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As the Friday sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the dormitory rooftop, Mei found herself perched amidst a sea of quiet solitude. The usual hustle and bustle of university life had dwindled to a mere whisper, leaving Mei alone with her thoughts as she watched the world below retreat into the embrace of the weekend.
With a resigned sigh, Mei listened to the distant echoes of her friends' voices on her earphones as they recounted the day's events. Gem and Crane, her best friends in all the universe, filled the air with chatter about lectures, assignments, and the ever-looming thought of Professor Lay's latest threat to their academic lives.
"Another day, another uninspiring lecture," Mei remarked, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "And now we're tasked with dissecting the Day of Great Sorrow? It's like Professor Lay is determined to drain every ounce of joy from our lives."
Gem nodded sympathetically, her eyes reflecting understanding. "I know what you mean, Mei. Sometimes it feels like we're drowning in a sea of deadlines and expectations. Like, let us chill."
Crane chimed in, his tone hopeful. "But hey, at least we have the weekend to tackle the paper. Maybe we can make it interesting, inject a bit of our own creativity into it."
Mei managed a small smile, grateful for her friends' unwavering support. As she took a drag from her cigarette, the smoke curling lazily around her, she couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie amidst the quiet of the rooftop.
"It's times like these that make me grateful for moments of quietness," Mei mused, her gaze drifting towards the horizon.
As the soft evening breeze danced across the rooftop, carrying with it the scent of distant city lights and the promise of a weekend on the horizon, Mei found herself enveloped in a sanctuary of shadows and her own loneliness. The rooftop, a refuge for smokers like herself, offered a temporary escape from the suffocating confines of university rules and regulations.
With a sigh of relief, Mei took a long drag from her cigarette, the tendrils of smoke swirling around her like wisps of ethereal mist. It was a small act of childish act against the stringent no-smoking policy that loomed over the campus like a dark cloud.
In her ears, Gem and Crane's voices drifted through the night air, their conversation a welcome distraction from the monotony of the week. Mei listened idly as they gossiped about classmates and professors, their words blending into the symphony of the night.
But their chatter was abruptly interrupted by the creak of the rooftop door, signaling the arrival of an unexpected visitor. Mei instinctively retreated further into the shadows, her curiosity piqued by the newcomer's presence.
"What's that?" Gem's voice broke through the darkness, her tone tinged with curiosity.
Mei held her breath as the figure stepped into the moonlit space, his silhouette unmistakable even in the dim light. It was Pran, the popular architecture student whose presence commanded attention wherever he went.
As Pran stood beneath the starry sky, his expression a mask of contemplation and sorrow, Mei couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for him. There was something hauntingly beautiful about the way he carried himself, a silent testament to the burdens he bore.
"Pran," Mei whispered to her friends, her voice barely audible above the gentle hum of the night. "The architecture Pran."
As the rooftop air shimmered with the soft glow of twilight, Mei's heart quickened as the door to their hidden sanctuary creaked open, revealing the unexpected silhouette of Pran against the backdrop of the city skyline. Gem and Crane leaned forward to the screen, their excitement palpable as they exchanged hushed whispers, their eyes aglow with intrigue.
"Who?"
"It's Pran," Mei murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
"The architecture heartthrob?" Crane's voice rose in excitement. "What's he doing here at this hour?"
Mei offered only a noncommittal hum in response, her attention fully captured by Pran's presence. His figure seemed to radiate an aura of vulnerability, a poignant contrast to his usual confident demeanor.
As Pran stood beneath the vast expanse of the night sky, his gaze fixed on the twinkling stars above, Mei couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy. There was an undeniable heaviness in the air, a silent echo of unspoken sorrows that seemed to envelop Pran in its embrace.
With bated breath, Mei watched as Pran inhaled deeply, as if drawing strength from the celestial canopy above, before turning his attention to the sprawling city below. The distant lights shimmered like constellations, casting a surreal glow over the urban landscape.
Curiosity mingled with concern as Mei observed the turmoil etched across Pran's features. It was a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a soul laid bare, a silent plea for understanding in a world fraught with complexities.
"Switch to the normal camera, Mei!" Gem's urgent plea snapped Mei out of her reverie. "I want to see."
Mei complied, her fingers deftly navigating the settings on her phone as she adjusted the brightness to capture the scene before them in all its raw intensity. She zoomed in.
"He looks so...lost," Crane remarked, her voice tinged with sympathy. "What do you think happened?"
Mei could only speculate, her mind racing with possibilities as she listened to her friends' idle chatter about Pran's rumored exploits. But amidst the frivolous banter, Mei couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Pran's sorrow than met the eye.
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of the rooftop door swinging open once again, shattering the fragile tranquility of the night. Mei's heart skipped a beat as a new figure entered the space, their presence casting a shadow over the already tense atmosphere.
"Who's that now?" Crane's voice echoed through the silence, her tone laced with apprehension.
With a sense of anticipation hanging heavy in the air, Mei's heart raced as the mysterious newcomer's identity slowly unraveled before them, each moment tinged with intrigue and uncertainty.
"Wait, why do I recognize that person?" Gem's voice cut through the tense silence, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the figure on the screen. "Seems familiar."
A tall silhouette emerged from the darkness, his form illuminated by the faint glow of the city lights. Despite the dimness of the night, his expression mirrored Pran's in its palpable desolation.
"Is that Pat from Engineering?" Gem's exclamation pierced the stillness, reverberating through the rooftop with startling clarity. "Oh my god!"
"Shut up. Why are they here? I thought they hate each other."
The revelation sent shockwaves through the small group, each member grappling to make sense of the unexpected encounter.
"Wait, what is happening?" Crane's voice wavered with uncertainty, her confusion mirroring Mei's own.
As recognition dawned upon Mei, her mind raced to piece together the puzzle of Pat's presence on the rooftop. A ubiquitous figure on campus, Pat's popularity and accomplishments were the stuff of legend, his face plastered on posters and banners throughout the university grounds.
Mei watched from the shadows as Pat and Pran stood locked in a silent standoff, their unspoken tension palpable even from a distance. The air crackled with anticipation as the two men navigated the precarious terrain of their complicated relationship.
"I can practically feel the tension between them," Mei whispered to her friends, her voice tinged with empathy for the two individuals caught in the throes of their emotions.
Gem's excitement bubbled over, her theories spiraling into a frenzy of speculation. "Are they in a secret relationship? Oh my gosh, they're so cute together!"
"Oh my god, who tops?"
"Definitely Pat. Wait, no. Pran."
"They look like they're verse."
Crane's urgent plea snapped Mei out of her reverie, prompting her to zoom in on the unfolding drama with her phone. With each click of the camera, Mei felt herself drawn deeper into the unfolding narrative, a silent witness to the raw intensity of human emotion.
As Pat and Pran stood locked in a silent battle of wills, Mei couldn't help but marvel at the complexity of their relationship. Beneath the surface of their rivalry lay a shared history of longing and heartache, a tapestry of emotions woven into the fabric of their intertwined lives.
In that moment, on the rooftop beneath the star-studded sky, Mei couldn't shake the feeling that their encounter was destined to be a turning point
"Why did you play that song?"
Gem's piercing shriek pierced through the night air like a bolt of lightning, sending shivers down Mei's spine as she struggled to maintain her composure. "Oh my god, does it have something to do with the song Pran played at the Freshy Festival?"
"Shh!" Crane's reprimand cut through the chaos, her voice a sharp contrast to Gem's frenzied excitement. "I want to hear what's going on."
Mei watched in silence as the tension between Pat and Pran reached a fever pitch, their unspoken words hanging heavy in the air like a thick fog. It was a moment suspended in time, a delicate balance teetering on the edge of uncertainty.
As the two boys stood locked in a silent standoff, Mei couldn't help but feel like a silent observer, a fly on the wall privy to the intimate intricacies of their complex relationship. From her vantage point in the shadows, she had a front-row seat to the emotional turmoil unfolding before her.
The air crackled with electricity as Pat and Pran faced each other, their expressions a tapestry of conflicting emotions.
In that moment, on the rooftop beneath the vast expanse of the night sky, Mei felt a sense of awe wash over her. She was witnessing something raw and unfiltered, a glimpse into the depths of human emotion that few ever had the privilege to experience.
As the tension between Pat and Pran reached its breaking point, Mei held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest. It was a moment that would be etched into her memory forever, a testament to the power of love and longing in all its myriad forms. And as she watched the scene unfold before her, Mei couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to bear witness to such raw, unbridled emotion.
"Why? It's my song. I wrote it," replied Pran softly. "Why can't I play it?"
Pat looked even more miserable after that sentence.
"But, it's a song we played together," said Pat desperately.
Gem's voice, charged with excitement, erupted like a crescendo of fireworks, reverberating through the stillness of the night with a force that seemed to shake the very foundations of the rooftop.
"They played that song together before? When! Oh my god, this is amazing!" Her words hung in the air, a symphony of astonishment and wonder that danced on the edges of Mei's consciousness.
But amidst Gem's outburst, Crane's voice sliced through the chaos like a blade, cutting through the cacophony with a sharpness that demanded attention. "Shh!"
In the midst of their frenzied exchange, Mei remained rooted in the shadows, a silent observer to the drama playing out before her. It was a scene of raw emotion and unspoken truths, a delicate tapestry woven from the threads of desire and longing.
As Gem's excitement reached a fever pitch, Mei couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. In the hushed silence that followed, Mei found herself holding her breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she awaited the next chapter in this unfolding saga. It was a night unlike any other, a symphony of emotions playing out beneath the watchful gaze of the stars.
"So?" scoffed Pran. "That little thing made you angry?"
"Little thing? Is it that insignificant for you?"
As the weight of Pat's words hung heavy in the air, Mei couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. His voice, tinged with vulnerability, echoed across the rooftop like a mournful melody, evoking a sense of empathy that tugged at Mei's heartstrings.
"Poor Pat," Mei whispered, her voice barely above a hush. "He sounds like a kicked puppy."
Amidst the chaos of their collective emotions, Mei remained rooted in the shadows, a silent witness to the unfolding drama. It was a moment of profound significance, a glimpse into the inner workings of the human heart laid bare for all to see. And as she stood on the rooftop, bathed in the shadows, Mei couldn't shake the feeling that she was witnessing the birth of a love story—one that would be remembered for generations to come.
"Damn it, Pat! What the hell happened to you?"
Mei could see the mixture of expressions on Pat's face; sadness, anger, jealousy, uncertainty, insecurity.
"You know what? When you’re away, I was so damn happy. I didn't have to compete against you. I wasn't being paranoid. I didn't need to know what your GPA was. I didn't need to know which sports you were involved in.
From her earphones, Mei could hear Gem possibly having an athsma attack, or going through an aneurysm.
"You go Pat, say your piece!"
"But guess what?"
It was like all in the universe stopped to watch these two that night on the rooftop. No wind. No sound of birds fluttering above them. Not even the sound of traffic.
"It was so depressingly lonely for me."
Mei swore she heard a sound of someone falling in her earpiece, but she was too engrossed by the two men to care.
"What we have now, what should we call it? If we’re not enemies, do you think we can be friends?" asked Pat.
Mei felt her heart wrench as she listened to the raw emotion in Pran's voice. It was as if every syllable carried the weight of a thousand unspoken words, each one a testament to the depth of his anguish.
In that moment, amidst the shadows of the rooftop, Mei's empathy overflowed, a tidal wave of emotion threatening to consume her. She longed to reach out to Pat, to offer him solace in his moment of need, to envelop him in a warm embrace that would banish his sorrows.
But as she watched, a single tear glistened in the corner of Pran's eye, shimmering like a diamond in the darkness. It was a solitary droplet, yet it spoke volumes, carrying with it the weight of a lifetime of longing and regret. Mei's breath caught in her throat as she beheld the silent spectacle before her. In that tear, she saw the essence of Pran's humanity laid bare—the vulnerability, the despair, the unspoken yearning for something more.
And in that moment, on the rooftop beneath the vast expanse of the night sky, Mei felt a profound connection to Pat and Pran, a shared understanding born from the depths of their shared humanity. It was a bond forged in the crucible of adversity, a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly alone.
As the tear slipped silently down Pran's cheek, Mei felt her own eyes grow misty with unshed tears. It was a moment of transcendence, a fleeting glimpse into the infinite complexity of the human heart.
"Why? Do you want us to be friends?"
"No."
And Pat too shed a tear, causing another inhumane screech from both girls.
As Crane's cries pierced in her ear, the intensity of the moment seemed to engulf them all, rendering words inadequate in the face of such profound emotion.
With a sense of inevitability, Mei watched as the two men closed the distance between them, their movements hesitant yet charged with an undeniable urgency. It was as if the entire universe held its breath, bearing witness to the momentous events unfolding on the rooftop.
And then, in a gesture that seemed to defy gravity itself, Pat pressed his lips against Pran's. It was a moment of breathtaking beauty, a crescendo of passion that reverberated through the very fabric of existence.
As their lips met, a symphony of music erupted from the depths of the earth, filling the night with a melody of pure, unadulterated joy. In that instant, all was right with the world, every shadow banished by the radiant light of their love.
The kiss surpassed Mei's wildest expectations, leaving her with tears in her eyes and a lump in her throat. It was a testament to the power of human connection, a reminder that love knows no bounds and transcends all barriers.
When Pat finally pulled away, his expression was one of utter astonishment, as if he could scarcely believe what had just transpired. And then, without hesitation, Pran leaned in for another kiss, his longing palpable in every touch, every caress.
The second kiss was a revelation, a torrent of desire unleashed upon the world. Mei watched, mesmerized, as the two men surrendered to the overwhelming tide of passion, their bodies entwined in a dance as old as time itself.
And as they finally parted, Mei couldn't help but be moved by the sight of Pat's radiant smile. It was a moment of pure, unbridled joy, a testament to the transformative power of love.
But even as happiness enveloped them, Mei knew that their journey was far from over. For love, like life itself, was a journey fraught with challenges and obstacles, yet ultimately worth every moment of struggle.
And so, as she watched the two men bask in the afterglow of their love, Mei felt a sense of hope stir within her.
Just as the kiss ended, a teary Pran left Pat in the rooftop alone.
How fast the night changed for the poor Pat. To be so happy in one moment, and then alone in next.
As the poignant moment between Pat and Pran came to an end, Mei felt a wave of sorrow wash over her. The abrupt shift from ecstasy to solitude was like a cruel twist of fate, leaving Pat alone on the rooftop, his heart heavy with longing and regret. With a tear-stained face, Mei and her friends watched in silent solidarity as Pat's despair unfolded before them. It was a gut-wrenching sight, witnessing the unraveling of a soul laid bare beneath the vast expanse of the night sky.
As Pat's tears mingled with the darkness, Mei felt a lump form in her throat. How swiftly the tide of fortune had turned, leaving him adrift in a sea of heartache and uncertainty.
And then, with a heavy heart, Pat gathered himself, his resolve evident in the set of his shoulders as he made his way from the rooftop, disappearing into the night like a shadow swallowed by darkness.
Alone once more, Mei wiped away her tears, the weight of the evening's events settling upon her like a heavy shroud. Gathering her thoughts, Mei switched the rear camera back to the front, her voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and awe. "Well, that was epic. Are you girls still here?"
"I think Gem fainted."