Kaal and Arka

CONFESS

Chapter 2. CONFESS

In the abandoned greenhouse, two boys stood face-to-face. One held a gun; the other froze in panic, eyes wide, sweat rolling down his temple.

Who would’ve thought the saying “curiosity killed the cat” could actually come true?

“Do you hate me that much?” Kaal blurted out, voice trembling. “You brought me all the way here just to kill me?” His eyes were red, caught between anger and fear.

“What? No!” Arka’s words stumbled out in a rush. “I’m not trying to hurt you—please, you have to believe me!”

He took a hesitant step forward. Kaal instantly stepped back.

Every step Arka moved, Kaal matched in retreat, the space between them shrinking yet refusing to vanish.

“Arka, listen,” Kaal stammered, voice cracking, “I swear I won’t call you a big bully again, okay? Just don’t kill me, please!”

He was practically sobbing, eyes darting to the gun still pointed his way.

Arka’s face went crimson. “What are you talking about?! Why would I ever—look, I’m not going to kill you! Please, look at me!”

“Then what is it? You’re scaring me!”

Who would believe this guy right now? Kaal thought miserably.

Arka swallowed hard, eyes flicking down. “It’s my father,” he murmured. “He’s… part of the mafia. Dangerous. That’s why I need protection.”

Kaal blinked, utterly thrown off. “And why are you telling me this?!”

It’s not my business! Please don’t make it my business! he screamed inside.

“Because…” Arka’s voice dropped to a whisper. “You’re the only one I trust.”

No. Don’t trust me. You’ll regret it.

Kaal stared at him, baffled. “Why me? You have tons of friends. You don’t need to tell anyone your secret. Just bury it, Arka.”

Seriously, just leave me out of your drama!.

But Arka’s eyes were glossy with guilt. “I’ve bullied you for so long,” he said hoarsely. “I even asked my friends to—” He stopped, choking on the memory. “I wanted to show you I’m sincere now. That I mean it when I say I’m sorry. So I told you something I never told anyone else.”

Kaal hesitated. Truthfully, Arka’s “bullying” wasn’t that bad — annoying, sure, but more like childish teasing than cruelty. The uniform incident? Just a prank gone wrong. Still… hearing the apology made something twist in his chest.

“What are you apologizing for? I’m not even angry,” Kaal said quietly.

“Really?” Arka’s voice softened, tentative. His lips curved in a shaky smile. “I thought you hated me.”

Kaal frowned. “Why would I hate you? Just—put that gun down, okay?”

Seriously, that thing is giving me heart attacks!

Arka glanced at the weapon in his hand, then looked back at Kaal. “I don’t know why I keep picking on you. I just… can’t help it. It’s like I’m drawn to you.”

He looked away, cheeks burning. No, that’s not it. I know exactly why. Because I like her. I really like her.

Kaal blinked, caught between confusion and disbelief. This guy’s brain is broken, he thought. There’s no other explanation.

When Kaal didn’t respond right away, Arka’s shoulders drooped. “You hate me,” he whispered. “I get it.”

“Huh? No, I don’t!” Kaal yelped. Not when you’re still holding that gun!

“You don’t?” Arka’s eyes brightened. “Even after everything?”

“Yes—yes! Even after everything!” Kaal said quickly, hands raised in surrender. Just stop coming closer, you maniac!

Then, to his horror, Arka tossed the gun aside. The clang echoed in the glass room.

Before Kaal could exhale in relief, Arka reached forward, fingertips brushing Kaal’s cheek. The touch was so gentle it startled him more than the gun had.

Kaal froze, brain glitching. “What are you—?”

“I always thought you were beautiful,” Arka murmured. “But now I know you’re kind, too.”

Kaal’s mind short-circuited. Beautiful? What dimension had Arka fallen from?!

Before he could say a word, Arka’s hand slid to the back of his neck — and suddenly their lips met.

It was barely a touch, trembling and uncertain, but real.

For one heartbeat, the world stood still.

Then Kaal jolted back, eyes wide as a startled cat. “What—what are you doing?!”

Arka’s face went pale, then flushed deep red. “I—I thought you—”

“I’m a boy! Are you out of your mind?! You kissed me!”

Kaal’s voice cracked with outrage. First the gun, now this?! What’s next — a proposal?!

Arka stammered helplessly, backing onto a shelf that clattered behind him. “I— I could’ve sworn you were—”

“A girl?!” Kaal exploded. “Do you see me wearing a skirt?!”

He gestured wildly. “I wear the same uniform as you, genius! Pants included!”

Arka covered his face, groaning. “I don’t get it… I really thought—”

Kaal’s fury fizzled into disbelief. “Unbelievable…” He turned away, but Arka’s desperate voice stopped him.

“I’m sorry!”

Kaal froze.

“I thought seeing you as a girl would make things easier,” Arka admitted, voice trembling. “But I was wrong.”

Kaal’s chest tightened unexpectedly. “So you mind now that I’m not a girl?”

Arka’s head shot up. “No! I mean—yes—I mean, I’m confused, okay?! But it doesn’t change how I feel!”

His words were raw, messy, and real.

Kaal’s heart skipped. He didn’t want it to, but it did.

“You liked me because you thought I was a girl,” Kaal muttered, stepping aside. “Move. I want to leave.”

Arka caught his sleeve, eyes wild with panic. “Wait, please!”

Kaal turned sharply. “What now? You feel disgusted?”

Arka shook his head. “No! I told you, I like you — I don’t care what anyone says!”

Silence stretched between them. The sound of their uneven breathing filled the greenhouse.

Kaal wanted to laugh, cry, and punch him all at once.

This i***t…

When he finally found his voice, it came out small. “You’re impossible.”

Arka smiled weakly. “Maybe. But I’m serious about you.”

Kaal didn’t reply. He just sighed, brushing past him toward the door — his heart still pounding like he’d run a marathon.

Behind him, Arka whispered, “I meant what I said.”

Kaal didn’t turn around. “You’re insane,” he muttered under his breath.