Chapter 55

"What a man!" Monica was saying as soon as she saw Al-Ghazzal exit. "So simple yet quite knowledgeable. I've heard stories that although he was born in Syria, Professor Al-Ghazzal received most of his education in Britain and the United States of America, where he did his doctorate degree. He only attended primary schools in his native Syria."

"You're right," Gloria, who knew her friend, was fond of campus gossip, said. "University professors and great scholars are always like that."

"The man has ignited my interest in politics," Esau said. "I'm sure I'd like to continue studying political science the rest of my time at campus."

"I'll do the same!" Monica said.

"Well, I think we had better also think of leaving. We've stayed here long." Esau suggested, "But let's clear our bill for the food and drinks we took before we leave."

Gloria beckoned the waiter and signalled him for the bill. The waiter appeared with the bill. Esau took, examined it, and then fished out a roll of notes from his wallet.

"Take this, and let me have the change," he told the waiter.

The waiter took the money and retreated to the counter where the man who sat behind it was ready to write the bill. Then he returned with the change and gave it to Esau.

Esau watched him leave and said, "Well, ladies, what more is there to do here? Let's go!"

They walked slowly and lazily out of the restaurant into the street outside. Then, they hired a taxi, which took them back to the campus.

Outside the women's hall, Gloria suggested: "Let's go to my room and relax."

"What's nice up there?" Esau asked.

"Can't you guess what a lady may have for you?" Monica said smiling and added, "Well, let me leave you two love birds go your way as I go to my room. Be seeing you."

They watched her as she went along the path that led to her hall. Then Esau said to Gloria, "You were saying you have something good for me?"

"Precisely. I kept some drinks for you. Come and have it."

"More drinks when we have already taken too much?"

"It's not the kind of drink you are imagining."

"Oh, I see! Let's go then."

They went up the stairs and paused outside her room. Gloria fetched the key from her bag and opened the door. They entered the room, and Gloria closed the door. Esau was still standing when she said, "Sit down, darling, while I get the drink for you."

Then she opened her inbuilt wardrobe on the wall as Esau sat on the bed and watched her. He was pleased with himself for having found such a woman as Gloria.

A woman, he told himself, had to be nice, shapely, and intelligent. Gloria had all those qualities he sought in a woman.

Even as she was busy taking out the glasses, Esau stared at her big hips and well-shaped, long, and healthy looking legs.

"Have this," she said as she laid the bottle on the small table. "I kept this for you, my love."

It was a 750 ml bottle of High Life Sherry. Esau looked at it, smiling. Then he asked, "You mean you bought it for me?"

"Sure. But I wasn't sure whether you like wine. Most men prefer beer. However, since I take wines, I thought you'd also like it."

"Truly, I don't take wine," Esau said and saw her face falling. "But I've always seen my dad take wine in the house. I guess it's not bad trying. There's always the first time."

"Wine is good. It aids in digestion but should always be taken moderately. Excessive drinking of wine or beer is quite harmful."

"I'd hate to be a heavy drinker," he said and chuckled.

She poured the wine into two wine glasses. Then they toasted.

"To our love and future happiness," Esau said, smiling.

"And so be it!" She replied.

Each sipped their wine. Then Gloria asked, "How do you like Al-Ghazzal?"

"He's good. And a likeable man. He is a great scholar, quite considerate, seemingly very caring, and mindful of students. I personally liked him."

"He's alright." She said and added, "But have you noticed he's so much anti-west?"

"Yes, but he may be excused because he's a Muslim. Islam has always been antagonistic towards Christianity from its early beginnings. Since the West is predominantly Christian, it is only natural for such antagonism to be manifested," he replied.

"I heard some students saying he's so fast when lecturing that they can not get the facts as he talks. They also say that, like most PhD. scholars, he's quite snobbish."

"Well, I think that is a generalisation fallacy. Academic arrogance is a problem in many people. But remember, students will always complain in one way or another. Teachers can not please every student. The ones complaining must be those who can't grasp facts," he observed.

"Precisely," Gloria said. "Remember we approached him when we were not grasping facts, but he explained everything simply until we understood."

The wine was beginning to have its effects on them. Then she leaned closer to him as they sat on bed. He looked at her and saw eyes filled with love and passion. Their eyes met, and they kissed.

"Tell me something, Gloria. Do you really love me?"

"I love you more than anything else in the world, even more than I love myself."

"You've made me a happy man tonight, my love. I love you too and would do whatever you want."

Their bodies were now hot with desire. Temperatures had risen. Then gently, the two lovers gave themselves to each other with a passion they had not experienced in a long time in their lives, and fell asleep almost immediately as they lay in the quiet aftermath, their longing spent.