The new semester began with the sound of excitement echoing across campus. Students filled the lawns, laughing and hugging, carrying stacks of books and cups of coffee. Pamela walked slowly across the courtyard, holding her notes tightly against her chest.

This was her final year, and she wanted to make it count. She had promised Felix she would graduate with distinction.

“For both of us,” he had said when she left for campus that morning.

Pamela smiled remembering that. Felix was working longer hours lately — new clients, new cases. Sometimes, he came home too tired to even eat. He always told her he was doing it for their future, for the house he wanted to buy after they married.

She admired his dedication, but at times, she missed his presence. The late-night calls became shorter. The weekend visits, less frequent. He still texted her every day, but the warmth wasn’t always the same.

Pamela didn’t complain — she knew he was trying his best. But loneliness had a strange way of creeping into her heart.

It was during one of her long study sessions at the university library when Renaldo Gallardo appeared again. He looked as confident as ever — crisp white shirt, jeans, and a calm smile that seemed to light up the room.

He dropped a few books on the table beside her.

“Looks like we keep meeting in the same place.”

Pamela chuckled. “Or maybe you’re just following me.”

“You wish,” he said teasingly. “What are you working on?”

“Business strategy assignment.”

“Perfect. That’s my thing. Mind if I join you?”

Pamela hesitated, then nodded. “Fine. But don’t distract me.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” he said with a grin.

That day, they studied quietly side by side. Renaldo explained a few complex concepts with ease, and Pamela was impressed by how smart he was.

“Wow,” she said. “You actually make this make sense.”

“It’s because I’m a genius,” he replied proudly, earning an eye roll from her.

From that day on, Renaldo became her study buddy. They met in the library almost every afternoon. They worked on projects together, revised for tests, and even shared lunch breaks.

Their friendship grew naturally — too naturally.

A month later, their connection had deepened. Renaldo made Pamela laugh effortlessly. He always had a joke ready, and she loved how carefree he was.

One afternoon, while they were studying outdoors under a tree, Renaldo looked at her and said softly,

“You know what I like about you?”

Pamela looked up from her notes. “What?”

“You’re different from other girls here. You’re focused. You don’t chase attention.”

Pamela smiled shyly. “Maybe because I’ve already found what I’m looking for.”

“Ah, the fiancé,” Renaldo said with a small smile. “Felix, right?”

Pamela nodded proudly. “Yes. He’s the reason I’m back in school.”

“You must really love him.”

Pamela paused. “I do… I mean, I should.”

Renaldo studied her face. “You should? That doesn’t sound confident.”

Pamela laughed awkwardly. “It’s just… relationships aren’t always easy.”

Renaldo didn’t push further. He just said,

“Well, if he’s smart, he’ll never let a woman like you go.”

Those words made her heart flutter in a way she didn’t want to admit.

As the weeks passed, Pamela found herself thinking about Renaldo more often — his smile, his laugh, his way of encouraging her when she was stressed.

Felix, meanwhile, was becoming more distant. His messages became short:

“Hey babe. Busy today. Love you.”

“Court tomorrow morning. I’ll call you later.”

Pamela understood, but she missed him deeply. Sometimes she’d stare at her phone, waiting for his call — and instead, she’d get a message from Renaldo.

“Need coffee?”

“I’m in the library — got you a seat.”

“Don’t stress. You’ll ace that test.”

Felix gave her stability, but Renaldo gave her warmth.

One evening, while walking back to her residence after a long study session, Pamela and Renaldo shared an umbrella again — just like their first meeting. The rain was falling softly, and the world felt peaceful.

“You’re quiet today,” Renaldo said.

“Just tired,” Pamela replied.

“You should rest. You work too hard.”

“You sound like Felix,” she said, chuckling.

“Maybe I just care,” Renaldo said quietly.

Pamela stopped walking and looked at him. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, neither spoke. The world around them disappeared.

Pamela stepped back quickly. “I should go. It’s getting late.”

“Yeah,” he said, smiling faintly. “Goodnight, Pamela.”

“Goodnight.”

She ran to her building, heart pounding. In her room, she leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.

“What am I doing?” she whispered to herself. “I’m engaged.”

She looked down at the ring Felix had given her and felt a sting of guilt.

The next weekend, Felix surprised her by visiting campus. He took her out for lunch, just like old times. But Pamela noticed something — they no longer laughed as freely as before.

Felix talked mostly about work — his clients, the cases, the stress. Pamela listened quietly, trying to smile, but her mind drifted.

“You’ve been quiet lately,” Felix said, looking at her. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just tired from studying,” she replied quickly.

Felix reached across the table and held her hand. “I know I’ve been busy, Pamela. But it’s only for now. Once things settle, I’ll have more time for us.”

Pamela nodded. “I understand.”

But her heart felt heavy. Something between them had changed, and neither wanted to admit it.

A few days later, Renaldo and Pamela were working late on a group project in the study hall. Everyone else had left, leaving just the two of them.

Pamela yawned. “I think my brain is done for the night.”

“Then it’s time for a break,” Renaldo said, smiling. “Let’s go get ice cream.”

“At this hour?”

“Why not? You need to live a little.”

Pamela laughed but agreed. They walked together to a small café nearby that stayed open late. They talked about life — about dreams, fears, and childhood memories.

“You’re really something, Pamela,” Renaldo said softly. “You’ve been through so much, but you still smile.”

Pamela looked at him, her heart racing. “You make it easy to smile,” she said without thinking.

Renaldo stared at her for a moment, and the silence between them grew thick. For a second, Pamela thought he might kiss her — and she didn’t know if she would stop him.

Before anything happened, she stood quickly. “We should go. It’s late.”

Renaldo nodded. “Yeah. Let me walk you home.”

That night, Pamela lay awake staring at the ceiling. She felt torn in two.

One side whispered, “You belong to Felix. He gave you everything.”

The other whispered, “But why does Renaldo make you feel alive?”

She covered her face with her hands and cried silently.

The more she tried to stay loyal to Felix, the more her heart drifted toward Renaldo.

By the middle of the semester, everyone on campus noticed their closeness. They laughed together, studied together, ate together. Pamela told herself it was harmless — but deep down, she knew she was slowly losing control.

Even Felix’s occasional visits couldn’t quiet the storm inside her anymore.

“I’m marrying a good man,” she told herself every morning.

“Then why do I think of another?” her heart replied.

And as the semester drew closer to graduation, Pamela’s life — and heart — were heading toward a decision she could no longer avoid.

End of Chapter 4