Episode 7: Delayed intension
1008 Words
Their conversation didn’t end that night.
If anything, it settled into something quieter.
More consistent.
Not constant texting.
Not overwhelming.
But intentional.
Ezekiel didn’t flood her phone.
Didn’t chase her attention.
He appeared,said what he wanted to, and disappeared again. And somehow, that made Kira think about him more.
A few days passed.
Then one evening, her phone lit up again.
Ezekiel:
When do you travel?
Kira was to travel the day after she met Ezekiel but it got rescheduled due to unexpected circumstances.
She stared at the message.
Straight to the point.
Kira:
Tomorrow morning.
Seen.
A pause
Then
Ezekiel:
When are you coming back?
Kira hesitated slightly this time.
Why did that matter?
Still she replied
Kira:
In a few days.
Typing…
Stopped.
Typing again.
Then…
Ezekiel:
We should meet when you’re back.
Kira’s breath slowed.
There it was.
Not “maybe.”
Not “if you want.”
We should.
Her thumb hovered over the screen.
She could deflect.
Delay.
Ignore it.
But instead…
Kira:
For what?
A small pause.
Then
Ezekiel:
A proper conversation.
Kira’s lips pressed together slightly.
Proper.
Like everything before this, hadn’t counted. Or maybe like he knew it hadn’t been enough.
Kira:
We’ve been talking.
Ezekiel:
Not like this.
Her heart skipped just once.
She didn’t reply immediately.
Because now, this felt different.
More real.
Less controlled.
Then…
Kira:
Fine.
A pause.
Kira:
When I get back.
⸻
The days away felt longer than they should have.
Kira told herself it was because of:
her family
the environment
the usual tension at home
But that wasn’t entirely true. Because even there in a completely different city she still checked her phone.
Still noticed when he texted. Still paused before replying. Still thought about what to say and what not to say.
It wasn’t frequent. But it was enough.
Enough to keep something alive.
Unfinished.
⸻
By the time Kira got back it was evening.
The apartment was quiet.
Familiar.
Comfortable.
Tatiana wasn’t back yet. Kira dropped her bag near the door, exhaled and let herself sink into the stillness.
Then her phone buzzed.
She didn’t need to check to know. Still she did.
Ezekiel:
You’re back?
Kira blinked.
How does he always know?
Kira:
Yes.
A pause.
Ezekiel:
Tomorrow.
He texted, No question, just a statement.
Kira stared at the screen. He really doesn’t ask. Her fingers moved anyway.
Kira:
Tomorrow.
Sent.
Tatiana came back later that night loud as usual,
full of energy.
“Kira!” she called out, dropping her things. “You’re back!”
Kira stepped out of her room. Tatiana’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Wait, have you guys met yet?” she asked.
Kira shook her head.
“Tomorrow.”
Tatiana froze. Then slowly a grin spread across her face.
“Oh.”
Kira narrowed her eyes slightly.
“What?”
Tatiana walked closer.
“That’s serious.”
Kira frowned.
“It’s just a meeting.”
Tatiana laughed softly.
“No,” she said. “Not with him.”
A pause.
“Just don’t forget what I told you.”
Kira looked at her.
“Don’t fall.”
Silence.
Kira didn’t respond.
But the words stayed.
⸻
The next morning Kira woke up earlier than usual. Not because she had to. But because her mind wouldn’t stay quiet. Her thoughts moved slower this time, but deeper.
More deliberate.
This wasn’t just texting anymore.This wasn’t distant.
This was real.
A meeting.
A presence.
An interaction she wouldn’t be able to control from behind a screen.
Kira sat at the edge of her bed for a moment.
Still.
Thinking.
Then she stood and got ready. Carefully.
Not too much effort.
But not careless either.
Balanced.
Intentional.
Just like him.
The thought of meeting him again made her feel a tingling sensation, one which she couldn’t describe it as that of anxiousness or the tingling sensation people call butterflies. She tried to recall what he looked like.
His firmly slim athletic built, his dark black hair, his intense sharp eyes and most of all how good his scent was…
“ i could get drunk with that”
By the time she stepped out, Kira realized something she hadn’t fully admitted yet. She wasn’t just curious anymore.
She was anticipating it.
And this time there would be no distance to hide behind.
She stepped out of the apartment building, adjusting her bag absentmindedly, still caught halfway between her thoughts and whatever she had planned for the day.
Then she saw the car.
Parked just across the street.
Familiar.
Too familiar.
Her steps slowed.
And before she could convince herself it was just coincidence.
the door opened.
Ezekiel stepped out.
Like he had been there for a while.
Waiting.
Kira blinked, caught off guard, until her gaze shifted slightly.
Tatiana stood beside him.
Relaxed.
Laughing.
Talking like this wasn’t unusual at all.
Kira frowned faintly as she approached.
“Tatia?”
Tatiana turned, completely unfazed.
“Oh you’re out,” she said casually. “Perfect timing.”
Kira’s eyes flicked between them.
“You told him where I live?”
Tatiana shrugged.
“He asked.”
Ezekiel said nothing at first just watched Kira’s reaction.
Not apologetic.
Not defensive.
Just… observing.
Kira exhaled slowly.
Of course.
Tatiana crossed her arms lightly, smirking.
“He’s been here for a bit. I didn’t let him come inside, don’t worry,” she added. “Just kept him company.”
Kira glanced at Ezekiel again.
There was something about the way he stood there.
calm, unbothered
like showing up uninvited wasn’t out of place for him.
Or maybe like he knew she wouldn’t send him away.
And that more than anything made her pause.
“ You look great”
He complimented.
Compliments are not something new for Kira, her answer came instinctively without a thought and unbothered even though it was Ezekiel who had complimented.
He opened the door for her and she went in and sat.
On their way to a location unbeknownst to her. As it’s a place selected by Ezekiel himself.
- Writer
