Kay stood outside the hospital entrance, her phone clutched in her hand like it could magically make a maxi appear. It was nearly 5.00PM, and there were no maxis on the stand.The rain had started its usual Trini drizzle—annoying enough to soak your shoes, not heavy enough to warrant an umbrella.

  Kay was an clerk at the San Fernando hospital. The staff meeting finished and now with the inclement weather, transportation became difficult. She tried to call her brother a few times, but he didn't answer. Then she decided to call Zayn, Ravi's Bestie.

  He was him living with them until his house was completed and he was the only other person she could call.

  She didn’t want to owe him anything.

  Especially not after the way he looked at her like she was still twelve and in his damn way.

  But she pressed call anyway.

  He picked up on the third ring. His voice was low, tired.

  Yeah?”

  She swallowed. “I’m stuck. No transport. Can you… could you come get me?”

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  Silence.

  “Where?” he asked.

  “Hospital.”

  Another pause. Then a short, clipped, “I’m on my way.”

  Twenty-five minutes later, his black Hilux truck pulled up.

  He didn’t say anything as she slid into the front seat. His car smelled like musk and mint. He had the AC on low and the radio was turned down to a soft hum of soca.

  She stole a glance at him. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, forearms tense on the wheel. His jaw was set, eyes focused on the road.

  “You don’t have to look like I ruined your night,” she muttered.

  He didn’t respond for a second. Then—

  “You shouldn’t be calling me..."

  Her chest tightened. “I didn’t want to call you, Zayn. I had no choice, my meeting finished late.”

  His grip on the steering wheel tightened. “You always have a choice, Kay.”

  " Ravi was not answering." she replied

  The rain began to hit harder, rhythmic on the windshield. The silence grew heavier.

  You still see me as a kid, eh?” she said quietly. “Just your best friend’s annoying sister who doesn’t know how to grow up.”

  He pulled the car over suddenly, right before the turn to the highway. His eyes cut to hers, dark and unreadable.

  “Kay,” he said, voice low and firm. “You don’t want me to answer that.”

  Her breath caught. The air between them sizzled—hot, charged. She could barely see the rain now.

  “I do,” she whispered.

  His eyes dropped to her lips. For just a second.

  Then he looked away, jaw flexing. “Seatbelt on.”

  She obeyed in silence. The ride to Debe was wordless. But everything had changed.