Saval walked with his hands in his pockets, carrying a small backpack. He had texted Semiel an hour earlier to see if he wanted to grab something to drink. Nothing planned. Just hanging out.
Semiel replied with a short yes, but he showed up. He waited on a bench outside the university, leaning against the backrest, wearing a blue hoodie that looked like it had been stolen from someone else's drawer. When he saw Saval approaching, he stood up immediately.
—I thought you were going to cancel —Semiel said, looking at him as if he couldn't quite believe it.
—I wasn't going to do that —Saval replied—. I needed to stretch my legs.
They walked without a set destination. They ended up at the café where they'd once studied for their contemporary philosophy midterm—the one with small metal tables and cheap but hot coffee. They ordered two cups and sat outside at a table with no shade.
—My dad says I need to figure out what I'm doing this summer —Semiel remarked, blowing on his coffee—. That I can't spend the whole day glued to my chair.
—And what are you going to do?
—I don't know. Maybe find a part-time job. Or learn to drive. Though I also wanted to go to the beach for a few days, but I don't want to go alone.
—You could come to my place. We'll fix up the terrace and stream from there. With the sound of cars in the background.
Semiel laughed but didn't answer right away. He took another sip, resting his elbows on the table. Saval watched him out of the corner of his eye—the way he pursed his lips before speaking, how his gaze dropped when something stirred inside him.
—I've been thinking —he finally said—. Being with you calms me down. Even when you're annoying me, I feel better than when I'm alone.
Saval swallowed. It wasn't the first time Semiel had said something like that. But this time, it wasn't laced with jokes or tension. It was direct. Softer, but sincere.
What is this?... Why can't I stop smiling?
—I feel calm when I'm with you too —he admitted, looking down at his cup—. I like how… how you just slip into everything without me noticing.
They fell quiet for a moment. People passed by, motorcycles roared, students laughed. But at that table, it felt like nothing else was moving. Just the two of them.
—You know what I thought the other night? —Semiel asked, resting his cheek on one hand.
—What?
—That if I'd never met you, I'd probably be more at peace. But also more empty.
Saval looked at him slowly.
—Me too —he said with a faint smile.
They didn't talk about what happened the other day, or the movies, or the hand on the ice cream. But the silence wasn't uncomfortable. It felt more like a promise that didn't need to be spoken out loud yet.
When they finished their coffee, they walked back to the park—the same one from last week. This time, no ice cream, but with slow steps.
—Do you think people change? —Saval asked, not looking directly at Semiel.
—Yeah. But I think sometimes it's because of other people. Not just yourself.
—And have you changed?
Semiel thought about it. Then nodded.
—Yeah. I became more patient. More… careful. I think you have too.
Saval smiled, though he wasn't sure if that was true.
When they reached a patch of clean grass, they sat down. The sun wasn't scorching anymore, but it still warmed their shoulders. The silence stretched long. Semiel took out his phone, glanced at it, then put it away again.
—I don't want you to think I'm expecting something —he said suddenly—. I'm just… good when we're like this. And I'm scared it'll disappear.
Saval stayed still. The breeze barely moved his shirt. He looked at Semiel slowly—his face somewhere between serious and tired. There was something vulnerable there.
—It won't disappear —he told him—. Not if we keep taking care of it.
Semiel nodded. But he didn't reply. And Saval didn't know if that was okay, if he'd said the right thing, if it was enough.
They stayed there, watching the clouds stretch thin.
They knew something was coming. Something more than words.
And they were about to let it pass—or let themselves be carried away.