Evening time
Katrina sat quietly in her room, lost in her thoughts.
The night felt heavier than usual.
She hugged her pillow and stared at the ceiling, her mind replaying everything again and again.
Katrina (thinking):
What's wrong with me…?
Why do I keep doubting him?
She sighed deeply.
He's such a kind person…
How can I even think like this about him?
She turned to her side, pulling the blanket closer.
He's just helping someone who helped him in his bad times…
And I'm here… thinking wrong things…
Her eyes softened with guilt.
This is so bad of me…
But even after all that reasoning, the feeling didn't go away.
It stayed.
Quiet… but heavy.
Katrina (thinking):
Then why does it still bother me?
Why does it hurt every time he mentions Jessica…?
She closed her eyes tightly, as if trying to push the thoughts away.
Just then—her phone rang.
It was Ethan.
Katrina hesitated for a moment… then picked up.
Katrina: "Hii…"
Ethan: "Hey… how are you?"
His voice was soft, calm… just like always.
Katrina: "I'm good… you?"
Ethan: "I'm good. What are you doing?"
Katrina: "Just… lying on the bed."
There was a small pause.
Ethan: "Oh… then you should rest. Good night. Have sweet dreams."
Katrina blinked.
It felt… short.
Katrina: "Yeah… good night."
Her voice sounded distant—even to herself.
The call ended.
Katrina stared at her phone for a few seconds before placing it beside her.
Katrina (thinking):
What's wrong with me…?
Why am I acting like this?
She sat up slowly.
He never said he likes me…
He never said anything…
Her chest tightened slightly.
I'm the one who started thinking all this…
She buried her face in her hands.
Katrina (whispering): "This is so exhausting…"
The next morning…
Katrina woke up feeling tired, even after a full night's sleep.
She got ready and went downstairs.
To her surprise, her mother was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.
The smell of freshly made pancakes filled the house.
Katrina: "Good morning, Mom… you didn't have to do all this. You must be tired."
Her mother smiled warmly.
Mother: "It's okay, honey. I wanted to."
Katrina sat at the table, watching her mother place the pancakes in front of her.
Katrina: "Wow… thank you so much."
Her mother sat beside her, observing her carefully.
After a moment, she spoke casually—
Mother: "So… do you have a boyfriend yet?"
Katrina choked on her food.
She quickly grabbed water and drank it.
Katrina: "No—no! Not at all."
Her mother laughed softly.
Mother: "You should make one… or I'll find one for you."
Katrina shook her head, slightly embarrassed.
Katrina: "Mom, come on… I'm not in the mood to date right now. You know that."
Mother: "Alright, alright."
After finishing breakfast, Katrina stood up.
Katrina: "Okay, Mom… I'm leaving. I'm getting late."
At the university…
Katrina entered the classroom.
Her eyes instinctively searched for Ethan.
But his seat was empty.
A small, unexplainable disappointment crept in.
Just then—
Arice (from behind): "Hii Katrina, good morning!"
Katrina turned slightly.
Katrina: "Good morning, Arice."
Arice leaned closer, a mischievous smile on her face.
Arice: "So… did he propose yet?"
Katrina sighed.
Katrina: "Arice, stop it. We're just friends. There's nothing like that."
Arice crossed her arms dramatically.
Arice: "I still think he loves you."
Katrina's expression changed slightly.
Katrina: "Arice… stop this."
Just then, Ella walked in.
Ella: "Good morning, guys! What are you talking about?"
Arice: "I was just asking if Ethan confessed or not."
Ella raised her eyebrows, amused.
Ella: "Oh really?"
Then suddenly, she turned to Katrina.
Ella: "By the way… Katrina, who was that girl with Ethan yesterday?"
Katrina froze for a moment