UNSEEN CRACKS
1643 Words
Cecilia followed the direction of Vivian’s gaze as naturally as a shadow follows light….
Her eyes landed exactly where she knew they would…on Victor, sitting at the far end of the classroom with the same arrogant slouch he wore like a badge of honor….
He was hunched over his phone, tapping away without a care for the Dean or the ceremony they had all waited years for….
Not even the promise of graduation could pry his attention from the glowing screen in his hand….
Rolling her eyes in disgust, Cecilia muttered under her breath, “Typical….”
The Dean of Business Administration, Mrs. Viza Victoria, stood near the front of the room with composed elegance, her posture straight and commanding….
Her reputation for fairness was matched only by her impeccable poise as she addressed the hall filled with restless students….
“So, these are the students who are…” she paused briefly, adjusting her tone with practiced grace. “…permitted to walk the stage and receive their certificates during the graduation ceremony….”
She continued with a serene smile, her voice both warm and authoritative. “Everyone is welcome to attend, but only the students I’ve named will be formally acknowledged on stage….”
A polite round of applause rippled across the room as she concluded, her expression glowing with dignity….
Then she gave one final nod and turned to leave with the elegance of a woman who ruled her space effortlessly….
But before she could reach the door, Victor’s voice sliced through the classroom like a sudden blade….
“And why didn’t I hear my name?!” he shouted, rising from his seat with fury burning behind his eyes….
Heads turned, some in surprise, others in amusement, but Mrs. Viza paused only because it was courtesy, not fear….
She turned slowly, her calm expression unmoved by his aggression….
“Mr. Fren,” she said, her tone firm but not unkind, “your name isn’t on the list…. you can verify this on your student portal…. if it’s a technical issue, you may report it, but do understand this list has been reviewed several times…. errors are unlikely….”
She then exited with finality, letting her heels echo the end of the discussion….
Victor cursed under his breath, his pride crumbling beneath the weight of reality he refused to accept….
Slamming his chair back, he stormed out of the classroom with the fury of a man who believed the world owed him success….
Vivian’s heart lurched instantly, and she grabbed her bag without thinking….
She hurried after him, her pulse racing in panic, desperation, and unspoken fear….
“Victor!…. wait…please, just stop for a second,” she called as she chased him down the corridor, breathless and trembling….
He stopped abruptly, spinning around with a glare sharp enough to cut through the air between them….
“What?!” he snapped angrily, his voice echoing off the walls….
Vivian swallowed her fear and tried to calm him with a gentle tone. “Calm down, baby…. this isn’t the end…. you can try again next year…. it’s not too late….”
“What the hell makes you think I need your pity?” he barked, stepping closer with simmering rage. “Do you think I need your pathetic words of encouragement?…. do me a favor and shut up!”
Vivian flinched at the venom in his voice, her heart tightening as if squeezed by an invisible hand….
“I’m sorry…. I didn’t mean it like that,” she whispered in a trembling voice, her eyes growing glossy with unshed tears….
Victor exhaled sharply, his posture softening just enough to look convincing….
“Fine…. I forgive you,” he muttered, almost reluctantly, as if granting mercy he believed she didn’t deserve….
Vivian’s face brightened instantly, relief washing over her like sunlight breaking through clouds that had long been dark….
She reached for his hand, hoping for warmth, but he pulled away before their fingers could touch….
“Now,” he said coldly, “where’s the money you promised?”
Vivian blinked, startled by the sudden shift. “Victor…. relax…. I already sent you some…. after the graduation my dad will give me more…. you just have to be patient….”
Victor scoffed with disdain, stepping farther from her as if her presence irritated him….
“Don’t tell me what to do…. if you don’t have the money, just say it…. don’t feed me empty promises…. when you have it, you talk to me…. until then, leave me alone….”
He turned and walked away, leaving Vivian standing there, hollow and stunned by the coldness she kept pretending not to feel….
She remained frozen for a moment, pain tightening her chest like a rope pulled too hard….
Then she heard a voice she knew too well….
“I thought you’d gone already,” Cecilia said, adjusting the strap of her handbag casually….
Vivian wiped her eyes hurriedly and turned to her. “Uh…yeah…. I was just waiting for you,” she lied with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes….
Cecilia raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Waiting for me?…. since when?…. don’t lie to me, Vivian….”
“Come on, Ceci…. don’t make this into a thing,” Vivian pleaded softly….
“I’m not,” Cecilia replied coolly, her tone steady but distant. “Besides, I’m going to pick up my graduation outfit…. Mom said everything’s ready….”
“Wait, let’s go together,” Vivian suggested quickly. “I want to greet your mom…it’s been ages….”
“No need,” Cecilia replied calmly. “I’ll send your regards…. you’ll see her at the ceremony….”
Vivian frowned, confused and hurt. “Since when did you start extending greetings on my behalf?…. are you avoiding me?”
Cecilia stopped walking and turned to face her directly, her expression unfiltered and honest….
“Fine…. you want honesty?…. I don’t want to be known as the friend of a girl who’s blindly in love with a guy like Victor…. it’s embarrassing, Vivian…. people think I’ve lost all sense if I can’t talk sense into my best friend….”
Vivian’s voice cracked as she fought the rising ache in her throat. “But you always told me not to care what people say…. now suddenly you do?”
Cecilia’s face softened, but not enough to hide the frustration beneath it….
“I did say that…. but this…. this is too much…. even for me….”
She turned and walked to her car with steady steps, unlocking it with a quick motion that hinted she was trying to leave before emotions held her back….
Vivian hurried and planted herself in front of the vehicle, blocking the path like a desperate human barricade….
“Run me over then,” she said dramatically, tears threatening to escape. “Either you go with me, or you run me down….”
Cecilia shook her head with a tired, half-amused smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes….
She opened her car door, tossed her bag inside, and with one smooth maneuver, swerved around Vivian, avoiding her without hesitation….
Vivian gasped and spun around instantly, her determination igniting like a flare….
She pulled out her phone, activated the location tracker she had set on Cecilia, and followed it with unwavering focus….
Back at the Dary residence, the evening sun painted the patio in warm gold, casting long shadows over the neatly arranged furniture….
Mr. Dary sat beside his wife, sipping his drink as he admired the slow dimming of the sky….
“Our daughter’s all grown up,” he said with a proud smile. “Just yesterday she was in crèche…. now she’s graduating from the university….”
Mrs. Dary’s eyes glistened with emotion as she watched the horizon soften. “It happened so fast,” she said quietly. “I still remember when she said ‘Mama’ for the first time….”
Mr. Dary chuckled, though there was sorrow at the edges. “She’s going to get married soon…. that’s my biggest fear…her leaving us….”
Mrs. Dary looked at him curiously, sensing a deeper thought behind his words. “Do you have someone in mind for her?…. or will she choose on her own?”
He shook his head firmly. “Absolutely not…. she’s not picking for herself…. today’s generation makes reckless decisions…. she’ll only end up with a man who’ll hurt her….”
Mrs. Dary felt a sharp pang of worry, knowing he had unknowingly described the exact mistake their daughter was already making….
“What kind of mistake are you afraid of?” she asked softly….
“The kind that haunts you for life,” he replied, staring at the fading sun as though he could see the future he feared….
Inside the house, Vivian stood in Cecilia’s room, admiration softening her entire expression as she gazed at the graduation gown….
“This is so beautiful…. it’s a masterpiece,” she said with awe that sounded childlike despite the weight on her heart….
“I can sew one for you if you like,” Regina…Cecilia’s warm and motherly figure…offered with a gentle smile….
Vivian blushed shyly. “Thanks, Mom Regina…. but I think I’ll just get a ready-made one…. it’s less stressful….”
Regina nodded kindly. “Alright, dear…. and congratulations to both of you…. I’m very proud….”
“Thanks, Mom Regina,” both girls said in unison, sharing a brief hug that felt heavy with unspoken truths and wounds neither of them had the courage to acknowledge….
In that one moment, wrapped in family warmth and quiet ache, Vivian felt the sting of heartbreak, the weight of choices, and the fragile comfort of belonging all blend into a memory she would never forget….
And though she didn’t know it yet, the cracks beneath her life were widening….
Slowly…. silently….
Beyond repair….
- Writer
