Tenuk woke up with a sense of detachment, his mind still groggy from sleep as he gazed blankly at the ceiling. With heavy eyelids, he struggled to focus, his surroundings shrouded in a haze of drowsiness. Beside him, Iyaan lay sound asleep on the couch in the living room, his features softened in slumber.

With a sluggish movement, Tenuk pushed aside his bedsheet and sat up, his movements slow and deliberate. He rubbed his eyes in an attempt to shake off the remnants of sleep, his vision gradually clearing as he blinked away the drowsiness. Sighing softly, he slipped his feet into a pair of white fluffy slippers that awaited him at the side of his bed, the plush material comforting against his skin.

As he rose from the bed, Tenuk trudged across the room, his steps heavy with lethargy. With a lazy stretch, he reached out to switch off the lights and fan, the soft click echoing in the stillness of the room. His gaze lingered on Iyaan's sleeping form for a moment, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips before he turned his attention to the kitchen.

The dim light filtering through the curtains cast a serene glow over the room as Tenuk made his way to the kitchen, the rhythmic hum of the refrigerator filling the air.

***

The sound of gushing water stirred Iyaan from his slumber. Slowly, he blinked his eyes open, adjusting to the dim light filtering into the room. As consciousness flooded back, he found himself lying on the velvety covers of the couch, a faint sense of disorientation washing over him.

"I fell asleep in the hall?" he murmured to himself, his voice a mere whisper in the quietude of the morning. With a lazy stretch, he arched his back like a contented kitten, the stiffness of sleep gradually dissipating from his limbs.

Running a hand through his tousled hair, Iyaan pushed himself upright, his movements languid as he surveyed his surroundings. His gaze flickered towards the bedroom, where he knew Tenuk was likely awake and going about his morning routine.

"I'm going to freshen up," he announced to the empty room, his voice carrying softly in the stillness. Tenuk, busy in the kitchen, acknowledged his departure with a nod, though he didn't lift his eyes from his task or pause in his work.

With a final stretch, Iyaan rose from the couch, the fabric of his clothes rustling softly as he moved.

***
Iyaan's hand brushed against the smooth surface of his phone as he reached for it, the device a familiar weight in his palm. With a quick glance at the screen, he checked the time before slipping it into his pocket.

"When will you be back?" Tenuk's voice cut through the morning stillness, drawing Iyaan's attention. Tenuk, his steps deliberate, approached him from the kitchen, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Give me two hours," Iyaan replied, his tone reassuring as he reached out to take Tenuk's hands in his own. The warmth of their touch lingered, a silent reassurance passing between them.

Tenuk nodded, a small snicker escaping him. "Good luck, okay? Don't fight with anyone."

Iyaan chuckled at the playful jab, his eyes crinkling at the corners with amusement. "What do you take me for?" he retorted, his voice light with laughter as he pulled the smaller boy into a warm embrace. Tenuk returned the hug, his touch gentle against Iyaan's back, before reluctantly letting go.

As Iyaan made his way towards the door, the soft patter of his footsteps filling the air, he couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and contentment settle over him. With one last glance back at Tenuk, he offered a smile before stepping out.

***

Iyaan sat in the bustling cafe, his impatience evident in the rhythmic tapping of his feet against the floor. His gaze flicked repeatedly to the watch adorning his wrist, the seconds ticking by at an agonizing pace. With a sigh, he flipped back the sea-blue shirt he wore, revealing the crisp white T-shirt beneath, and slipped his hand into the pocket of his black jeans.

As the minutes dragged on, Iyaan's frustration reached its peak, and he rose from his seat, ready to abandon the waiting game. Just then, a figure clad in vibrant violet attire made its way towards him. "Iyaan, right?" the man inquired, his tone casual.

"Took your own sweet time, I see," Iyaan muttered sarcastically as he settled back into his seat. The man opposite him removed his sunglasses, revealing sharp eyes that gleamed with curiosity. "What business might you have with me?" he asked, his interest piqued.

"Office Johan," Iyaan began, the respect he initially held for the officer waning with each passing moment. "You definitely know why I called you here."

"Son, a lot of people call me for the same thing. It's the output they expect that matters to me," Johan replied cryptically, his demeanor relaxed.

"What do you mean by output?" Iyaan questioned, his curiosity growing. Johan reached for the menu card, housed in an ornate steel holder shaped like a woman in a flowing gown. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a waiter, the action appearing almost magical. The waiter approached swiftly, pen and notepad materializing in his hands as if by sleight of hand.

"What may your order be, sir?" the waiter inquired, his demeanor professional.

"Mee goreng mamak and Teh Tarik," Johan replied, his tone jovial. With a clap of the waiter's hands, the menu card vanished from Johan's grasp into his, leaving Johan amused.

*This Indian Muslim dish; Mee goreng mamak consists of yellow noodles. Beef or chicken. Shrimp. Soy sauce, veggies and eggs. A bit of chili tossed in for an irresistible jolt.

Teh tarik is a unique Malaysian beverage consisting of black tea, sugar, and condensed milk. The combination is then poured back and forth between two brass containers, a technique known as pulling tea. It improves the flavors of both tea and milk, imparts a creamy and smooth texture, and adds a visually appealing frothy top.*

The waiter vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving behind a sense of wonder in the air. "What an amazing restaurant, yeah?" Johan remarked, turning his attention to Iyaan, who appeared less than enthralled. Iyaan's focus was solely on the impending explanation he awaited from Johan.

Thirty minutes passed before Johan's order materialized, served on a flying white dish atop a heart-shaped green glass. Excitement lit up Johan's eyes as the food appeared, and without hesitation, he seized his fork and began to devour the meal with gusto.

Taking a sip of his drink, Johan glanced at Iyaan expectantly. "Do you want me to arrest the culprit?" he inquired between bites. Iyaan met his gaze with unwavering determination. "No," he responded firmly, "I want to be the one to arrest the culprit."

Johan's fork clattered onto the plate as he paused, reaching for a tissue from the box on the table. With precise movements, he wiped his mouth, crumpling the used tissue into a small ball before discarding it onto the plate. "And how do you suppose you can do that?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

"That is why I called you here, officer," Iyaan replied, seizing the glass before Johan could take another sip. He lifted the glass to his lips, savoring the refreshing drink before meeting Johan's gaze over the rim with a sense of purpose.

"Bold of you to assume I'll help a rude child like you," Johan retorted, leaning back in his chair. Undeterred, Iyaan drained the glass, signaling his readiness to continue the conversation.

"You know, officer, I'll be very beneficial for the force," Iyaan asserted confidently.

"What gives you so much confidence?" Johan challenged.

"I will have to work at some point because university years are almost over," Iyaan explained, his tone measured.

"And you think the police, the special crimes department at that, will take you in? Boy, are you delusional," Johan scoffed.

But Iyaan remained composed. "I know who the criminal is," he stated matter-of-factly.

Johan scrutinized Iyaan's expression before responding, his skepticism evident. "Plain blaming will lead to serious charges, boy."

"No. I am a witness. I saw the crime happen," Iyaan insisted, his voice unwavering.

Johan's eyebrows raised in interest, his gaze locked with Iyaan's. "Hiding such details will also cost you," he warned.

"You don't get it, officer," Iyaan countered, reaching for a clean fork from the holder nearby. He deftly twirled noodles around the utensil before taking a bite, his eyes never leaving Johan's. "It's a long story, but it was for the sake of us."

*1453 words*