MISUNDERSTANDING OCCURE
1608 Words
CHAPTER 10 – MISUNDERSTANDING
Kaal’s grip on Arka’s collar tightened. His jaw was locked, lips pressed into a hard line.
For a moment, Arka thought he might get punched — but instead, Kaal let go. His hand dropped limply to his side.
Without a word, Kaal turned and walked away.
Arka didn’t follow. He just stood there, heart pounding, watching Kaal’s back grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared around the corner.
“…Great,” he muttered under his breath. “Perfect. I’ve really done it this time.”
He sighed, dragging a hand through his hair, and headed back into the library.
⸻
“Sis!” Arka called as soon as he spotted Araa sitting near the window.
But he stopped short when he noticed Reo was still there, flipping through a book with innocent precision — as if he hadn’t just witnessed a public lovers’ quarrel.
Araa looked up first. “You done fighting?”
Arka groaned and slumped into the chair beside her. “Don’t start.”
Araa tilted her head. “So… that guy was your boyfriend?”
Reo’s pen froze mid-air.
Arka rubbed the back of his neck. “Well… not officially. I’m still… you know… courting him.”
Reo’s ears perked up like a cat’s. “Wait—so you’re not dating yet?”
Arka blinked at him. “What’s it to you?”
Reo leaned back, grinning. “Oh, nothing. Just means I still stand a chance.”
“WHAT?” Arka’s voice shot up several decibels.
Reo smirked, patted his shoulder, and stood. “Good luck, buddy. May the best man win.”
Arka stared after him, speechless. “What—what is wrong with people today?!”
Araa burst out laughing. “Well, brother, it seems you’ve got yourself a rival.”
He turned to her, scandalized. “You’re enjoying this way too much!”
“Maybe,” she said, smiling slyly. “But honestly? He’s not wrong. That Reo boy’s cute. His temperament’s actually better than yours.”
“Araa!” Arka groaned, slumping forward and pressing his forehead to the desk.
His sister giggled, patting his back. “Don’t worry, I’m on your side. Besides—” she leaned close, whispering mischievously, “He won’t be able to steal my brother-in-law.”
Arka looked up, bewildered. “Brother-in-law?”
She smiled innocently. “What? I’m already planning your wedding. Don’t ruin it.”
He groaned again, muffled into the table. “You’re insane.”
“Runs in the family,” she replied, shrugging. “Anyway, I need to head home. You coming, or are you going to sit here sulking about your ‘almost boyfriend’?”
Arka scowled. “Don’t quote that phrase ever again. Let’s just go home.”
⸻
When they got home, their mom was waiting in the living room, sipping tea and scrolling through her phone.
The moment she saw Arka, she smiled like a cat ready to tease.
“Well, look who’s home,” she purred. “So… did you have a beautiful night last night?”
Arka’s soul nearly left his body. “Mom!”
“What?” she teased. “I was young once too.”
“Ugh.” Arka stormed past her straight to his room, flopping face-down on the bed. “I hate everything,” he muttered into the pillow.
His mother blinked after him, confused. “What’s wrong with him?”
Araa grinned and folded her arms. “He messed it up. My brother-in-law saw us together and misunderstood.”
Their mom’s eyes widened. “Misunderstood? Oh no—he thought you were—”
“Exactly.”
“This stupid boy!” their mom gasped, throwing her hands up. “He can’t even court someone properly!”
Araa sighed, shaking her head. “Tell me about it.”
She headed upstairs, knocking gently on her brother’s door. “Brother, can I come in?”
A faint groan came from inside. “Go away…”
“Too bad.” She pushed the door open.
Arka sat on the bed, hugging his knees like a sad puppy. “I’m such an i***t, sis. I can’t believe I got caught.”
Araa blinked. “Caught? You make it sound like you cheated! I’m your sister!”
He groaned louder, burying his face in a pillow. “I lied to him. I said I was going to the library alone… and then he came and saw us sitting together.”
Araa sighed, crossing her arms. “Well, brother, you’re doomed.”
“Yeah, thanks for the comfort.”
“Anytime.”
“Why were you even there, anyway?” Arka whined. “Couldn’t you have met me somewhere else? Or called me?”
Araa blinked. “I was studying, you came to me!”
Arka looked up pitifully. “I was just… too excited to tell you about last night.”
Araa’s face softened slightly. “You mean… the kiss?”
He blushed. “…Maybe.”
“Ugh, you’re hopeless.” She sighed, patting his head. “Now you made your boyfriend angry before you’re even dating.”
“I know!”
She stood and smiled gently. “Then fix it. If you like him, don’t just sit here pouting. Talk to him.”
Arka flopped back down dramatically. “I’ll die first.”
“Fine,” she said, walking out. “Then die single.”
“Rude!”
⸻
Meanwhile, across town, Kaal was lying in bed staring at the ceiling.
He replayed the scene again and again — Arka, smiling beside that girl. His own voice rising. The way he walked away like a coward.
He sighed heavily. “I was too harsh…”
His fingers hovered over his phone. He typed:
“Hey. I’m sorry for earlier.”
Then deleted it.
He typed again:
“Who was that girl?”
Deleted it again.
He groaned, tossing the phone aside. “What am I even doing?”
⸻
The weekend arrived with gloomy skies — fitting, considering Arka’s mood.
He trudged downstairs, hair messy, eyes dull.
His mom and dad were already at the table eating breakfast.
“Good morning,” his mother greeted, but her smile faded when she saw his expression. “Oh dear… look at that face.”
His dad peered over the newspaper. “What happened to you? Fail an exam again?”
Before Arka could answer, Araa spoke up from across the table. “No, he failed at love.”
Arka glared. “Araa.”
His mom sighed dramatically. “My poor son… losing his boyfriend before even becoming one.”
“I didn’t lose him!” Arka snapped weakly. “He just… misunderstood.”
“Then call him,” Araa said, munching toast. “Explain it.”
Arka muttered, “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“…I don’t have his number.”
The room fell completely silent.
Araa’s toast stopped halfway to her mouth.
Their mother blinked.
Their father, who had just entered the room again, froze mid-step — then facepalmed so hard it echoed.
“Arka,” his mom said slowly, “you’ve been courting him for almost a year. How do you not have his number?”
“I—uh—forgot to ask?” Arka said sheepishly.
Araa slammed her hand on the table. “You know his favorite food, his birthday, his shoe size, but not his number?!”
Arka groaned, burying his face in his hands. “I thought I’d just see him at school, okay?”
His father folded his arms. “Son… I think we should take you to the hospital.”
“What?!”
“Your eyes missed a boy for a girl, your brain missed logic, and now your memory’s gone. Clearly something’s broken.”
Araa nodded seriously. “Dad’s right. Maybe a CT scan.”
Arka glared at them all, mortified. “Can you not hold a family meeting about my stupidity?!”
His mother sighed, but smiled softly, patting his back. “At least you’re honest about liking him. That’s something.”
He didn’t answer. He just sat there, silent, staring at his breakfast.
After a while, his mom spoke again, gentler. “By the way, your teacher called yesterday.”
Arka blinked. “Huh? About what?”
“Your grades.”
He froze. “Oh no…”
“She said you’re struggling and need a tutor.”
He swallowed hard. “Right.”
“So,” she continued sweetly, “your father and I decided to hire a private teacher for you. They’ll start tonight.”
“What—no! That’s unnecessary!”
“Your grades disagree.”
“I swear I’ll improve!”
His mother smiled that terrifying mom-smile. “That’s settled, then.”
“Mom!”
“You clearly need your brain fixed, son.”
Arka groaned, slumping in defeat. “Why does everyone keep saying that…”
⸻
That afternoon, he lay in bed staring at the ceiling again.
He hadn’t heard from Kaal. Not a word.
He sighed quietly. “Maybe he really hates me this time.”
A soft knock came at the door.
“Brother?”
“Yeah?”
Araa peeked in, smiling faintly. “Don’t worry too much. If he really likes you, he’ll understand eventually.”
Arka gave a tired smile. “You think so?”
She nodded. “Twin’s instinct.”
“Thanks,” he said softly.
As she left, she muttered under her breath, “You better fix it before Mom fixes your brain.”
“HEY, I HEARD THAT!”
Her laugh echoed down the hall.
- Writer
