The following days slipped by like stolen treasures. For Dav and Ruth, every spare moment became an opportunity to nurture the fragile flame of their secret romance.
They walked together across campus, but not too close never close enough to spark suspicion. Yet when no one was looking, their fingers brushed, lingering in a silent touch that made Ruth's heart race. When they sat at the cafeteria surrounded by their circle of friends, Dav would sneak subtle glances at her, and Ruth, trying hard not to blush, would hide behind her cup of juice.
It was thrilling. It was dangerous. It was theirs.
One evening, Dav convinced Ruth to meet him at the small garden near the Faculty of Science. The place was quiet, away from the usual bustle, with benches under tall trees and the faint fragrance of flowers drifting in the air. Ruth arrived with her books in hand, pretending she was just passing by, but the moment she saw him waiting, her smile gave her away.
"You're late," Dav teased, though his grin betrayed his relief at seeing her.
"Blame my friends," Ruth said, settling beside him. "They kept dragging me into one gist after another."
Dav reached for her hand, bold now that they were alone. "I missed you," he said simply.
Ruth's heart warmed at his words. She squeezed his hand back. "We just saw each other this morning."
"That's still too long." His voice carried a playful seriousness that made her laugh softly.
She leaned against his shoulder, letting the peace of the moment wash over her. They talked about everything and nothing their classes, funny incidents from the week, little dreams for the future. Sometimes, Dav would tuck a strand of hair behind her ear; other times, Ruth would lightly pinch his arm whenever he teased her too much.
And when silence fell between them, it wasn't awkward. It was comforting, like two souls finally breathing in rhythm.
But beyond their bubble of happiness, the campus atmosphere was shifting. Whispers spread among students who had noticed how often Dav and Ruth disappeared together, how their smiles seemed brighter when the other was around. Nothing was confirmed, but speculation ran wild.
Brown, however, was no longer satisfied with rumors. His suspicion from that night at the library hadn't died; it had only grown sharper. And unlike Dav, he was not willing to hide his intentions.
It happened one afternoon, after a long lecture in the main hall. Students were streaming out, chattering and laughing, when Brown decided it was time to make his move. With deliberate confidence, he walked up to Ruth, who was standing with her three close friends.
"Ruth," Brown called out, his voice carrying across the corridor.
She turned, surprised. "Brown? What's up?"
Dav, who had been lingering at a distance, froze. His pulse quickened as he watched, a bad feeling settling in his chest.
Brown stepped closer, a half-smile on his lips. "I've been meaning to say this for a while now," he began, loud enough for those nearby to hear. "You're an amazing person, and I think we'd be perfect together. So… will you be my girlfriend?"
The hallway seemed to fall silent. Heads turned, whispers flared, and Ruth's friends gasped in delight.
"Oh my God, Ruth!" one of them squealed, nudging her. "Say yes!"
Another chimed in, "Brown is such a catch. Don't overthink it just accept already."
Ruth's face flushed red. She hadn't expected this at least, not so openly. She shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Brown, then at her friends, and finally, unintentionally, her eyes flickered toward Dav.
He stood frozen near the stairway, his face unreadable, but his heart was breaking inside. Every word from Brown felt like a knife, every cheer from Ruth's friends like salt on an open wound. He clenched his fists, but said nothing. He couldn't. Not here. Not in public.
Ruth's friends continued to press her, their voices playful but insistent. "Come on, Ruth, don't keep him hanging!"
Brown stretched his hand toward her, expectant and confident. The entire scene was playing out like a spectacle, and Ruth felt trapped in the spotlight.
Her heart screamed Dav's name, but her mind hesitated. If she rejected Brown too harshly, she risked humiliating him and hurting Dav too, since everyone knew they were friends. But if she accepted, even half-heartedly, what would that mean for the secret she and Dav had just begun to nurture?
"I… I don't know, Brown," Ruth stammered, forcing a small smile. "Can I think about it?"
The crowd buzzed at her reply, some groaning in disappointment, others whispering in excitement. Brown's confident smile wavered slightly, but he quickly recovered, nodding. "Take all the time you need. I'll be waiting."
He gave a small bow of sorts, then turned and walked away, his head high as though he had already won.
Ruth's friends immediately swarmed her, their voices a chorus of teasing and encouragement.
"Girl, what are you waiting for? Brown is handsome, he's popular, he's smart he's literally perfect!"
"Don't miss this chance, Ruth. People would kill to be in your shoes."
Ruth laughed nervously, trying to deflect their questions, but inside, her chest was heavy. She glanced around again, searching for Dav, but he was gone. He had slipped away quietly, unable to watch any longer.
In his absence, his silence spoke louder than words. Dav's heart was aching, torn between love and loyalty. He wanted to fight for Ruth, to shout out to the world that she was his, but Brown was his friend. And friends didn't betray each other or did they, when love was at stake?
That night, Ruth sent Dav a message: Can we talk?
But Dav stared at his phone for a long while, unable to type a reply. His feelings burned inside him, unspoken, unseen, yet too powerful to ignore.
The secret romance they had cherished now stood at the edge of exposure, threatened not only by Brown's boldness but also by the voices around Ruth, urging her in a direction her heart did not want to go.
And though Ruth tried to stay strong, a part of her feared that silence Dav's silence might cost them everything.