she doesn't let people in easily. Just like I didn't. If I mess this up—if I scare her—she might shut down. Or walk away."
I exhaled, then stood up and looked him in the eyes. "If she really is like you, then she deserves the truth. Because what hurt you most wasn't knowing too much — it was being left out."
Chak looked down at his hands, his knuckles tightening around his coffee mug.
"I just…" he muttered. "I want to protect her, not make her question everything."
I stepped closer. "You're not protecting her by keeping her in the dark. You're just making her walk blindfolded."
Chak didn't say anything. The silence between us stretched.
"You said she's your family," I added softly. "Then treat her like it."
Finally, he looked up at me — eyes heavy with conflict — and gave a small nod.
"I'll tell her. Later."
A breath of relief slipped out of me.
"Thank you."
He stepped closer, placing a hand gently on my back, and pulled me into a hug. His grip wasn't tight, but it was full of meaning.
"I hate when you're right," he murmured.
I smiled, resting my head against his chest. "That's becoming a habit."