To the Professor, with Love (Complete)

Chapter 10

Sidharth lies down for bench press in the gym. After one set, he finds Paushali standing over his head smiling at her. He smiles back and gets up.
"You, here? I didn't know you come here."
"I joined recently. Do you come at this time?"
"No, I come in the evening. Today was a holiday and I missed my Jogging so.. By the way, it's nice to see you."
Paushali smiles at him and asks, "Will you meet for juice downstairs after your workouts?"
"Yea sure."

Both sit on a table and Sidharth orders two fresh juices for them.
After some random talks, Paushali asks, "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Who is Shehnaaz?"
Sidharth answers, "She works with me. She has joined the university recently in the History department. Why?"
"But you both seem to know each other well."
"She had told you, she was my student when I was in Delhi. We know each other well. Why are you asking?"
"Are you both in a relationship? Like a couple."
Sidharth stares at her and replies, "No. Paushali, what is it? Why are you asking such questions?"

Paushali takes a moment of pause and then says, "Do you know she loves you?"
Sidharth gives out a deep breath, "I know. She always had feelings for me. Not now but since the days I was her Professor. Listen, I know she was behaving like crazy that day. She is a little immature. I apologise on her side. She was a little.."
"Jealous? I could see. That's why I knew she loved you. But how could you let her feel like that? You should have stopped her when she told you about her feelings. You were her Professor."

Sidharth's face hardens, "I did what I had to then. I don't think I need to discuss that with you. I think I should leave now."
He is about to get up when she grabs his hand.
"Please Sidharth, I didn't mean to offend you. It's just that.. she was your student then but now she is your colleague. Don't get her hopes high, she will get hurt. Like you said, she is a little immature."
Sidharth stands there still, he releases her grip from over her hand.
"Paushali, why are you discussing this?"
"Sidharth, don't you understand why? You.. have hurt me before. I don't want to get hurt again."

Sidharth, unable to understand, asks, "When did I hurt ?"
"That day we were having such a great time and she came and destroyed everything. I had to leave because of her but you said nothing. And then you started avoiding me."
"I know she was behaving a little weird that day but what was I supposed to tell her? She didn't misbehave with you or something. And avoiding you? When did that happen?"

"You no longer come to the park to jog nor you call me. I had called you but you didn't talk properly."
"I wasn't well and have been busy lately. And the day you called I was in a meeting. Paushali, seriously I don't get it. We are just friends. We don't really hang out everyday or talk everyday. Then why these baseless allegations?"
Paushali's face turns serious. She nods her head.
"You are correct. We are just friends, not good friends but just casual friends. I am sorry if I crossed my limits. I should go."
"Paushali, stop. Listen to me.."
Sidharth tries to stop her but she leaves.

Shalini calls him that evening.
"Sid, neeche aye. (come downstairs) Your tea is ready."
"Hain jachi, (coming) just two minutes."
He closes his laptop and removes his glasses. He stands up to go downstairs when his phone rings. It's an unknown number. He picks up to hear an elderly lady's voice on the other side.
"Ke bolchen?(you is this?)"
"Ami Rituparna Sarkar. Paushali's Maa. Is Paushali with you?"
"No Kakima(aunty). She was with me in the gym but she left before me. Didn't she return home?"
"Na baba. She hasn't returned. Her phone Is switched off. Her brother has gone to look for her. It's so late. I am really worried for her."
"Don't worry. She must be there somewhere. I am going to look for her. I will call you back if I find anything."

Sidharth started looking for her in the gym and places near it. He searched every Cafe and restaurant near the gym but she was not there. He was crossing by the joggers park when he stopped. The park was still open but not many people were inside. He started searching for her inside. And after looking around he came across her sitting on a bench. She was still in her gym clothes and the bag was on the ground beside her.