Chapter Text
The world must be ending, Cahaya concluded.
He had been in the middle of studying for the next Science Olympiad when a knock on the door interrupted him.
Frowning in suspicion, he was sure he wasn't expecting anyone else unless it was Aunty Kara, their neighbor who would often check up on him when mom and dad were away for work.
But she just checked on him thirty minutes ago.
Cautiously, he got down from the kitchen counter and made his way to the door.
Another knock made him flinch in surprise.
“Who is it?” He asked, hand on the door knob.
“Cahaya…?”
He froze, eyes growing wide as his heart almost jumped up his throat.
It couldn't be…
His hand loosened its grip as he found himself hesitating.
“Cahaya…” The voice from the other side spoke up once more, “...a-are you still there?”
Then white hot anger gripped his heart, “What are you doing here, Tanah? Aren't you supposed to be back at Rintis with everyone else?”
Silence.
As the seconds grew longer he couldn't help but wonder if he left.
Again.
Cahaya ignored the hurt he felt and the need to see the brother he hadn't seen for a whole year—
Click.
The door opened and he wanted to hit himself for forgetting that all of them had a copy of the house's key.
He sighed, forcing himself to face him with a glare.
Great, now Tanah would get all angry and scold him for trying to lock him out and probably tell their parents’ on him.
He prepared himself for the other to berate him but was surprised to be met with silence instead as his brother looked at him like he had just seen a ghost.
“Uh… earth to Tanah—”
He suddenly reached forward, and Cahaya stiffened when his hand touched his face gently.
He looked up at his brother whose eyes shone with tears.
What the…?
And suddenly he was being pulled into a hug so tight he couldn't breathe.
“H-hey! Get off me!” He tried to push him off, more confused than angry.
“Come with me.”
He stopped struggling against his tight hold.
“What…?”
If possible, Tanah's grip grew tighter— as if afraid he was going to disappear right then and there.
“Come with me…” Tanah repeated as he pulled away, but he kept his hold on his arms, “...come and stay in Pulau Rintis with us. Everyone is waiting.”
Cahaya stared back at him in dumbfoundment and disbelief.
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The world must really be ending.
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To be Continued