"Thank you for earlier, for the ride," she said softly, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
Kieran looked at her, his expression unreadable. "How's your father?" he inquired.
"Stable, for now," Amara's eyes drifted back to the hospital entrance, her mind still clouded with concern.
Kieran shifted, preparing to leave, but paused when Amara spoke again. "If you're heading back to the university, could you drop me at the hostel?" Her voice was hesitant, almost unsure.
He looked at her, then nodded. "Sure."
The car ride was enveloped in silence, the only sounds being the hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of leaves outside. Amara sat with her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her thoughts a tangled mess.
"Is the proposal for the fake relationship still valid?" Her question broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kieran glanced at her briefly, his expression neutral. "Yes."
Amara nodded, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery.
"Have you made up your mind?" Kieran's voice was calm, devoid of any pressure.
"Are you sure you'll help me with the scholarship?" She turned to face him, searching his face for any hint of doubt.
He met her gaze, his eyes steady. "You have my word."
The rest of the journey was silent, each lost in their own thoughts.
Upon reaching the hostel, Kieran parked the car. Amara reached for the door handle, but paused when he spoke.
"Your number?"
She hesitated for a moment before reciting it. He typed it into his phone, then nodded.
"Thank you again." She stepped out of the car, the door closing softly behind her.
From a window above, Nia watched the scene unfold, her eyes wide with curiosity. As soon as Amara entered their shared room, Nia pounced.
"Why were you with Kieran this late?" Her tone was a mix of excitement and interrogation.
Amara sighed, dropping her bag and collapsing onto her bed. She pulled the blanket over her head, hoping to avoid the barrage of questions.
"Hey!" Nia yanked the blanket away, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"I ran into him," Amara mumbled.
"Since when are you two so close that he gives you rides?"
Amara sat up, rubbing her temples. "My father was hospitalized. Kieran helped me get there."
"Oh, he gave you a ride to the hospital?" Nia's eyebrows arched skeptically.
Amara met her gaze, her expression weary and sincere. "Yes. Nothing more than that."
Nia studied her friend's face for a moment, then nodded, the skepticism fading from her eyes. "Okay."
She sat beside Amara, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm here if you need anything."
Amara nodded, grateful for her friend's support. She chose not to mention the fake relationship proposal; the weight of the day was already too much to bear.
The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow across Amara's room. She stirred awake, the events of the previous day still fresh in her mind. Her phone buzzed on the bedside table, jolting her fully awake.
"Hello?" she answered groggily.
"Is this Amara?" a formal voice inquired.
"Yes, speaking."
"This is from the university's administrative office. We're pleased to inform you that your scholarship application has been approved. Congratulations!"
Amara sat up, stunned. "Wait, what? Are you sure?"
"Yes, your records have been updated. You can collect the official documents from the office later today."
"Thank you," she managed, still processing the news.
As she ended the call, a whirlwind of thoughts raced through her mind. Her thoughts drifted to Kieran. Could he have influenced this decision?
"Is he really that influential?" she whispered to herself.
Determined to make the most of this opportunity, Amara spent the afternoon immersed in her studies. She spread her notes across the desk, highlighting key points and jotting down summaries. The world outside faded as she delved deeper into her textbooks, her focus unwavering.
As evening approached, hunger reminded her of the time. She prepared a simple meal, the aroma filling the room. After dinner, she sat down with her phone, contemplating her next move. She opened her messaging app and typed a message to her stepsister:
"I've transferred the money I had saved. Use it to pay off the loan sharks."
She attached the transaction receipt and hit send. A sense of relief washed over her, knowing she had done what she could. Yet, uncertainty lingered. Would this be enough? Would they leave her family alone now?
Pushing these thoughts aside, Amara returned to her desk. She opened her laptop and resumed her studies, determined to stay focused. The flickering screen illuminated her face as she read through her notes, her mind absorbing the information.
Late into the night, she finally closed her books, exhaustion setting in. She lay down, pulling the blanket over herself. As sleep claimed her, one thought lingered:
"I can't control everything, but I can control how hard I work."
The next day unfolded in its usual rhythm. Amara attended her classes, diligently taking notes and participating in discussions. Afterward, she headed to the photography club, immersing herself in the creative process of capturing moments through the lens.
As evening approached, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Kieran: "Can we meet up this evening?"
Before she could respond, Nia approached her with a hopeful smile.
"Hey, want to grab a coffee together?"
Amara hesitated for a moment, then replied, "I have plans with some friends tonight. Maybe another time?"
Nia nodded, "Sure, no problem."
Amara made a mental note to share more about Kieran with Nia when the time felt right.
Later that evening, Amara arrived at the café where she was to meet Kieran. As expected, he was seated in the last corner, a spot that offered privacy away from prying eyes.
"Why did you want to meet?" she asked as she took a seat across from him.
Kieran didn't respond immediately. Instead, he signaled the waiter and ordered a plate full of salad. Turning to Amara, he inquired, "What would you like to eat?"
"I'm fine, thank you," she replied, watching as he began to eat.
Amara couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. Had he called her here just to watch him eat salad?
Breaking the silence, Kieran announced, "We'll visit Grandma tomorrow."
"Suddenly?" Amara responded, surprised.
"Oh, you don't have to prepare anything. I'll pick you up at 9 am tomorrow," he said casually.
"No," Amara said quickly, catching a sharp glance from Kieran. "I mean, people will talk. Let's meet at the university entrance instead."
"Okay," Kieran agreed.
"Alright then. I'll go now. Enjoy your salad," Amara said as she stood up to leave.
As she walked away, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. The suddenness of the plan, the secrecy—it all felt overwhelming. But she reminded herself of the reasons behind their arrangement and the importance of maintaining appearances.
The evening air was cool as she stepped outside, her thoughts swirling with anticipation and uncertainty about the visit to Kieran's grandmother.