On the other side, Halish once again failed to eat his breakfast in peace.
He sat at the dining table, a sandwich resting between his fingers, but his thoughts were far away – circling endlessly around Daisy.
'I really don't understand her.'
He thought.
'She gave me her number without hesitation.. and now she blocks me? Was she just trying to make me leave quickly?'
His jaw tightened. Appetite gone, he placed the half-eaten sandwich back onto the plate. A mix of irritation and curiosity twisted in his chest.
He stood up and walked back to his room.
The moment he picked up his phone, his breath caught.
A reply.
His eyes lit up instantly, the anger dissolving as if it had never existed.
Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he typed quickly, a soft smile forming on his lips.
"I see you're very busy, che Daisy. But I'm really glad you replied.
Can I call you now? I want to hear your voice."
After sending the message, he stared at the screen, smiling to himself.
Daisy, on the other hand...
The moment she read the words – I want to hear your voice,
discomfort washed over her. Her fingers tightened around the phone.
Her blood boiled – not because of him entirely, but because of what that sentence meant.
Too close.
Too soon.
Too dangerous.
She closed her eyes, took a slow breathe and forced herself to calm down before replying.
"No, don't call. My father hadn't gone to work yet. He'll probably stay until tomorrow morning. Also I'm a bit busy right now, so please stop texting for now. Let's talk later."
Halish read her reply, his brows knitting together in disappointment. Still, he didn't argue.
"Okay. Later. I'll be waiting."
He placed the phone beside him and lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
'It's New Year.'
He thought.
'And yet it feels so dull...'
They had only met yesterday – yesterday and yet his heart felt restless, heavy, tangled in thoughts of her.
'Who are you, che Daisy...?
What kind of magic did you cast on me?
I want to know more about you..'
He turned onto his side and buried his face fully into the pillow. A strange ache pressed against his chest – soft, painful, unfamiliar. He had never felt this way before, and that realization alone made him feel exposed.. vulnerable.
A gentle knock broke the silence.
"Halish, young man."
Leisilembi called softly.
"Come out. Lunch is ready."
"Okay, aunty. I'm coming."
He pushed himself up slowly and stepped out of the room, walking beside her toward the kitchen.
When they reached the kitchen, Mangal was already seated.
He gestured for Halish to sit.
"Come. Sit and eat."
Halish obeyed, taking the seat across him.
White rice was served on plates, accompanied by grilled fishe and simple curry of peas and potatoes. The aroma was comforting – homely, warm.
Yet his heart was far from calm.
He ate quietly, masking his emotions behind a careless expression.
Still, both Mangal and Leisilembi noticed the change in him – the silence, the heaviness.
They said nothing.
For now.
Time blurred by, and soon it was 7:00 pm.
Halish sat in the armchair beside the table in his room, books spread open in front of him.
To anyone watching, it would seem like he was studying.
But his eyes kept drifting to the phone beside his elbow.
He hadn't been able to concentrate all evening. He had been waiting – hoping – for her message. When none come, he hesitated, then finally reached for his phone.
"Che Daisy, are you still busy now?
Can we talk?"
He sent the message.
It didn't deliver.
A hollow chill spread through his body. Heart pounding, he tried to call her.
Disconnected.
Again.
Blocked.
Both calls and messages.
The realization hit him hard, stealing the air from his lungs.
He thought about asking his uncle for his phone – just once, just to check – but Mangal was always busy, even during the New Year holiday. And Halish didn't have the strength to explain why.
So instead, he lay down on the bed.
He pulled the blanket around himself like armour and let out a quiet, broken sob, his face half-buried in the pillow.
'Why?
Why do I feel like this about her?'
His thoughts turned cruel toward himself.
'It feels like I've loved her for years.
Unrequited love... how pathetic.
I'm weak. I'm supposed to be a bad boy – so why can't I handle this?'
His chest hurt too much.
'I want her to love me the way I love her.
Why is she so distant... so indifferent??'
Exhausted from crying silently, his body finally gave in. Sleep claimed him before the pain could settle again.
He didn't hear Mangal calling him for dinner.
When Mangal checked on him later and gently shook his shoulder, Halish only mumbled, half-asleep.
"I don't want to.. let me sleep."
Mangal sighed softly, worry creasing his face, and let him rest.
Five days passed.
Halish didn't text Daisy.
He didn't call.
He didn't ask about her.
Instead – he forced himself on his studies. He cleaned the house, helped Leisilembi with cooking, and kept himself busy.
Too busy.
Too quiet.
One evening, in the kitchen.
Leisilembi stood by the counter, washing rice in a large bowl. Mangal sat nearby, carefully cleaning the mustard leaves. The room was filled with the familiar sounds of water and leaves brushing together.
After a moment, Leisilembi spoke, her voice gentle but tinged with concern.
"Darling... I've noticed our young man has changed very quickly. He studied more now. He helps us without being asked."
She paused, smiling faintly.
"I find it a little strange."
Mangal nodded slowly, continuing his work.
"Yes, dear. I noticed it too. I hope it's a good change. It's better than how he was before."
Them his tone turned thoughtful.
"But we still should keep an eye on him, no matter what."
Leisilembi hummed in agreement. She finished washing the rice and poured it into the rice cooker before pausing, clearly lost in thought.
"I understand, darling. But... I've been thinking about something else too."
Mangal looked up at her, curious.
"What is it, dear?"
She smiled softly and sat down beside him.
"I was thinking about that lovely Daisy. Maybe she should stay here for a while. It's school and college vacation time – she might agree."
Mangal chuckled, amused, a teasingly smirked appearing on his face.
"And what makes you think she'll agree to that."
Leisilembi pouted playfully.
"I'll convinced her."
Mangal laughed at her enthusiasm, shaking his head.
"Alright."
He said warmly.
"I'll talk to Indra. If he agrees, we'll bring her here."
Halish has been listening what they are talking outside the kitchen. He accidentally heard them all when he just come down to drink some water to cold down his head.
Halish's legs trembled – part excitement, part nerves – from the conversation.
Trying hard to look nonchalant, he turned on his heel and hurried toward the staircase. But in his rush, his foot slipped.
With a loud crash, he stumbled and fell near the kitchen entrance.
The noise startled Mangal and Leisilembi. They bother turned toward the doorway, eyes wide.
Halish groaned softly in pain, scrambling back his feet before anyone could get a clear look at him.
Without a second thought, he dashed up the stairs and disappeared into his room.
Mangal and Leisilembi exchanged puzzled glances. After a moment, Leisilembi spoke, brows furrowed.
"Darling.. I think I just saw something run up the stairs."
Mangal let out a amused chuckled, shaking his head.
"Yeah, yeah, dear. Me too."
Inside his room, Halish collapsed onto his bed, lying flat on his back. He rubbed his aching knees and sore jaw, wincing as a dull pain throbbed through him.
"My god.. I'm dying..."
He groaned.
"What the hell... it hurts so bad.. aghh.."
Then despite the pain, a faint smile tugged his lips. His thoughts drifted back to her, soft and hopeful.
'I hope they bring her very soon.. Che Daisy...'
That day passed.
Another day has arrived.
Evening settled quietly over the house – it was around 8:00 pm.
Halish was in his room, dressed in a simple grey hoodie and black track pants, his hair slightly messy from running his fingers through it too many times.
His maths notebook lay open on the desk, numbers filling the page – but his mind was nowhere near them. Daisy's face kept slipping into his thoughts, uninvited and persistence.
From downstairs, Leisilembi voice called out.
"Young man, come down to the living room – quick."
Halish paused, furrowing in confuse. After a second, he pushed his chair back and stood up, walking out of the room and heading downstairs.
The moment he stepped into the living room, he froze.
His heart slammed against his chest, excitement and nervousness crashing together all over again.
Daisy sat on the couch beside Leisilembi. She was wearing dark-green half-sleeve top and black mapan hakpi yellow phanek. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulder, framming her face.
Leisilembi held her hands, her touch warm and affectionate.
Halish stood there, unable to move, unable to breathe properly.
Just then, Mangal placed a hand on Halish's shoulder from behind.
Halish startled, eyes widening as he turned around.
Mangal chuckled in quiet amusement at his reaction. He pulled his hand back.
"You look tense, young man."
Halish's cheeks flushed red, embarassed and nerves written all over his face. He stayed silent, lips pressed together.
Mangal's tone softened as he spoke again.
"I bought Daisy. She'll be staying here for a few days."
The words echoed in Halish's mind.
Halish's nervousness deepened – but beneath it bloomed a bright, uncontrollable excitement he couldn't hide, no matter how he tried.
Across the room, Daisy finally lifted her eyes to him.