22: Thesis Defended, Feelings Rejected part 2

*classroom door opens*

The two were startled when they saw the six of them outside of Room B.

Anthasia didn’t hesitate to approach them with a scornful look. “Are you two dating?”

They were both confused by her question, but answered immediately.

“No” – Ashmillle

“Yeah” – Drino

Ashmille glared at him. Her eyes are speaking, “What did I tell you about keeping our prototype dating anonymous?”

She thought that Anthasia had heard their conversation, which made her suspect that they were dating.

While Drino thought that maybe Anthasia had caught the last sentence he spoke to Ashmille.

“Ah, it’s what she said. Believe her.” Drino understood Ashmille’s signal to deny the allegation.

“Good. Think about what I just said a while ago, Ashmille,” Terryl winked at Ashmille. “We’ll go ahead. Meet you at the bar later, Drino!”

“What did Terryl mean by that? The thing that he said to you a while ago.”

“U-Uh, nothing,” she stuttered. “It was after their presentation. I admired their work, then he said something.”

“What did he say to you?”

“He wishes me to pass this course, too, just like they did.”

He smirked. “Of course, you would. Their group nearly received a passing grade. You definitely did better than them.”

She nodded.

“You said, we got this, remember? This is the day that we got this!”

“If you meet Terryl, please tell him not to bother with me anymore.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Don’t ask. Please do this favor for me.”

“Alright. I’ll tell him to stop bothering you. He’s a handful of headaches. I guess I know what you mean.”

“Thanks. I’ll go ahead.”

“Are you going home already?”

“Yes, I got to do my revisions.”

“Come by the restobar at 6, if you’re free. I want to make it up to you for showing up late. My treat. A little celebration won’t hurt,” he grinned.

“I’m not sure if I can. I’ll notify you either way.”

“No problem. Take care on your way home.”

“Likewise,”

***

It was past 6 PM when Drino arrived at the restaurant and bar that Terryl had invited them to celebrate their successful 4-year-long academic mission. Everyone’s here except for Anjoe’s friend.

“And the most awaited bachelor’s here!” Savi welcomed him.

“What’s up, bro?” Jeron greeted him. He’s eating a nacho snack with toppings on a plate.

He started to sound like Terryl.

“Aren’t I the most awaited bachelor here? You kept making fun of me after that.” Terryl asked.

“We don’t know yet if you will be a bachelor now that you confessed your feelings to her, Mr. Romantic Playboy,” Savi stated.

Drino smiled at them. “Long time no drink with you, guys. And we have a new member, Jeron. It seems you’re liking our company.”

“So far so good,” Jeron responded. “It was fun studying and drinking with y’all.”

“And what are these romantic feelings confession you, Savi, mentioned?”

“Our boy is hitting his puberty. He told Ashmille that he likes her,” Savi answered.

Drino glared at Terryl. “Why did you confess your feelings to her?”

He misread Ashmille earlier. It was Terryl with the letter R, not Jeron.

“To whom?”

“Who else would it be? To Ashmille.”

“Oh, yeah, I did.”

“Are you toying with her? You couldn’t even remember to whom you confessed your feelings earlier. It must be because you’re playing her.”

“I almost forgot about it, haha,” he chortled, slightly drunk.

“She told me to tell you to stop bothering her. What did she mean by it? Must be about your love confession for her.”

“That was a straight-up rejection.” Terryl turned to their group’s seat. “Hey, Savi, you won!”

“It’s no wonder. That modest girl won’t ever lay her eyes on you!” Savi made fun of him.

“Don’t forget the money he bet on, babe,” Anjoe reminded her.

The whole group laughed hard.

*cellphone notification sound*

I couldn’t make it. Enjoy your night!

Ashmille texted him. Drino sighed, thinking it would be better to have her celebrate their wins tonight.

“Guys, what about the student couple from the marketing management program?” Jeron, who’s slightly drunk, intervened. He approached Drino. “They saw you at the Walled City eating in a lovey-dovey café!”

“Hot seat!” Anjoe whistled. “There’s also a guy who saw you both on the street eating dumplings. You two are caught dating, and you never told us.”

“Oh, shiii,” Jeron howled like a moron. “More witnesses, the merrier.”

“I get it that she’s pretty with brains, but it never came to us that you’d like her, Drino. Not questioning Terryl’s taste, but you’re more unlikely to hit her.” Anjoe mentioned, which made Terryl choke on his drink. “What’s even more surprising…” Anjoe glanced at Terryl, who was sitting beside him. “The best friends are caught in a love triangle,” he smirked.

“What’s going on? You didn’t tell us you’ve been dating her this whole time. Not even Terryl, who also has feelings for her. We honestly thought you were spending time with her because it was for your thesis,” Savi furrowing her eyebrows with a drink in her hand questioned Drino.

“What made you think Terryl didn’t know about Drino’s feelings for Ashmille?” Jeron asked Savi.

“Are you blind? Terryl just confessed to her. He wouldn’t have done that if he knew they were in love with the same girl. These two must have been aware of the bro code.”

“No, we don’t,” Terryl murmured.

“What?!” Savi is feeling confused. “Did you and Drino never talk about not going after the same girl?”

“That’s some absurd sh*t you got there. Stop reading stupid romance fiction.”

“I’m not into romantic fictions, okay?” she clarified. “On top of that, books aren’t my thing!” Savi directed her gaze back to Drino. “Drino, answer me. Have you fallen for that girl? For real?”

He ignored Savi’s question.

“Were you listening?” Savi poked him. “Jeron, tell the staff to turn down the volume of the music. Bring us more drinks and stronger liquor. This issue is getting out of hand, tss,” she hissed.

“Yeah, tell us more about it,” Anjoe added.

“Please stop butting in here, will you? Until you explain to me why you see Ashmille as a pretty girl.”

Anjoe shut himself.

Drino stood and took another shot when Anthasia stood and spoke, meeting him eye-to-eye.

“Running away again?” Anthasia blocked him. “After ditching us in the thesis group, you’re doing it again now?” The volume of the restobar’s background music lowered slowly.

He remained silent and averts looking into her eyes.

“Drino… you’ve changed,” she observed.

Drino heard her clearly.

He slightly opened his mouth, seeing Anthasia’s stern expression. “It was for the better,” he responded with a flat tone. He started packing his belongings. “Thank you for tonight.”

“Drino, hey!” Savi shouted and stood, but her boyfriend held her wrist and stopped her. “We demand an explanation. You won’t get away with this!”

Drino left the restobar without looking back and drove back to his condo.

***

After 10 days, the graduating psychology students submitted their final printed thesis books.

Drino texted and chatted with Ashmille to know how she is and to hopefully meet her when they submitted their thesis books, but he didn’t receive a single reply, not even a reaction. He has lost communication with her.

He visited her social media profile but noticed she hadn't posted anything new lately. Scrolling down, he found her online survey with the form link still active. He filled out the survey again and added a comment in the recommendations section. This is his way to communicate again with her.

From the day of their thesis defense, little did Drino know that it would be the last time he would see Ashmille personally. Not even during the day of their graduation.