..You're my honeysuckle...?

---

He wrapped me in his arms, and I melted into his embrace like a child in a mother’s hug. 

My eyes were swollen, puffy, and filled with tears, while my cheeks turned red from crying. He ran his fingers gently through my hair, comforting me in silence. 

After a few moments, he finally spoke. "Don’t jump to conclusions just yet. I think you need to clear the air with him in person." 

He paused, then continued, "Sometimes, what we see or hear might not always be true. If you truly love someone, you need to trust them. Without trust, love means nothing. You trust your love, right?" 

I nodded weakly. 

"Then, why are you crying?" he asked with a soft smile. "When he comes to the meeting, go straight to him and ask him directly." 

"And if he rejects me? What should I do then? I can’t bear it anymore," I replied in a low, sad voice, rubbing my eyes. 

He smiled warmly. "If he rejects you, then give him a slap and tell him he doesn’t deserve your love. I’ll handle the rest, I promise." 

Finally, I smiled faintly. 

"Promise?" I asked with an innocent face. 

"Pinky promise." He intertwined our little fingers and grinned brightly. "I’ll always stand by you. If he rejects you, I’ll lend you my shoulder. If he loves you back, I’ll give you a bouquet." 

“This is a deal between friends,” he declared. We both smiled at each other. 

He cupped my cheeks and added, "But don’t do this again, okay?" mimicking his usual teasing tone. 

We both chuckled as he wiped my tears. 

"Come, let’s eat something," he suggested. 

"I’m not hungry," I replied, cutting him off. 

"How can you not eat? You need energy for tomorrow’s confrontation. Don’t blame me for not warning you!" he said playfully. 

"Okay, fine." 

We ate together, and later, he accompanied me to my room door. He waved and said, "Good night. Don’t overthink." 

I smiled back, assuring him I’d be okay, and asked him not to worry. But he insisted on waiting until I went inside. 

After I lay down in bed, I got a message from him: *Good night.* I smiled at his care and drifted to sleep with a heavy heart. 

I prayed silently to God that my fears and imaginations wouldn’t come true. Clutching my chain tightly, I closed my eyes as tears soaked my pillow. 

---

"Mona... Mona! Wake up fast! We’re getting late for the event!" Raya shook me awake. 

"Khabir is waiting for you at the door," she yelled loudly. 

I groggily picked up my phone to find several missed calls from Khabir. I quickly dialed him back. 

"I’ll give you 15 minutes," he said in a stern voice before hanging up. 

I rushed to get ready in exactly 15 minutes and went downstairs with Raya. 

Khabir stood near the bus, busy with his phone. One by one, people boarded the bus and settled in. 

As I approached the bus, Khabir asked me to wait. He didn’t even lift his head to look at me. It felt odd—since we became close friends, he’d never ignored me like this.