The soft lighting of the rooftop restaurant glowed warmly against the evening sky. The faint hum of conversations, clinking glasses, and smooth jazz created the perfect romantic ambiance.
Ariel smiled across the table at Daniel, her heart fluttering just being near him. She had picked out her favorite floral dress for the occasion, hoping to make their anniversary dinner extra special.
But something was... off.
Daniel's eyes kept darting down to his phone. His fingers moved quickly, typing, then locking the screen—only to unlock it again seconds later.
Ariel sipped her juice slowly, then set her glass down and leaned forward. "Daniel," she said softly, trying to catch his gaze. "You've been on your phone a lot lately. Even during dinner…"
He looked up, blinking like he'd just realized she was there. "Huh? Oh—sorry, babe. I didn't mean to ignore you."
Ariel tilted her head. "Is everything okay? You've been kind of distant the past few weeks."
Daniel gave a small smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. "It's just school. projects are draining me. I'm checking something for a research group chat. You know how lecturers like to spring surprises."
She nodded slowly, but the ache in her chest lingered. "I understand. I just… miss you."
"I'm still here, Ariel," he said, reaching for her hand. "I promise. Things will settle soon."
Ariel forced a smile, trying to believe him.
---
Meanwhile, across campus, the library hallways echoed with footsteps as Favour and Samuel walked side by side toward an empty classroom.
"You're lucky," Favour said as she dropped her bag on the desk and stretched. "I swear my brain is fried, but reading with you always makes things stick."
Samuel chuckled. "That's because you focus when you're around me. Alone, you'd be dancing in your mirror with your notes on the floor."
Favour laughed, shaking her head. "Don't expose me like that."
They read quietly for hours, Favour stealing glances at him every now and then. His focused expression, the way he explained concepts so effortlessly—it was part of why her feelings had grown.
After their study session, he stretched and yawned. "Wanna grab something to eat? I've got rice and stew at my place."
"You cooked?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "Don't play if it's not legit, you know I love your cooking."
He smirked. "Come and see for yourself."
---
In Samuel's apartment, the smell of tomatoes, pepper, and spices filled the air. Favour sat on the stool near the kitchen as he moved around with ease.
"I'll admit it," she said. "You're better than half the food vendors on this campus."
"Just half?" he teased.
They settled on the couch with their food, eating and chatting. Then Favour leaned back and stretched.
"So... guess who got asked out yesterday," she said casually.
Samuel looked at her with interest. "Really? Who?"
She shrugged. "Some guy from History. Cute. Confident. Said he's been watching me for a while."
There was a pause. Samuel looked away, taking another bite of rice. "Are you interested?"
Favour's heart skipped. "I don't know. Maybe. What do you think?"
He gave a vague nod. "If he makes you happy."
Favour smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. That wasn't what she wanted to hear. "I'm not actually interested"
---
Later that night, Ariel sat cross-legged on her bed, her fingers brushing through her hair as she talked to Favour.
"He just… felt far away. Like he was there but not really with me," Ariel said, hugging a pillow to her chest.
Favour, now in her pajamas, leaned against her bed frame and listened closely. "You think something's wrong?"
"I don't know. I asked him, and he said it's school. I want to believe him, but my gut says otherwise."
Favour reached out and gently squeezed her hand. "Maybe it is school stress. But don't overthink it yet. If he says he's just overwhelmed, give him a little space and time. If anything's really off, it'll show."
Ariel sighed. "Thanks. I just needed to talk."
"It's no problem," Favour said. "We'll figure it out."
"well, I spent the whole day with Samuel," Favour said, resting her chin on her palm. "We went to read together. We talked, laughed… but still, it hurts."
Favour shook her head. "He was just being nice. That's the thing — he's always nice. But it's never more than that. I keep hoping maybe, just maybe he'd look at me and feel something more… but nothing changes."
Ariel looked at her for a while, then reached out and held her hand. "I'm really sorry, Favour. I wish he could see how amazing you are."
Favour gave a faint smile but her eyes were sad. "Thanks… I just don't understand why I keep falling for someone who doesn't feel the same. It's like I'm setting myself up for heartbreak."
There was a long silence in the room.
Favour broke the silence. "Why are our love lives like this, Ariel? Why is it so hard to be loved the way we love?"
Ariel shook her head slowly. "I wish I knew. We give our time, our hearts… but somehow, it never feels enough."
"Maybe we're not the problem," Favour said softly. "Maybe we just keep choosing people who aren't ready for the kind of love we give."
Ariel looked at her and gave a small, tired smile. "Maybe….. I hope all will be well with me and David."
Favour leaned her head on Ariel's shoulder. "At least we have each other."
Ariel smiled more genuinely this time. "Always."
---
But across town, in a dimly lit room that reeked of deceit, Daniel wasn't thinking about school—or Ariel.
He lay on the bed shirtless, his arm lazily draped around Joy, her head resting on his chest. The sheets were tangled around them, evidence of what had just happened.
Joy ran her fingers up his chest. "You're really going back to her after this?"
Daniel scoffed. "Not for long. I just need her to be the one to break up with me. Makes it easier."
Joy smirked. "Because she won't sleep with you?"
"She's too... 'good girl'," Daniel said, rolling his eyes. "I'm tired of pretending. I want fun, not lectures about boundaries."
They got up slowly, pulling on clothes as they continued talking. Joy slipped into her jeans and walked toward the door.
Just as they stepped out of the room, a figure leaned against the wall nearby. Divine.
Divine was a quiet but undeniably cute boy. His soft, serious eyes and calm presence made him stand out, even without trying. Many girls admired him from afar—some brave enough to try and get close—but he never gave any of them a chance.
His heart was already taken, silently devoted to one girl. But she had a man. So, instead of getting involved or making things complicated, Divine kept his distance. He gave every other girl the same cold, uninterested look and threw himself into his books. It was easier that way.
His arms were crossed, and his jaw tightened as he watched them.
Daniel met his eyes briefly. "What?" he snapped.
Divine said nothing. Just stared with a look of disgust before turning and walking away.