CHAPTER 10:THE UNSEEN LENS
744 Words
The peace from last night shattered the moment I stepped onto campus.
The corridor went quiet.
Heads turned. Whispers bounced off concrete walls.
“Is she the girl in the video?”
“Yeah, that’s her! The library assistant they were fighting over last night.”
“Seriously? The guy in the SUV looked rich. But why was Reuben defending her?”
My stomach dropped.
I pulled out my phone.
Pinned at the top of the DMMMSU-MLUC Freedom Wall:
A video from last night.
Mark stepping out of his SUV.
Cornering me. Reaching for my wrist.
Then Reuben stepping in like a wall, forcing him back.
*Caption:*
_“SPOTTED: High-stakes drama outside MLUC gates! The King of Accountancy defends the Queen of Engineering against a wealthy outsider. Who is this mystery man? And what’s the real score between our two top scholars?”_
The comments were a warzone.
Some swooned over Reuben.
Most called me a gold-digger. A manipulator.
My hands trembled.
Mark’s ambush was bad enough.
Now my trauma was campus entertainment.
Worse—I dragged Reuben’s name into it.
I shoved my phone away. Walked straight.
Ignored the stares until class ended.
Then I got the text:
_Office. Now. Both of you._
Reuben was already there when I pushed the door open.
Calm. Unbothered. Watching the video on Ms. Santos’ laptop.
“Malia, Reuben,” she said, voice more worried than angry.
“This video is gaining traction. You know how strict the university is about public disturbances involving scholars. I need your side.”
I opened my mouth to take the blame.
“Ma’am, it was my fault. The man in the video is—”
“Ma’am, it was harassment,” Reuben cut in, steady and calm.
“The man is an outsider from Manila harassing her. Malia already declined him.
He ambushed her at the gates. As her partner, I intervened to keep her safe.”
I stared at him. The speed. The precision.
“Is this true, Malia?” Ms. Santos asked.
“Yes, Ma’am,” I said, keeping my voice steady.
“I warned him to leave me alone. Reuben did nothing wrong. He protected me.”
Ms. Santos nodded, relieved.
“I believe you both. I’ll file an official report so you’re protected if the Dean calls.
For now, ignore the noise. Focus on your studies.”
The moment we stepped out, I grabbed Reuben’s sleeve and pulled him into a quiet alcove.
“Reuben, why did you do that?” I whispered, anxiety sharp.
“You should’ve let me explain! What if this ruins your Magna c*m Laude?
You can’t afford a disciplinary mark!”
He looked down at me, soft smile breaking through.
Stepped closer. My heart skipped.
“Malia, look at me,” he murmured.
“I told you last night I wouldn’t leave you to face this alone.
I’m an Accountancy student. My job is to balance the ledger.
And in this situation? A Latin honor means nothing to me
if it means letting you get hurt.”
I froze.
Ten years of walls I built—cracking.
He’d risk his perfect record. For me.
“Reuben…” I breathed. “You shouldn’t say things like that so easily. Nakakatakot pakinggan.”
He chuckled low, tapping my cap gently.
“Hindi ko pinapakapalan ang mukha ko, Malia. I’m just stating a fact.
Now look at you—you look like you’re about to solve a thesis problem. Breathe.”
I forced a laugh. Shoulders loosened.
“Sige na nga. Sobra ka na mag-comfort, baka lumaki ang ulo ko.”
“It suits you,” he said smoothly, checking his watch.
“Shift starts in five. Ready na ang Queen of Engineering na harapin ang tsismoso sa labas?”
I looked past the shelves. Students were watching. Whispering.
The gossip wouldn’t die in a day.
Mark’s threat still lingered.
But with Reuben beside me, it didn’t feel paralyzing anymore.
“Ready,” I said, standing taller.
“Let them whisper. Hindi naman nila alam ang totoong kwento.”
“Ganyan dapat,” he said, stepping out first to clear the way.
We walked back to the desk side by side.
They wanted a show.
We gave them work instead.
Reuben opened his ledger. I booted up the log.
If the university wanted drama, fine.
This time, I’d engineer a different ending.
One where I don’t lose.
And I don’t walk alone.
- Writer
