“Where are you going?”
Taufan’s voice came out slightly hoarse. His eyes stayed fixed on Gempa, who was sitting by the classroom window, bathed in the late afternoon light.
“Why?”
“Are you going to miss me that much if I leave?” Gempa let out a small laugh, half teasing.
“No… that’s not it.”
Taufan hesitated, as if the words were hard to hold onto.
“It’s just… you’ll come back, right?”
There was a faint uncertainty in his voice.
Gempa’s smile slowly faded. He looked into the sapphire-blue eyes in front of him, gently too gently, like he was trying to memorize them.
Then he smiled again.
A smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“I love you, Ufan.”
“Taufan, let’s go home!”
Taufan turned quickly. Halilintar was already standing at the doorway, leaning against the frame as he waited.
“Uh— not now, Hali—”
As if something suddenly clicked, Taufan immediately turned back.
His eyes darted around the room.
To the desks.
To the window.
To the empty floor.
His breath hitched.
His vision blurred.
“Gempa… wait...”
But the seat by the window was now empty, lit only by the fading sunlight.
And Gempa was already gone.