I was nervous about the presentation even though I had gone over my flash cards for probably the umpteenth time. I smiled in gratefulness towards my old thesis guide who had taught me to prepare flash cards before any presentation and never once had it failed me.

'Salome Pathros', called the tutor and I made my way to the podium.

As I plugged in my flash drive, I caught the auditorium door open from the corner of my eye and in walked Ethan along with Aravind. Somehow I felt safe knowing that they were here but mostly that he was here and I remembered Sumi's words, 'an ally'.

Ethan flashed his rare smile combined with a wink and I was ready to take the stage.

'Good afternoon, the topic I'd like to introduce as my thesis subject is Sacral architecture- The genesis of spiritual spaces and their relevance in society'

I could already see the panel of tutors perk up at the debatable topic but I had made sure to choose my words wisely and turn the whole topic around to human psychology. How any space could be turned in sacral architecture as man first found spirituality in forests and mountains.

As I spoke I realized that I'd never stray away from relating human emotions to architecture. Maybe I was adamant with the topic because whatever I learned in the past was devoid of human emotion and merely a load of brick and concrete.

Just as I was about to explain how the human mind perceives sacral spaces, a teacher's assistant came in with a notice and I couldn't even pause because the timer was still running. If they didn't listen, my whole presentation would collapse because this was the pinnacle point and without thinking my eyes flew to Ethan who was drinking in every word I said and there was concern on his face as well.

Fear crept up on me but I pushed it down with the help of my nails digging into my wrist as if it were grounding me in reality against the anxiety which was threatening to throw me down. I kept speaking and finished just before the bell and waited patiently for their comments but before they began one of the tutors asked, 'Does the audience have any questions?' and the panel turned around to the almost empty hall.

A single hand went up followed by Ethan's voice, 'What do you mean by this amalgamation of spirituality and materials in our daily lives like a sacral space?'

I couldn't believe my ears, he had asked a question about the part they hadn't heard.

'As an architect, you have to create an unforgettable image for an experience of both the tangible and intangible, one that can be perceived by the senses and others beyond the senses. This is what this topic explores, how architecture is more than a shelter or symbolic artifact. That man has been using space to create an identity for the unknown since he realized that there was a higher power; How we can bring this even into office spaces or homes or even better hospitals. Imagine getting the answer to build a space that recharges you and that it doesn't always have to be a religious structure', I answered confidently and watched as the panel nodded their heads in unison.

'You may proceed', was all that they said.

'You don't have any questions?', I asked stunned.

'That answer you gave was enough', replied one tutor and I bit my lip in excitement.

The second I got off the stage I made my way towards my friends who clapped at me and I couldn't help but laugh.

'You were great', said Aravind and I smiled at him because compliments always made me lost for words.

'You did well', said Ethan.

'You saved me there. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't asked that question', I said and felt my heart thunder against my chest and all I wanted to do was hug him but I restrained myself from doing so.

'I know how it feels like to have people not listen. It's always good to have some support when you're doing a topic presentation', he said and I sighed out in relief but froze a bit as my mind did a rewind of what he said, 'support'...Ally.

I looked at him and wondered if this were some kind of sign but I quickly came back to my senses when Nadia attacked me with a hug.

'You were awesome!', she squealed and I grinned at her.

'And I have some exciting news', she said and I looked at her intrigued.

'You're up for another compering and  I'm pretty sure after this presentation they'll definitely want you to do it', she said out of breath.

'Whoa, take it easy, Nadia. What's got you so excited?', asked Aravind.

'Yeah', I said amused at her thrill.

'Pierce Pharaoh is coming to MG this week!', she squealed.

'And they want me to host it?', I asked bewildered and she nodded with a little jump.

'Oh my gosh!', I exclaimed and it was my turn to feel ecstatic.

I looked at the guys and found Aravind with a very amused expression while Ethan looked like he had been slapped.

'Are you okay?', I asked and Ethan blinked at me.

'When is he coming?', he asked dazed.

'This Friday', replied Nadia.

'Well I know where I'll be this Friday', he mumbled and Aravind chortled.

'Oh, you're a fan too? asked Nadia.

'Oh he's his No.1 fan', cackled Aravind while Ethan shook his head.

As Ethan drove me to the library I was determined to ask him why he had reacted that way to the famous architect.

'Do you not like Pierce Pharaoh', I asked and he sighed.

'I knew you were dying to ask', he scowled and I shrugged.

'Why do you like him?'

'I asked first', I countered.

'I'll answer once you answer mine', he replied stubbornly and I rolled my eyes at his childishness.

'Well, I don't like him, well not as much as Sumi does. She basically fangirls over him', I said shaking my head.

'As in your best friend?', he asked and I hummed in response.

'How does she know him enough to fangirl him? It's not like he's a celebrity or anything ', he said.

'Oh she works at his firm, she got his scholarship', I answered and that made him look at me.

'She must be brilliant to have won that scholarship', he said after a while.

'She's the epitome of brilliance', I smiled proudly and he simply nodded.

'How do you know about the scholarship that way?', I asked.

'It's a famous one. A lot of applications come in and having studied in London I've heard about it', he said.

'I found it strange though. It was a new scholarship program. It was like it was made for her just when she was losing hope', I said remembering how gutted she had felt back then.

'I guess things happen', he shrugged and I couldn't help but notice how guarded he sounded.

'Why do you look like that?', I finally asked tired of beating around the bush.

'Like what?'

'Uncomfortable'

'I am not'

'You're a pathetic liar as well', I said and he looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

'No, I'm not, well not as pathetic as you. Pharaoh Associates is a well-known company and I happen to have contacts there. That's all', he said.

'I see. I talked to Sumi this week and she was excited about how she got to work directly with Mr. Pharaoh. She's head over heels about him', I laughed remembering the conversation.

'Oh yeah? Why?', he asked.

'She has a crush on him', I grinned.

'The man is over 50', he said distastefully.

'She said so too but I was like she has a chance because he's single and that they could just get rid of the son-'

'Get rid of the son?!', laughed out Ethan that he slowed down as if to recollect himself.

'Yeah she said he was a complete dick so-', but I stopped once I saw Ethan's flabbergasted expression.

'SHE WHAT?!', he asked increasing his accent to 100%.

'Is he your friend or something?', I asked nervously.

'Sort of', he mumbled and continued to drive in his usual speed.

'Well she met him last year', I said and watched him flinch.

'I'm gonna assume you're family friends or something and just stop', I said and looked straight.

'No, no- It's just that- I'm not used to hearing things like that about him', he sighed.

'Oh, well I guess he's a nice guy seeing how worked up you are', I said

'He's a decent man. Not a lot of people know but I guess it is partly his fault', he shrugged.

'Well maybe if he shows up this week with his Dad, you can introduce me. I'm actually quite excited to see the man in person after hearing how handsome he looks', I mused and he looked at me with a scrunched up disgusted face.

'What?', I asked confused.

'He's not that handsome'

'Sumi says he looks like David Beckham', I shrugged.

'Oh you did not just compare that old man with Beckham', he scoffed.

'Not my words', I said with a show of hands.

'In my opinion, his son looks way better and besides that's what everyone says', he said smugly.

'We'll see', I said and from the corner of my eye I caught him with his amused grin.