After returning home from the university, Ethan walked quietly toward his house.
His mind felt heavy.
The conversation he had overheard about Katrina and Eric kept repeating in his head.
When he reached home, the house was silent.
His mother was still at work.
Ethan slowly walked into his room and sat down on the bench near his study table. He leaned back and stared at the ceiling.
A long sigh escaped his lips.
I was so stupid, he thought.
Why did I even think she might like me?
He rubbed his forehead in frustration.
"She just returned my umbrella… that's all," he whispered to himself.
"And I was imagining things."
Ethan closed his eyes for a moment.
"I guess they're right… she would never like me back."
He looked down at his hands.
"She's beautiful, smart, and kind," he murmured quietly.
"She deserves someone better than me."
After saying that, he fell silent.
The room felt strangely empty.
Across the Street
At the same time, Katrina had just returned to her room.
She dropped onto her bed with a deep breath.
"Oh my God… I finally did it," she said softly, staring at the ceiling.
Her heart was still beating fast when suddenly her phone rang.
It was her aunt.
Katrina quickly picked up the call.
"Hello, Aunt!"
Her aunt's warm voice came from the other side.
"How are you, honey?"
"I'm good. How are you?" Katrina replied happily.
"I'm doing well," her aunt said. "Are you enjoying your university life?"
While talking, Katrina slowly walked toward the balcony.
The evening outside was beautiful.
The sun was slowly setting, painting the sky in soft orange and pink colors. Streetlights had already started glowing along the road.
Katrina leaned against the balcony railing while talking.
But suddenly her eyes drifted toward the house across the street.
Ethan's house.
More specifically… his balcony.
And his room window.
The window was closed.
That felt strange.
Katrina stared at it for a moment.
Normally, she would see the lights on or the window slightly open.
But today, everything looked quiet.
Her aunt was still talking on the phone, but Katrina had become distracted.
After a few more minutes, the call ended.
Katrina slowly lowered her phone.
Her eyes once again wandered toward Ethan's balcony.
Without even realizing it, she was looking around… as if searching for someone.
She sighed softly.
Why am I even looking? she thought.
Just as she was about to go back inside, the sound of a door opening from the house across the street caught her attention.
Katrina immediately turned her head.
She tried to act normal.
But deep inside, she expected to see Ethan.
However…
It wasn't him.
It was Ethan's mother stepping out.
Katrina looked away quickly and walked back into her room.
She sat down on the couch, confused by her own feelings.
Why was I looking for him?
And why did it feel strange when he wasn't there?
She couldn't understand it.
Ethan's House
Later that evening, Ethan was still sitting quietly in his room.
From downstairs, his mother's voice called out.
"Ethan, dinner is ready! Come and eat!"
From inside his room, Ethan replied tiredly.
"Mom… I don't want to eat."
His mother frowned.
She walked toward his room and knocked gently before opening the door.
"What's wrong with you these days?" she asked softly. "You're not eating properly."
She looked at him with concern.
"Is something bothering you, my dear son?"
Ethan avoided her eyes.
"Mom… I'm just tired."
His mother sighed sadly.
"Alright," she said quietly. "Get some rest."
She slowly closed the door and left.
The Next Morning
The next morning, Katrina woke up early.
She stretched lazily before getting out of bed and getting ready for the day.
After freshening up, she walked downstairs for breakfast.
The maid greeted her politely.
"Good morning, Miss."
"Good morning, Miss Budhen," Katrina replied with a smile.
After finishing her breakfast, Katrina walked outside into the garden.
The morning air felt fresh and peaceful.
Beautiful flowers bloomed everywhere in the garden.
Katrina slowly walked along the small pathway, admiring them.
"They look so beautiful today," she murmured.
But even while walking around, her eyes kept drifting toward the house across the street.
Ethan's house.
It was almost as if she was waiting to see him walk outside.
After a while, Katrina returned to her bedroom and sat down at her desk to study.
She opened her books and tried to focus.
But her concentration kept breaking.
Every time she heard a sound from outside, she instinctively looked toward the balcony.
Maybe he's not home, she thought quietly.
Ethan's Morning
At Ethan's house, his mother called him from downstairs.
"Honey, come and have lunch."
Ethan slowly came downstairs and sat at the dining table.
The two of them began eating quietly.
Ethan barely spoke.
His mother kept looking at him with concern.
Finally she asked gently,
"You didn't go out today?"
Ethan kept eating without looking up.
"I don't have anything to do… so why should I go out?"
His mother nodded slowly.
"I see."
Then she remembered something.
"By the way," she said carefully, "are you really planning to visit Mr. Mike?"
She looked unsure.
"I mean… they're not that important."
Ethan immediately looked up.
His expression suddenly changed.
"What are you talking about?" he asked sharply.
"Are you serious, Mom?"
His mother looked surprised by his reaction.
"How can you say something like that?" Ethan said, clearly upset.
He pushed his chair back and stood up.
"I'm done eating."
Then he added coldly,
"And please… don't come into my room to bother me."
He walked away before his mother could say anything else.
She sat there, stunned.
"Oh… but I… I didn't mean…" she whispered sadly.
But Ethan had already gone upstairs.