Chapter 7: The Truth

It had been a week since Fah and Nara had shared their quiet, secret moments, and although those stolen hours felt comfortable and real, the pressure of keeping everything hidden was beginning to take its toll. Fah couldn't ignore how effortless their connection felt when they were together—yet the secrecy made it feel fragile, as though it could break apart at any moment.

They had been spending more time together in private, alternating between Fah's room and Nara's, and in those moments, Fah had learned more about Nara than she had ever expected. Nara's walls, built so high, had begun to lower just a little, allowing Fah to see the person beneath her usual cool, composed exterior.

But with each new thing Fah learned about Nara, the pressure to keep it secret grew stronger. The truth was, Fah didn't want to hide anymore. She didn't want to keep pretending that nothing was happening between her and Nara. But Beam's matchmaking efforts complicated things even more. Phat's innocent enthusiasm and Beam's insistence that Fah and Phat were a perfect match weighed heavily on her. Each time Beam pushed them together, it felt like Fah was lying to herself.

-At the Canteen-

One afternoon, Beam slid into the seat next to Fah in the cafeteria, her smile as bright and eager as always. "So, Fah," Beam began, leaning in slightly, "How's it going with you and Phat? You two are spending more time together, right? It's about time you went on a proper date!"

Fah froze, her hand still holding her sandwich, as she tried to force a smile. "Yeah, we're hanging out a lot," she said, her voice light, but the words felt hollow.

Beam's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's great! You two are perfect for each other! And I think it's time to make it official. A real date, just you and him. I'll even help plan it!"

Fah could feel her stomach churn. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep pretending, not just to Beam, but to herself. Why did this feel so wrong?

"Sure, Beam. Let's plan it," Fah agreed reluctantly. She couldn't keep pushing back without risking a confrontation, but every part of her wanted to yell at Beam to stop—to stop pushing her into something she wasn't ready for. She wasn't interested in Phat in that way anymore, and Nara had become everything. But Fah couldn't bring herself to disappoint Beam.

-Nara and Ton: A Conversation of Truths-

Later that day, Nara found herself sitting across from Ton at the same quiet café where they often met after class. The late afternoon sun filtered softly through the windows, casting a warm glow on the table where Ton sat. He was looking at her with a quiet intensity, sensing the shift in the air.

Nara remained calm, her posture impeccable, as always. Her cool, composed exterior never wavered, but inside, she was feeling the weight of the conversation that was long overdue. The tension between her and Ton had been building for a while now, and it was time to clear the air.

"Nara," Ton began, his voice soft but concerned. "I feel like something's been off between us. Is everything okay?"

Nara's expression remained serene as she met his gaze, her eyes cool and calculating. "I think you know what's going on," she said, her voice steady and calm, almost too measured. "I care about you, Ton. You're a good person, but... the truth is, I don't feel the same way about you."

Ton's expression softened, but there was no surprise in his eyes. He had known, and hearing it confirmed didn't make it any easier, but it brought clarity.

"I knew," he said quietly. "I've known for a while now. I just didn't want to admit it. I didn't want to lose you as a friend."

Nara felt a weight lift from her chest, but she didn't show it. She nodded slightly, her voice quieter now. "I'm sorry, Ton. I never meant to hurt you. But I think you deserve someone who can give you more than I can."

Ton smiled gently, though the sadness in his eyes didn't disappear. "It's okay. I'm not angry, Nara. I just needed to know where I stand. You don't have to apologize for your feelings."

There was a brief silence, both of them sitting in the comfortable quiet. Nara met his gaze for a moment before speaking again, the vulnerability she rarely allowed anyone to see just a flicker in her eyes.

"I care about you, Ton. But my heart belongs to someone else."

Ton's smile deepened, his gaze understanding. "I get it. And I respect that. I want you to be happy, Nara, even if it's not with me."

Nara nodded, feeling a sense of relief she hadn't expected. She was being honest now, and that made all the difference.

-Fah and Nara: A Quiet Connection-

That evening, Fah met Nara by the campus lake. The air was still warm, and the sun had just begun to dip behind the horizon, casting long shadows across the water. Nara was standing by the railing, looking out over the water with her arms crossed, her posture as elegant and composed as always. But when she saw Fah approach, her expression softened, and she gave a small, knowing smile.

Fah stopped a few feet away, feeling the weight of everything hanging in the air. Nara had just made things clear with Ton, and it felt like the universe was pushing them into a corner—one where they had to face what had been building between them.

"I spoke to Ton," Nara said, her voice calm but with a slight edge that Fah couldn't quite place. She didn't elaborate further, but Fah knew exactly what she meant.

Fah nodded, though she felt a sudden wave of anxiety crash over her. She wanted to reach out, to close the distance between them, but Nara's coolness still lingered. It wasn't that Nara was cold, but she was so guarded.

"How did it go?" Fah asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It's over now," Nara said simply, her gaze never leaving the horizon. "I made it clear to him. I'm not in love with him. And I think it's time I stop pretending."

Fah's heart skipped a beat. She had hoped this would happen, but hearing Nara say it aloud made it real. The distance between them seemed to close just a little.

Nara turned to face Fah, her eyes softer now, but still guarded. "I'm tired of hiding," she said, almost as a confession.

Fah's chest tightened, a knot forming in her stomach. "I know what you mean," Fah murmured, stepping closer. "I can't keep pretending either. I don't want to hide anymore, Nara."

Nara didn't respond immediately. For a moment, there was just the sound of the water lapping at the shore. Fah could feel the tension in the air, the weight of their unspoken feelings pressing down on both of them.

Finally, Nara spoke, her voice almost a whisper. "I think we both deserve more than this... secrecy."

Fah nodded, her heart racing in her chest. She felt the truth of Nara's words deep in her bones. They couldn't keep living like this, trapped by their own fears and uncertainty.

"I'm ready, Nara," Fah said softly, her voice trembling. "Ready to stop pretending."

Nara met her gaze, her eyes softening just slightly. For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them. Fah felt the world shifting, like the ground beneath them was changing with every word spoken.

"I'm ready too," Nara said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I want to be with you, Fah."

With those words, everything changed. The tension that had been building between them suddenly dissipated, replaced by an overwhelming sense of relief and freedom.

Fah smiled, tears threatening to spill as she looked at Nara. "I'm here. I'm ready too."