Unpredictable Connection

46. The Interview

Engfa's  POV:

Phi, Freen, and I were deep in conversation when it happened.

The bookshelf beside the bed shifted—just the faintest creak in the quiet of the night. But it was enough. We all knew Freen's fear of ghosts and the paranormal, a fear that had followed her since childhood like a stubborn shadow. I saw her gulp, eyes darting toward the bookshelf. She was sitting on the bed, right next to where it stood near the door, while I lounged on the other side, closer to the balcony, the soft breeze from the night air brushing against my skin. Phi Serena was in the middle, cross-legged, her gaze flickering between us with amused patience.

P'Serena cleared her throat, trying to distract Freen. "So... Nam told me that—"

A sharp scream pierced the room.

Freen's scream.

Phi and I both jumped, our hearts leaping into our throats before we turned toward the source. And there, poking their heads through the now half-open bookshelf, were Nam and Noey.

For a moment, there was silence. Then laughter erupted, loud and unstoppable, rolling off the walls of the room like a warm wave. Freen's wide-eyed panic turned into an indignant glare as she realized what had happened.

You see, that bookshelf wasn't just a bookshelf. It was a secret passage, one we had discovered long ago during one of our childhood summer days of adventure. Beneath the old staircase outside, there was a hidden door, and through it, a narrow passage that led directly into Freen's and P'Serena's shared room. Phi and I had used it countless times in the past to scare Freen, who would clutch her blanket and yell every single time. It became our tradition—a harmless prank, a reminder that we were still the same, no matter how much the world around us changed.

Apparently, Nam and Noey had decided it was their turn.

Nam and Noey tumbled into the room, joining in our laughter, while P'Serena reached out, patting Freen's back gently. Freen looked like she was trying not to smile, lips pursed as she crossed her arms and glared at all of us.

"You guys taught them this, didn't you?" she accused, her voice cracking between annoyance and the laughter she was holding back.

P'Serena raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her lips. "Nope. I was in a coma, remember?" she teased.

The room fell silent for a second before everyone's gaze shifted toward me.

I casually turned my head toward the balcony, whistling as if the night sky outside was the most fascinating thing I had ever seen.

"Engfa!" Freen yelled, launching herself at me across the bed, fists flying toward my arms. I let out a loud laugh as her soft punches landed, her face scrunched in mock anger.

"Okay, okay! Stop hitting me!" I wheezed, clutching my stomach as I tried to catch my breath between laughter.

This was our Freen—silly, funny, quick to panic but just as quick to laugh. The girl who screamed at creaking shelves but would fight anyone who dared to hurt the people she loved. And as I looked around the room at our small, chaotic family, I felt a warmth spread in my chest.

Somehow, in this moment, everything felt right.

As the laughter died down, P'Serena clapped her hands softly, drawing everyone's attention. "Okay, everyone, settle."

Nam and Noey hopped onto the other side of the bed, giggling like mischievous children, while Freen, Phi, and I leaned back against the headboard, the soft pillows sinking under our weight.