Two Worlds Apart 🥀

Chapter 12: Hakan is in trouble.

"Let's solve this problem together," Alihan said, his voice devoid of the warmth he usually reserved for his students. He began to work through the equations, explaining each step with meticulous detail.

Zeynep's mind wandered, unable to focus on the lesson. She replayed their argument over and over, each time feeling a pang of regret. "Okay so you all will finish this equation.. start working now.. quick!" Alihan announced to the students. Every student started solving the equation in their respective notes. Alihan roaming around the space between the desks to check.

Zeynep's was working to solve that too. Her hands trembling slightly. She could feel Alihan's gaze on her, heavy and expectant. She began to write, her mind struggling to focus. Alihan's presence loomed behind her, a constant reminder of her guilt. She made a mistake in the calculation, and Alihan's voice cut through the silence. "Careful, Miss Yilmaz. You need to consider the equal and opposite reaction. Your mistake is ignoring the balance of forces." His words were sharp, laced with an edge of frustration. Zeynep corrected her error, feeling the weight of his disappointment. Alihan nodded curtly, and moved to continue the lecture. As Alihan left her side, she felt a tear slip down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly, hoping no one noticed. The rest of the lecture passed in a blur, Alihan's words blending into a background hum. When the class ended, "Everybody, leave your solved equations on the way to the table." Alihan's strong voice echoed in the hall. Everybody including Eda and Rüya did the same obediently. The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Her friends left the lecture hall, sharing a conspiratorial glance at Zeynep, who remained seated, her eyes fixed on the equation in front of her. Zeynep's frustration was palpable. She scribbled furiously, then scratched out her work, her pen pressing hard against the paper. Her eyes welled up with tears as she struggled to solve the problem. She felt the weight of Alihan's gaze but couldn't bring herself to look up.

Alihan stood at the front of the classroom, his arms crossed, watching her with tightened eyebrows. He could see the guilt and frustration etched on her face. Slowly, his expression softened. He took a deep breath and walked over to her desk. "Miss Yilmaz," he said gently, "leave it." Zeynep didn't look up. "No, I will complete it," she insisted, her voice wavering. Alihan crouched down beside her desk, his tone calm and reassuring. "It's okay. I know you're very much capable. You don't have to prove anything to me. Leave it." Zeynep shook her head, her tears spilling onto the paper. "I have to finish it. I have to get it right." Alihan placed a hand on the edge of her desk, leaning in slightly. "Miss Yilmaz, you're pushing yourself too hard. It's just one equation. Your worth isn't measured by this." Zeynep's hand trembled as she tried to write, her vision blurred by tears. She finally looked up at Alihan, her eyes full of guilt and frustration. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry for everything I said. I didn't mean it. I was just so scared. I'm..." Alihan's heart softened further at her words. He reached out and gently took the pen from her hand, setting it aside.

Zeynep immediately covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking with sobs. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to," she cried, her voice muffled by her hands. Alihan, moved by her emotions, was about to place his hand on her shoulder but hesitated, he clenched his fist in resistance. He watched her, feeling her pain and guilt. "I can't handle anything properly... I'm so..." Zeynep continued, her words choked.

Finally, Alihan couldn't hold back any longer. He placed his hand on her shoulder, his grip firm yet gentle. Zeynep felt the warmth and reassurance of his touch, and instinctively, she leaned in, burying her head in his chest. Her tears soaked through his shirt as she cried, her sobs wrenching his heart as her body was trembling with each sob. Alihan's hand on her shoulder tightened, offering silent support. He could feel the raw emotion emanating from her, and it made his own eyes glisten with little tears. Zeynep said, "Please.. I don't want to talk about that incident anymore." He leaned in, his lips brushing against her hair as he whispered, "I promise... we won't."