"Winning a war doesn't always feel like victory.
Especially when someone you care about is buried in the fallout."
—Zayne Adedayo
One Week Later — Crestmont University Campus
They say time heals.
But in Crestmont, time only lets the rumors multiply.
One week had passed since the interdepartmental debate finals.
We won.
But the real story wasn't about the trophy.
It was about what came after:
Naya Okonkwo disappeared.
The university launched a silent internal inquiry.
The press club was suspended for "investigative misconduct."
My inbox exploded with everything from anonymous praise to hate messages.
They called me a "betrayer," a "fence-sitter," a "manipulated puppet."
I used to walk freely on campus.
Now, every step felt like crossing a battlefield.
Room 4B – The Hostel
Ugo was humming and mixing garri and powdered milk like it was a sacred potion.
"Bro, I'm just glad we survived," he said, sitting cross-legged on his bed.
"You weren't even in the finals," I muttered.
"But I emotionally supported you!"
He grinned, then looked serious.
"You haven't spoken to Naya?"
I looked up from my notes.
"No."
"She blocked you?"
"No. But I didn't reach out."
Ugo blinked. "Wait. Why?"
"Because I don't know what I'd say."
"She basically got suspended because she exposed her friend's abuser—and you still haven't checked on her?"
"I didn't ask her to do it. I didn't choose her."
"…But maybe that's the problem."
I didn't reply.
Because he wasn't wrong.
Cafeteria – The Shift in Atmosphere
The cafeteria had always been loud, full of cheap jokes and overpriced food.
But that day, I noticed it: when I entered, people went silent.
Even the guy at the cashier glanced twice before handing me my fufu.
"Wahala boy," someone whispered.
"Debate betrayer."
Another muttered, "He chose Amaka because of body, not brains."
I gripped my tray tighter.
As I turned to leave, I saw Uchechukwu, Naya's old partner, sitting by himself.
He looked up at me.
No words.
Just… disappointment.
I left the food untouched.
Faculty Board – The List
That afternoon, a notice went up:
🔔 FACULTY OF ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
Students Suspended Pending Review:
Okonkwo Naya — For breach of ethical boundaries
Three Press Club Executives
That was it.
Her name, pasted like graffiti, no context, no chance to explain.
She was gone.
And somehow, I felt it deeper than I expected.
The Mango Tree – Again
Amaka found me there.
She always did.
Wearing a hoodie this time. No blazer. No sharp edges.
Just… tired.
"Still thinking about her?"
I didn't lie.
"Yes."
She nodded slowly.
"I'm not jealous, Zayne."
"That's not what this is about."
"I know. But I'm not stupid either."
Silence.
"I'm scared," I whispered.
"Of what?"
"That I burned someone I cared about to protect someone I love."
She closed her eyes.
Then sat beside me.
"I'm not asking you to hate her. I'm asking you not to leave me to fix this war alone."
"I won't."
"You sure?"
I looked at her. Her fingers trembled in her lap.
"I'm sure."
We didn't touch.
We didn't kiss.
Just sat there, pretending we weren't both bleeding under the surface.
Later That Night – The Email
Back in the hostel, I checked my phone for the hundredth time.
No messages from Naya.
But one unread email waited in my inbox.
From: [email protected]
Subject: One Day, You'll Understand
Zayne,
They can suspend me, silence me, even pretend I was never here.
But I'm not gone.
You asked why I didn't tell you the whole truth.
It's because I wanted you to choose me without guilt. Without pressure.
Now you don't have to.
But one day, when all of this explodes again—because it will—I hope you'll remember the girl who didn't want to ruin anyone… only reveal the truth they hid.
—Naya