CHAPTER THIRTEEN 

Amara didn’t realize when her conversations with Dr Adrian became part of her daily routine.

It started with simple check-ins.

“Have you eaten?”

“How was your class?”

“Don’t stress yourself too much.”

Soon, she found herself waiting for his messages.

When her phone buzzed, her mood lifted. When it didn’t, she felt strangely disappointed.

He listened to her complaints about school, her insecurities, and even her fear of facing Iris again. And every time, he replied with calm reassurance that made her feel seen.

“You think too little of yourself,” he texted one evening.

“You’re stronger than you know.”

Amara smiled at the screen, hugging her pillow.

She didn’t notice Iris watching her from the other side of the lecture hall the next day.

Amara kept typing, her expression soft, almost shy. 

It was different from the quiet, tense version of her everyone had gotten used to. She looked… happy.

Iris frowned.

Later that afternoon, Iris approached her.

“Amara.”

Amara looked up, surprised. It was the first time Iris had spoken to her directly in weeks.

"Can we talk?" Iris asked.

Amara hesitated, then nodded.

They stepped outside the classroom. The hallway was nearly empty.

Iris crossed her arms. “You’ve been smiling at your phone a lot.”

Amara stiffened. “So?”

“I just want to know who you're talking to.”

Amara looked away. “It's nothing.”

Iris studied her carefully. “Is it that lecturer… Dr Adrian?”

Amara’s head snapped up. “How do you know him?”

"I've seen him around," Iris said. “And I saw you talking to him once.”

Amara felt defensive immediately. “He's just advising me.”

Iris shook her head slowly. “Amara… just be careful.”

That annoyed her.

“Why?”

"I don’t know," Iris admitted. “Something about him just feels… off.”

Amara frowned. “You don't even know him.”

"I know," Iris said softly. “But I don't want you getting hurt again.”

The words hung between them.

Amara’s expression hardened. “I'm fine.”

Iris sighed. “Okay. Just… don't trust too quickly.”

She walked away, leaving Amara standing there.

Amara felt irritated.

Why was Iris suddenly acting concerned?

After everything that happened?

That evening, Amara told Dr Adrian about it.

"She warned you about me?" he replied.

"Yes. But I told her it's nothing," Amara typed quickly.

A pause.

Then he sent: “Sometimes people project their own fears onto others.”

Amara nodded to herself.

"You're allowed to choose who you trust," he added.

Her heart warmed.

"Thank you, sir," she replied.

"You don’t have to be so formal with me," he responded. “You can call me Adrian.”

Amara stared at the message.

Her fingers hesitated.

“Okay… Adrian.”

She felt strange typing his name. But also… closer.

Meanwhile, Daniel had been watching everything.

He noticed how Amara smiled at her phone.

How she sometimes stepped outside to reply to messages.

How she seemed distracted during group discussions.

One afternoon during their group meeting, he leaned closer.

"You're texting someone important," he said quietly.

Amara quickly locked her phone. “No.”

Daniel raised an eyebrow. “You've been doing that all week.”

"It's nothing," she insisted.

He didn’t look convinced.

Later, as they packed their bags, Daniel saw a name flash briefly on her screen.

Adrian.

He froze slightly.

"Who's Adrian?" he asked casually.

Amara stiffened. “Just… someone I know.”

Daniel’s expression changed, subtle but noticeable.

"A student?" he asked.

“No.”

“A lecturer?”

Amara didn’t respond.

That silence told him everything.

Daniel leaned back slowly, suspicion creeping into his mind.

Something about it didn’t sit right with him.

And as Amara walked away, smiling again at her phone, 

Daniel watched her with growing concern.

He wasn’t sure why… but he had a feeling this wasn’t going to end well.