Nearly a month had passed since the accident.
Tara stood at the bus stop, adjusting her bag as a quiet nervousness settled in her chest. Today was her first day back at college.
The bus ride felt longer than usual.
When she finally stepped into the campus, she immediately felt it
eyes on her.
Whispers.
Giggles.
"Hey… isn't that her?"
"The one who tried to… you know…"
"Dreamy girl turned suicidal?"
The words hit her like invisible stones.
Tara clenched her fists, trying to ignore them, but irritation burned inside her.
Just then, a well-dressed girl walked toward her.
"Hey… Tara," she said softly. "How are you now?"
Tara looked at her. It was Nora, the rich girl everyone admired.
"I'm fine," Tara replied shortly.
Before anything more could be said, another voice mocked loudly,
"Careful, she might run into traffic again!"
That was enough.
Anger rushed through Tara. She turned quickly and walked away fast
and suddenly collided with someone.
Books almost slipped from his hands.
"Watch where you're going," someone muttered behind her, followed by laughter.
"Wow… she really is blind."
Humiliated, Tara didn't even look up. She rushed straight into her classroom and dropped into her seat, burying her face on the desk.
Her thoughts spiraled.
Why are they saying this?
Why won't they stop…
Minutes later, the class began.
But Tara froze when she heard a familiar voice.
"Good morning, everyone."
Her heart skipped.
Slowly, she lifted her head and her eyes widened in shock.
The man she had bumped into…
was standing at the front of the class.
Their new professor.
Her benchmate, Lina, leaned closer and whispered excitedly,
"He's the new professor. Everyone likes him he's kind, and… well… handsome. Half the class already has a crush on him."
But Tara barely heard a word.
Because at that moment
he was looking directly at her.
After class ended, his voice called out calmly,
"Tara… can you stay for a moment?"
Her heartbeat quickened as she walked toward him.
"I'm sorry… for hitting you earlier," she said quickly, avoiding eye contact.
He smiled slightly. "It's alright."
Then his expression turned thoughtful.
"Why is everyone mocking you?"
Tara stayed silent.
"I heard something about… your project being rejected," he continued gently.
She looked up, confused. "Who told you that?"
He replied, "Everyone seems to know about your accident."
Her jaw tightened.
So it was spreading everywhere…
Elena…
Her roommate.
Anger flickered in her eyes.
Sensing her discomfort, he changed the topic.
"If you don't mind… can I see your project?"
Tara hesitated.
No one had ever asked that seriously before.
"I'll bring it tomorrow," she said quietly.
For the first time that day, a small spark of happiness lit inside her.
As she stepped out, Nora approached her again.
"Tara… can we talk?"
Tara looked at her silently.
"I'm sorry," Nora said sincerely. "About your project… they chose mine because of my father's influence. I didn't want it like that."
Tara exhaled slowly.
"It's okay," she said. "And… what people are saying about my accident it's not true. I was just tired. Work pressure… that's all. Maybe the rejection affected me a little… but not like they think."
Nora nodded.
"Are you free during lunch? Let's go out."
Tara hesitated for a second… then nodded.
At a small restaurant, the atmosphere was completely different.
They talked.
Laughed.
Shared stories.
For the first time in days, Tara felt… normal.
"You're really talented," Nora said seriously. "Your work deserves recognition."
Then she smiled shyly.
"Can you teach me? I don't want to depend on my father. I want to grow with my own talent."
Tara was surprised.
"…Okay," she said. "After classes."
Later that evening, Tara reached her part-time job at the supermarket.
But even while working, her eyes kept searching.
Looking for him.
Advik.
But he didn't come.
Disappointment settled quietly.
After her shift ended, she stepped out
and suddenly saw him.
Entering the supermarket.
Her heart skipped.
For a moment, she thought about going back.
But her bus was about to arrive.
She ran toward the bus stop instead.
Back home, she opened the door and saw Elena
Tara paused.
The anger from earlier returned.
Without saying a word, she walked past her, entered her room, and shut the door.
Silence filled the space.
She sat on the bed, staring at nothing.
Should I talk to her…?
Or just ignore her…?
Her thoughts tangled again.
And somewhere deep inside…
everything still led back to him.