The weight of the decision presses down on me, heavy and unrelenting. My academic future, my reputation—everything I’ve worked for—feels like it’s teetering on the edge of a cliff. I can already hear the whispers, the rumors that are spreading like wildfire around the university. People are starting to notice, and I know it's only a matter of time before the truth comes out.

I’ve been called to the dean’s office today. I know why. The way Reyansh and I have been acting—those stolen glances, those private meetings under the guise of “office hours”—it’s been too obvious. The passion we’ve shared is the kind that doesn’t stay hidden. There’s no way they can’t see it. No way they can ignore it.