Birthday 1

"If nothing happens, why are you in this room again? Where's Reiki, hasn't he promised to be here until I return?"

Arghi smiled so that Galant thought everything was fine, even though he knew Galant already thought this was not good. However, Arghi didn't want Galant to know about any conversations he had had with Reiki before. Arghi finds excuses from the questions Galant gave him and still tries not to lie to him.

"He doesn't want to go home Galant, but I told him to go home because there seems to be something more important for him to do. He just doesn't know how to talk to me."

The grip on Arghi's shoulder tightened, and Arghi felt his heart pounding faster in fear that Galant would ask more questions about Reiki. Until Galant's hand slipped from Arghi's shoulder and he felt a loss of warmth there.

"Fine. We have to go down, Arghi. I brought your favorite cheesecake that's still warm." Arghi bit his lip briefly when Galant realized that Arghi did not want to discuss what had happened to him and Reiki before. However, that is what makes Arghi feel uncomfortable. Something stuck was on the tip of his tongue by now.

With a quick movement of Arghi's hand grabbing Galant's wrist, he had to say, "Regardless of your physical changes, I hope you're still the same Galant."

There was no response whatsoever that Arghi got from Galant's lips, Arghi's fingers were still tied tightly to Galant's wrist which he now felt had become a little bigger than what Arghi remembered.

Eventually, Arghi resumed in his mind, 'I also hope what Reiki says about you is not true. If that happened, I would have no self-esteem left. '

When Galant led Arghi slowly down the stairs Arghi could hear a low murmur from Galant next to him which it might have meant not to be heard by Arghi.

"Unfortunately everything has indeed changed."

***

"Galant?" call Arghi softly not wanting to disturb Galant who was struggling with dirty plates behind him. Arghi looked down hoping to see his small swaying legs on the floor.

"Hm?"

Arghi shook his head, not wanting to say anything. He just wants to sit down and spend his time. Because Arghi doesn't know how to fill the time he has in his condition like this. Arghi wants to explore this house to every corner to memorize and get used to it. However, that doesn't seem to be what Galant was thinking. Galant forbade him on the grounds of tripping over something or things that endangered him, so Arghi was silent and obeyed.

The soft clinking sound of the cleaned plates and glasses became a sound filler for the silence created between the two of them. The unpleasant feeling seemed to tie Arghi tightly to the chair he was currently sitting in. From the time they were little until before the storm came into their lives, Galant had never come to touch simple housework like this. That was enough to get Arghi tempted to get rid of Galant from there and replace him immediately, instead of just keeping quiet like this.

"Galant, you better go back to study. I'll replace you." Arghi had rushed to Galant's side to replace him washing the dishes that Galant was now doing.

"How can that be?" Arghi was silent, standing stiffly. He sometimes forgot about himself and it was nice that Galant reminded him again.

"I ... I just can't let you do this, Galant."

The sound of crisp laughter that Arghi got this time, then Galant said was equivalent to the sound of running water. "It's just washing the dishes, Arghi. Why does a little thing like this make you nervous? You better sit down and I'll move fast. After that, we'll go out and count the fish in the pond."

Arghi snorted with a smile, but he did not move from where he stood but turned and leaned there while waiting for Galant to finish.

Today is also supposed to make Arghi go down in history, where Galant persuades Arghi to let him try to cook something for their dinner recently. Although Arghi completely disagrees with that and keeps trying to persuade Galant that they just order food outside. However, Galant is a stubborn person and Arghi can't do much.

He was surprised that the food Galant made was not bad for someone who had just touched the cooking utensils for the first time and was confused to distinguish where the containers contained sugar as well as salt. The pasta isn't bad, it's all instant.

Galant is now a teenager only a few years younger than Arghi. A few years younger ...

"Gosh Galant, I forgot!" Arghi stood upright for a moment as the memory flashed through his head.

"What's the matter Arghi?"

Arghi opened his mouth for him to close again, Galant had grabbed both of Arghi's shoulders, feeling the cold and wet feeling from Galant's hand seep into his home shirt until it touched Arghi's skin.

"Why don't you say if today is your birthday, Galant?" asked Arghi as he forgot this very important day for Galant now.

"Huh? Birthday?"