We were surprised to find the house open. I'm pretty sure I locked this before going out. Was Mom home?

I slowly opened the front door just to add up suspense. Mom's face being too close almost gave me a heart attack. "Mom! You don't need to scare me like that!"

Mom guffawed, probably because of my reaction. "Sorry, honey." She then noticed Karma who had beads of sweat on his forehead. "Oh, it seems like we've got your boyfriend over here."

"He is not my boyfriend, mom." I corrected, entering the house.

"Yet. I'm already courting your daughter, Ma'am." Karma responded, and I was beyond shocked with what he's saying.

Mom gasped too audibly that I winced. "Uh-huh, you've got a lucky bait, sweetie. I mean, look! He's carrying three out of one of the grocery bags."

I shot both of them daggers. "Stop pissing me off."

"But I'm courting you now, aren't I?" Karma insisted, putting down the grocery bags.

I rolled my eyes and proceeded to ignore him. "And Mom, those three grocery bags are just light. This is the heaviest."

Karma's eyebrows met. "You should've given me that bag. I don't want you getting all exhausted."

Mom began to make kissing sounds, which was pretty embarrassing (because it's disgusting) and annoying at the same time. "So loving. I like that. Keep it up, boy." Mom winked before disappearing into the kitchen.

Karma then looked at me and he smiled timidly. How on earth did he have so much confidence? Also, he wasn't knowledgeable about the word shame.

I shook my head and put the grocery items on the cupboard and refrigerator with him following and talking to me animatedly.

"You and me. Sitting on a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G." Was Karma this hyper because of the Roasted Beef? "There's no guarantee that this will be easy. It's not a miracle you need. Believe me. Yeah, I'm no angel, I'm just me. But I will love you endlessly."

"Shut your mouth, red-head. You're getting weirder everyday. What the heck are you singing anyway?"

Karma shrugged, smirking as he helped me with arranging all the goodies. "By the way, can we watch a movie?"

I pursed my lips and crossed my arms. "Why should I waste my time and watch a movie with you?"

"Because I want to." He replied, throwing me off for a split second.

"You don't get to boss me around, Karma." For a moment, his smirk vanished and... his ears were reddening? Hey, is he blushing? "Why are you blushing?"

"You uttered my name..."

"And so?" Karma bit his lip as the reddish color of his face disappeared. "I'm not gonna watch a movie with you."

"Even though there's snack while we're watching?"

My eyes glimmered in delight. "Oh, your treat?"

"Well... you just went to the market and—"

"I won't let you have a sn—"

Mom decided to butt in. "You don't own the snacks. The money is from me, and since he's in this house, I'm commanding you to go watch a movie with him in the living room and while you two are at it, eat the snacks. Do you understand, (y/fn)?"

I glared at Karma because I was rendered defeated. "Yeah, Mom. I understand."

I ended up having a movie marathon with Karma (those movies included The Notebook and Lights Out... gladly, it's my choice). Turns out he really wasn't a fan of movies since he just snored for four hours straight. Hmm, perhaps he's bored with my choice of movies because it's horror, drama and romance and he'd like something with action and killing.

I didn't bother disturbing his sleep until dinner came. We didn't have such a decent delicacy in our everyday living so I wondered why we had pasta and mushroom soup for dinner. I figured it was because of Karma over here who little by little finished up his food.

"Thanks for the food, Mrs. (y/sn), (y/n)-chan."

Mom flashed him a warm smile, something that she does whenever there's a visitor. "No problem. By the way, if you want to visit, I have no problems. And you can call me Auntie... or Mom, in any case."

"Sure, Mom." I fought the urge to say something bad for I was in front of a blessing and Mom would surely remind me to be nice in front of the visitor. But nah, I'd only be nice in front of the food. "Oh, and since Halloween is only a week away, I'd like to give a present."

Mom grinned, "Why, my blessing is all yours." Is that what it took for her heart to soften?

They continued to converse, and all I did was climb up to my room to face my laptop. I needed something to take away my annoyance—that would be a game or an anime.

A few moments later, it was already quiet down there much to my relief. I presumed Karma was out of our house now.

Then my phone vibrated.

From: Cocky Karma

Hey, (y/n)-chan. Good night. :) I love you.

I closed my eyes and dared myself to go to dreamland, but it turns out it's already a tedious task. I rolled in my bed and unlocked my cellphone.

To: Cocky Karma

Yeah. Good night.

A minute later, I got a reply.

From: Cocky Karma

No I love you too?

As if.

Staring at the ceiling, someone knocked on the door. Mom's head popped out. "Sweetie, I know you're awake. Mother's instincts. Maybe midnight snacks might help you out with your insomnia."

"Well I wish I don't have insomnia. Thanks, anyway." I said, grabbing the bowlful of ice cream. She beamed at me then disappeared.

As I took spoonfuls of ice cream, I couldn't help but ponder. What was my relationship with Karma now? What do I feel for him now? I didn't know. I veraciously had no idea.

"Love" wasn't the answer. "Like" nope. "Crush"... still no.

Or maybe I was just in denial?

I decided to dial his number and call him.

When I heard him from the other line, he seemed very surprised. "A-Ah. (y/n)-chan, what made you call me? Did you miss my voice?"

"Karma..." I started. "I like you... maybe."

At least it's not a no already. At least he made me say maybe, an answer which was somewhere near yes or no.

–

Yup, you've read it right. The story has reached its end.

I know some of you might get mad at me for ending it in a way that would make you scream for more, but let's face it. You don't want something so cliché, right? And here, you're not a girl who makes irrational decisions. So, yeah. Thanks for reading up to this point. :) Aaand thanks for the people who understands me. \^0^/

Extra note:

People have been asking if there'll be a sequel for this. Some were even telling me to make one. Lol. :) I'll think about it.

(Edited: 28th of May, year 2017)