Weeks had passed since that incident. Hasith hadn't even come face-to-face with Hirunya again. But do you think our Hasith was the kind to just let things go? Of course not. Hirunya's father was not only a prominent nobleman but also the owner of XXXX Company. Because of that, Hirunya held an unofficial VIP status at campus. A specific table at the cafeteria had practically been reserved for him.
Half the stuff on that table were gifts from girls who were clearly head-over-heels for Hirunya. Hasith couldn't afford the kind of lavish gifts they gave. But what he could do was leave a small daisy flower there every single day. That was all he could give. Without fail, once the cafeteria emptied out, he would sneak in wearing a hoodie and place the flower down, fearing someone might notice.
A few weeks after that incident, a marriage proposal arrived for Hirunya. It was a business arrangement—a classic high-society proposal. With tradition weighing in, and her grandmother fully supporting it, the proposal was already practically accepted even before asking Hirunya's opinion. What made it worse was that the proposal came from a first-year girl from the same campus—Sadisna Gajanayake, the only daughter of the Gajanayake estate. Though born into nobility, both Sadisna and her older brother Dion had grown up in a modern, westernized way.
Dion was a year older than Hirunya, and Sadisna was a year younger. Since both of them were in the business faculty, from the day the proposal came, Sadisna had acted like Hirunya was already hers. Dion, on the other hand, had always disliked Hirunya. For Hirunya, all this was exhausting.
Thirun, meanwhile, watched all of it unfold silently. He knew better than to get involved in Hirunya's family problems. But no matter what, Thirun never left his side—he never let him fall. That's what a true friend does. He was his only source of comfort in this whole mess.
That day too, Thirun sat with Hirunya at the cafeteria. In Hirunya's hand was a small daisy. Both of them had been curious for a long time about the person behind these daily daisy flowers.
"No matter how many flashy gifts you get, your heart's clearly gone to that daisy, huh?" Thirun teased.
Hirunya smiled softly.
Their conversation stopped when someone appeared out of nowhere.
"Oh, Hiru Aiya! I've been looking for you since this morning—ew, what even is that cheap trash in your hand? Just throw it away already! I didn't know you liked flowers! Whatever. When I come to your house this evening, I'll bring you a fresh bouquet of roses."
As Sadisna chirped on mockingly, Hirunya and Thirun just stared at her in silence.
"Come on, throw that thing out already. It's disgusting to even look at it. And you—didn't you see me walk in? This place is mine from now on. Get up and get lost, you cheap boy."
As Sadisna snapped at Thirun, Hirunya gently tightened his grip. He looked like he was about to say something back, but Thirun glanced at him—his eyes silently assuring him, "I got this."
"I don't see your name written anywhere on this table. And I was just sitting here with my friend. That's none of your concern. And who are you to order me around?"
Thirun didn't even get up from his chair when he said that. Sadisna's face flushed red with rage.
"How dare you! I'm Hirunya's fiancée! Just because he talks to you doesn't mean you belong in our world! Aiyyo—Aiya! Please, drag this cheap boy out of here!"
Right then, Dion walked into the cafeteria. Seeing him, Sadisna immediately rushed over, begging him to remove Thirun. Dion, who had been itching for an excuse to pick a fight with Hirunya, grabbed Thirun by the collar. But he didn't get to take even one step further—because Hirunya landed a clean punch to his face.
"Dion, I'm telling you clearly—don't even think of laying a hand on my friend. And Sadisna, you better remember this—I never agreed to this marriage, and I never will."
"Come on, Hirunya. Let it go. They won't understand anyway. No point in wasting time arguing. Let's go—lecture's about to start in a bit."
Holding Hirunya's hand, Thirun began to walk away from the cafeteria.
"Oi! Who even are you? Is that why he turned down the proposal?Are U gay? Does your elder brother know about this?"
Hirunya turned back.
"I'm not someone who hits people for fun like you. And trust me, I don't even have enough irritation in me to deal with someone like you. But marrying your sister? I'd rather tie a rock around my neck and jump into the ocean."
Saying that, Hirunya turned to leave.
But what he didn't see was Hasith running away in tears…