Between Two Heartbeats

Chapter 4

Kathy stirred as her phone buzzed beside her pillow. The screen lit up with Nelson’s name. She smiled sleepily and swiped to answer.

“Morning, sunshine,” he said, his grin bright even through the video call.

“Morning,” Kathy yawned, stretching. “You’re up early… aren’t you supposed to be working?”

“Couldn’t sleep,” he said, leaning closer. “I wanted to see you before you start your day.”

Her heart fluttered. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m impossible like that,” he said, smirking.

The conversation rolled on, easy and warm. Nelson asked about her day, classes, and her sleep schedule, teasing her gently whenever she complained about assignments. They laughed, traded little secrets, and teased each other about campus gossip.

Then, soft memories crept in — the first time he had touched her hand. The gentle, nervous brush of fingers, the way her chest had flared, the quiet thrill she had felt — all innocent, all electric.

“You remember that day?” he asked, his eyes glimmering.

“Which day?” she teased.

“The first time I held your hand,” he said, voice soft. “You didn’t know what to do… but you didn’t pull away.”

“I… I was surprised,” she admitted, cheeks warming. “But… I liked it.”

“I could tell,” he said, grinning. “That spark in your eyes… you didn’t need to say a word.”

Her heart raced. It was moments like these that reminded her why she loved him so fiercely.

*Later in the morning *

Kathy’s room buzzed with activity as her best friend Zoe Daniels moved in temporarily.

“Okay, okay, settle down,” Kathy said, laughing as Zoe dumped her backpack on the bed and flopped onto it dramatically.

“I need this,” Zoe said, looking around at the small chaos of Kathy’s room. “A break from my dorm. Everyone’s insane there.”

Kathy grinned. “You sure you can handle my mess?”

“Please… I’ve survived you before,” Zoe said, rolling her eyes playfully.

The two friends spent hours unpacking, moving books, swapping dorm snacks, and gossiping.

“You’ve been smiling a lot lately,” Zoe teased, nudging Kathy. “What’s going on? Nelson?”

Kathy laughed lightly, blushing. “Maybe. He called me early this morning… video call.”

“Hmm…” Zoe said, smirking. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re giddy.”

Kathy rolled her eyes. “I’m not.”

“You totally are,” Zoe said, laughing. “And don’t even think about denying it. I know my best friend.”

By midday, Kathy and Elena Cruz were sitting under a tree outside the lecture hall, sharing snacks. Their friend Jordan Brooks sat nearby.

“So… any new guys in your life?” Kathy asked casually.

Elena shook her head. “No… just busy with studies.”

Jordan leaned in, grinning. “Don’t lie. You’ve been walking with someone.”

“Who?” Elena asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kathy smirked knowingly. “The tall guy in the math department right?”

Elena laughed, brushing it off. “We’re just friends, really.”

Jordan and Kathy exchanged a glance. “Sure, friends…” Kathy teased. “Keep telling yourself that.”

"By the way where is Ryan"?. Kathy asked looking around for any signs of him.

"He had something to attend to, so he's not coming out this afternoon". Elena replied

"Oh ok, I was just concerned that's why I asked". Kathy said.

Later in the afternoon, Kathy called her mother.

“How’s school, baby?” her mom asked warmly.

“Good, Mom,” Kathy replied, smiling softly. “Classes are fine. Busy, but manageable.”

“That’s my girl. Are you eating properly? Sleeping enough?”

“I’m fine, Mom. Don’t worry,” Kathy said. “Just a lot of studying and adjusting to the hostel.”

Her mom chuckled. “Okay… just remember, your heart matters too. Don’t rush into anything, make good choices.”

“I know, Mom,” Kathy said, feeling comforted. “I’ll be careful.”

Hundreds of miles away, Nelson stared at his phone, gazing at Kathy’s smiling picture on his wallpaper. He ran a hand over his face, exhaustion clear in his posture.

Work had been relentless. The new project he had been assigned required near-constant attention: long hours, back-to-back calls, problem-solving under pressure. Every time he tried to focus, thoughts of Kathy surfaced, distracting him, making him ache for her presence.

His cousin Darius Payne entered the small office, holding two coffees.

“Still staring at that phone, huh?” Darius teased, nodding toward the image of Kathy.

Nelson didn’t look up. “I can’t help it. Every time I see her smile… it kills me a little not being there.”

Darius leaned against the desk. “Man, she’s lucky. Most guys wouldn’t care half as much. You’ve got her heart wrapped up in your mind, huh?”

Nelson finally looked up, eyes weary but soft. “I do. And it’s not just the heart… it’s the little things. Her laugh, the way she scrunches her nose when she’s annoyed, how she talks when she’s passionate about something… it’s all consuming.”

Darius raised an eyebrow. “And work?”

Nelson exhaled sharply. “Work is… brutal. Deadlines, clients, management. I’ve barely had time to breathe. And the long distance… it’s the hardest. I hate missing out on her life.”

Darius placed a hand on Nelson’s shoulder. “Then fix it. Move back. Be with her.”

Nelson’s gaze fell back on Kathy’s picture. “I am. I’m planning it. Sooner rather than later. I want to see her, hold her, be part of her everyday life again. She deserves it… and I want it too.”

His hand rested on the phone. His thumb traced the outline of her face, heart pounding. “I’m not letting this distance ruin us,” he murmured.

The office clock ticked on, deadlines looming, but in that quiet moment, Nelson allowed himself to feel — exhaustion, longing, love, determination. Every ounce of him ached to be near her.

Back in the hostel, Kathy lay on her bed, Zoe beside her.

“You’re quiet,” Zoe observed. “Thinking about him?”

Kathy smiled softly. “Maybe a little. Video call this morning… made me miss him.”

Zoe nudged her. “See? I told you. You’re head over heels. But it’s cute.”

They chatted for hours, gossiping, joking, and sharing small secrets. Zoe’s presence grounded Kathy, helping her organize her thoughts.

Meanwhile, a little seed of doubt spiralled into her heart, which she quickly pushed aside. Her heart was with Nelson — always.

And as she drifted to sleep, Kathy imagined Nelson on the other side of the screen, smiling at her, loving her fiercely — and she let herse

lf be comforted by that love, unaware of what tomorrow holds for her.