A marked affair

life moved with it loud, fast, and fi

ver one to get carri

the front of lecture halls, scribbling down notes with intense focus. She was in her third year now, and nothing

s untouchable.

one person he couldn'

onfident swagger, a small crowd of friends trailing behind. He wasn't the shy type, neither was he one to stay

n. Hair in a bun. Earphones plugged in. Eyes locked on her

e the world. Or maybe...

en tried everything

fé attendants. Waited outside her building just to say "hi" but nothing worked. Iris was polite, bu

n didn'

He showed up at events she was volunteering for, of

teful Wednes

ne rang. It was a call from a maid in the Hills Esta

oice said urgently. "They've t

panic kicked in."what general hospital" she screamed, as she

ped. Nurses moved around her, adjusting drips, checking charts. I

for now, but she'll need long term medication. Monthly inject

Iris whispere

mentioned made h

there still, quiet staring into the air as her mind raced through every possibility. Where w

He was seated on the low concrete rail outside th

walking she

hless, her brows knitted in panic. Her phone was pressed t

ood up,

ing fe

gate and disappear beyond the main r

y for a

know why. Maybe it was the way she looked like the world was caving in. Or maybe because he h

s she rushed off after something that

e wasn't sure how he'd ended up there, but whe

gotten how to breathe. Her eyes were red rimmed, and her phone lay beside her,

't know w

forward, cautious

he sai

ed up, s

eyes

ng. Then her brows furrowed slightl

said gently. "I got worri

ed, but no wo

own, slowly

n't pul

lly. "She collapsed while wo

chest tighten.

nosed something with her heart. A condition. They said it's managea

is voice calm. "You

ll afford it. I'm just a student. She's a cleaner.

pa

d for her hand.

he said. "P

linked

uckles. "Because I want to. Because I see you.

ent. The kind of silenc

it. She didn't ask if there were strings attached. She was too

g, Eden paid the

receipt, Iris didn't cr

would take her home, she turned

"I meant what I sai

was the b

of l

t

eep enough to chan