LOGINMonday afternoons were rarely quiet.The lunch rush had transformed the cafeteria into a sea of conversations, clattering trays, and the unmistakable aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Students occupied nearly every table, some buried in textbooks while others debated everything from weekend plans to impossible assignments.Near the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the campus courtyard, Nora Oscar sat alone with a grilled chicken sandwich and a cup of iced coffee she had barely touched.For once, her attention wasn't on the food.Her phone vibrated against the table.The corners of her lips curved into an unconscious smile the moment Michael's name appeared on the screen.Michael: Good afternoon, Miss Coffee Date.A soft chuckle escaped her.She tapped a reply.Nora: Good afternoon, Mr. Online Stranger.His response came almost immediately.Michael: Ouch. I thought I had been promoted after Saturday.Nora rested her chin on one hand, trying—and failing—to suppress another smile.Nora
Weeks LaterTime didn’t stop.It didn’t wait for feelings to settle.It simply… moved.And somehow—Nora moved with it.At first, it wasn’t easy.She still caught herself sometimes.Looking up during lectures—Expecting something.A glance.A moment.Anything.But nothing came.And slowly…She stopped looking.Her routine changed.Early mornings.Actual studying.Highlighted notes.Practice questions.Group discussions she used to ignore.Mary noticed first.“Okay, this is getting scary now,” she said one afternoon, watching Nora scribble notes like her life depended on it. “Who are you and why are you academically violent?”Nora didn’t even look up.“I’m fixing my life.”Mary blinked.“…At this rate, you’ll graduate with first class and forget my name.”Nora smirked slightly.“Relax. I’ll remember you when I’m rich.”“Wow. Love that for me.”At HomeThe change didn’t go unnoticed.One evening, Nora sat at the dining table, reviewing her notes when her mum walked in.She paused.Watch
Nora’s House (Evening)The door clicked shut behind her.Quiet.Too quiet.Nora dropped her bag on the chair and kicked off her shoes carelessly.“…What a day,” she muttered, dragging a hand through her hair.She walked into her room and flopped onto the bed.Face down.Silence.Then—Her phone buzzed.She ignored it.It buzzed again.And again.Annoying.She groaned, turning slightly and grabbing it.Unknown number.She frowned.“…Who is this again?”It buzzed once more.Irritated now, she picked up.“Hello?”“Hey… Nora.”She froze.That voice.Her expression changed instantly.“…Are you serious right now?” she said flatly.A small chuckle came from the other end.“Wow. No ‘hi’? No ‘how are you’? That’s cold.”Nora sat up slowly.“You have exactly five seconds to explain why you’re calling me.”“Relax, Nora. I just wanted to check up on you.”She laughed.Short.Dry.“Check up on me?”“Yeah. It’s been a while and I—”“Let me stop you right there,” she cut in sharply. “We don’t do tha
Nora stared at them for a few seconds longer.Too long.Long enough to notice the little things.The way the woman leaned forward when she laughed.The way Edwin didn’t pull away.The ease between them.Comfort.Familiarity.Something… established.Her grip tightened slightly around her cup.“…Yeah,” she muttered under her breath. “Definitely not just a colleague.”Her coffee suddenly didn’t taste as good.Actually—It tasted bitter.She exhaled slowly and reached for her bag.Stand up.Simple.Easy.Leave with dignity.That’s what Mary said.That’s what a sane person would do.But her eyes betrayed her again—Drifting back.One last look.Edwin said something.The woman laughed again.And this time—He didn’t just smile.He held it.Softer.Warmer.Like it belonged there.Nora’s chest tightened.Sharp.Unexpected.“…Okay.”That was it.That was enough.She stood up quickly.Too quickly.Her chair dragged slightly against the floor.A few heads turned.“Great,” she whispered. “Nice ex
It was the weekend, and Nora felt overwhelmed with everything that had happened during the week—especially what transpired between her and Max.His words still lingered.“You just won’t have me the same way.”She sighed, pressing her lips together.“I hate complicated things,” she muttered.She needed to clear her head.After freshening up, she grabbed her bag and headed out.A quiet place.Somewhere peaceful.Somewhere far from overthinking.The bell above the coffee shop door chimed softly as Nora stepped in.Warm light greeted her.Soft music played in the background.The rich smell of coffee wrapped around her like comfort.Exactly what she needed.She walked to a corner table and sat down, dropping her bag beside her.“Hi, I’ll have a caramel latte,” she told the barista.“Name?”“Nora.”She leaned back in her seat, scrolling through her phone absentmindedly.Trying not to think.Trying to breathe.Then—A voice.Low.Familiar.Her fingers froze mid-scroll.Her heart skipped.“…N
Next Day – NUD 215 ClassThe classroom buzzed with low chatter.Nora sat unusually quiet.Books open.Pen ready.Mary leaned closer.“…Who are you and what have you done with my friend?”“Shh,” Nora whispered. “I’m focusing.”Mary blinked.“On purpose??”“Yes!”Before Mary could reply—The door opened.Silence dropped instantly.Edwin walked in.Calm. Composed. Untouchable.“Good morning.”“Good morning, sir,” the class responded.Nora didn’t even lift her head fully.Too careful.Too aware.Edwin placed his materials on the desk and scanned the room.Then—His gaze landed on her.Brief.Unreadable.Then gone.“Open your notes,” he said. “We continue from where we stopped.”Pages flipped quickly.Nora flipped hers too—fast, nervous.“Miss Oscar.”Her heart stopped.Slowly… she looked up.“Yes, sir.”“Define simple carbohydrates.”Her mind went blank for half a second.Then—She inhaled.“They are carbohydrates made up of one or two sugar units… easily digested and quickly absorbed int
Evening – Nora’s RoomNora pushed her door open slowly and walked in.She dropped her bag.Kicked off her shoes.Then fell face-first onto her bed.“Mmmmmm!” she groaned into her pillow.Silence.Then—She turned, grabbed her phone, and dialed.Mary picked almost immediately.“Tell me you’re alive.
The classroom was almost empty.Too empty.Nora stood by her desk, gripping her bag tightly, watching the last student walk out. The door clicked shut.Silence.Mary leaned close to her ear.“Babe… if you don’t come out, just know I love you.”Nora glared at her. “Go away.”Mary grinned. “Enjoy you
The house was quiet when Nora walked in.Too quiet.She dropped her bag on the couch and kicked off her heels.“Mum?” she called.“In the kitchen,” Mrs. Vera Oscar replied.Nora dragged herself in, still looking defeated. Her mother stood by the counter, stirring something in a pot. Elegant as alwa
Nora Oscar had officially decided that love was a scam.Not the cute, butterflies-and-late-night-calls kind people posted online. No. The real version the one she kept experiencing was exhausting, disappointing, and honestly a complete waste of time.At this point, she wasn’t even asking for perfec







