The alley was dim, its narrow walls casting long shadows over Iyaan and Tenuk. The sudden halt in Iyaan's steps felt like a finality as he turned, his hand instinctively reaching for his gun. His eyes scanned the figure approaching, tense and alert, but as soon as the face of his friend came into view, recognition flooded his features. He immediately lowered the weapon.

“Tenuk?” Iyaan's voice was both confused and cautious. “Is there something you want to say? Why would you follow me here? To an alley, no less. It’s dangerous.”

Tenuk stepped closer, the sound of his shoes echoing faintly in the quiet alleyway. Iyaan mirrored his movements until they were both standing in the center of the passage, the world around them momentarily forgotten. Tenuk’s gaze held steady, his eyes locking with Iyaan’s in a silent exchange of emotions. He reached out, placing his hands firmly on Iyaan’s shoulders, the weight of the gesture heavy with unspoken words.

Time seemed to freeze between them as they stared at each other, the world outside the alley slipping away. In that gaze, there were years of unaddressed feelings—anger, confusion, and, most of all, longing. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Tenuk broke the silence, his voice cracking under the weight of unshed tears.

“You absolute idiot," Tenuk’s voice trembled. "Why would you... why did you move? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Before Iyaan could respond, Tenuk’s control crumbled. Tears began streaming down his cheeks, his words dissolving into soft sobs. Iyaan, taken aback by the sudden outpouring of emotion, flustered. His hands hovered in mid-air, unsure of how to comfort his friend.

“N-no. Don’t cry, Tenuk—” Iyaan started, his voice awkward, caught off guard by the sight of his friend breaking down.

“Shut up,” Tenuk interrupted, his voice thick with emotion. He stepped forward and, without hesitation, wrapped his arms tightly around Iyaan’s neck. His head buried into Iyaan’s shoulder as his sobs quieted but didn’t stop.

Iyaan hesitated for only a moment before he hugged Tenuk back, his arms encircling his friend’s waist in a firm, protective grip. The embrace felt familiar, comforting even. It had been years since they last saw each other, but the distance hadn't diminished the bond between them. There was no awkwardness, no hesitation—just two old friends finding solace in each other’s arms. They stood there, enveloped in a moment that neither of them wanted to end.

Time passed slowly, the sounds of the city beyond the alley muffled, as if the world had paused to give them space. Eventually, Iyaan pulled back slightly, loosening his hold around Tenuk’s waist but not breaking it entirely. His eyes lingered on Tenuk’s face before a soft chuckle escaped him.

“You’re still shorter than me,” Iyaan teased, his lips curving into a small smile.

Tenuk looked up, his tear-stained face breaking into a giggle. “Yes, mister tall,” he replied, shaking his head at Iyaan’s playful jab.

For a moment, they both smiled, the weight of the years melting away in the warmth of their shared laughter.

“So, you’re a police officer now?” Tenuk asked, his voice soft but curious.

“More like a private detective,” Iyaan corrected, his tone casual, as if they hadn’t just shared a deeply emotional moment.

“And mister Megat is now a great reporter, huh?” Iyaan countered, raising an eyebrow at his old friend.

“Haha, not great but certainly a reporter,” Tenuk laughed, though there was a bittersweetness in his voice. His mind wandered back to their past, the long days of their youth, where they struggled and dreamed of better days. “How did we get this far, Iyaan?” he sighed, lost in the memories of their school and college days. Days when they didn’t even have enough money saved to celebrate birthdays, let alone grand festivals.

Iyaan’s smile softened as he spoke. “I told you we’d be fine.”

Tenuk’s gaze dropped, a small laugh escaping him, but his tone turned more somber. “I wanted to give you the news first. About me getting this job. But it was too late by then, wasn’t it?”

Iyaan’s chest tightened at the regret in Tenuk’s voice. He hadn’t realized how much his absence had weighed on his friend. “...When did you start working?” Iyaan asked quietly, a heaviness settling between them again.

“Started last year,” Tenuk answered, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Oh? Not too long ago then. I thought it had been a while,” Iyaan replied, relieved that perhaps he hadn’t missed as much as he thought. They were still holding each other, their arms loosely draped around one another’s waist and neck, unwilling to let the moment slip away entirely.

“Haha. What about you?” Tenuk asked, breaking the silence.

“Started four years ago,” Iyaan said, his voice calm, though the weight of those years apart still lingered.

“Oh my god. You worked full-time while studying?” Tenuk asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Yeah. Johan handled it all,” Iyaan shrugged, downplaying the sacrifices he had made along the way.

Tenuk’s expression softened as he remembered Johan, the senior officer Iyaan now worked under. “Oh, that’s right. You work under him now.”

Iyaan nodded, and for a brief moment, the air between them stilled again. Finally, Tenuk pulled out his phone, breaking the silence with a soft sigh. “Are you busy right now? Want to hang out for a while?” he asked, his voice casual, but there was an underlying hopefulness in his tone. He placed his right hand in his pocket, scrolling through his phone with the other.

Iyaan couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Tenuk had grown—matured, independent—but there was still that same boyish charm about him. “Mm. I have some time,” Iyaan replied, his smile widening.

Tenuk nodded, continuing to scroll for a moment before glancing back at Iyaan. “I found this great café around here. Let’s go there?”

“Sure,” Iyaan agreed, feeling a sense of warmth settle in his chest. They might have been apart for a long time, but in moments like these, it felt as though no time had passed at all. Together, they stepped out of the alley and back into the world, their shared past weaving quietly into the present.

The cab arrived moments later, its engine humming softly as it idled by the curb. Iyaan and Tenuk climbed in without a word, and the car pulled away, carrying them through the bustling streets of the city. The soft glow of streetlights flickered through the windows as they sped through traffic. Neither of them spoke during the half-hour drive, both lost in their thoughts. Iyaan stole a glance at Tenuk, who was busy scrolling on his phone, a faint smile playing on his lips. It had been years since they had spent time together like this, but the silence between them was comfortable, almost nostalgic.

When they finally reached the café, the familiar bell chimed as they stepped inside. The place was warm and inviting, with soft lighting casting a golden glow over the room. A subtle hum of conversation filled the air, blending with the soft clinking of dishes and the occasional burst of laughter from nearby tables.

Iyaan paused as they entered, leaning down slightly to whisper in Tenuk’s ear. “Wait, this is the café?” There was a hint of disbelief in his voice, his eyes sweeping over the polished tables and the stylish décor.

Tenuk glanced back at him, his head tilted slightly as he nodded with a mischievous smile. “Yeah, this is the one. Why? You don’t like it here?” he asked in a soft whisper as they approached the reception desk.

Iyaan sighed but shook his head. “No, that’s not it. Don’t worry.” He stepped forward and smiled politely at the receptionist, a cheerful woman who greeted them with a warm smile. “Table for two, please,” he said, his voice polite as he glanced briefly at her name tag.

The receptionist nodded brightly, ringing a small bell that echoed through the quiet atmosphere of the café. A moment later, a beautiful waitress appeared, her steps light and graceful. She smiled at the pair, her name tag reading “Liyana.” Her dark hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and her uniform was crisp and professional.

“I’ll take you to your table, sir,” she said, her voice melodic as she motioned for them to follow.

They trailed behind her through the cozy café, the warm light casting soft shadows as they moved toward a small table by the window. The soft clatter of plates and murmured conversations created a peaceful ambiance around them.

“Please, have a seat,” Liyana said with a smile, gesturing to the table before placing two menus down for them. Tenuk smiled back at her and thanked her warmly.

“Thank you,” Iyaan added with a soft nod. She smiled again before disappearing into the back, leaving them to their privacy.

They skimmed through the menu, their choices obvious from old habits—strawberry cake for Tenuk and matcha cake for Iyaan. They ordered coffee to go along with it, and after a few minutes, Liyana returned with their selections. She placed the plates and cups gently in front of them, taking their menus before offering a final smile and leaving them to their conversation.

Tenuk took a small bite of his strawberry cake, savoring the sweetness before glancing up at Iyaan. “Oh, Iyaan,” he started, pausing briefly. “Earlier, when we were talking before the interview, you mentioned something about ‘heart and mind,’ right?”

Iyaan nodded, quietly cutting into his matcha cake. He chewed thoughtfully before answering.

Tenuk’s eyes narrowed slightly as he set his fork down. “So… are you going to catch her?”

A heavy silence followed the question. Iyaan didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stared out of the café window, watching the people walk by on the busy street. The weight of Tenuk’s words settled between them, thick and oppressive. Finally, Iyaan spoke, his voice low and resolute.

“Yeah,” he said, turning to meet Tenuk’s gaze. “I’m going to catch her. I’m going to give her what she deserves.”

Tenuk nodded, taking a slow sip from his coffee. The cream on top swirled into the hot liquid, leaving a frothy residue around the edges of the cup. He set it down with a soft clink, his eyes never leaving Iyaan. “You’re still messing with that doctor,” Tenuk said, his voice quiet but filled with concern.

Iyaan leaned back in his chair, sighing heavily. “You know, Tenuk, the reason I joined this work was because of her. I wanted to give justice to the victims—or at least make sure she gets her karma.”

“You’re right to want that,” Tenuk replied, his eyes softening. “But she’s a serial killer, Iyaan. You don’t know what she might do to you.”

Iyaan looked down at his hands, his fingers tracing the rim of his cup absentmindedly. “I know. That’s why I cut ties with you for the time being.” He glanced up, meeting Tenuk’s questioning gaze. “I didn’t want her to target you. I thought it would be best if I handled everything on my own. I’m sorry, Tenuk.”

Tenuk’s expression softened, and he smiled gently. “No, it’s okay. I get it now.” He reached out, placing a hand on Iyaan’s arm. “You just wanted to protect me. But now that we’ve met again, let’s stay in touch, yeah? I won’t get in the way of your investigation. Don’t worry.”

Iyaan hesitated, torn between his instinct to protect Tenuk and the guilt of pushing him away. He looked into his friend’s hopeful eyes and found himself unable to say no. With a soft sigh, he nodded. “Alright. We’ll stay in touch.”

Just then, the familiar chime of the café door interrupted their moment. Both of them glanced toward the entrance as a man walked in. He wore a black mask, sunglasses, and a hat, his appearance drawing attention for its unusual cover.

Iyaan’s instincts kicked in immediately. His hand slipped into the inner pocket of his blazer, fingers wrapping around the cold metal of his gun. He kept his movements subtle, his body language casual as he watched the man approach their table. The stranger didn’t stop at the receptionist but headed directly for them.

Before Tenuk could say anything, the man removed his mask and sunglasses. Iyaan relaxed his grip on the gun, a sigh of annoyance escaping him as he recognized the face beneath the disguise.

“It’s nice to be vigilant,” Izwan remarked, glancing at Iyaan with a smirk.

“What do you want, Izwan?” Iyaan asked, his voice tinged with irritation as he took the last bite of his cake.

Izwan, ignoring the hostility in Iyaan’s tone, gave a small nod toward Tenuk. “I came to get you. We need to head back to the office.”

Tenuk’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Oh! You’re the one from the interview, right?”

“Yeah,” Izwan replied, offering a polite smile. “Izwan Harith. Nice to meet you.”

“Tenuk Megat. Please, sit,” Tenuk said, gesturing to the empty seat beside Iyaan.

Just as Izwan was about to take the seat, Iyaan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen and immediately stood up. “I’ll have to take this,” he said, giving Tenuk a brief nod before stepping away.

Izwan sat down in the chair Iyaan had vacated, settling in across from Tenuk. The café hummed around them, but the air between them was filled with a tension that neither acknowledged.

Izwan casually reached for the cup of coffee Iyaan had been drinking from, lifting it to his lips as though it was his own. But before he could take a sip, Tenuk’s hand shot out, smoothly intercepting the cup. The movement was so fluid that to anyone watching, it would have appeared playful, like a friendly gesture between old friends. But the tension that simmered just below the surface told a different story.

Izwan lowered his hand, his eyes narrowing slightly as he turned to Tenuk. "What’s the deal?" he asked, his tone casual but laced with suspicion.

Tenuk smiled at him, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. "This is Iyaan’s," he said in a light tone, his voice disarming. "Do you want me to order one for you instead?"

The words were polite, but the smile that followed was sharper, more like a challenge than an offer. The air between them thickened with tension, but Izwan said nothing, his eyes studying Tenuk’s face for a moment before looking away.

Tenuk continued, his voice soft yet cutting. "You should stay away from the case Iyaan is working on. And maybe you should tell him to do the same."

Izwan didn’t respond, his silence deliberate. But the slight tightening of his jaw betrayed him.

"You won’t be able to catch Nur, even if you wanted to," Tenuk added, placing the cup back on the table, his fingers lingering on the rim as though savoring the moment. The mention of Nur’s name hung in the air between them like a ticking bomb.

Izwan’s eyes flickered at the name. Nur. He knew it well, though he hadn’t expected Tenuk to say it because he didn't know Tenuk knew her. Iyaan and Johan had spoken of her often—of the mystery surrounding her, the danger she posed. And now it was clear that this was the same woman Iyaan was pursuing with such intensity. A smile crept across Izwan’s face as he stood up, his movements slow and deliberate.

"I always share coffee with Iyaan," Izwan said, grabbing the cup Tenuk had placed down and swiftly taking a bold sip. The act wasn’t just defiant—it was a statement. He stepped around the table and leaned in close to Tenuk, his breath warm against Tenuk’s ear.

"And as for Nur," he whispered, his voice low and mocking, "I’ll make sure Iyaan catches her."

The words sent a ripple of anger through Tenuk. His jaw clenched, and his fists tightened under the table as he fought the urge to lash out. His voice, when it finally came, was barely controlled, a dangerous edge to his words. "You can’t catch her that easily!" he almost shouted, his voice rising above the low murmur of the café that hardly held any customers.

Izwan cocked an eyebrow, unfazed by the outburst. "Oh?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You sound like you know something." His smile widened, eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of having struck a nerve.

Tenuk’s fists trembled, and for a brief moment, he looked ready to slam them into the table, his face flushed with barely suppressed rage. But just as quickly, his expression softened into something entirely different—a bright, cheerful smile that seemed completely out of place given the tension just seconds before. Izwan, surprised by the sudden shift, glanced over his shoulder to see Iyaan returning from his phone call.

Izwan scoffed under his breath, watching the transformation in Tenuk. This man could be a great actor, he thought to himself, amused by how quickly Tenuk had masked his true feelings.

Iyaan was approaching, his attention fixed on Izwan. He was about to walk straight into him when Izwan stopped, stepping aside to avoid the collision. "Let’s go," Izwan said, his voice all business now. "I’m sure Senior Inspector Johan called to ask you to come back to the office."

Iyaan nodded, his gaze briefly shifting to Tenuk before he moved past Izwan. "I need to go now," he said, turning to face Tenuk.

Tenuk smiled warmly, all traces of anger vanished from his face. "Yeah, go ahead. But take my number," he said, holding out his hand.

Iyaan handed him his phone without hesitation. Tenuk quickly tapped his number into the contact list, his fingers moving swiftly over the screen. They had changed phones afterall and they both had lost each other's previous numbers. He handed the phone back to Iyaan with a smile. "I’ll call you," he said, his voice soft but full of a quiet promise.

Iyaan nodded, sliding his phone into his pocket. "Shall I drop you off somewhere?" he asked, his tone considerate.

Tenuk shook his head, leaning back in his chair. "No, I’ll stay here for a while. Enjoy the atmosphere."

With that, they exchanged one last nod. Iyaan offered a final smile before stepping out of the café with Izwan, the bell chiming softly as the door closed behind them.