What If Someday

Their classes ended later than usual. Klein also spent two hours in the library, so when it was time to go home, it was already quarter to seven in the evening.

Since it's the peak of rush hour, passengers inside the train looked like sardines packed in a humongous can again. Thankfully, they got in a cabin with lesser passengers, which gave them space to breathe. They were still standing, though.

Like usual, Klein spaced off while Khalil, and Maya spoke among themselves. Aside from studying, he didn't have any particular interest, so it's safe to say that his life was boring. A small part of him questioned if there's more to life than what his mother planned for him.

But in that moment, as he pondered about the dull life he was leading, Klein found him again, staring at him through his bleak reflection in the window glass.

"Klein?"

A hand to his waist sent him a jolt of surprise. Klein turned to Khalil, who smiled at him.

"You're spacing out again."

"Oh, I was just thinking."

"You're always deep in thought. It makes me wonder what's going on inside that head of yours."

"You mean, you're wondering if his thoughts involve you," Maya quipped.

Khalil growled. "Shut up."

As the two started bickering again, Klein returned his gaze in front of him. The watchful eyes had disappeared, but the traces of thrill still tingled in his beating heart. There must be something wrong in his head if he found such a creepy act as thrilling.

They were only two stations away from De La Lune University, so the travel time was quick despite the continuous increase of passengers every stop.

"Arriving at Pedro Gil Station. We are arriving at Pedro Gil Station," announced a pre-recorded woman's voice.

Unlike this morning, Klein didn't look back to get a better view of the man who kept giving him intense stares. He just waded through the outgoing passengers as soon as the double doors opened.

"You two lived in the same building, right?" Maya asked as they headed downstairs, to which they both nodded in response. "It must be nice having a neighbor who walks you home every night just to make sure you are safe."

"A-ack! Hey! G-Get off my back, will you?" Khalil stuttered, looking away from Maya's teasing stare. But despite his embarrassment, he didn't pull back his hand that kept brushing against Klein's knuckles.

"Should we take a taxi?" Maya asked after they got off of the train station. "It's already dark."

"You should. We'll just walk. Alpha Tower isn't far from here, anyway," Khalil said.

Maya pulled a teasing smile again. "You just want to have a longer 'Bebe time' with Klein."

"You—!"

"Look at you, being a persistent suitor, Khali-bae. Haven't you had enough? You're practically attached to his hip all day."

"Ugh! Go home already!" Khalil raised his arm to hail a cab.

As soon as a white taxi stopped in front of them, Khalil opened the door and almost threw Maya inside the vehicle. He even went as far as paying for her fare while giving instructions to the driver on where to drop her off.

Before the taxi drove off, the window at the back of the car slid down and Maya peeked her head out, grinning. "Take care on your way home, guys! Don't take too long wandering in the street, okay? Or a hot Alpha may take your boyfie away."

And then she was off.

"Insufferable wench," Khalil gritted out, pushed his eyeglasses up, then nodded at Klein with a smile. "Let's go?"

Klein walked to Khalil's side without a word and rounded to a busy street that would lead them straight to their condominium building. It would be a twenty-minute walk, which wasn't that bad if he thought about it as a non-vigorous physical activity with health benefits.

"I'm sorry about that."

"Hmm?"

Khalil chuckled uneasily. "I mean, Maya. She just wouldn't stop about it. I hope it didn't make you uncomfortable."

"Not really. I think I'm already used to it," Klein said. The dismissive tone in his voice faltered Khalil a bit.

Khalil's intentions were no secret between them. He wasn't being subtle about it, either. About more than a year ago, after their junior high graduation, Khalil confessed his romantic interest in him, fearing he may never get a chance given Klein's possible admission to international schools.

At best, Klein didn't find the idea repulsive, but he had given Khalil a direct answer: he's not interested in dating yet. From the very beginning, his priority had always been to finish his studies, as unexciting as it sounded, which put them in a limbo of uncertain pursuit. Though it could be due to how they never talked about the progress of their relationship after the confession, or the lack thereof.

Honestly, he's still unsure why Khalil was interested in him. Because he's an intelligent person? Maybe. That's his strongest point. Physical attraction? Possibly. He wouldn't put himself down by calling himself ugly. By society's current beauty standards, he's a physically attractive person.

However, Klein would admit to lacking emotional attachment to anyone. He only maintained a civil relationship with other people for the value they could bring to his life.

Khalil was a pharmaceutical board member's son; Maya was the daughter of a government official working under the Department of Health. Having them around was beneficial to his career in the future and just as how beneficial he could be to both of them.

Still...

"You know, you're better off courting someone else," Klein said after they passed by four street corners and neared a busy mall. "You'll be happier if it's someone who can reciprocate your feelings."

"It's fine." Khalil pinched Klein's pinky finger. "In this era where almost everything was fast-paced, I actually like how we are kind of... old school? So don't worry about it. I understand your priorities."

"You may be waiting for something that will never happen."

"I know that..." Khalil stopped walking, which also forced Klein to halt in his steps at the front of the mall with a small garden of palm trees. "I'm just glad you're not pushing me away."

'Because you're an important connection,' Klein thought, but he didn't voice it out.

"I guess the fact that you're not interested in anyone yet still gives me hope. So, I'm just happy to be around you even if you don't see me as more than a friend yet."

"Yet?"

Khalil smiled and continued walking, patting Klein on the head. "Nothing. I said you're cute when you looked clueless. It's quite a rare sight."

"Hah?" Klein swatted off the offending hand, but Khalil took that opportunity to link their hands together. He rolled his eyes at Khalil's mischievous grin. "You and your sly ways."

"It's okay, right?" Khalil gestured to their joint hands.

"No. We're in the middle of a crowded street."

"Then, can we do it in somewhere secluded?"

Klein let out a grunt and detached his hand from Khalil's grip. "You're pushing it."

"Sorry." Khalil laughed unapologetically. Then he turned serious again. "I'm okay with being friends, but I hope someday, you'll see me as more than that."

"What if someday, I started thinking about love and it's..." Klein trailed off, his gaze moving to the crowd behind Khalil.

And from there, from across the bustling street, he spotted him again, standing amongst the crowd in a grey and maroon varsity jacket, looking straight at him.

Klein's silvery eyes shrank in fear.

'It's that guy again.'