Chapter Three: Back to Routine and Embarrassment The next morning, it wasn't about studying. It was about trying to reset the bonds torn apart by Zain's emotional confession. Carla went to college with a confused mind. Her phone was silent, but she knew Zain was waiting for a signal. On the other hand, Youssef, who witnessed Zain's disappointment and Carla's silence, acted intelligently. He didn't call her to ask her about her decision, but rather sent her a simple text: "Coffee with you today. No talk about the law or dramatic feelings. I'm coming." When Carla met Joseph, he was his relaxed and positive energy self. He acted as if nothing had happened, talking about a silly movie he saw or a football match. His presence was a balm to soothe the embarrassment she felt. "Thank you, Joseph." Carla finally said, taking a sip of her coffee. "Thank you for not asking me anything." Youssef smiled. "What's the point of friendship if it's not a safe haven from everything? I'm here, Carla. There's no need to rush into any decision that makes you feel upset." His voice was calm, representing the rationality she lacked in her relationship with Zain. Things continued like this for two days. Carla was resorting to Youssef as a neutral zone, avoiding direct contact with Zain. But Zain couldn't hold on for long. On the third day, while Carla was in the college library, her phone rang with Zain's number. She hesitated for a moment, then answered. "Where are you, Carla?" His voice came quickly and impulsively, "Did you forget that we were going to review English together last week? I'm in the cafeteria, come now." This was a veiled invitation, an attempt to force her to meet under the guise of studying. "Zane, I'm in the library now." She answered calmly. "It doesn't matter, I'll wait for you. Come here, I have something important I want to show you." Carla felt annoyed by this insistence. Zain was trying to exceed her limits and exploit her feelings to pressure her. Carla went to the cafeteria and found him sitting at a far table, looking frowning. His intention was clear: he wanted a private talk. "What's wrong, Zayn?" Carla asked as soon as she sat down, her tone more firm than she expected. "The thing is, I can't act normal and I don't know where I stand in your life." Zain said sharply, then his voice dropped painfully: "You are avoiding me, but you spend all your time with Joseph. Have you forgotten what I told you?" Carla felt insulted. "Are you accusing me, Zain? Youssef is my friend. Should I stop seeing my friends because you confessed your feelings to me?" "No, but..." Zain tried to hold her hand, but she gently pulled it away. "But I feel like you're running away from me. I know Joseph is a good friend, but he's not me. I love you. He...he's just a friend." At that moment, Youssef appeared from the corner of the cafeteria, heading towards their table. He was carrying two plates of lunch. He had no intention of interfering, but was coming to eat his lunch next to his girlfriend as usual. Zain froze when he saw Youssef. His angry gaze turned to Joseph. "What are you doing here?" Zain asked coldly, ignoring the fact that the place was public and accessible to everyone. Youssef looked at Zain calmly, then placed Carla's plate in front of her. "I'm here to have lunch with my girlfriend. Are you here to study or investigate?" Youssef said calmly and confidently, directing his question indirectly to Zain's true intention. This response angered Zain. He suddenly stood up and said to Carla in front of Joseph: "See you later, Carla. When you make your decision." Then he left the cafeteria with obvious anger, leaving behind a heavy silence. Carla looked at Youssef, and her heart was heavy with guilt towards Zain and gratitude to Youssef. "Thanks again." Carla whispered. Joseph shrugged his shoulders with feigned indifference. "As your friend, I won't let anyone spoil your mood. Start eating." But Carla couldn't eat. She knew that Zain's actions did not stem from malice, but from excessive and uncontrolled love. She wondered to herself, "Can strong love be destructive? Is the balance that Joseph brings what she really needs, or is it just a means of escape?" End of the third chapter.
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