I'm Forever on Hold (BL)

When did everything start going so wrong?

I still remember when I first met her. We were six years old, back in kindergarten. The first time I saw her, I couldn't help but blush. She was so beautiful. I still remember all the moments we shared that year, spending every possible moment together.

"SAVAL!!"

A voice called out from the distance.

Saval turned to see who was calling him.

"Dante!" he said as he recognized the approaching figure.

It was Dante, a psychology student he had known for about a year.

"Hey, Saval, what are you thinking about? You seem off."

"Nothing, just remembering some things."

Dante gave him a knowing look.

"Saval… we've talked about this. When you say 'nothing,' it's basically you screaming 'SOMETHING HAPPENED, HELP.'"

"It's complicated…"

"Saval, I study psychology. If I can't even help a friend with his problems, then I won't get anywhere in the future."

"Ahh, I don't know… maybe I'm just imagining things."

"Look, let's do this. Go home, get some rest, and we'll meet later in the afternoon for coffee. Sound good?"

"Umm…"

"Saval, let me help you," Dante said, his gaze firm.

"Alright… see you in four hours. Take care, Dante."

….

Saval took the bus home. Luckily, he managed to get a seat by the window.

"I'll be home in about half an hour, then I'll rest for two hours before taking the bus back."

His stomach grumbled.

"I hope there's something to eat at home. I'm starving."

He pulled out his phone and sent a message to Semiel:

"Hey, Semiel, want to catch a movie tomorrow? A new zombie one just came out. Also, I need to talk to you. The tournament is in four days."

"Hope he replies soon. Maybe we can talk about how he's doing too."

….

The estimated time had passed, and Saval made his way to meet Dante.

The café wasn't crowded, but the hum of conversation created a warmth that contrasted with the cold outside. Saval stepped in with a determined stride, scanning the room until he spotted Dante sitting by the window.

Dante's dark hair was slightly messy, and a notebook lay open beside his coffee.

"Right on time," Dante said, closing his notebook with a friendly smile.

Saval sighed and sat down across from him.

"I needed to talk to someone who isn't involved in all of this. And I thought of you."

Dante raised an intrigued eyebrow.

"All of this? That sounds serious. Is this about Antonella?"

Saval hesitated for a few seconds before nodding slowly.

"Yeah. And also about Semiel. Something doesn't add up, and I keep feeling uneasy."

Dante took a sip of his coffee, giving Saval space to continue.

"What exactly is bothering you?"

Saval leaned forward, crossing his arms.

"Antonella. I used to see her so differently. I always liked her, you know? But now… I'm not sure if it was really her that I liked or just the idea I had of her. Lately, every time I talk to her, I feel like there's something… off."

Dante nodded, listening intently.

"Do you mean how she acts or how she makes you feel?"

Saval exhaled in frustration.

"Both. For a while now, I've felt like she manipulates people. I've seen it with my own eyes, but it took me a long time to accept it. I used to make excuses for her, but I can't anymore. And now, with Semiel caught up in all of this, the feeling that something is wrong just keeps getting stronger. The worst part is that I think I still have feelings for her, but I don't even know what I feel anymore."

Dante rested his elbows on the table, deep in thought.

Let's talk about Semiel. Why do you think he's involved in all of this?"

Saval frowned, trying to organize his thoughts.

"It's not just a suspicion. I can see it—he's not okay. He's more distant, like he's trapped in something and can't get out. I try asking him, but he dodges my questions. And when I brought him up to Antonella, her reaction made it clear that she knows more than she's letting on. The way she responded… it was like she was talking about something insignificant."

Dante remained silent for a moment before asking,

"Have you noticed any changes in Semiel's personality since he started spending more time with Antonella?"

"YES! He's become quieter. He wasn't like this before. Something is eating him up inside, and I have no idea how to help him."

Dante drummed his fingers on the table, lost in thought.

"From what you're telling me, it sounds like Semiel is in a situation where he feels like he can't trust anyone. There might be an element of fear or external pressure. And if you think Antonella is involved, we need to consider what kind of influence she has over him."

Saval let out a frustrated breath.

"That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out. But she won't make it easy for me."

Dante studied him with curiosity.

"And this brings us back to you. Saval, what makes you doubt Antonella now when you didn't before?"

Silence fell between them. Saval stared at his untouched coffee, as if hoping to find answers in the dark liquid.

"I always saw her as strong, confident. That was part of what attracted me to her. And her smile… it made me want to protect her. But now I see that her confidence is more like control. I don't know how to explain it, but every time she speaks, I feel like she's moving pieces on a chessboard that only she understands."

Dante nodded slowly.

"That sounds like manipulation. And if that's the case, then Semiel might be one of her pieces."

Saval closed his eyes for a moment, a wave of frustration washing over him.

"How did I not see this before? How could I deceive myself for so long?"

Dante smiled calmly.

"Because when you care about someone, it's hard to see their darkest flaws. It's not that you were blind before—it's that now, you're seeing beyond the surface. That's growth, Saval."

Saval let out a deep sigh and finally took a sip of his coffee.

"Maybe. But I don't know what to do now. I can't just stand by while Semiel sinks deeper into… whatever this is."

Dante twirled his pen and absentmindedly traced circles on his napkin as he processed Saval's words.

"If Semiel doesn't want to talk, forcing him won't help. But you can let him know that you're there for him, that you support him without pressuring him. Sometimes, that's all it takes for someone to find the courage to speak when they're ready."

Saval nodded, though the uneasiness still lingered.

"And what about Antonella? How do I deal with her without falling into her game?"

Dante smirked knowingly.

"If she's as calculating as you say, then you can't let her see your intentions. Don't confront her head-on unless you're sure of what you're doing. Stay alert, observe, and most importantly—don't let her control the conversation."

Saval pressed his lips together, letting Dante's words sink in.

"You're right. I need to be smarter about how I handle this."

Dante finished his coffee and closed his notebook.

"And remember one thing, Saval—you don't have to carry all of this on your own. I'm here if you need to talk, and if things with Semiel get worse, you might need more help than we can give."

For the first time during their conversation, Saval smiled.

"Thanks, Dante. You have no idea how much I needed this."

Dante shrugged with a grin.

"That's what friends are for."

Saval glanced out the window. The city continued its rhythm, unaware of the storm raging inside him. But at least now, he had a plan.

He wouldn't let Antonella toy with Semiel.

And he wouldn't stand by and watch everything fall apart.

He would rise. He would watch.

And when the time was right—he would act.

Wait for me, Semiel. I'm coming for you, my friend.