THE UNWANTED ROOMMATE

Episode 4

Episode 4: A Fire That Won’t Burn Out

Morning After the Storm

When Meoja woke up, the first thing he noticed was warmth.

The second thing he noticed was that his head was resting on something solid.

Blinking groggily, he slowly lifted his head—only to realize that he had been leaning against Priyesh’s shoulder the whole night.

His breath hitched.

Oh.

Priyesh was still asleep, his sharp features softened by the early morning light filtering through the curtains. His lips were slightly parted, his steady breathing the only sound in the quiet room.

Meoja felt his face heat up.

What the hell? When did he—?!

He quickly sat up, heart pounding. Had Priyesh noticed? Did he—?!

Before he could spiral any further, Priyesh’s eyes fluttered open.

For a split second, his gaze was hazy with sleep—soft in a way Meoja had never seen before.

Then, just as quickly, he blinked, his usual cool demeanor returning. “You’re awake.”

Meoja scrambled to get off the couch, pulling his blanket around himself like a shield. “Y-yeah! Morning! Wow, crazy storm last night, huh? Haha!”

Priyesh arched an eyebrow, clearly amused. “You always talk this much in the morning?”

Meoja scowled. “No! I’m just—ugh, never mind.”

Priyesh smirked but didn’t push further. He stretched, standing up. “I’ll make coffee.”

As he walked away, Meoja clutched his chest, willing his heart to calm the hell down.

What was wrong with him?!

Jealousy is an Ugly Color on Priyesh

Later that afternoon, the two of them met up with Sana at a nearby café.

Priyesh hadn’t been thrilled about it, but Meoja had insisted, so here they were.

Sana greeted them with a bright smile. “Meoja! Priyesh! It’s been too long.”

Meoja grinned back, and Priyesh immediately felt his mood sour. Why was he smiling at her like that?

Sana leaned in slightly. “Meoja, I was just thinking—we should totally go on a trip together! Just the two of us.”

Priyesh’s grip on his coffee cup tightened.

Meoja blinked, surprised. “Oh! Uh, that sounds fun.”

Fun?!

Priyesh’s jaw clenched. He stared at Meoja, waiting—hoping—he’d say something else.

But Meoja just kept talking, completely oblivious to the way Priyesh’s entire body had gone tense.

That was it. He had enough.

Priyesh casually leaned back in his seat, wrapping an arm around the back of Meoja’s chair.

Not touching him—but close enough to make a point.

Sana’s eyes flickered to the movement. Meoja, however, was too busy stirring his drink to notice.

“Meoja doesn’t like traveling much,” Priyesh said smoothly. “He’s too clumsy. He’d probably get lost on the way.”

Meoja frowned. “Hey! I’m not that clumsy!”

Priyesh smirked. “Really? Should I remind you of last week when you tripped over air?”

Meoja turned red. Sana laughed. “You two really are something else.”

Priyesh didn’t miss the knowing look she gave him.

But he didn’t care. As long as she got the message.

An Almost Confession

That night, back at their house, Meoja sat cross-legged on his bed, scrolling through his phone.

Priyesh leaned against the doorway, watching him.

“…Are you really thinking about going on that trip with her?”

Meoja looked up. “Huh? Oh, I don’t know. I mean, it could be fun?”

Priyesh’s stomach twisted.

Meoja frowned. “Why do you care?”

Priyesh hesitated.

He could say it. Right now.

I care because it should be me.

I care because I don’t want anyone else to have your attention.

I care because I—

Instead, he rolled his eyes. “I don’t. Do whatever you want.”

Meoja scoffed. “Then why are you acting weird?”

Priyesh turned away. “I’m going to bed.”

Meoja watched him leave, confusion flickering in his eyes.

Something between them had shifted.

And neither of them knew what to do about it.

---

Late Night Thoughts

Meoja tossed and turned in his bed, unable to sleep.

Priyesh had been acting weird all day.

Sure, he was usually cold and sarcastic, but today was different. His comments about Sana, the way he had acted at the café—it felt personal.

Meoja groaned, pulling his blanket over his head. Why was he even thinking about this so much?!

But no matter how hard he tried to ignore it, one thought kept creeping into his mind.

Was Priyesh… jealous?

The idea was ridiculous, right? Right?

Meoja’s heart pounded. No. No way. Priyesh didn’t like him like that.

But then…

Why did it feel like he did?

Meanwhile, in Priyesh’s Room…

Priyesh lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

He had messed up.

He had let his jealousy show.

His grip tightened on the bedsheet. He had spent years perfecting the art of hiding his feelings for Meoja. But today, with Sana’s stupid trip invitation and Meoja’s stupid smile—he had lost control.

You don’t get to be jealous, Priyesh.

That’s what he told himself.

But it didn’t stop the ache in his chest.

It should be me.

A Midnight Encounter

At 2 AM, Meoja finally gave up on sleep.

He got out of bed, deciding to grab some water from the kitchen.

But as he opened his door, he almost crashed into Priyesh.

“Whoa!” Meoja yelped, stepping back. “What the hell, Priyesh?! Were you just—standing there?!”

Priyesh blinked, clearly caught off guard. “…I was about to get water.”

Meoja eyed him suspiciously. “At the exact same time as me?”

Priyesh huffed. “Coincidence. Move.”

Meoja crossed his arms. “No. Not until you tell me why you’ve been acting weird.”

Priyesh tensed. “I’m not acting weird.”

“Liar.”

Priyesh exhaled sharply. “Meoja, drop it.”

“No,” Meoja insisted. “If you’re mad about something, just say it.”

Silence.

Priyesh clenched his jaw, fighting the words that threatened to escape.

Meoja sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, I don’t know what your problem is, but I—”

He took a step forward—too close.

And suddenly, Priyesh couldn’t think.

He could feel the warmth of Meoja’s skin, see the way his lips parted slightly, completely oblivious to how easily he made Priyesh’s heart race.

Priyesh’s fingers twitched at his side.

Say it. Just say it.

“…Forget it,” Priyesh muttered, turning away. “Go to bed.”

Meoja frowned. “Priyesh—”

“Good night.”

And just like that, Priyesh walked away, leaving Meoja standing in the dimly lit hallway—more confused than ever.

Unspoken Words

As Priyesh shut his door behind him, he pressed his back against it, letting out a shaky breath.

One more second.

If he had stayed one more second, he would have done something reckless.

Like tell Meoja the truth.

Like kiss him.

And he wasn’t ready for that.

Not yet.

Meoja woke up groggy and frustrated.

Last night had been weird. Too weird.

Priyesh had been distant, tense—more than usual. And the way he had shut down their conversation in the hallway? Suspicious.

Meoja ran a hand through his messy hair and sighed. Why did he care so much?

Why did Priyesh’s mood affect him this much?

Grumbling to himself, he got out of bed, determined to ignore whatever storm had been brewing between them.

But as soon as he stepped into the kitchen, he froze.

Priyesh was already there, standing by the coffee maker.

And he looked… good.

Meoja swallowed hard. Messy morning hair, sweatpants, loose hoodie—Priyesh shouldn’t look this good just existing. It wasn’t fair.

Priyesh glanced up. “You’re staring.”

Meoja immediately turned away, flustered. “I—NO, I’M NOT.”

Priyesh smirked. “Sure.”

Meoja scowled, stomping toward the fridge. “Jerk.”

Priyesh just sipped his coffee, his eyes lingering on Meoja longer than necessary.

Tension at Breakfast

As they sat at the table, Meoja stole a glance at Priyesh.

He was unreadable—like always. But after last night, there was something… different.

Meoja cleared his throat. “Sana messaged me this morning.”

Priyesh’s fingers tightened around his coffee mug. “Oh?”

“She said she booked the tickets for that trip she was talking about.”

Priyesh’s jaw clenched. “So you’re going.”

Meoja shrugged. “I didn’t say that. I haven’t decided yet.”

Priyesh exhaled slowly. “Why not?”

Meoja frowned. “Why do you care?”

“I don’t,” Priyesh said immediately. Too quickly.

Meoja narrowed his eyes. “You’re acting weird again.”

Priyesh huffed. “Maybe I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

Priyesh’s grip on his mug tightened.

Because I don’t want you to go.

Because I don’t want to spend days wondering if you’re thinking about me.

Because I—

“…It’s none of my business,” Priyesh muttered. “Forget it.”

Meoja sighed. “You’re impossible.”

Priyesh didn’t respond. He just stared at his coffee, his thoughts a complete mess.

Weather Playing Games

That afternoon, the sky darkened.

Storm clouds gathered, thick and heavy. The wind howled through the trees, rattling the windows.

Meoja shivered. “Uh. That looks bad.”

Priyesh glanced outside. “It’s just a storm.”

Meoja huffed. “Yeah, well, storms are scary.”

Priyesh smirked. “You’re such a baby.”

Meoja crossed his arms. “Shut up.”

Then, as if on cue, the power flickered.

Then went out completely.

Meoja yelped. “WHAT THE HELL?!”

Priyesh sighed. “Calm down.”

“CALM DOWN? We’re in a creepy old house, there’s a STORM, and NOW there’s NO LIGHT?!”

Priyesh rolled his eyes. “It’s temporary.”

Meoja grabbed his arm. “What if it’s not?”

Priyesh froze.

Meoja was touching him.

His fingers were curled around Priyesh’s sleeve, holding on—not even realizing what he was doing.

Priyesh swallowed. “...Are you scared?”

Meoja hesitated. “...No.”

Priyesh smirked. “Liar.”

Meoja scowled. “I just don’t like—”

A loud c***k of thunder shook the house.

Meoja jumped.

Without thinking, he gripped Priyesh’s hand.

Priyesh’s breath caught.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

The storm raged outside, rain pounding against the windows. The dim candlelight flickered. The air was thick with unspoken tension.

And Priyesh… couldn’t look away.

His hand was still in Meoja’s.

His heartbeat pounded in his ears.

Meoja, completely oblivious, was still rambling. “You know what? I bet this house is haunted. Yep. That’s it. We’re gonna get murdered.”

Priyesh smirked. “If anyone’s murdering you, it’ll be me.”

Meoja gasped. “EXCUSE ME?!”

Priyesh chuckled. “Relax. You’re safe.”

Meoja huffed. “You say that, but I don’t believe you.”

Priyesh just shook his head, ignoring the warmth still lingering on his palm.

This storm was dangerous.

But not because of the thunder.

Because Priyesh didn’t know how much longer he could keep pretending.

Something Changes

Later that night, the power was still out.

Meoja sat on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, looking unusually… quiet.

Priyesh frowned. “You okay?”

Meoja blinked, looking up. “Huh? Oh. Yeah. Just… thinking.”

Priyesh raised an eyebrow. “That’s dangerous.”

Meoja rolled his eyes. “Shut up.”

Silence.

Then—softly—Meoja spoke.

“…You really don’t want me to go on that trip, do you?”

Priyesh stiffened.

Meoja was watching him carefully now, his usual playfulness gone.

Priyesh opened his mouth—then closed it.

“…I just think you’d be bored,” he said finally.

Meoja scoffed. “Liar.”

Priyesh tensed.

Meoja leaned in slightly. “You get all tense whenever I bring it up. It’s weird.”

Priyesh hated how observant he was.

“…You’re imagining things,” Priyesh muttered.

Meoja hummed, unconvinced. “Sure. Whatever you say.”

But the way he looked at Priyesh—the curiosity in his eyes—lingered.

And Priyesh knew.

Meoja was starting to notice.