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Chapter 19

Mikael turns at the last corner before slowing down his car, getting ready to enter the flat complex. He continues to drive at the roughly same speed, searching for a parking spot to park his car. Somehow, the flat is quite busy than usual that night and the parking lot is quite crowded with vehicles. After wandering for quite a while, he finally found one. It is a bit far from the lift, but he does not care. His heavy eyelids need more attention and care from him.

Both Mikael and Khaiser step out of the car simultaneously and head to the lift. Even though he is almost taken over by his sleepiness, Mikael still remembers to lock his car as they walk. The scenery in the parking lot really resembles the situation in the flat building. Upon seeing the hallway that is almost crowded with people, Mikael pulls himself together and tries to act cool. He is a bit far behind since his housemate decided to head toward the lift first when he was locking the car earlier. Plus, the crowd is slowing him down almost significantly. After struggling a bit to walk in between people and staying awake at the same time, he finally arrives at the lift where his housemate is waiting for him.

The lift door opens a few seconds after Mikael arrived and both young men step into the lift. Realizing that there are only two of them in the lift, Mikael takes the chance to lean against the wall and rest his head before closing his eyes. He can no longer hold his sleepiness. He has securely brought them to their flat, and it is now his housemate's turn to lead them home safely. Khaiser pushes the button to the third floor and stands still, waiting for the lift to bring them there. He glances at his housemate quietly a few times along the way. Mikael seems to have dozed off as he is unaware of his glance.

Mikael slowly opens his eyes when the sound of the lift's door opening reaches his eardrums. He follows his housemate's steps, walking sluggishly out of the lift and heading to their house. Unfortunately for him, the condition on the third floor is not better than before. Once again, he forces himself to hide his almost overwhelming drowsiness and fixes his steps even though his head is starting to ache.

After walking past a few other houses and slipping out of the crowd, they finally arrive at their house. Mikael leans against the wall while waiting for his housemate to unlock the door. Despite the lively atmosphere surrounding the flat complex, Mikael becomes more and more sleepy by the second. It is still early at the moment. But since he was having too much fun at Zephan's place, his energy tank now is almost empty.

As soon as the clicking sound of the grill door being unlocked hits his eardrums, Mikael opens his eyes and stands properly. He uses the remaining energy and consciousness he has to rush into the house. Khaiser realizes his movement from the corner of his eyes. He quickly unlocks the front door and pushes it open before stepping aside to give some space for his friend to enter the house first.

Mikael dashes to the sofa in the living room and throws himself onto it as soon as he steps into the house. Him lying down on the sofa is the only picture that is lingering in his mind since he was on the road, and it finally comes true and he can close his eyes in peace. He is content with the softness of the sofa that he is not bothered to walk further to his bedroom. Meanwhile, Khaiser steps into the house calmly just after his friend makes himself comfortable on the sofa. He locks the grill door and the front door before walking to the living room. He switches on the ceiling fan and one of the lights as he walks before bringing his gaze to his friend.

"I'll be in my room if you need anything." Khaiser finally breaks the silence in the house after staring at his housemate for a while. He switches on the light on the balcony and switches off the light in the living room, returning it back to its dark state. Since the curtain to the balcony is closed, the amount of light from the balcony that enters the living room is just enough to make the living room soothingly dim. As Khaiser thought, his housemate gives no response. He heads to his room without waiting any longer.