Page 41 of Storm
I gave her a curt nod.
“All our efforts will be saved. It’d be such a great help, right?” Rose added excitedly.
I forced a smile her way, as Aariz smirked at me from behind their backs and regarded me with softness. As if, he hadn’t just been flirting with my friends.
In addition, someone tell me, why do they call him Prof Aariz, instead of Prof Deewan, when they call every other Prof by his or her last name? Hmph!
I am so not going to apologize to him now.
Aariz locked eyes with me and went on,
“As I was telling your friends, I think a Professor and student should also be friends. Otherwise, you guys will always be reluctant in bringing your problems in front of us. The way, you all share your problems with each other, in the same way you must feel free to share your problems related to academics like notes and studies with us, so that we can help. Then only your results will improve.”
I nodded in agreement, although reluctantly, since he was right. Still, I could not stop grinding my teeth due to the dreamy look Rose gave at his every word.
“Since you guys are doing graduation in Political Journalism, all day you are taught by me and Prof Philip. It’s like we are all a family. So in order to raise your grades and help you all with any academic problems, Prof Philip and I both want you people to get a little informal with us.”
Ahaan! Why do I feel like he wants to get too close to comfort with both of my friends?
“See, it’s your last year, you have to work as hard on your studies as you can, instead of regretting after exams. Therefore, Prof Philip and I have decided that in order to help you guys, we'll provide you with important notes and reference books. We need your email ids, in order to email you any important notes as and when we feel necessary. And we’d also need your phone numbers.”
Now we are talking. Huh!
“Because, from now on, we’ll be arranging class-tests for you people, every other day. You guys will be informed about the tests via text. This way you’ll be able to stay in touch with us outside the college and will be more comfortable in sharing your problems with us like you do with your friends.” Aariz kept his eyes locked on me even after he had finished talking.
I am not going to fall into their drowning stormy-grey depths. No matter what!
I knew he was interested in screwing Rose. She was my friend. He was a good guy. I should have been happy. But I was so not! I did not want to think why. Here I was about to apologize to him and he...Arrghh!
“Prof Aariz, it’s not possible for her. You see, Sani and problem sharing can never happen. She doesn’t trust anyone so easily. But, since Professors are asking she’ll have to give her number. It’s for study related matters after all.” Rose chuckled.
Keeping the eye lock maintained, Aariz ignored her and went on talking to me as if; he had not heard her, “I'm sure you’ll do this for the sake of your future, Sani.”
Before I could open my mouth, he smiled at me with so much meaning and warmth, as if we were alone. Upon that, the twinkle in his eyes...Floored me, always.
As it was time for the lectures to begin, we all turned towards the classroom. I came out of that dreamy fog he had arrested me in and realized with utmost anger, ‘He is literally forcing out our numbers! Damn!’
In class, Aariz announced, “Everyone needs to write their email ids and phone numbers on a paper after classes today.” He pretended to add distractedly waving towards me, as I sat right in front of him,
“Sani should bring that paper to me.”
Lo, he trapped me! Announcing in front of the whole class, knowing I won’t be able to deny.
I did not even try to hide my scowl this time.
He grinned at me, as if my scowl, my glare was all amusing and fruitless.
Hah! I will also not budge. I will not go.
Everybody sincerely wrote their email ids and phone numbers on a paper, praising him as if he was a God sent angel, while I just rolled my eyes. They gave the paper to me.
Therefore, as my friends headed home, I marched towards his office muttering all the way,
‘How did I get myself into this?!’
God...Why couldn’t I budge in the face of all that charm he keeps throwing at me like free air?!
Reaching the fourth floor corridor, I knocked and went inside the office, to find Aariz sitting there alone doing some work on his laptop.
