The ringtone echoed once. Twice. Three times.
—Saval, what's up? —Semiel's voice came through the line, calm as usual. But something felt off. Something in his tone made Saval suspicious. Like his best friend was… uneasy.
—We need to talk. Where are you?
—At home. Why do you sound so serious? Did something happen?
Saval sighed, feeling the urgency to know the truth consume him. He didn't want to start this conversation over the phone, but he had no intention of waiting until Semiel was ready to tell him.
—Were you with Antonella at the café? —he asked directly.
Silence.
—...W-What? —Semiel's voice finally came, but it didn't sound surprised. It sounded like fear.
—You heard me. Were you there or not?
—Who told you that? —Semiel asked instead of answering.
Saval gripped his phone tighter. That wasn't a denial.
—Just answer, Semiel. Don't make this harder than it already is.
Another pause. Longer this time. Then, a sigh.
—Yeah. I was with her. Why are you asking?
The words hit Saval like a bucket of cold water. He had suspected it, but hearing it from Semiel made it real.
—What did you two talk about? —his voice was harsher than he intended.
—Stuff. It wasn't a big deal, Saval. Now tell me, who told you? —Semiel's tone shifted, more demanding, like he was waiting for answers.
A knot tightened in Saval's stomach. Something about the way Semiel asked that, like he cared more about the source of the information than the situation itself. Like he was afraid.
—That doesn't matter. Tell me, Semiel, why did she call you "puppy"?
This time, the silence was even heavier. Saval could picture Semiel clenching his jaw, searching for an answer that sounded convincing.
—It's an old joke. A stupid thing between us. Nothing serious.
—Nothing serious… —Saval repeated, feeling frustration bubbling inside him.
—Yeah. Nothing happened.
—Then why didn't you tell me you saw her? Why didn't she mention it either?
—Because it wasn't important. It was a quick conversation. That's all.
A chill ran down Saval's spine. Something didn't add up. Semiel was being evasive, like he was trying to hide something. His friend—his brother in everything but blood—had never spoken to him like this before.
—If it wasn't important, then why keep it from me?
—Why would I need to tell you? We're not obligated to share every little thing, Saval. Don't be paranoid.
Paranoid. How convenient. Saval clenched his teeth, staring at his phone screen as if he could burn a hole through it.
—DON'T F*CK WITH ME, Semiel. You're hiding something.
—There's nothing to hide —Semiel replied, his tone sharper now—. You're talking to me like I did something wrong, like I betrayed you. That's not the case. I'm not your enemy, Saval.
—Don't act like I'm the one imagining things. I know you. I know when you're lying. And right now, you are.
Semiel let out a laugh. It wasn't mocking. It was disbelief. Maybe even discomfort.
—Do you realize how ridiculous this sounds? You're making a scene over something a nosy waiter told you. Something you don't even know is true.
Saval felt his pulse quicken.
—So you do know who told me.
Another pause.
—I figured it was him. The staff at that place overhears too much sometimes. You shouldn't believe everything you're told.
—And you should be more honest with me —Saval shot back—. Because right now, you're not telling me everything.
Semiel sighed. This time, he sounded more tired than annoyed.
—Look, if you really want to talk about this, let's do it in person. But I'm not going to argue over the phone about something that makes no sense.
Saval felt his chest tighten. The way he said it… It wasn't a defense. It wasn't an explanation. It was an attempt to avoid the topic. To delay it.
—The park. Ten minutes —Saval said firmly.
Semiel took a few seconds before answering.
—Fine.
And then he hung up.
Saval slowly lowered his phone, feeling something heavy lodged in his throat. He already knew he wouldn't like what he was about to uncover that night.
But he couldn't stop now.
Not when the truth was this close.