HOOPS-LOOPS || BINI UNI #1 [MIKHAIAH AU]

Chapter 48: Doubt

The next day, the campus was buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming event.

Aya and Mav both had a full day ahead of them.

Aya had promised to attend Mav's practice, but as the day wore on, she found herself overwhelmed by her own commitments and the lingering hurt from the rumors.

Aya was deeply engrossed in her art, the hours slipping away as she lost herself in her work.

The looming art contest was a source of both excitement and pressure, and she knew she had to give it her all.

But the messages and rumors about Mav and Loui kept gnawing at the back of her mind, distracting her from her work.

When she finally looked up from her sketchpad, she realized it was too late to make it to Mav's practice.

She felt a pang of guilt, knowing how much her presence meant to Mav.

But the thought of facing more questions and rumors was too much to bear.

-

Mav's practice was in full swing, the final practice before the big event.

She glanced at the audience, her heart sinking when she realized Aya wasn't there.

She tried to focus on her performance, but the absence of Aya's supportive presence was a distraction she couldn't shake.

To add to the confusion, Loui had come back again to watch Mav's practice.

Her presence didn't go unnoticed, and whispers spread quickly among the team members.

The rumors about Mav and Loui grew louder, and more photos surfaced online, adding fuel to the speculation.

"Back again, Loui?" Ju asked, her tone light but her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Of course! I wouldn't miss seeing Mav," Loui replied, her smile broad as she glanced at Mav.

Mav gave a small, uneasy smile, her thoughts still on Aya. "Glad to have you here, Loui," she said, trying to sound cheerful.

The whispers among the team grew louder, and Mav couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.

She knew how rumors could spiral out of control, and she didn't want anything to jeopardize her friendship with Aya.

-

Aya, back at her art practice, felt her phone buzz again.

She hesitated, dreading what she might see.

When she finally checked, her heart sank. It was another message from an unknown number, and this time it included the old photo of Mav and Loui, along with a new revelation:

"Did you know Loui is Mav's ex? Looks like you're a rebound."

Aya's hands trembled as she stared at the screen.

She felt a sharp pang in her chest, a mix of hurt and confusion.

She had no idea that Loui was Mav's ex, and the revelation hit her like a punch to the gut.

She had tried to convince herself that she and Mav were just friends, but the news stirred emotions she couldn't ignore.

"Why does this hurt so much?" Aya whispered to herself, her voice breaking. She felt a lump in her throat as she tried to hold back tears. "We're just friends. It shouldn't matter eh..."

But deep down, she knew it did matter.

She cared about Mav more than she was willing to admit, even to herself.

The realization left her feeling raw and vulnerable, unsure of what to do next.

-

Desperate to clear her mind, Aya put on her running shoes and headed out for a jog.

The cool evening air stung her face as she ran, the rhythmic pounding of her feet against the pavement offering a brief respite from the turmoil inside her.

She pushed herself harder, hoping the physical exertion would help her make sense of her emotions.

But no matter how fast she ran, she couldn't outrun the hurt she felt.

Aya replayed the messages over and over in her mind, trying to make sense of her feelings.

She wasn't sure why the sight of Mav with Loui affected her so deeply, but it did.

The more she thought about it, the more unsettled she felt.

She jogged through the familiar streets, hoping the exercise would help her sort through her emotions.

The cool evening air was a balm against her heated thoughts, but it wasn't enough to soothe the hurt she felt.

She knew she had no right to feel this way, but she couldn't help it.

Wala siyang karapatan.

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