Mr. Professor

Chapter 11

Pragya's view:

After classes I was making my way to Abhi's staff room. I was anxious. I'm not sure whether I should ask him that he's avoiding me or is it too early to assume as such? Because during the class he didn't pay any attention. It's not like he always smiles at me & treats me special in class. I have this gut feeling that he's avoiding me. My rational mind knows it must not be true. But my heart refuses to understand this. It feels like he had drawn an invisible line to keep me off of his boundary. One time he behaves like I mean something to him. And the other time he completely gives off some other vibes.

I subtly knocked on the door. Door was ajar. Abhi asked me to come in.

"Good evening sir" I greeted him politely. I wanted to know whether Abhi notices I called him 'sir' not 'Abhi'.

He looked at me quizzically for a second yet his mouth didn't utter a word. I sat down on the chair.

"Did you prepare the list of whoever is participating in the fest?" Abhi asked me. Calmness echoed in his voice.

"Yep! The paper is circulating throughout the departments. Day after tomorrow the list will be ready" I replied politely.

"So far how many people are participating?" he asked curiously.

"Well, I checked the list before coming here. So far 90 people enrolled themselves. The number is considerably big because we still have 2 days left" I responded.

"Wow! Just wow!" he was amazed with the numbers. And we started to discuss the other things.

A while later, "Okay Pragya, see you then. Bye!" he bid adieu to me & started to move out of the room.

What the hell? Wasn't he supposed to take me with him? My head became heavy with tons of questions regarding his behavioural change. I spoke.

"Wait! Aren't you taking me with you?" I questioned him.

"Nope! Why would I?" he retorted.

"WHAT??" I was startled & utterly confused with his behaviour. "How am I supposed to reach home then?" I wondered.

"Not my concern" he replied coldly.

I was taken aback by his response. After this he started to walk towards the parking lot. What have happened to him suddenly? Maybe my heart was right? Was he actually drawing an imaginary line to keep me off of his boundary? Or he doesn't want to get involved with his student? Or is he regretting the kiss? Alright! Everything aside. Reaching home safely is important now. I quietly followed him contemplating the choices of reaching home. As we reached the parking lot, I could see it was deserted. I thought to call Bhai. When he picked up, I explained to him that I stayed late & couldn't reach home alone. Thankfully he was on his way to home, so he asked me to wait. I saw Abhi revving up his engine. He didn't even glanced at me once. Before it was just head which was heavy. But I didn't feel any physical pain. But when my chest got heavy because of Abhi's behaviour now, I felt a pang in my chest. Maybe he was angry because Tanu still means a lot to him. Maybe I shouldn't have kissed him. Maybe I shouldn't have fallen for him. Maybe we both should've never came across each other's paths. And tears started to pour down without my concern.

I saw Abhi leaving me behind on the parking lot. My hands reached my wet eyes as a reflex action. When my blurred vision was cleared with the help of my hands, I saw Abhi again. He wasn't going away. He halted his bike near the gate. And stood by its side leaning over it. Took out his phone & started to use. I was dumbfounded by his behaviour. I don't know what he is doing now. Not sure why he halted his bike near the gate. I waited for more than 10 mins then again called Bhai. But he didn't pick up. I felt antsy.