Chapter 5: Rumors on campus

The next morning, the microbiology laboratory was buzzing with the usual noise of students preparing for their practical session. Glassware clinked softly, chairs scraped against the floor, and quiet conversations filled the air as everyone arranged their equipment.

Amara walked into the lab carrying her notebook and lab coat, determined to focus only on her work.

But the moment she stepped inside, something felt… strange.

Two students standing near the sink glanced at her and immediately began whispering to each other. Another group sitting near the incubator looked in her direction and laughed quietly.

Amara frowned.

“What is going on?” she muttered under her breath.

She walked toward her usual workstation, trying to ignore the curious glances that seemed to follow her across the room.

Just as she placed her notebook on the table, Kemi suddenly appeared beside her.

Kemi’s face carried the kind of mischievous smile that usually meant trouble.

Amara narrowed her eyes.

“What did you do?”

Kemi gasped dramatically.

“Why do you always assume I did something?”

“Because you look guilty.”

Kemi laughed.

“Relax, I didn’t start it.”

“Start what?”

Kemi leaned closer and lowered her voice.

“People are talking.”

Amara sighed.

“They’re always talking.”

“Not like this.”

Amara paused.

“What do you mean?”

Kemi glanced around the room before speaking again.

“They think you and Daniel are secretly working together… a little too well.”

Amara stared at her.

“You’re joking.”

“I wish I was.”

Amara felt a wave of irritation rise in her chest.

“That’s ridiculous.”

Kemi shrugged.

“Maybe. But apparently you two have been spending a lot of time in the lab lately.”

Amara opened her mouth to argue, but stopped.

Technically, Kemi wasn’t wrong.

Between their project and the late evening sessions, she had been seeing Daniel more often than she expected.

But that didn’t mean anything.

“People need better hobbies,” Amara said firmly.

Before Kemi could respond, the lab door opened again.

Daniel walked in.

Immediately, the whispers around the room grew louder.

Amara noticed several students looking back and forth between the two of them.

Daniel seemed to notice it too.

He walked toward his workstation calmly, setting his bag down like nothing unusual was happening.

Amara watched him for a moment.

How was he so relaxed about this?

Kemi nudged her arm.

“See?”

Amara groaned softly.

“This is so embarrassing.”

Their lecturer, Dr. Hassan, entered the lab a few minutes later, bringing the room back to order.

“Alright everyone,” he announced. “Today we will continue working on your bacterial culture observations.”

The students quickly returned to their stations.

Amara tried to focus on her work, but she could still feel the occasional glances from across the room.

Daniel worked quietly at the table beside hers.

At one point, he leaned slightly toward her.

“You seem popular today.”

Amara shot him an annoyed look.

“This is your fault.”

“My fault?”

“Yes.”

“How exactly?”

Amara lowered her voice.

“People think something is going on between us.”

Daniel blinked once.

Then, to her complete disbelief, he smiled.

“That’s funny.”

Amara stared at him.

“You think this is funny?”

“A little.”

She crossed her arms.

“Well I don’t.”

Daniel turned back to his microscope.

“Relax. Rumors disappear after a few days.”

“That’s easy for you to say.”

“Why?”

“Because you don’t care what people think.”

Daniel paused for a moment.

Then he said quietly, “You care too much.”

Amara didn’t respond.

Part of her wanted to argue.

But another part of her knew he might be right.

The practical session ended an hour later.

Students began leaving the lab in small groups, their conversations filling the hallway outside.

As Amara packed her notebook into her bag, she heard two girls whispering near the door.

“See? They’re leaving at the same time again.”

Her face immediately warmed with embarrassment.

Daniel noticed her reaction.

“You’re overthinking it,” he said.

Amara zipped her bag closed.

“Maybe.”

They walked out of the lab together.

The afternoon sun lit the campus courtyard, and students were scattered across the walkways and benches.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Daniel glanced at her.

“Does it really bother you that much?”

Amara looked at him.

“The rumors?”

“Yes.”

She thought about it for a moment.

“It’s not the rumors,” she said slowly. “It’s the fact that people assume things they know nothing about.”

Daniel nodded slightly.

“That happens everywhere.”

Amara sighed.

“I know.”

They reached the pathway that split toward the library and the hostel buildings.

Amara slowed her steps.

“Anyway,” she said. “I should go.”

Daniel adjusted the strap of his backpack.

“See you tomorrow.”

Amara nodded and began walking toward the hostel.

But after a few steps, she stopped.

For some reason, she turned back.

Daniel was still standing there.

Watching her.

For a brief second, their eyes met across the pathway.

Then Daniel gave a small wave and walked in the opposite direction.

Amara stood there for a moment longer before continuing toward the hostel.

Her mind felt strangely unsettled.

The rumors were annoying.

But that wasn’t what bothered her the most.

What troubled her was the small voice in her head asking a question she didn’t want to answer.

What if people were noticing something before she did?

Amara shook her head quickly, pushing the thought away.

There was no way that could be true.

After all, Daniel was still her rival.

At least… that was what she kept telling herself.