Waves of reality.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

The head of the department stepped up to the podium, and the auditorium fell silent as he began announcing the results. The tension in the room was thick, and the students eyes were fixed on the stage as the list started with those who had secured the lowest grades and gradually moved toward those who had performed exceptionally well.

Serene's heart pounded in her chest as the head of the fashion department finally announced her name. She had secured the second position in the entire batch. Her eyes welled up with tears of joy as the realization sank in. All those sleepless nights and relentless efforts had paid off, and she had achieved a remarkable result. The first position had been claimed by Alex, and although Serene felt a pang of disappointment at not taking the top spot, she couldn't help but feel proud of her achievement.

After the result announcement, the auditorium erupted with excitement. Students exchanged hugs, pats on the back, and heartfelt congratulations. However, as everyone celebrated around her, Serene remained seated, feeling strangely isolated. She had always been somewhat of an outsider in this batch. Her classmates had never treated her as one of their own, often ignoring or even despising her, but today was different, and it hurt more than usual.

As she prepared to leave the auditorium, she felt a hand gently grasp hers. Startled, she turned to see that it was Alex, the first-place winner, who had come over to offer his congratulations. For a brief moment, Serene's heart swelled with gratitude and the hope of genuine connection. She wanted to say, "Congratulations to you too," but before she could, more people from the batch surrounded Alex, diverting his attention away from her.

Serene watched as Alex was engulfed by his classmates, all eager to bask in his success. The words she had wanted to say remained stuck on her lips, and with a heavy heart, she silently left the auditorium. It was her last day at the university like everyone else's, yet she couldn't escape the feeling of loneliness and isolation that had plagued her throughout her academic journey.

Serene continued walking toward the university's main gate, her steps slow and her feet heavy with exhaustion. Her vision blurred through a veil of tears. It should have been the happiest day of her life, a day to celebrate her hard-earned achievement, but there was no one to share it with.

She found a spot near the footpath and sat down, overwhelmed by a sense of loneliness that seemed to engulf her. The tears flowed freely down her face, each one carrying the weight of all the moments she had spent alone. Being an orphan had made her life tough and often painfully solitary. She had grown accustomed to the solitude, learned to carry it like an invisible burden, and yet, today, on this special day, it felt more acute than ever.

Despite the tears and the emptiness in her heart, Serene didn't question her fate. She didn't complain about her loneliness. Instead, she held onto a steadfast belief that everything in life happened for a reason. Maybe, just maybe, she was meant to be alone for a purpose that had yet to reveal itself.

Serene had been lost in her thoughts, so consumed by her emotions that she failed to notice the handsome man standing at the university's main gate. Adrian had been watching her from a distance, hesitating to approach her. He didn't want to intrude or make assumptions about what she might need in that moment. Instead, he decided to let her come to the gate when she was ready.

Finally finding the strength to stand up and face the world again, Serene wiped away her tears. She kicked off her heels, opting to walk barefoot to avoid hurting her feet. With careful steps, she made her way towards the main gate, her heart still heavy but determined to move forward.

As she approached the gate, her eyes widened in surprise as they fell upon the handsome man standing there. In his hands, he held a bouquet of red roses, nearly a hundred of them, a stunning and heartfelt gesture. He looked at her and exclaimed in a loud, enthusiastic voice, "You did it, Serene! Congratulations!"

Adrian's voice echoed through the empty street, and Serene couldn't help but blush, a mix of emotions rushing through her. Her gloomy feelings dissipated in an instant. Over the moon from his unexpected gesture, she didn't hesitate for a moment. In the next second, she ran towards him, embracing him in a warm, heartfelt hug.

The hug was filled with emotions, and it gave Serene a newfound hope that she wasn't alone anymore. Maybe, just maybe, this was the person who would fill the gap in her heart and be there for her, celebrating her triumphs and offering support during her challenges.

Serene held onto Adrian for a moment longer, savoring the warmth and comfort of his embrace. As he handed her the bouquet of red roses, she accepted it with a grateful smile.

Serene: "Thank you, Adrian. These are beautiful."

Adrian: "You deserve every single one of them, Serene. Your hard work paid off, and I couldn't be prouder of you."

Serene's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of pink at his words. She felt her heart flutter with happiness and a hint of something more as they stood there, the roses serving as a sweet and fragrant bridge between them.

Adrian: "Would you like a ride home?"

Serene nodded in agreement, still finding it a bit difficult to speak after the emotional rollercoaster of the day. The car ride was mostly quiet, with Serene stealing occasional glances at Adrian while he focused on the steering wheel.

Adrian looked effortlessly handsome in his white polo shirt and navy blue jeans. His wristwatch gleamed with an air of luxury and elegance, and his cologne left a lingering, enticing fragrance that Serene couldn't help but notice from their earlier hug. His lean physique moved gracefully with each motion of the steering wheel, and Serene couldn't help but appreciate his presence. The car hummed along the road as they continued in comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts.

Adrian's car came to a halt in front of Serene's building. Serene looked outside and realized they had reached her destination. She began to gather her things, preparing to bid farewell to Adrian. Just as she was about to open the car door, Adrian cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had enveloped them during the ride.

Adrian: (hesitating) "Serene, I... I want to apologize."

Serene turned to face him, her expression open and curious, waiting for him to continue.

Serene: (softly) "Apologize? For what?"

Adrian: (nervously) "I'm sorry for not being there on your important day, for not showing up when you needed someone by your side."

Serene's gaze softened, and she nodded in acknowledgment. She understood that life often had its demands and priorities.

Serene: (gentle) "Adrian, it's alright. I know you have your own responsibilities and business to take care of. I appreciate you being here now."

As she was about to open the car door to step out, Adrian suddenly reached out and gently held her hand. Serene turned to look at him, surprise flickering in her eyes at this unexpected touch. Adrian, realizing the moment's awkwardness, quickly withdrew his hand as if he had crossed a line.

Adrian: (apologetic) "I'm sorry, Serene, I didn't mean to..."

Serene: (smiling warmly) "It's okay, Adrian. Thank you for being here now. That's what matters."

With that, Serene opened the car door and stepped out, feeling a sense of connection and understanding between them that went beyond words. She closed the car door, and as she walked towards her building, she couldn't help but feel a growing warmth in her heart, a sense that perhaps this unexpected encounter with Adrian was the beginning of something special.