After the exam ended, Kyra walked out of the examination centre into the late afternoon sun. Students flooded the gate, laughing, complaining, calling their parents.
Near the road, her father waited beside his bike, his familiar figure standing calmly among the crowd.
The moment he saw her, relief crossed his face.
"How was the exam, dear?"
Kyra paused for half a second, then curved her lips into a bright smile.
"Ah! The exam was good."
After sitting behind him on the bike, the wind brushed against her cheeks as they rode home. Kyra lifted her gaze toward the sinking sun, its orange light spreading across the sky.
I really believed what I said… like it was true, she thought bitterly. Ha…
She shook her head slightly, lost in her own storm.
"So you'll get good marks, right?" her father asked while driving.
She snapped out of her daze.
"Yes, Dad. No problem. You should believe your daughter."
But inside, something tightened painfully in her chest.
The moment she entered the house, voices welcomed her.
"How was the exam, sis?" Lumina asked excitedly. "Mom, look! Sis is back!"
Her mother closed the main door and turned toward her.
"How was it?"
"It was good," Kyra replied, slipping off her shoes and heading inside.
"And when is the result?" her mom asked.
"Next month… maybe May or June," Kyra said, hugging her from behind.
"Oh. Then go eat. I made your favourite fried rice," her mom smiled, patting her arm.
"Yes, I'll go after a shower," Kyra replied, walking toward the bathroom.
Inside, silence wrapped around her.
Kyra stood before the mirror and stared at her reflection. Her eyes shimmered, tears forming without permission.
She wiped them, but they kept falling.
What have I done? Why didn't I study? Just because I was depressed and sick… whom I am trying to decieve... why only now I awoke....why God why??look at yourself, Kyra. A living dead.
Her fingers trembled against the sink as her legs weakened and she knelt down on floor covering her mouth.
Wake up. No one is coming to save you. You have to walk out of this darkness yourself.
She bent down and splashed water onto her face again and again. Then, afraid her sobs might escape, she leaned over the bathtub and submerged her face into the cold water, letting it swallow the sound of her crying.
After a long while, she straightened, inhaled slowly, and forced her expression back into place.
When she walked out, her smile returned like armour.
"Mom, I'm hungry. Give me my lunch."
Kyra dropped onto the sofa.
"Hey, Lulu, move. I want to sit," she said, nudging Lumina.
"No. I'm watching TV," Lumina protested, hugging the remote.
"You—" Kyra snatched it.
"Aah! Mom! Look what she's doing!"
"Oh, you two," her mom sighed, bringing Kyra's plate. "Lumina, go to your room. Your sister just came back."
"You always side with her," Lumina muttered before leaving.
Kyra smiled lightly, switching off the TV and opening her phone instead.
As she ate, her phone vibrated.
Lucifer.
She froze for a moment before opening the messages.
[How was your exam?
Did it go well?
Why aren't you replying?
Where are you?
I'm waiting for you.
You left at four from.your exam centre… it's already five twenty.]
Kyra inhaled slowly and typed.
[It went well. I just freshened up and now I'm eating.
I'll call you in ten minutes, love.]
The reply came instantly.
[Why didn't you text when you reached home?
Can't you give me five minutes?
Don't you love me anymore?]
Kyra's grip tightened around her spoon.
[No, babe. I was just talking with my family. I was hungry.
Please wait a little. Dad is beside me now, I can't talk properly.]
Then he replied,
[Really you are not lying to me right just because you don't want to talk to me.]
Seeing this, She tightened her hands around Spoon and exhaled and sent a short video of her lunch and her father sitting nearby.
[Okay. Call me soon. I'm waiting.]
Kyra began eating faster.
"Why are you eating like that?" her dad asked. "Slow down."
"It's tasty," she laughed weakly.
After finishing, she washed her plate quickly and climbed to the rooftop, phone clutched tightly in her hand.
Her heartbeat jumped when she saw missed messages.
It's over, her mind whispered.
She called him.
"Hello. Sorry, I was late… I had to wash my dishes."
Lucifer chuckled softly.
"Why are you panicking, baby? Even if you don't call all day, would I do something to you?"
His gentle tone sent a strange chill through her chest.
She swallowed.
"So… what's up? Did you eat? Where are you? It sounds noisy."
Music and voices echoed from his side.
"What, you're questioning me now?" Lucifer said lightly but with his voice sharp. "Should I do everything according to you?"
"No, no," Kyra hurried. "I just thought you'd be studying since your exams are near."
There was a pause.
Then his voice softened.
"Oh… like that. Babe, I love you. I just don't like being misunderstood and questioned. Why are you crying?"
"I'm not crying. My throat is dry," she lied as she tries to clear her nasal tone.
"Go drink water, sweetheart."
"I already did."
She looked at the sunset, children playing far below.
"So… your exams are over," Lucifer said. "When are you coming to meet me? I miss you."
Kyra stiffened.
"Not now. Dad is always home."
"Tell them you're going to a friend's place. It's been a month, Kyra… you promised me."
Her heart fluttered — half warmth, half unease.
"I'm not an adult yet. Three months more… please wait."
Lucifer exhaled slowly.
"Okay. I'll wait. But at least video call me. We've been together for two and a half years… you never let me do anything and even while kissing you just stps me for further."
Kyra hesitated, then softened again.
"I know you love me," she whispered. "Just wait for me a little more."
She pressed her lips to the screen.
And Lucifer smiled on the other side, believing she was already his.
Above the city, the sun slowly sank — while Kyra stood between light and shadow, unaware of how long the night would follow.