Chak took a slow breath and began, "I have deep feelings for Niran. I can't fully put them into words, but I know I don't want him to leave me. When I'm with him, I feel different. I'm not that cold, distant man anymore. With him... I'm just me."
Malai looked at me and softly asked, "Do you love Chak?"
"Yes," I answered without hesitation. "Since the first time I saw him. At first, he was like an ice man — closed off, unreachable. But now, I'm getting to know his warmer side. A man who feels deeply and honestly."
Malai nodded. "Alright. Niran, Chak is a different man when he's with you. He sees someone in you he can trust. I want you to stand by his side. Don't leave him alone."
"I promise," I said sincerely and smiled at her gently.
At that moment, Ton ran down the stairs and hugged Malai. "Mom, are you leaving? I want to be with Uncle Chak."
"Yes, I'll be leaving soon," she said with a smile.
She stood up, kissed Ton's hair, and said, "I'll be back in two days. Be good." Then she hugged Chak, and finally turned to me, whispering, "I'm happy for you and Chak."
After she left, the three of us were alone. Ton looked at me and asked, "Wanna play hide and seek?"
"Sure," I replied with a smile.
"Uncle Chak will count, and we'll hide!" Ton shouted excitedly.
Chak turned to the wall and began counting. Ton grabbed my hand and pulled me toward Chak's office. "Let's hide under the desk!" he whispered.
We crouched down and waited. We heard the door open. Ton giggled quietly.
Chak's voice echoed, "Hmm, where are they? I guess they're not here…" Then the door closed again.
"We did it!" Ton whispered, beaming.
But seconds later, Chak's voice jumped out: "Found you!"
Ton burst into laughter, and I, startled, bumped my head on the desk.
When we crawled out, Chak gently took our hands. "Now Ton will count, and we'll hide."
As Ton turned to face the wall and began loudly counting, Chak quickly pulled me along. "Let's go," he whispered.
He led me into his bedroom and then to the walk-in closet. I leaned against the wall, heart racing.
Chak stepped close. One hand resting on the wall near my head, the other lightly brushing my cheek. His fingers trailed gently to my lips.
I stayed silent, caught between tension and tenderness. My heartbeat pounded.
He leaned in closer, our faces nearly touching, when Ton's voice rang out: "I found you!"
We quickly pulled apart, laughing and blushing.
Chak smiled at me softly and kissed my forehead. "This game might last all night."
"I hope it never ends," I replied, looking into his eyes.
Ton came running in. "Can we have pasta and sauce for dinner?"
We headed to the kitchen together.
"What if we all cook dinner tonight?" Chak suggested as he opened the fridge.
"I'll mix!" Ton cried and climbed onto a stool by the counter.
"You're hired, little helper," I said, unable to suppress my smile. Something about this moment Chak by my side, Ton so excited, the warmth of this home nearly undid me. It was everything I'd longed for. A place to belong.
Cooking was chaotic but fun. Ton spilled pasta everywhere, I nearly burned the sauce, and Chak calmly orchestrated the kitchen like a gentle captain always casting me these quiet, warm glances.
When we finally sat down to eat, my heart was full of something I hadn't let in for a long time hope.
After dinner and brushing teeth, Ton jumped into bed, pulled the covers up high, and looked at us with big, expectant eyes.
"Which story tonight?" he asked, propping his head in his hands.
Chak opened a book Ton had brought, but I stopped him with a smile. "Tonight, I'll make one up. Just for you."
Ton's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Mhm," I nodded, and began:
"Once upon a time, far from here, lived a little lion who thought he was just another cub in the jungle. He was quiet, shy, and always walked at the end of the line. But he had something special — a heart that could feel everything, from the whispers of trees to the tears of stars…"
As I told the story, I gently stroked Ton's hair. His breathing slowed, his eyes fluttered closed. Chak sat quietly at the head of the bed, listening like a child himself.
When the story ended, Ton was already dreaming.
Chak turned off the light and we quietly left the room.
In the bedroom, Chak looked at me. "How are you so good at telling stories? You make everything come alive."
I laughed softly and sat at the edge of the bed. "When Nira and I were little, our childhood wasn't great. Our parents were gone a lot. Every night, I'd tell her a bedtime story to help her fall asleep. I made up all kinds of tales — about brave mice, flying balloons, stars in love with moons…"
Chak came closer and sat beside me. He didn't say anything at first, just watched me with that soft gaze I still didn't fully understand.
"It's beautiful that you carry so much warmth," he finally whispered.
I turned to him. "Maybe I had to find it for others… so I could forget how empty I felt myself."
Chak stood, turned off the light, then came closer. In the darkness, he gently kissed my forehead.
"Don't forget yourself. You have me now too."
And for the first time in a long while, I felt like I wasn't alone.
As we lay down, I turned to him and quietly asked, "So… you have feelings for me?"
Chak gave a small smile and teased, " I didn't know that you liked me from day one?" His hand gently traced my cheek.