Mariely had started to notice that sometimes Frank would be on the phone, laughing with someone. Whenever she asked, he would just say it was a workmate.
She would just nod in response; she didn't want to question it further in fear it might spark another misunderstanding between them.
The board exams were fast approaching, and she needed to focus. She had to give her full attention to the dream she had always held—to become a professional teacher.
"Frank," she called to him.
He looked at her right away, waiting for what she was about to say.
"I—I want to focus on my review for now, Frank, so I—I'll have to lessen the time we go out. S—So I won't be able to join you for now." She just stared at him.
He paused, looking into her eyes, then sighed. He nodded. "I know you need to focus too, sure, no problem." He even smiled at her.
She breathed a sigh of relief when he agreed to her request. "I—I'll make it up to you after the exam." She hugged him tightly.
He hugged her back. "Just focus on your exam. If you need to unwind, I'm just here, okay?" he told her sincerely.
She nodded and smiled, then kissed her boyfriend. "I love you," she told him, looking into his eyes.
"I love you, Faith," he replied, and she nestled into his embrace. He brought her home that day.
Mariely let out a deep breath.
Did I do the right thing? I don't want to grow distant from him, but I really need to focus right now. Her mind couldn't help but ask.
It's just one month. You can endure this, Mariely—it's for your own good and for your future. And also, for your boyfriend. Her inner thoughts tried to reassure her.
Even though they weren't seeing each other often, she made sure not to neglect communication with Frank. She would call him occasionally, and Frank would also call her.
But she noticed that lately, he'd been calling less and less. When she would text, his usual reply was that he was busy with work.
She could only sigh.
"Hey, what's wrong?" her friend asked.
She looked over at her. "Veron, did I make the right decision?" she asked.
"You know, it's okay to focus on your dreams, Faith. I'm sure your boyfriend understands you need to concentrate on your exam, right?" Veron asked her back.
She nodded. "It's just that… He hardly calls now. And every time I message him, he always says he's busy with work." She couldn't help but say it aloud.
Veron put her arm around her. "Chill, don't let that stress you out. You shouldn't be worrying about things like this right now," her friend advised.
She nodded in return, grateful that Veron always tried to understand her.
They heard the bell ring—signaling the start of their class.
You need to trust him, Ely. Have faith in your partner. She repeated that thought in her mind like a mantra.
One afternoon, she frowned as she noticed one of her students talking seriously with Veron. At first, she thought it was just about a project or some activity, but the student had been coming to the faculty room almost every day.
Curious, she observed the seriousness of their conversation.
"Hey, what are you two talking about?"
They both looked startled. Mariely caught a glimpse of a photo—it showed two people kissing. She tried to grab it, but Veron quickly hid it.
Mariely frowned and looked at both of them.
XXX
That was close. Veron thought, seeing Mariely staring at them.
"What are you two talking about?" she asked again.
I need to calm down. Veron smiled at her friend. "A—About their project."
"Project? Look, I didn't see it clearly, but why did that picture show two people kissing?" Mariely raised a brow.
She clearly suspected something.
"I've noticed you've been talking a lot with Ma'am Veron. What's going on?" Mariely asked, arms crossed, scanning the students one by one.
Shaina looked at her and gently shook her head, silently begging her not to mention anything about her boyfriend's cheating.
"W—We needed advice… from Ma'am Veron… A—about cheating," Shaina finally said, looking at her.
Mariely's eyes widened. "Cheating? Who cheated?" she asked.
"What kind of cheating are you talking about?" she followed up, glancing back and forth between the students.
"A—Ah, I mean, Ma'am Celestial," Neil said, jumping in, "we were just explaining to Ma'am Veron that w—we didn't cheat in class."
Mariely turned to Veron and frowned. "There was cheating in your class, Veron?"
"Not really. I just misunderstood something, that's all." Veron played along with the students' excuse.
"Oh? So what's the connection with that picture I saw on your phone?" Mariely asked, still skeptical.
"Oh, that… The students just showed it to me and wanted to share their thoughts on cheating in a relationship," Veron answered.
She bit her lip subtly and gave the students a sharp look, warning them with her eyes.
"Ah yes, Ma'am, w—we needed Ma'am Ronda's approval for our activity. There are three groups doing it, so yeah…" Shaina tried to help.
"Is that true, Rodel?" Mariely asked the quietest student.
"Yes, Ma'am," he quickly replied.
"Okay, I thought you were discussing something else. And Veron, let me know if those kids are up to any nonsense," she told her.
"Of course. You know I always tell you everything," Veron replied.
"And I've noticed you always talk to those kids." Mariely chuckled.
"Don't worry about it," Veron said, smiling.
"Ma'am, we'll get going now," the students said, taking their leave.
"Alright, take care and go straight home," Mariely reminded them as they exited the faculty room.
Veron breathed a deep sigh of relief and quickly hid her phone. Mariely must not see that.
Dear God, if I show that to her, I know she'll break down. She told herself silently.
"Veron," Mariely suddenly called.
"Yes?" she replied.
"So, are you staying over at our place tonight?" Mariely asked.
"Overnight? At your place?" she asked back.
"Yeah, you don't want to?"
"Of course I do! Why would I say no? I get to enjoy your mom's cooking for free," she teased.
She needed to lighten the tension she had felt earlier.
"Come on," Mariely invited.
"Alright, alright." Veron quickly gathered herself and went to her condo first to grab clothes for her overnight stay at Mariely's.
She didn't know how long she could keep this from Mariely. She was afraid she'd be hurt beyond repair. But deep down, she knew—sooner or later—her friend would find out.