3. Two Souls Never Meet By Accident

the way he looks at her...

as if her smile is the only

thing that could possibly matter.

-butterflies rising

Thea’s point of view-

The rest of the day passed in a blur for me, despite trying my best to concentrate I couldn’t erase his smile from my mind. It was the kind of smile that would lit up a dark town, the kind of smile that would make the stars fade, when compared. I shook my head, asking myself to focus on the lecture but then remembered my mom’s keeping tabs on me whether I was studying or not and instantly, I was focused. The teachers were good and knowledgeable but none of them had that passionate fire in them like Professor Dawson.

Ugh, stop thinking about him and his beautiful smile.

Finally it was lunch time and the University had a big cafeteria with a number of tables and chairs and of course it was air-conditioned. I saw Lucy and Tobias, waving at me to come over. They had already kept a plate for me, I greeted them with a smile as I sat in the middle of the two. I saw a few professors sitting in the cafeteria as well. But my eyes were scanning for my now favourite Professor, as I finally saw him at the food line. He had taken his grey coat off that he was wearing in the morning. And was now wearing a plain white buttoned up shirt with his sleeves folded up to his elbows, the shirt was tight on him, showing off his athletic body. He was talking to a female teacher in front of him. I tried to compare the look that he had on his face at present with the face he had this morning.

Flashback-

“Because you remind me of a boy who also loved the subject with all his heart.” He answers, with a nostalgic smile.

“He must be really special then.” I said, blurting out my thoughts. Then I cleared my throat, slightly embarrassed, “Anyways, I will make sure to forward the details to others, as you want me too. I really should get going, I am running late.”

“Okay, thank you Miss Quinn.” He said, before walking back to his desk and sitting on his chair, starting to grade the papers.

I collected my stuff and before I could walk off to my next class, he called out my name as I turned my head. He looked sincerely guilty, “I wanted to apologise for this morning…for behaving like that.”

“Professor Dawson, you’re a really good teacher. You made my decision to come here worth it. So thank you.” I said, with a kind smile, before stepping out, feeling the butterflies in my abdomen.

Flashback ends

It was different, very different. He looked at me as if there was something worthy in me to look at; it kind of reminded me of my Dad. My dad always had that proud smile on his face whenever he was around his friends, he would show-off my achievements to all of them. Ugh, I miss him so much; I will make sure to pay him a visit during my summer vacation.

“You’re missing your Dad, aren’t you?” Lucy asks, giving me an empathetic smile.

I just nodded my head as both Lucy and Tobias hugged me as I chuckled. I love these two. Then we discussed all the classes we had and when I said that Professor Dawson isn’t so bad after all, both of them looked at me with a devilish grin.

“What?” I ask. Both of them exchanged a secret look while still grinning.

“You're talking about being impressed by someone, other than those fictional K-drama guys that you’re in love with.” Lucy said.

“Yeah, it’s a little hard for us to digest.” Tobias completed the sentence for her. And then both of them started to laugh, making me roll my eyes.

“You guys are the worst.” I said, with a pout.

“Is it just me or Professor Dawson is looking at Thea?” Lucy whispers.

I looked up, he was sitting a few tables away from us, all alone and Lucy was right, he was looking at me with an intense gleamy stare. I gasp slightly as our eyes meet, brown into brown as the world around me seems to halt around us. It was just me and him in our own world. I look away, trying to hide my smile and the blush rising up on my cheeks.

“Ooh, he is trying to hide his smile.” Tobias said, making me look at him and it was true, he was biting his lower lip to hide his smile but was failing badly. I hid my face by hugging Lucy, who just wrapped her arms around me while we all were giggly.

“Okay, but seriously, what is going on between the two of you?” Tobias asks, careful not to sound too loud.

I shrug as I looked at him, eating all alone though. I bit my lip, as I suggested for us to go and sit with them and they agreed right away. All three of us walked towards his table as Tobias asked if we could sit with him and he nodded with a smile. Lucy looked like she might faint after looking at his smile. He pulled the empty chair next to his, motioning me to take a seat next to him; I timidly settled down next to him as Tobias and Lucy sat right across us.

We talked a bit about the school, the teachers and our subjects, enjoying ourselves. He was not at all arrogant, on the contrary, he was quite the opposite, sweet, friendly and very open. Rather boasting about his subject, his knowledge he listened to my friends too with keen interest, while I watched and listened to him. My heart was doing flip-flops but I ignored it. The bell rang too soon and I scowled again, which again, didn’t go unnoticed by him, as he inches slightly closer, not too close, obviously.

“I will see you in tomorrow's class." He said, giving me a warm smile. To others it might seem like a normal sentence, but the way he looked at me, the tone, it felt more like a promise. I got butterflies as he excused himself first, while I sat there trying to process things.

------------------------------------------------------

I didn’t want to fall in love or need someone.

I really didn’t want anything. But then, you

appeared and I started wanting everything.

-Unknown

Kiernan’s point of view-

During lunch, I got to know her friends, Tobias and Lucy, they were both nice kids. Kids? Yes and that meant Thea was a kid too, also my student. As I was sitting in my office, working on my schedule for tomorrow and going through my reading materials, I was distracted as she consumed my mind, my very thoughts. I remember the eye contact, I remember the way she blushed and hid her face by hugging her friend. This isn’t how a professor and student should behave around each other. Being friendly was okay, but this…undeniable pull that I felt towards her and the way she felt it too and returned made it too hard for me to resist her.

I need to warn her; tell her and explain it to her how wrong all of this was. She is still young and she could get any guy she wants, a boy who deserved her kindness and her heart, who will not push her away, just like I am about to. That’s when my laptop pinged, showing a notification that I had received an email. I opened my email to check who it was from.

_________________________________________________________________________

From: queenthea@gmail.com

Subject: My email details and assignment query

To: Kiernan Dawson

Professor Dawson, it’s me Thea Quinn. I emailed you so that you would know my email and forward me details like you mentioned in the morning. Do we need to prepare anything for tomorrow? Also can you send me a list of the students and their email-id so I can make a group, which will make it easier for me to forward the details. Thank you in advance and on a personal note, thank you for believing in my passion for the subject. I hope I will live up to your potential and expectations from me.

Your student,

Thea Quinn.

_________________________________________________________________________

I read it again and again, mainly the words “your student”, what is she trying to hint at? That she is my student, in that way? Or is she drawing the line by saying that our relationship is just a chaste professor-student one and wants to deny that electrical chemistry between us? Whatever it is, being the older one, I should stay as professional as possible. We both know that it’s a risky game that we are playing. I don’t know what she means by those two words, but I should warn her off. So, I type in a response for her, hoping to make myself clear. And after pressing the send button, I instantly regretted it, it sounded so cold and distant but it was the right thing to do. And I shut my laptop off immediately, not wanting to see her response if she is in the mood to reply.

The next morning I had classes with Thea’s section towards the end of the day. I tried my best to focus on teaching the classes but there was a part of me that was longing to see her. To see her curiosity-filled, interested eyes and take notes of my lecture; I was eagerly waiting for her. Finally, the time arrived for my last class as I stood against the desk with my arms crossed, looking at the door as the students started filling in wishing me a good afternoon as I wished them back. And there she was walking with her head down, her hair tied in a high ponytail with a few fringes escaping and I was enchanted. She was wearing the same dress she wore the day I saw her for the first time. And just like that day, I was mesmerized by her as she passed in front of me, without glancing at me. Why is she not looking at me? And instead of sitting in front, she sat at the back. Then she finally looked up and I noticed the dark circle under her eyes.

Her soft beige skin looked a bit paler as well and her eyes were puffy as well. Did I really make her upset? She looked up at me but her expression was guarded, careful. She immediately looked away, as I began my lecture for today. She was concentrating and taking notes but she still didn’t look at me the way I wanted her to. I am just doing this for her.

No! You’re doing this for yourself, you coward.

The bell rang and before the students left I announced for them to check their emails that Thea will forward the notes, homework assignment etc., for the next two days. I looked up at Thea and she was still ignoring me. I asked her to stay back and she just frowned in response.

After the last student left, she walked down towards me, still not looking at me. She was holding her books tightly, hugging them close as she finally stared into my eyes, nervously.

“Thea?” She looks at me with wide, surprised eyes then it immediately changes into the same, guarded look.

“How can I help you, Professor Dawson?” She asks, her tone so formal.

“Why are you treating me like this?” I ask.

“I am treating you exactly the way you wanted me to.” She answers, finally putting her guard down.

“Thea, that’s not…”

“It’s Miss Quinn for you.” She thunders, “and if you don’t have anything important to tell me, I would like to go back home.”

And with that sentence, she left me hanging and I didn't stop because this was the right thing to do, her hating me. Two souls never meet by accident they say, if they only knew, the cost the consequences might have.