Secrets, Swirls & Subtle Signals

2. Swirls

Jeremiah was jotting down details on the registration form when his phone chimed with a new notification. Despite his initial reluctance, he found himself increasingly eager to check his phone these days, anticipating the anonymous messages that had become a part of his daily routine.

At first, he found the messages irritating, dismissing them as childish. However, over time, he grew accustomed to them. They became a comfort, something he looked forward to. Whenever he was having a hard day or needed a pick-me-up before bed, he'd scroll through the sweet notes left for him by this anonymous admirer.

The notifications didn't stop with just the messages. A whole community had sprung up in the comment section, tagging him whenever a new confession was posted. His phone would light up with notifications, alerting him that another message had been left for him. There were even people shipping him with the mysterious sender, which always made him chuckle.

The messages had become more than just words on a screen; they were a connection, a source of joy amidst his daily grind.

Jeremiah opened his Instagram app, a smile spreading across his face as he clicked on the latest post. As he began reading the note, his smile started to falter. "What does she mean by 'last'?" he muttered to himself, rereading the message. The comment section was filled with students urging him to show up near the fountain at 9 PM, or else risk being dubbed the "jerk of the year."

"These kids have got to be kidding me," he said, shaking his head at the playful threats from the students. Even his friends, who were alumni of the same college, had joined in. "Even my friends? I swear to God," he sighed, glancing at the time. It was 8:45 PM—just 15 minutes until the deadline.

Jeremiah felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension. He had grown used to the anonymous messages, but this sudden shift left him unsettled.

All the senior doctors had left the hospital, leaving only a few behind to cover the night shift. The interns, including Jeremiah, were strictly instructed to stay in the ward. Their responsibility was clear: treat any patients that needed attention, and if it was beyond their expertise, call the senior doctors immediately. Jeremiah felt a pang of helplessness. He desperately wanted to run to the fountain, but his duty to his patients weighed heavily on him.

Yet, the thought of disappointing the anonymous admirer who had brightened his days gnawed at him. He couldn’t bear the idea of letting her down. Resolute, he walked to the staff room and asked one of his fellow interns to cover for him, promising he’d be quick.

With a mix of anxiety and determination, Jeremiah sprinted towards the fountain. The clock was ticking, and he was terrified that if he arrived even a minute late, she might leave, thinking he was truly a jerk who didn’t care about other people’s feelings. His heart pounded as he ran, fueled by the hope of finally meeting the person who had touched his life in such an unexpected way.

Jeremiah genuinely wanted to uncover the identity of the person who had been sending him those messages. Deep down, he realized that he might have started liking them a little bit. As he made his way through the campus, passing by students and couples engaged in their nightly routines, Jeremiah's anticipation grew.

When he finally reached the fountain, his eyes scanned the area, searching for a girl standing alone. His heart skipped a beat when he spotted her—someone who lived in his mind rent-free, someone he had tried so hard to forget. But his heart was stubborn, refusing to let go of the feelings he harbored for her. Jeremiah hated how his heart still longed for her, often finding himself running away and keeping his distance to avoid her.

Jeremiah stood near the fountain, his gaze fixed on the couple standing a few feet away. They were engrossed in conversation, her laughter carrying on the wind. His heart sank as he watched them, a pang of jealousy gnawing at him.