CAMMPUS LOVE

That evening, the sky was painted in soft shades of orange and lilac, and the wind carried the scent of rain that hadn't yet fallen. Clara stood near the old tree behind her house—the one where she used to play with her sisters, where she often sat alone to think.

She clutched a letter in her hand, one she had written and rewritten a dozen times. But something in her told her tonight didn't need paper. Tonight needed her voice, her truth—raw and trembling, but real.

She turned slowly when she heard footsteps. Emmanuel stood there, quiet, his hands in his pockets, his eyes searching hers like they always did—like he already knew something was on her heart.

"I need to tell you something," Clara whispered.

Emmanuel didn't speak. He just walked closer and nodded, letting her know she was safe to speak.

Clara's voice wavered,"i know i lied to you when we first met, i did that because i didn't wanna lose you ,i know what i did was bad but you understood me and forgave me"

She took a shaky breath.

"But I swore I'd never lie again. Not even to protect something precious. And you, Emmanuel… you are precious to me. That's why I need to be honest now, before we take another step."

He stepped even closer, close enough for her to see the softness in his eyes.

"I'm not asking you to be perfect," he said quietly. "I just want you to be real—with me, and with yourself. And you've already done that."

Clara's heart swelled. Tears gathered at the edge of her lashes—not from sadness, but from the quiet relief that comes when you're finally seen and still chosen.

The wind whispered through the tree leaves above them like it was proud too.

And just like that… the next chapter in Clara's story began—not with fireworks, but with honesty. With peace.