“Anytime,” he said softly.
I must have fallen asleep, because when I woke up, I was in Wynter’s bed. The sheets smelled like him—clean, with a hint of cedar—and the room was dimly lit by the faint glow of the city outside.
For a moment, I was confused, then I realized what must have happened.
I stumbled out into the living room, finding Wynter stretched out on the couch, a blanket draped over him.
“You carried me,” I said softly.
He stirred, blinking up at me. “You were out cold,” he said with a sleepy smile. “Didn’t want you waking up stiff on the couch.”
My chest tightened, a wave of gratitude washing over me. “You cannot be real, Wynter Andy Kwon,” I whispered.
“Go back to bed, Yesoh,” he murmured, already closing his eyes again.
I stood there for a moment, watching him. And for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe.
The next morning
The sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, the golden morning glow wrapping around me like a warm blanket. I stirred, shifting under the covers, not quite ready to leave the cocoon of sleep.
Then came the voices.
“Should we just jump on her?” Cahya’s unmistakable whisper floated into my awareness, filled with barely suppressed laughter.
“That’s a terrible idea,” Wynter replied, his voice quieter but tinged with amusement. “She’ll murder us.”
I cracked one eye open, catching sight of them both hovering by the bed like mischievous children caught plotting something devious. Cahya had an eager grin on his face, and Wynter’s expression was a mix of excitement and exasperation.
“What are you two doing?” I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep.
Cahya stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back like a little boy about to spill a big secret. “We have a surprise for you,” he announced, rocking on his heels.
I sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “What kind of surprise?”
“The kind that requires you to sit down and not freak out,” Wynter said, handing me a glass of water he must have prepared earlier.
I narrowed my eyes, taking a sip. “I’m already sitting down.”
“Good,” Cahya said, practically bouncing in place now. “Because this is a big one.”
Wynter shot him a look. “Let her wake up at least.”
Cahya ignored him, producing a sleek envelope from behind his back and holding it out to me with an exaggerated flourish. “For you, dear sister.”
I raised an eyebrow, taking the envelope cautiously. It felt light in my hands, but there was a weight to the moment that I couldn’t quite place.
“What is this?” I asked, glancing between them.
“Open it,” Wynter said, his voice soft but steady.
I slid my finger under the flap, pulling out the contents. My breath caught as I unfolded the papers inside, the words and numbers coming into focus:Jakarta, Indonesia. Four tickets.
“What…” I looked up, the papers trembling slightly in my hands. “What is this?”
Cahya grinned, his excitement impossible to contain. “Surprise! We’re going to Jakarta! You, me, Wynter, and Soleh.”
Tears blurred my vision as the realization sank in. “How…how did you…”
