Stepping into Raine's room, Zen scanned her surroundings with curiosity. She had expected the room to be like a typical boy's space, filled with posters of sports heroes or action figures. However, what she found totally contradicted from her thoughts. The room was simple and plain, yet it exuded a certain charm. The walls were painted in a calming shade of grey, and there were no posters in sight. Instead, a few art prints hung neatly on the walls.

The room was surprisingly spacious, allowing for easy movement. A neatly made bed occupied one corner, its sheets pulled tight, hinting at a certain orderliness that caught Zen off-guard. She had never pegged Raine for such a neat freak. But what truly grabbed her attention was the study table placed strategically near a wide window. Sunlight streamed generously through the window, painting the room in warm hues, and the view outside showcased the flourishing garden, creating a perfect atmosphere for thinking and studying.

Zen wasted no time, settling in at the study table with Raine, and their interaction flowed naturally. She watched as Raine's brow furrowed in concentration, his fingers deftly working through the equations she had placed before him.

An hour later...

Raine glanced up at Zen, his face a mix of apprehension and defeat.

"You can't solve this one too, can you?" Zen said. Raine shook his head.

Irritation seeped into her voice as Zen replied, "Lagrange's theorem is the most basic one yet. You just have to learn what's written in front of you and solve the problems accordingly."

Raine lowered his gaze, fumbling with his math book. "I just don't get this stuff."

Zen tried to maintain her composure. "We won't know until we try. Let's start again with something simple, like these basic equations."

Raine's eyes scanned the equations as if they were written in an alien language. "Simple? Seriously? This is like trying to decipher hieroglyphics."

Zen could feel her patience wearing thin. "I'm trying to make it easier for you to understand!" she yelled.

Raine rolled his eyes. "Well, it's clearly not working," he scoffed.

"I've explained this to you five times!" Zen exclaimed, jabbing her pen repeatedly against the textbook to emphasize her irritation.

"It hasn't made a difference."

"Clearly, not my fault. It's like you're physically present here but your brain has already taken a vacation to the Bahamas."

"Maybe, it's because you're just a terrible teacher!" Raine shot back, his voice trembling with frustration.

"It's because you're too much of an idiot. You don't understand such simple terms!"

"Then teach me in a sense that will help me understand."

"I'm trying." Their exchange grew increasingly heated, with both of them growing more exasperated by the minute. Zen couldn't contain her frustration any longer. "Maybe you simply don't want to learn!"

"I'm trying my best, and all you do is scold me!" Raine exclaimed, his emotions overflowing uncontrollably, the outburst shocking even himself.

Raine would never admit out loud but Zen was truly intimidating when she was angry, enough to make a grown man like him feel a subtle tightness in his chest. Somehow, he didn't want Zen to show this side of hers to him, ever. It took a while for him to come to terms with it, but he could no longer deny that Zen's influence had indeed changed him, softening his character in ways he had never expected.

"It's just... I've never been good at this, and when people yell at me, it makes me feel even dumber," Raine added.

It was as if Raine's puppy-dog eyes had guilt-tripped her into yielding. And Zen was hit with a wave of guilt, realizing that her approach had been overly harsh.

Zen took a deep breath and shifted her approach. "Raine, I understand this can be frustrating," she said with a more compassionate tone. "Let's take a step back and start from the basics again."

~-~

Zen had decided to call it a day after another hour passed by with no progress. She sat on the porch, savouring the cool sweetness of her ice cream on that warm summer evening. Beside her, Raine leaned comfortably against the wooden railing, his eyes fixed on the starlit sky.

The soothing effect of the ice cream eased the fiery frustration that had been building within her chest. Observing Raine, who had just devoured a generous scoop of velvety vanilla ice cream, she couldn't help but think that it worked its magic for him as well.

Out of the blue, Raine broke the silence with an unexpected question. "Why did you choose engineering?"

"What do you mean?" Zen responded.

"Surely, you must have a purpose behind it. What do you hope to achieve through engineering? Don't tell me it's some grandiose dream of becoming a world-famous architect, inspiring people with your craftsmanship, etc," Raine persisted.

Zen hesitated briefly, then began to share her story. "I'm not entirely sure how to answer that, but I can tell you this. I had doubts about choosing Architecture because it's a challenging subject. You see, I didn't grow up in a privileged family. Our house had leaky roofs and termite-infested wooden structures that felt like they could crumble during an earthquake. When I was young, my dad would occasionally take me on his bicycle to our family farm, and I'd gaze at those magnificent homes along the roadside, owned by strangers, and I'd wish that someday I could own a decent house like those without the constant fear of it being blown away by a storm in my sleep," Zen said with a bittersweet smile, her eyes clouded by the memories of her past. "Dad granted my wish, and our house was repaired. I don't have to worry about those problems anymore, but I guess I chose to study architectural engineering because of all that. And also because it has a good package," Zen ended with a mischievous grin.

Raine nodded, momentarily keeping quiet to digest the information before looking up at the scattering clouds. "Then good luck. I'll cheer you on," he said after.

Zen was startled by the unexpected but supportive answer. "What about you? Why did you choose civil engineering? Is it your dream too?" she asked, reciprocating the curiosity.

Raine shrugged and replied, "Not exactly. Before I answer that question, tell me this. Do we really need to have a fixed purpose in life?"

"I think so," Zen answered.

"Why? Because people always expect something from you? To me, the pursuit of dreams, the relentless chase of success – sometimes, it all feels like a load of nonsense. It doesn't mean I should become a civil engineer just because I chose this path. Set aside dreams and goals. In a world that's obsessed with seeking acknowledgement, validation, and recognition, I'd rather not be part of that crowd."

"So, what's your plan for life then?" Zen asked.

"I want an ordinary and peaceful life, one where I don't have to constantly prove my worth or compete with others for arbitrary rewards," Raine explained. "I want to be the master of my own life, to live life on my own terms, without feeling pressured to meet society's expectations. Why should it be wrong to just exist?"

Zen contemplated his words before responding, "Perhaps it's because our world is constantly evolving, with a relentless focus on wealth?"

Raine acknowledged the reality. "I understand the importance of money, but I also value being content with life. Not all wealthy people are happy. It doesn't mean I should be poor. I just want to exist authentically, pursuing my interests, exploring nature when I want, playing games when the mood strikes. I'm not against having a job, and I'll find one that suits me. But I refuse to engage in cutthroat competition that only breeds misery. I intend to lead a content, fulfilling life because I know I can build that lifestyle for myself. What greater success is there than that?"

Zen absorbed Raine's words, appreciating the depth of his perspective. Zen leaned in, her curiosity piqued by Raine's words. "It's really refreshing to hear someone speak so clearly about what they want in life. But, Raine, what does this pursuit of an 'ordinary' and 'content' life look like for you in practical terms?"

Raine's eyes lit up with a gentle warmth as he painted a vivid picture of his ideal life. "Well, I imagine myself in a cosy house, surrounded by nature, far away from the city's chaos. I'd have a little garden where I can grow my veggies and maybe even a couple of chickens for fresh eggs." He paused, a faint smile playing on his lips. "In my free time, I'd read, dabble in art or photography, and invite friends over for simple dinners—no need for grand parties, just good company and meaningful conversations."

Zen listened to Raine's words with growing admiration. It wasn't just his vision that captivated her, but the authenticity and sincerity with which he shared it.

Zen had always been a determined individual, driven by her own dreams and ambitions, shaped by the challenges she had faced while growing up. Raine's unique outlook provided a refreshing contrast as it diverged from the typical career-driven narratives the society was so bent on serving. "But how will you afford this without a high-paying job?" she asked.

Raine's response was equally unconventional. "I'll find work I enjoy, even if it doesn't make me rich. As long as it sustains this lifestyle, I'll be content."

"Your approach is unique, Raine. I hope you find your ideal life," Zen said. What she thought she knew about Raine's personality was merely the tip of the iceberg. Raine turned out to be someone who seeks a peaceful and fulfilling life, prioritizing personal happiness and well-being over the pursuit of wealth and external validation. She never would have imagined Raine to be a thoughtful and introspective person who had a clear vision of the life he wanted to lead. "I do mean it."

Raine opened his mouth to respond, but it was drowned out by a loud grumble from his stomach. He shifted uncomfortably, unable to speak as Zen suppressed a laugh.

"I should go make dinner," Zen said with a knowing smile.

"Mm, okay," Raine replied casually, avoiding eye contact.

"By the way, will you be staying home tomorrow as well?" Zen inquired.

"No," Raine answered, "Mom's returning tomorrow, so I'll be heading back."

"Why?" Zen asked curiously.

"She nags a lot. I'm just trying to save myself from the trouble," Raine admitted.

"Got it," Zen said and stepped inside.

As Zen closed the sliding door behind her, Raine couldn't help but feel the embarrassment creeping over him, his cool composure shattering instantly now that he was left alone. His stomach had chosen the most inconvenient moment to voice its hunger. Seriously? Why did my stomach have to growl? Why? I just had ice cream too. The warmth creeping up his cheeks intensified as he cringed at the memory of his growling stomach. His inner dialogue continued as he mentally kicked himself. I want to disappear. I should have just left for the dorm after our study session, he thought, though deep down, he knew why he stayed: Zen's home-cooked food.