Lin picked up her phone and glanced at the screen. A smile spread across her face, soft and genuine. It was Kavi. Her best friend, the one who had been with her through thick and thin, from their school days all the way to university. It was almost as if destiny had arranged for them to walk the same path, placing them in the same architecture program. Lin often thought about how lucky she was to have had Kavi by her side during those tough five years at university. Without her, those years might not have been as bright or as full of laughter.

The familiar sound of a message notification snapped her out of her thoughts, and before she knew it, Lin had already forgotten about the cold silence in the house, the strange morning. She eagerly opened the message from Kavi. Whatever it was, it instantly lifted her mood. Without a second thought, she typed a quick reply and hit send.

Seconds later, her phone buzzed again, this time with a call.

"Lin, don’t tell me you forgot about the exhibition?" Kavi’s voice came through the phone, full of energy, as always.

"Ah…" Lin was caught off guard, her heart skipping a beat. Of course, she had forgotten. She racked her brain, trying to remember, but nothing came to her. The exhibition had slipped her mind completely.

Kavi didn’t miss a beat. "Mmm… yeah, you forgot. I knew it. That’s why I’m calling you, silly," Kavi teased, her voice playful yet warm.

Lin sighed in relief, laughing softly. "Thanks, dear. I really did forget," she admitted, feeling grateful for her friend. Kavi always had a way of knowing exactly when to call, always looking out for her. Even when Lin’s thoughts were scattered, Kavi was there to pick up the pieces.

For a moment, the weight of the morning lifted. Lin forgot about the eerie silence in the house, the absence of her parents, and the strange unease that had lingered since she woke up. With Kavi’s voice filling her ear, it felt like everything was back to normal, even if just for a moment.

"What time are you going?" Lin asked, her voice curious but still a little groggy from the odd morning. On the other end, Kavi didn’t reply immediately. Instead, there was a burst of laughter.

"Hey, hey, Lin, it’s not today! It’s tomorrow, bro!" Kavi said through her laughter, the amusement clear in her tone.

"Ah?" Lin paused for a second, then joined in the laughter, the absurdity of the situation hitting her. "Okay, okay, I’ll come tomorrow," she managed through her own giggles.

"Good! See you then!" Kavi said before hanging up.

As the call ended, silence crept back into Lin's mind, like a familiar, unwelcome visitor. She sighed,...