At table number one, Aliff and Aina sit next to each other, while Sarah and Ana sit across from them. Four cups of hot chocolate are accompanied by chocolate cake on their table.
Ana looks at Aliff and Aina with curiosity, "So... are you siblings?" she asks softly. "But why don't you two look alike? Isn't that strange?"
Aina lets out a short sigh, her arms crossed in front of her chest. "I'm not his sister," she replies in a flat voice, though there's a hint of tension in her tone.
Sarah and Ana exchange confused glances. "Huh? What do you mean? Aliff clearly called you 'little sister' earlier!"
Aina shrugs, her eyes glancing at Aliff. "We've known each other since we were kids because our moms are friends. Our houses used to be next to each other, so we often played together." She points at Aliff with her finger. "He's just one year older than me. That's it."
Aliff smiles, casually sipping his hot chocolate. "Hey, don't be so mad. Your mom also agrees that I'm your big brother, you know!"
"SHUT UP!" Aina snaps, but her voice sounds more like a grumble. "You're just my stepbrother, not my real brother!"
Aliff shrugs, his smile still wide. "Same difference."
"Not the same!"
"Same difference."
"I TOLD YOU IT'S NOT THE SAME—"
Sarah and Ana can only look at each other, then in unison take a bite of their cake. The sound of spoons clinking against small plates fills the pause in their argument.
Ana finally smiles wryly. "Come to think of it... your bickering is kind of funny."
Sarah nods, holding back laughter. "Like a little sister who refuses to admit she has a big brother."
Aina glares at them. "You both shut up too!"
Aliff laughs, then reaches out to ruffle Aina's hair again. "Alright, alright. How about I treat you to some extra cake?"
Aina grumbles, but her eyes glance toward the cake on the table. "Hmph... what flavor?"
Aliff beams. "Of course, chocolate. You've always loved sweet things."
Sarah and Ana chuckle softly, while Aina finally relents, her face still sulky but no longer angry.
"By the way..." Sarah speaks up, "Aina, why haven't you ever told us about this big brother of yours?"
Aina tosses her long hair back, focusing on the last piece of cake on her plate. "There's nothing special to tell," she whispers.
Suddenly, her blue eyes fixate directly on Aliff. "But actually... where have you been for the last three years?" she asks.
*Three years missing?* Ana and Sarah exchange glances, unspoken questions hanging between them.
Aliff turns the cup in his hands, the shadow of his face reflected in the nearly finished chocolate liquid. "None of your business," he replies quietly but firmly.
Aina bites her lower lip. "My mom... your mom too, they keep wondering. You know they consider you family, but you just left without a word?" Her voice breaks at the end of the sentence.
The air suddenly feels heavy. Aliff lifts his gaze, and for a moment Ana sees something foreign in his eyes - coldness. "I've told you, don't force me to repeat my words!"
Aina quickly looks down, her hair falling to hide her expression. "Hmph!" she huffs briefly before snatching the last piece of cake with a rough motion.
*That expression...* Ana furrows her brow.
As the wall clock ticks away the time, Aina and Sarah finally stand up. But before they move, Aina suddenly pulls Aliff's sleeve in a shy gesture.
"Yes?" Aliff turns, his expression softening again.
Aina rubs the tip of her shoe against the wooden floor. "Do you... do you have a phone?!"
Aliff smiles, pulling out his phone from his pocket. "Let's exchange contacts," he takes the phone from Aina's hand, "Alright, here you go!"
When Aina receives her phone back, her cheeks flush pink before she quickly runs to catch up with Sarah, who is already waiting at the door.
"She seems to dislike you being her big brother, doesn't she?" Ana whispers with a smile.
Aliff chuckles softly, his eyes following Aina's shadow that has disappeared behind the glass door. "She's always like that. She'll get mad first, then admit she misses me. She actually likes me being her big brother; she just isn't honest about it. It's a habit for some women," Aliff replies.
"You're very understanding of her, and it seems you really care about her. I don't know why, but I'm a bit jealous!"
"Why would you be?! It's my responsibility as her big brother, even if I'm just her stepbrother." By the way, this café is quite empty today, isn't it?" Aliff says.
"Hmm... you're right, it does seem quite empty today."