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49. Troubling Thoughts
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2026-05-05 18:32:18That morning the sun was already high when Aurelia stepped out of the bedroom. Her hair was tied in a simple ponytail and her face was bare of makeup. But there was something unusual in her eyes, the look of someone walking around while carrying a question she could not put down.
Her mind was still stuck on Kirana’s message from earlier. Two photos. One question. And a smiling emoji that looked completely innocent.
Aurelia took a long breath, then picked up her phone and a
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That morning, the campus sky was a pale gray, as if it were holding its breath along with Aurelia.Her hand tightened around the strap of her bag as she climbed the stairs to the second floor, toward Prof. Malika’s office. Each step felt like another heartbeat pounding harder than the last.The faint whispers of other students drifted through the hallway, but Aurelia barely heard them. Her mind was still focused on yesterday’s meeting.When she reached the door, Aurelia took a deep breath.Stay calm, Lia. You did nothing wrong. You just need to be stronger.She knocked twice.“Come in.”That flat voice immediately sent a shiver down her spine.Prof. Malika’s office was neat and cold. Psychology textbooks lined the tall shelves in perfect order, while the polished wooden desk was spotless. The strong aroma of black coffee lingered in the air.The woman in her forties sat behind the d
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The air in the second-floor hallway felt heavier than usual. Every step Aurelia took felt like walking over sharp gravel, slow and painful. The door to the advising room had closed behind her, but Professor Malika's flat voice still echoed in her ears.Her hands trembled as she reached into her bag for her phone. She stared at the screen for a moment, hesitating. Part of her wanted to go home quietly and cry alone inside the tent. But another part of her wanted to hear Gian's voice.Finally, her thumb moved. She tapped the contact number she knew by heart.The phone rang once.Twice.Then that calm, familiar voice came through."Yes, sweetheart?"The softness in Gian's voice made Aurelia's defenses crumble instantly.Her voice came out hoarse. "Gian... I'm tired."There was a brief silence on the other end."Are you on campus?""Yes.""Where exactly?""On the stairs near the garden behind the faculty building.""Don't move. I'll come pick you up.""Gian, you don't have to go through a
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