Chapter Twelve: Countdown to Defense
Four days remained before the project defense. The weeks of disputes, subtle clashes, and unspoken competition had culminated into a tense, silent urgency that settled over the group like a storm ready to break.
Victor's attendance had been sporadic. He appeared when it suited him, reviewing outputs calmly but rarely joining the heated discussions that had dominated the last sessions. Lucas, for all his usual confidence, seemed restless. He had stopped challenging outright, choosing instead to focus intensely on his portion of the project, leaving a silence that spoke volumes.
I, as always, focused on the work itself. Notes were double-checked, figures recalculated, slides refined. Every section polished, every data point cross-referenced. My aim was simple: perfection. Nothing else mattered.
By the second day, tensions had softened into a strange rhythm. Words were measured, glances fleeting, but the undercurrent of rivalry between Victor and Lucas remained, quiet but palpable. I noticed it only in small moments: Victor lingering just a little too long over an adjustment, Lucas exhaling sharply before returning to his screen.
Fast forward to three days before the defense, and the preparation became almost mechanical. We met in the hall every day, sometimes together, sometimes separately. Victor reviewed certain calculations independently, Lucas finalized his sections with fierce concentration, and I focused solely on ensuring that every piece fit seamlessly.
No one spoke of the fights or clashes that had dominated the past weeks. It was as if the chaos had never existed—but the air remained charged. Bella, for her part, moved confidently among the group, occasionally glancing toward us, observing more than participating.
By the final night before the defense, the project was complete. Every figure aligned, every slide polished. I saved the final version, sending copies to the team and keeping a personal one for myself.
The group gathered briefly afterward. There was no laughter, no teasing, no heated exchanges. Only a quiet nod, an acknowledgment of effort from each member. We were ready.
When the day of the defense arrived, everyone followed their path. Victor presented his section calmly, impressively, though his sporadic attendance was noticed by the panel. Lucas delivered with precision, his usual boldness tempered by the weight of preparation. And I presented my contributions clearly, honestly, and confidently, careful to remain composed.
Afterward, with the defense concluded, the team dispersed. Victor returned to his own path, Lucas to his, and I walked back to my hostel with the quiet satisfaction of work completed. Bella lingered only briefly, offering smiles and polite congratulations, before moving on.
The project had ended.
The clashes, the sparks, the subtle tensions—they remained, but for now, the work was done. And for me, that was all that mattered.