Nyra walked downstairs slowly, her fingers brushing lightly against the railing. Her mind was still stuck on the same thought, replaying the still figure outside again and again.
Was it him?
Her heartbeat hadn't settled yet. She didn't know why she felt this nervous. She didn't even know who she was expecting… yet something inside her insisted it mattered.
She reached the last step and looked up.
A boy stood near the sofa, casually looking around the room. The moment he saw her, his face brightened with an easy, familiar smile.
Nyra stopped.
The tension in her chest shifted.
It wasn't him.
"…Mike?" she whispered softly.
Mike Watson tilted his head, noticing her expression immediately. His smile faded into mild concern as he stepped closer.
"Hey… everything okay?" he asked. "You look shocked."
Nyra blinked, still distracted. The words slipped from her thoughts before she could stop them.
"I thought… you were—"
She stopped.
Mike frowned slightly. "I was… what?"
Nyra shook her head quickly. "Nothing. I just didn't expect you."
He studied her more carefully. "You sure? You look like something's wrong."
Nyra avoided his gaze. He was here… I saw him…
The thought echoed in her mind, but she only said quietly,
"No. I'm fine."
Mike didn't look convinced. "You're acting strange. Were you waiting for someone?"
Nyra hesitated.
For a second, she almost answered honestly.
But instead, she forced a small shrug. "You just came suddenly."
Mike's expression slowly turned playful. "Oh… so I ruined something?"
Nyra frowned. "What?"
He grinned. "Were you expecting someone cooler? Did I interrupt a surprise visit?"
He leaned slightly closer, teasing, "Should I leave and come back dramatically?"
Nyra exhaled softly. "You're being annoying."
Mike laughed and walked past her, dropping onto the sofa comfortably.
"I mean," he continued casually, "you definitely look disappointed."
"I'm not," Nyra replied quickly.
"Hmm," he said, smiling. "Not convincing."
Nyra sat across from him, trying to appear normal. Inside, her thoughts still lingered on the empty street outside.
Mike watched her quietly, then softened his tone.
"Hey… seriously. Are you okay?"
Nyra nodded. "Yeah. Just thinking."
"About me?" he asked instantly.
She gave him a flat look.
He laughed. "Worth trying."
Just then, Nyra's mother walked into the room. Her expression was calm and polite.
"Oh, Mike, you came," she said kindly.
Mike sat up properly. "Hello, aunty."
"You should've told your name," she said gently. "She looked confused."
Mike smiled. "I wanted to surprise her."
Nyra's mother chuckled faintly. "You always do."
She looked at Nyra briefly. "I'll bring something. Sit and talk."
Nyra nodded. Her mother walked away.
Mike leaned back again, glancing at her. "See? Everyone's normal except you."
Nyra sighed. "You just came without telling me."
"I missed you," he said simply.
Nyra looked away. "It's only been a few days."
"For you," he replied softly. "For me, it felt longer."
She didn't respond.
Mike quickly changed the mood again. "Anyway… I brought something."
Nyra looked back. "What?"
"Your study notes," he said, pulling a folder from his bag. "You said you needed help."
He placed it on the table.
Nyra's expression softened slightly. "You didn't have to."
"I know," he replied. "I wanted to."
Silence settled between them for a moment.
Mike watched her again. "You're still thinking."
"No," Nyra said quickly.
He smiled. "Okay. I'll pretend you're happy to see me."
"I am," she replied.
"Still not convincing."
Nyra rolled her eyes slightly.
Mike grinned.
And slowly, the tension in the room began to soften.
"There you go," he said. "You're finally acting normal. I was starting to think you forgot how to talk."
Nyra rolled her eyes. "I was talking."
"No," he replied playfully. "You were overthinking. Big difference."
She shook her head, but a small smile appeared anyway.
Mike noticed immediately. "See? That's better. I like this version of you."
Nyra looked away. "You talk too much."
"Only when you're quiet," he said.
A short silence followed — this time lighter.
Then Mike leaned forward slightly. "So… what were you thinking about?"
"Nothing," Nyra replied quickly.
He narrowed his eyes teasingly. "You're lying."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Nyra sighed. "You always assume things."
Mike smiled. "Because I know you."
Nyra didn't answer.
Instead, she stood up slowly. "You said you brought notes. Show me."
Mike lifted the folder. "I did. But I also came for something else."
Nyra looked at him. "What?"
He tilted his head. "Your writing."
She blinked. "My writing?"
"Yeah," he said casually. "Whenever you're this lost in thought, you usually write something. So… I'm guessing you did."
Nyra hesitated.
Mike grinned. "Don't tell me I'm wrong."
She exhaled quietly. "…Maybe."
"Then let me see," he said immediately.
Nyra looked toward the stairs. "We can go to my room."
Mike stood up at once. "Lead the way."
As they started walking toward the staircase, Nyra's phone, resting on the table behind them, lit up silently.
A new message appeared.
Unknown Number.
The screen dimmed again.
Nyra didn't notice.
They reached her room, and Nyra pushed the door open. Mike stepped inside, looking around casually.
"Same room," he said. "Nothing changes here."
Nyra ignored the comment and walked toward her desk. "Sit."
Mike dropped onto the chair comfortably. "Yes, ma'am."
Nyra picked up her notebook, flipping through the pages. Her thoughts had almost settled now. Talking to Mike always made things feel… easier.
Then she remembered her phone.
"I think I left my phone downstairs," she said.
"I'll get it," Mike offered.
"No, it's fine," she replied, walking out quickly.
She returned moments later, phone in hand.
As she unlocked the screen, the notification appeared.
Unknown Number.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
She opened it.
The message was short.
"You looked different when you thought I was the one waiting."
Nyra froze.
Her fingers tightened around the phone, her heartbeat suddenly louder than before. The words were simple… but they carried a quiet certainty that made her chest tense.
Her mind instantly flashed back to the window.
The still figure.
The empty street.
He had been there.
And he had seen her.
A cold unease crept in slowly. This wasn't just someone guessing. Whoever sent this… knew exactly what she had been thinking.
From inside the room, Mike's voice came lightly, "Did you find your phone?"
Nyra didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes remained fixed on the screen.
Because now one thought refused to leave her mind—
If he saw her…
then how long had he been watching?