Ropes of Love

By Ligia Seman

Only the love that comes from God and rests in the hearts of the lovers makes their love durable, eternal.

Heading toward Relu, the young man noticed his perfectly tailored gray suit, which made him look better than ever. In the end, he deserved to look this good, especially now as he decided to marry Anca, he thought. Everybody else was l

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Sep 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781640889880

Book preview

Endorsements

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a writer who can skillfully describe the experience of God’s presence and His love through poetic dimensions of emotions is more than a painter. Such artistry and passion came together in Ligia Seman’s book with the meaningful title, Ropes of Love, in a most captivating way that very few authors accomplish these days. Her unique gift of bringing the reader to a canvas which comes to life with every page turned is truly remarkable. In a society where believers in many situations are seen as abnormal, Ropes of Love is full of sensitivity and richness of knowledge of the responsibility that lies before mankind.

—Steven V. Bonica, chief editor and publisher, Romanian Tribune Newspaper, Chicago

Ligia Seman is indisputably the spearhead and the most prolific author of evangelical prose.

—Dorin Dobrincu and Dan Monastery, Evangelical Man—An Exploration of Romanian Protestant Communities, Polirom Publishing House, Bucharest, 2018

An exceptional book that reveals the character of God by bringing light and hope into hearts full of darkness. In the middle of a suspicious society, the faith is flourishing, love becomes unwavering, and it does triumphs. The hate fails because the love of God overcomes the lie. It is a great book with purpose to teach us how to love with kindness…even our enemies.

—Christina Olariu, editor, Alfa Omega TV

Ropes of Love is a beautifully written novel with an enormous potential to change the reader’s life. Those who have read the book could learn about their Savior and be motivated to follow Him. It’s a book which put in evidence the role of book of books. It is impossible to read this book without falling in love with Jesus Christ.

—Ioan Ciobota, writer and editor, Voice of Gospel radio

This book is a complex novel about God and our existence. It is a captivating novel with affectionate intrigue that keeps the reader in excitement and makes him do not interrupt the reading. This book is remarkable by its beauty. It is real with power to heal wounds and renew thoughts. Nothing in this book appears to be controlling or under obligations. Everything is spontaneous, bright, and real—exactly as genuine ropes of divine love. It is one of the best books I’ve read. I would recommend it for all types of readers.

—Octavian Curpas, journalist and editor, Phoenix Magazine

The author transfers readers to the story’s settings through imaginative appeals to the senses. There is a satisfying depth to her portrayal of the characters’ personalities, motives, moralities, and conflicting emotions. I like the fresh way she conveys Christian concepts. Example: His hope, though as frail as a snowdrop flower blooming beneath the snow, enabled him to see beyond what he saw.

—Elma (Martens) Schemenauer, author of many books

published by Canadian and international companies

The author has a special gift to relate to the readers the need to grow closer to God and accept the challenge to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. She has the ability to illustrate with words and carefully consider the spiritual journey that leads to maximum fulfillment. The readers are enriched intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Great work for the kingdom!

—Petru Amarei, president, Romanian Television Network, RTN Chicago TV Channel

Reading the book, Ropes of Love, by Ligia Seman, you will find on her pages not only noble souls but heart that burns to save the people for God. On its pages, you will meet martyrs from the communist regime system of whom people of our world are not worthy. You will find in this book a sincere hope, the beauty of eternity, which belongs to God and which He wants to share with us, human beings. I would recommend this book, and I am sure that after reading it, you will thank God and the author, Ligia Seman. I am assured that you will want to share what you have found in this book with others.

—Ilie U. Tomuta, editor, Genesis Magazine, and director, Genesis Mission

As a young disciple of Christ, Ligia Seman brought confession of her faith not with music and flowers but with a knife at her throat! The message of this tragic celebration is transparent: Christ is more to me than my own life!

Confronted with the sanctity of this declaration that hand lost its grip and the knife fell to the ground! For Ligia, people’s lives are living books on her soul’s shelves, and once reading her book, you could never see the life again with the same eyes.

—Romanian Evangelist Nicu Butoi, Atlanta, Georgia

Preface

The essence of motivation for authoring this book might be expressed in one infinite word, love—love for God and love for those who need to know that they are loved.

I was born in a family that never knew about God’s love. My father was abusing my mother a lot, beating her to blood. When I was six, my parents got divorced. I was raised by my father, who didn’t know how to show his love, and a completely blind grandmother.

At the age of thirteen, because of many inferiority complexes, I had several suicide attempts. Then it was discovered that I had a rewarding talent in the art of writing, and I thought I would be able to heal inside of myself by writing. At fourteen years old, my name was mentioned in a newspaper, and I received several literary awards, but all of these did not fulfill my soul. After all, to use my talent and succeed as a writer, I had to exalt the communist regime at that time in my country.

During that period, I met a provincial lady. She introduced me to the Word of God, reading from a small Bible with yellowed pages and worn-out covers. Listening to her, I was deeply impressed that she was trying to convince me of the reality of stories from such an old book. What she was telling me sounded as an insult to a literate person. But God used that simple lady to change my life through His living Word.

After I invited Christ into my heart, my life was radically changed. He began to heal my deep wounds of my soul, and I began to clearly see the meaning of life. My conversion under communist regime involved many barriers in all areas of life. I was being persecuted in the literary field, in high school, and by everyone around me. My father, the only parent I had, stood up against me. He categorically stopped me to attend the church and had connection with Christians.

One night when I came back from church, my father followed me, and when I got home, he pulled out the knife and put it around my neck. He said that if I continue to disobey him, he would kill me. That night was one of the hardest nights in my life, but amazingly, I felt myself comforted and surrounded by a peace that I couldn’t express in words.

I heard clearly in my heart the words of Christ: Blessed are the persecuted because of righteousness. And anyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or a father or mother for my name will receive itself and inherit an eternal life. At that time, I could not imagine what God would do over years in my life, how He would turn the pain of my past into great sensitivity to understand what was truly in the souls of those who were persecuted choosing to live for Christ.

The novel, Ropes of Love, was inspired from a real story. I will never forget that February day of 1989 when my husband, with a deep sorrow, brought me the news about the early death of his precious friend. Only two months earlier, we had walked together on the streets of Timisoara, a university town in Romania. We were fascinated by his talk about the passion and love of young Christian students for spreading the Gospel in that city.

The funeral of twenty-one years old man marked me deeply, but I could not imagine then that that mourning event would be a starting point to put in writing this novel. As time passed, the tragic event was suppressed until that one day when the revolution in Romania resulted in the communist regime falling. Finally, we found out the truth that our friend was a victim of the old regime because of his evangelical work. That young man was a martyr. It was unveiled that many others paid with their lives for their unshakable faith. Then I had a time when I seriously made researches to gather as much information as possible on this subject. I spoke to many Christians who suffered because of the communist veto on believing in God, the life stories of people and their relatives who were involved in the Bible smuggling and reaching the people with God’s Word in Romania. After gathering enough information, I started writing this book.

The novel, Ropes of Love, is a Christian love story that shows that only love which comes from God and rests in the hearts of lovers is eternal. The fiction, embroidered on the canvas of real facts, is carried out in a university environment where a group of students with Christian moral principles are involved in an illegal distribution network of Bible during the communist regime. A few of them became victims of the old regime, sacrificing everything—youth, love, and life—for their great purpose that go beyond the world’s understanding.

God’s love rises above any human logic when instead of taking revenge and hate the enemies, Christian students find resources to forgive them. The only chance for healing the sick hearts of this world is God, and the people of God are ready to face the barbaric urges of their enemies with the agape love, regardless of the price they have to pay.

When I wrote this book, I couldn’t even imagine what impact it would have in people’s lives that it would become a bestseller. This book transformed thousands of lives. There are many testimonies of those whom God used for great mission of spreading the Gospel as they were marked by the life of young heroes from Ropes of Love.

It was one of the first books promoted by Christian radio stations in Romania and Moldova, two former Soviet countries from Eastern Europe. People would abandon all their business and listen to the daily story section. This book was considered as a special Bible of youth in Romania. On their Bible’s pages, they wrote quotes from the Ropes of Love.

It has been twenty-five years since the first edition of this novel was printed, and thanks to God’s grace, it continues to be successful. It is an honor and an infinite grace to know that this book will reach the American audience. I pray through this book that the Spirit of God may change many lives of young people and all readers regardless of ages. I believe that this book will help many people to meet Jesus and fall in love with Him, understanding the price that Romanian Christians paid in the socialist and atheist era. I have confidence that the readers will understand that the communist regime is hostile to every society. It leads to destruction of its future. Freedom is the greatest gift and privilege for us to express our faith and to serve our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Acknowledgments

Most of all, I thank Jesus Christ, my Lord, for the undeserved grace He gave me to write this book. I express my gratitude to all warriors of faith who became a real source of inspiration for this book—an example of dedication to all of us.

From the depths of my heart, I thank my wonderful family who has always been around me. To my husband and soul mate, Timothy, who deserves all my love and appreciation. To my loving daughters, Ruth and Rebeca, who appreciated my calling to be a writer, and they’ve always encouraged me in my journey.

I express my gratitude to wonderful people God has given to me so this book can reach the American audience. TBN publishing team, you have worked with excellence in editing this book, particularly Mark Mingle and Mellissa Mill who appreciated the value of this book.

Many thanks to wonderful translators, Theea Miculescu and Alina Moroi, for your outstanding work. Thanks to your excellent abilities, this book could be transformed in a new opera for speakers of English language.

I am grateful to my dear friend and editor, Tatiana Siza, for all your advice and assistance. You guided me through the whole process of editing, and I am so grateful for all your precious time, which was a special gift for me in this titanic work.

Thank you to all the English readers who motivated me to fight and made possible this book to reach the young people of millennials. I believe that the real-life story of commited-to-Christ young heroes will positively impact your lives.

With love and appreciation,

Ligia Seman

I led them with ropes of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.

—Hosea 11:4 (Berean Study Bible)

Right next to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, there was a cafeteria with a large dining room. For the past years, it has been used to host the annual festivity the students refer to as homecoming. Even though it was considered the most spacious room in the campus, it now, as all the students were present, seemed utterly petite. Tables filled with yet untouched sandwich trays, and deserts were placed on the sides. Refreshments were even more tempting because that late October was still pleasantly warm outside but suffocating inside with all those people.

Who would’ve thought that so many will show up—even more than last year, thought a young man who was struggling to find a way in. The young man was wearing a rather shabby black suit that featured an old-fashioned, slightly-too-small jacket he was visibly dissatisfied with. Self-consciously, he kept fixing it as he moved forward, completely convinced that he looked silly.

Either way, he wouldn’t let that insignificant detail ruin his evening. There was his friend Relu farther away. He had to run to him and take advantage of the fact that Relu’s fiancée, Anca, wasn’t there with him (somehow those were becoming rare moments). As the young man was heading toward Relu, he kept noticing his perfectly tailored gray suit, which made him look better than ever. In the end, Relu deserved to look this good, especially now as he decided to marry Anca, even though he still had two years of university ahead of him.

Mircea reached Relu. He might have managed to ignore his own lack of a well-tailored outfit if details like his new untamed haircut or the shortness of his jacket’s sleeve wouldn’t remind him of it. There was a short bizarre sound, and Mircea never felt more embarrassed in his life. With a shaking hand, he felt the side of his jacket and realized it just tore around the armpit. He gave Relu an uncomfortable look, but he didn’t seem to notice the incident. Everybody else was looking toward the stage as some freshmen girls dared to compete in the university’s beauty pageant. These girls caught Mircea’s attention as well. They were pleasant and funny as they conformed to all the challenges of the competition, invented by the faculty’s veterans. But as hard as he tried to unwind and focus on the competitors and their typical awkwardness and nervousness, he couldn’t. His smile was somewhat fake. Mircea felt alone, extremely alone. And even more so, he felt strangely inferior, a feeling he never experienced before. He felt the tear in his jacket once more. Was his new inferiority complex the core of his recent obsessions? He heard everyone else laughing and discussing about the girls in the competition. Relu and Anca, who arrived earlier, were sitting nearby, not necessarily interested in the beauty pageant but unequivocally happy together. Suddenly a whirlwind of strange thoughts seemed to pull Mircea away—away from everything he seemed to have ever been. This feeling made him quiver. No!

He looked at the stage once more, fighting his own thoughts so he could have a good time. He smiled, he applauded, he even talked to a colleague about one of the competitors, who was the colleague’s girlfriend.

But then Mircea saw Mirela Ardelean, and he knew it would be impossible to come to his senses. Mirela Ardelean was slender, tall, long-haired and blonde. He was desperately trying to convince himself that he is immune to feelings. Even though he never really loved Mirela, and actually broke it off with her recently for a silly reason that sparked a massive fight, he was now jealous of her new date. He was jealous because it all reminded him of how alone he felt. He looked at Relu and Anca again. Anca had big brown eyes, tanned skin, an intelligent expression, and black wavy hair. She seemed to him breathtakingly beautiful. Mircea marveled at his own thoughts as he felt increasingly jealous of Relu as well. He fought it, but in the end, he lost. His ego kept knocking at his memories like a hammer, and he let himself go.

Anca was an only child who had rich parents, rich enough to ensure her a carefree future. Relu didn’t care about material matters though; he genuinely loved her, and she genuinely loved him. It was the first time when Mircea realized he was feeling inferior, inferior to his friend. Maybe he has always been this way, but didn’t see it before. Relu was a revolutionary realist, a creative thinker, a brave man with deep insight. It took Mircea some time to get to know this guy and assimilate a little of his courage. But what is the point of idealism if reality was never to change even though we dream about it?

He didn’t bother with the stage anymore. He left the center of the room and was pleased to find an unoccupied chair. He felt briefly better as he sipped some mineral water, but reality was soon staring right back at him. Why must I always be inferior? he thought. Why don’t I come from money like Relu or his acquaintances? I don’t even own a decent suit! Mircea somehow started blaming his financial challenges for not getting closer to Anca in the beginning. Would she have found a shabby guy, one who could barely afford food and shelter, interesting?

But even though a wave of ambition came through him and pushed him to picture a better future, his egocentric thoughts didn’t get the best of him. He couldn’t think of Relu as his rival. Maybe it was his widowed mother’s influence, who always prayed to God to have an upright and moral son, even though he didn’t go to church that often. Maybe it was Relu’s friendship, trust, and honesty. But Relu didn’t care about Mircea’s suffering right now, and his mother’s primitive ideas didn’t help the fact that he was utterly miserable. Mircea felt entitled to try anything in order to get out of his mess and be on the same page with everyone else. Maybe even with one step ahead of them. He smiled to himself.

Then he caught sight of Stelian Stroie. Even though he had regressive hairline, pale skin, a round face, and a little bit of mustache, Stelian was a pretty handsome guy. But it didn’t matter to him how he looked like because his pocket was always full of cash. Mircea wondered why he despised Stroie so far, and it was because Relu despised him too. And not only Relu, but most people who didn’t know what he did for a living. But Stelian Stroie didn’t care. He kept going on, with a career-oriented mind. It didn’t matter that a few people considered him a backstabber. His conscience seemed not to bother him, and most importantly, his affairs were going well.

Mircea poured himself another glass of mineral water. He pushed a dessert tray aside and placed his elbows on the table. The sudden drive to become a somebody was growing ever so steady inside him. Funny enough, I would have died for my old beliefs a mere hour ago! But it makes no sense to defend and live by my mother’s ancient conceptions. They give me no advantage. All I have to do for now is wait. This is Stelian’s senior year, and afterward, the faculty of Electrical will need a new inside man as an informer for intelligence.

He got up from his table as everyone else rushed toward the stage impatiently. Mircea still felt lonely; but this time, he had a plan, so the darkness and the headaches were out of the picture. He didn’t even care about his ill-fitting, old-fashioned suit anymore. All he wanted was to compensate for his earlier gloom, dance, flirt, have fun. The pageant was over, and he met a lot of new girls.

Hey, Andrei! he shouted, spotting his new roommate. This one was a tall guy with a calm demeanor and sleek hair. Even though Mircea was actually envying his intelligence, he jokingly called him geek boy from time to time. Mircea admitted to himself that having the best student in the class as a roommate was an advantage. But who’s the other one? Mircea thought, noticing a funny-looking guy who was accompanying Andrei. As Funny-Looking Guy was stopping in his track to desperately look around and behind him, scanning the view, it was obvious to Mircea that he was looking for someone in particular and didn’t care much about doing it discreetly.

He seems a little too self-absorbed. I wonder why Andrei doesn’t point that out to him, thought Mircea as he approached them both because Andrei didn’t notice him. He was ready to mock Funny-Looking Guy anyway.

Hey, Mircea! Andrei hummed in surprise right as he bumped into his new roommate.

Hey, geek boy! You almost stepped on me right there. Luckily, you now have proof I attended this thing. Otherwise, you’d scold me the next day for having missed the beauty pageant.

They both laughed. The funny-looking guy stopped as well as the two chatted, but he still looked confused. As everyone else started dancing, Mircea noticed that the look on this guy’s face was the funny element; he was otherwise very well dressed. His suit was elegant, made of fine fabric, the kind his teachers wore on special occasions. He had thin-framed glasses that, combined with his oval-shaped face and pale skin, made him look very intellectual. Without notebooks, he could pass for a very studious assistant. At first, Mircea wanted to laugh at his expense, but now that he examined him more thoroughly, he was just curious to know who this guy was. Andrei probably noticed Mircea’s curiosity.

Sorry, I forgot to introduce you. This is Mihai Andreescu. We are such old friends I assumed you knew each other. We were close since high school and we still are, though we have less time to meet with each other.

Mihai Andreescu still looked distracted, thus indifferent and somewhat impolite. But they shook hands as he introduced himself. After that, he simply excused himself and left.

Mircea repeated his name in awe.

So this is him. I heard people talk about him, and I was dying to meet him. I was right to suspect he was important, he told Andrei.

His new roommate opened his eyes wide. What makes you say that? He is just Mihai, my friend, an ordinary student. Don’t tell me you’re going to act all timorous on him just because he’s the nephew of…never mind. Just treat him like you would treat anyone, like you would treat me, for example. Trust me, he’s a great guy! Many people think he’s stuck up, but he’s far from it. Yeah, he’s got everything including his own car, but material things didn’t spoil his nature. You don’t believe me now, do you? Andrei was obviously overreacting, but Mircea’s disapproving eyebrow was probably what made him overreact.

Of course, I don’t believe you! Mircea answered, then got a little closer to Andrei as he spoke in a lower voice, An ordinary student? His uncle is the head of Intelligence in this city. Do you honestly want me to believe you?

Andrei was boiling, but it wasn’t the first time someone was talking like this about his friend.

What does that have to do with his personal life? We have been friends for six years, and he never let me down. Nobody knows him better than I. Don’t jump to conclusions, please! Judge all you want, but try to know him first. He’s tired of people acting cold toward him. And he’s sensitive to it.

Mircea wouldn’t budge. The thought that a person could be born with a material advantage and still be sensitive (in Andrei’s exact words) at the same time didn’t match his preconceived ideas.

What does he study? Mircea couldn’t help but ask.

Medicine, Andrei answered down in the mouth, watching Mihai as he somehow managed to get caught up in a light-minded lot.

Doesn’t he ace all his exams?

Andrei nodded.

I knew it! See? How does he manage that if not by…?

Andrei didn’t answer. He knew it wasn’t true. Mihai was a good student, persistent, diligent. An undeserved grade was below his standards. But what was the point to explain it all to stubborn Mircea? This was not the place nor the time. The dubious entourage that engulfed Mihai was worrying him at the moment. Before rushing toward his friend, he just added, Mircea, you are not right, I can assure you. We will talk more about this, but now I have to go, excuse me!

Within seconds, Andrei reached them. There they were, in the opposite corner of the hallway. He knew those youngsters would get seats in the back then take out their alcohol-filled bottles, just like they did last year. Those troublemakers couldn’t follow rules at all. He reapproached Mihai.

Where to, my friend? Don’t tell me you’re going to join their little scheme, even though you’re both headed to the back. Tell me instead, did you find her? Where is she?

Mihai stopped. He looked intently at his friend. I feel like I’m going crazy. I was certain I will see her here. This is where I met her, you know? This place makes me really emotional. I hoped she would be late. Anyway, I should have known she wasn’t going to show up. Otherwise, she’d be on stage, hosting the beauty pageant because she was last year’s winner. She is never coming back…

As he spoke the last words, Andrei was certain he’d cry. Mihai was in love, but he was also in pain because of it. But was that enough reason for him to be so miserable and nostalgic? However, Andrei knew he couldn’t understand all of this as he had never been in love.

Mihai went on, Have you seen this year’s homecoming queen?

Andrei nodded, surprised of the redundant question. Both were there, watching the pageant up close.

Yeah, continued Mihai in a dreamy voice. She doesn’t even come close to Lia’s beauty. He stared blankly, his mind reconstructing a precious memory.

You are right, Andrei admitted. He didn’t exactly remember Lia’s flawless face, but he remembered everyone’s reaction, his included, last year as she stepped on stage next to the other competitors. Andrei felt back then like he’d never seen anyone more perfect. Of course, that impression dissolved for him. But not for his lovesick friend. And this, he feared, would cause Mihai a whole lot of trouble.

You were close to getting involved with those troublemakers. How could you be so careless? Andrei snapped back, overwhelmed with care.

Seriously? Didn’t it occur to you that I knew what I was doing but didn’t want to be careful?

Andrei felt puzzled. Mihai was right. The thought of his friend being intentionally lured into alcohol did cross his mind. But even though depression is a common reason to drink, he didn’t want to accept it. Mihai going so low? But he never got drunk in his life. Andrei knew him well enough to be certain Mihai wasn’t even curious about it, but now he feared Mihai might just fall into extremes. He had to prevent this!

It did cross my mind, but that would be the worst mistake you could possibly make tonight. I don’t understand how you could accept this idea as being a solution for an emotional problem. This is stupid! Don’t you know that it would take just one glass to knock you out and embarrass you in front of so many students? And for what? Can you prove to me that alcohol will quiet your mind? No, you can’t because it will actually cause you even more drama. Imagine presenting yourself drunk to your aunt and uncle!

Mihai was touched by the last words. He never considered the consequences; he only imagined being carried away from reality in a sweet haze, his senses numb. He never had a drinking experience, yet he obstinately hung on to this solution.

But then what should I do? Mihai gave in.

Wait. There are other places where you can see her. What if she were here and danced with some random guy like she did last year, ignoring you completely? Wouldn’t that have been worse?

Seeing her would have been enough. Falling at her feet, feeling her close to me…that would have made me the happiest man on earth, tonight and all week long and ever after.

Andrei couldn’t understand this for the life of him. He spoke like someone who lost his mind. He used to be all about his career. No girl ever meant anything to him until he met Lia last year. That girl really got to him. He never pictured his studious and driven friend to change so much and become so vulnerable!

You’re making a big fuss about this because you don’t know why she didn’t show up, right? What if you knew the reason? Maybe she was too tired because she had a long week. Or she went to visit her family. And the fact that she missed the opportunity to be here—maybe she is regretting it right now.

Mihai smiled because this issue pressed heavily on his shoulders. He didn’t dare suspect any reason.

But you know who can tell for sure? Andrei suddenly said.

Who?

Anca!

Who’s Anca?

Anca, her new roommate. She’s Relu’s girlfriend, Mircea’s best friend.

And you’ve seen this Anca here tonight?

Andrei felt relieved at the thought of finding a new mission. Anything to distract Mihai from the possibility of getting wasted.

Yes, she’s here. And I happen to know for sure that she’s also Lia’s roommate. They aren’t living together for long now, but you know girls. They connect quickly, tell each other stuff.

How can we ask her about Lia? Wouldn’t that look suspicious?

Don’t worry. She’s so head over heels with her boyfriend her judgment is even more clouded than yours, I think. Anyway, to each their own—wait! There they are! And Andrei showed Mihai a pair of love birds slowly dancing on the rhythm of a soft tune.

Mihai shuddered. It was their song—the song he waited for ever since the dance began. Not this year’s dance but last year’s, ever since that homecoming. This was the song still playing in his heart, that bewitched him and made him, for a few minutes, the happiest man on earth. The song made him remember her heartbeat, her body close to him, her warm breath, her stretched arms that grabbed his and took him far away from reality. The closeness, him trembling with happiness. Mihai got lost in daydreaming. As he watched Anca and Relu, he pictured himself and Lia instead. A voice that sounded like Andrei’s was threatening his fantasy.

No, please don’t bother them, Mihai said softly because he didn’t want to leave his evanescent alternative reality.

I don’t recognize him anymore, Andrei complained to himself. What is the problem with him?

A few girls giggled as they watched Mihai admiring the lovers as if he’d never seen a couple before.

Poor guy! Andrei heard them talk. Maybe he’s in love with that girl. Why don’t I ask him to dance?

Andrei shuddered. That would be the last thing Mihai needed. But somehow, before engaging only shortly in a dance, the music ended, and Mihai snapped back to his senses.

They sat down. Wanna join them now? Andrei noticed as he looked at Relu and Anca.

Mihai hesitated. Yes, he wanted to find out why his crush disappointed him by not showing up, but what if that information meant a new level of depression? Either way, he was too confused and curious. He had to try.

Yes, let’s go! Mihai said.

Hello, Relu. Andrei broke the ice as he stopped in front of the two. How would you describe tonight?

Charming, Relu answered, grabbing his partner’s waist as if she were the charming one.

Anca smiled with her flushed cheeks and tanned skin. She rested her wavy-haired head on his shoulder, which was her silent way of agreeing with Relu.

I’m glad, Andrei said, smiling back. This is my friend, medicine student Mihai Andreescu. At this point, Relu and Mihai shook hands while Anca stood still.

Andrei had no idea how to bring Lia up because he didn’t want to give away the fact that this conversation had only one purpose, so he started making small talk with Relu. As he forced himself to engage in the small talk, Mihai felt more and more miserable. He was obviously irrelevant there. And, oh, the dullness of their topics! Dorms, dorm rooms—as appropriate as such topics were among students, now was sort of not the time. But all this time, Andrei was slowly trying to bring Lia up naturally.

I heard you are sharing your dorm with a new roommate. How are you getting along? Andrei suddenly asked Anca.

She was taken aback. Well, fine, I guess. But then she looked Andrei intensely in the eye and added emphatically and slightly aggressively, But not too well.

Mihai bowed his head and looked at the ground because he sensed an argument coming and a lot of bad vibes along with it.

Andrei couldn’t help but wonder, Why?

Is it any of your business? she answered sharply.

No, but I’m just surprised and—

Oh, I see. Do you know her?

Y-yes, he stuttered, a little troubled by Anca’s reaction and a little afraid she might aggravate Mihai’s state of mind.

Well then, it means that you too had a crush on her.

Anca, please! Relu stepped in. He caressed her face with a gentle look, but she was unwavering.

I’m sorry this discussion got this far. Andrei began his withdrawal. I think we took too much of your time, and we should go.

Anca might just have killed to hear this a few seconds ago. She was bored of Andrei and eager to be left alone with her boyfriend. She would have smiled politely, and that would have been it. But now, strangely enough, she was fired up beyond limit, no smile and no politeness. Taking one step toward Andrei while letting go of Relu’s hand, she resumed, You did have a crush on her, didn’t you? There was hostility in her eyes.

Mihai felt as if a wave of head rose inside him. She addressed Andrei but faced them both, strange, menacing, as if the girl they talked about was to blame for the answer.

That’s a private matter, Andrei insisted.

Oh, I know exactly what kind of matter it is! She nodded.

Relu became more embarrassed, approached Anca, whispered something in her ear,