Chapter Eight

Author’s Note: This story is set in an alternate universe, in an imaginary town and country, and during an ambiguous time period.

--------

Kazir sighed as he plucked his phone from his desk, where he had placed it screen-down, the familiar quiet hum of the office buzzing around him.

He looked away from the intricate lines of code that were blurring together as he focused, trying to work through a tricky section. His phone buzzed again, the familiar notification from his family group chat lighting up the screen.

Kazir glanced at it briefly, expecting the usual flood of messages from his siblings, especially Simi, his baby sister. She tended to go overboard with her enthusiastic texts, especially when it came to planning family dinners. This time was no different. Her message was a cheerful announcement about a family dinner at their parents' house tomorrow night, with a million emojis and smiley faces attached. Typical Simi.

He simply replied, “I’ll be there,” ignoring the rest of the conversation that followed.
With a sigh, he pushed himself back from his desk, rubbing his eyes. 

A break was needed—desperately. Maybe a coffee would do the trick.

He stood up, stretching slightly before making his way toward the coffee station, grateful for a few moments away from the screen.

As he was walking, he felt his phone buzz again. Rolling his eyes reflexively, he ignored it, assuming it was more messages from his siblings. But when he pulled out his phone to check, it wasn’t Simi. He was surprised to see it was Adisa.

Adisa: Hey, dear colleague! Want to grab lunch?

Kazir paused mid-step. He hesitated.

His thumb hovered over the screen, unsure how to respond. He had brought his lunch today, a habit more than a necessity, but that wasn’t the real reason for his hesitation. Adisa’s text was innocuous enough, but they had been seeing more of each other lately, and Kazir wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about it. It was mostly nice, but it was also a lot.

He wasn’t opposed to the friendship; it was just all so new, and Kazir had gone so long without a friend—male, female, alpha, beta, or omega—that he needed to process it all. Plus, he didn’t really know how to react. He didn't know how to act around Adisa, and not because of who he was, and he was a lot, but because he had never had a friend—or someone as persistent as Adisa pursuing him. He was overwhelmed.

Finally, he typed out a quick response:

Kazir: Thanks, but I brought lunch today. Maybe next time.

He hit send before he could overthink it, slipping his phone back into his pocket. Grabbing his coffee, he leaned against the counter, letting the warmth of the cup seep into his hands. A few moments later, his phone buzzed again. Adisa’s reply was as bright and optimistic as ever.

Adisa: No worries! Let’s catch lunch or dinner next time 😊

He stared at the message, feeling an odd twist in his gut. Was he being too distant?

No, he shook his head. He was overthinking it, and this was why he had never had a close friend or a romantic connection. He overthought too much. Adisa hadn’t taken his rejection personally because it wasn’t a big deal.

Kazir smirked at the emoticon, feeling the tiniest tug at the corner of his lips. He typed back a short message before pocketing his phone once more.

Kazir: Sure.

Grabbing his coffee off the counter where he had placed it to type his last message, he returned to his desk, feeling the warmth of the cup in his hands. Adisa was persistent, but in a way that wasn’t overbearing. It was more… natural. Still, Kazir couldn’t help but feel a little unnerved. 

He had always been someone who kept people at arm’s length—whether it was with his family, his colleagues, or even his different hobby clubs. Friendship wasn’t something that happened overnight, at least not for him.

But Adisa…

Adisa had a way of cutting through his barriers. Kazir found himself thinking about their weekend rides, the easy conversations they’d had, and how Adisa seemed genuinely interested in getting to know him. It was… nice. Very nice. But he was an alpha. An alpha who didn’t know he was an omega, but he would have to be stupid not to notice an obvious interest.

He wasn’t sure if it was completely platonic, but it was there, and that left him unnerved.

Pushing those thoughts aside, he refocused on his work. There was no need to overthink it.

Tuesday night, he’d deal with his family dinner and the rest. Well, he’d figure it out as it came.

Tuesday evening rolled around too quickly. He loved his siblings, but there was never a moment when they met up that they didn’t end up in an argument over something.

When he pulled up in the driveway, he spotted his siblings' cars parked in their usual spots. Simi had spent the whole day sending a flurry of texts in the family group chat, ensuring that both her siblings would be there and promising she’d bring her famous chocolate cake—notwithstanding that it was store-bought.

Inside, the house smelled amazing. His parents were still some of the best cooks he knew, and the scent of simmering sauces, well seasoned and tenderly cooked meat, and freshly baked bread greeted him the moment he stepped through the door.

He could hear his siblings talking loudly from the kitchen, and he joined them there, greeted with familiar warmth and teasing from his brother, Kizar, and a playful nudge from Simi.

“About time you showed up, Kazir,” Simi said with a grin. “We were about to start without you.”

Kazir rolled his eyes, setting his jacket aside as he joined them in the kitchen, where his parents were bustling around, finishing up the last touches for dinner. 

They exchanged pleasantries, following the usual routine of asking about work, teasing him for looking tired and commenting on the meals they’d prepared, most of the ingredients coming from the garden. 

Eventually, they all sat down at the table, their plates piled high with food. It wasn’t long before Simi, as usual, took center stage. But this time, her news was different. As they began eating, she suddenly put her fork down and looked around the table, her expression serious but with a hint of excitement.

“I have an announcement,” she said, her voice carrying an air of importance.

Kazir glanced at her, curious, as did the rest of his family.

“Well?” their poppa nudged when his youngest said nothing but stared at them with a large, blissful smile.

She seemed to come to at her father’s voice. “Oh, dear family,” she cooed, holding her folded hands to her chest. “I have amazing news. The best news.”

“Out with it, love,” their mother encouraged.

“Okay. My love, Seara, proposed!” Simi squealed, her face breaking into a huge smile.

“We’re getting married!”

Their moment of brief shock quickly gave way to cheers, congratulations, and hugs. Kazir’s mother, who had been lamenting just days ago about her children not being in serious relationships, looked like she was about to burst with happiness.

“Oh, Simi!” their mother exclaimed, her eyes bright. “I’m so happy for you.”

Kazir caught his father’s eye across the table, and they exchanged a knowing smile. Simi’s relationship had always been solid, but their mom had a way of thinking none of her children were truly settled unless they were married or engaged.

“Me too,” Simi added, nodding dotingly. She clutched her mother’s hand with both of hers.

“My beloved…” She stopped, her voice growing thick.

Kazir suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Their mother laughed, wiping a tear from her eyes.

“No tears.”

“From happiness.”

“So, why isn’t your beloved here?” Kizar asked, forking food into his mouth.

Their mother tsked.

“You sound bitter?” Simi grinned sassily at her brother, knowing very well that he had just gotten his heart wrecked a few months prior by his first ever girlfriend.

He scrunched his face at her.

Kazir groaned and rolled his eyes. They were so annoying. Nothing had changed about their childish banters.

“Anyways,” Simi said in a singsong voice, “I told Seara I wanted to share the news with you all. Just me for now. Which means, free up your Saturday evening.”

“Oh no,” Kazir accidentally groaned aloud.

“Kazir!” His mother corrected.

“Sorry. Of course, I’ll be here, Jinnie.”

“You better.” But her tone held no bite. She was too far gone with happiness.

“The way you’re moving, you’re next, Kazir.”

He kicked his brother under the table.

“Mom! Kazir just kicked me,” Kizar whined, his eyes gleaming with mirth.

Their mother rolled her eyes in exasperation. She had no time for their childishness.

“You know, Kazir, Kizar is not wrong,” his father said.

Oh, blast it.

“Listen now,” he quickly soothed. “I know you’re happy with your hobbies and your work,” his father continued, “but you’re at the age now where it’s normal to start thinking about settling down and having a family.”

“And if I don’t want one?”

They all sat staring at him in shock.
“I mean,” his father broke the silence first, “like we said if you’re asexual—”

“And I said I wasn’t.”

“There’s no shame if you are,” Kizar said, winking at him.

“Of course not, Kizar, because we know you’re plenty sexual for the whole family.

Kizar clutched his chest in mock horror. “Mother! Father, listen to the disgusting words coming out of your eldest’s filthy mouth.”

“Now, now, Kizar, Kazir does have a point,” their mother said thoughtfully.

“Oh, no he doesn’t. We’re not straying away from my happy moment. I’m getting married to the love of my life!” Simi shouted.

“Yes, dear,” their mother said, patting her ringed hand.