Love Persist

Kabanata 44 - A long-silent voice breathed through the line once more.

Over the past few weeks, my time with Heaven has been nothing short of a revelation. We were treading carefully, savoring the slow journey of getting to know each other on a deeper level, and I found myself falling for her more and more with each passing day. With each passing day, I found myself increasingly captivated by her. She was not only attentive and generous but also remarkably in tune with my physical and emotional needs. While our physical connection had been intense, I must admit we hadn't revisited it since that night when she left me utterly exhausted and sent into oblivion.

However, our relationship went beyond just the physical. She had an uncanny ability to make me feel cherished and cared for in our everyday interactions. Our first date at the gala was merely the beginning, as we soon found ourselves spending more and more time together, simply enjoying each other's company. Yet, we were always mindful to maintain a certain level of propriety and decorum in public, especially within the confines of the university. It was an agreement we had both silently acknowledged, respecting the professional boundaries that came with our respective roles as student and professor.

In all honesty, I still couldn't quite fathom how I had ended up in this position—falling for my student, of all people. The more time we spent together, the more entranced I became by her sharp intellect, her wicked sense of humor, and her unwavering kindness. She stood in stark contrast to the stereotypical young, carefree college student, and I was continually astounded by her depth of maturity and emotional intelligence. Uncertain of where this journey would lead us, one thing was crystal clear—I was utterly and completely smitten.

But if there was one thing I admired even more than her physical and intellectual charm, it was her ability to establish boundaries when necessary. For someone who had openly confessed her deep feelings towards me, she sure had a strong grip on propriety and professionalism. She consistently steered our interactions away from anything that could jeopardize my career or reputation. As much as I appreciated her discretion, there was a part of me that longed for more. I couldn't believe I was even entertaining such thoughts, but the pull I felt toward her was undeniable. It had been two days since I last saw her, and I found myself restless, my mind constantly drifting back to her. I couldn't blame her; with final term exams approaching, she was undoubtedly buried under a mountain of work. I shouldn't be too needy—or so I kept telling myself.

As I headed to my office, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment when I didn't see her familiar figure waiting for me, as she sometimes did between classes. This morning, a text message from her had arrived, letting me know she was preparing for a summative assessment. I replied with words of encouragement and best wishes, hoping to ease her stress. I entered my office, closing the door behind me, and settled into my chair, trying to focus on the stack of papers demanding my attention.

The task at hand was to finish grading these papers before lunch, as a high-stakes client meeting loomed in the afternoon. Javi had flagged it as an urgent matter that could not be rescheduled. The timing couldn't have been worse, given the avalanche of academic duties already vying for my attention. Despite feeling overwhelmed, I knew I had to tackle the meeting with my full focus and dedication. Perhaps, with a bit of luck, this matter would be straightforward and swiftly resolved, allowing me to return to my other pressing duties. Moreover, immersing myself in work might help distract me from thoughts of a certain beautiful, intelligent, and captivating student who occupied my mind more than I cared to admit.

Around 11:30, just as I finished my grading and prepared to head to my meeting, a notification lit up my phone. Heaven had sent a message: "Our class just ended. I'm dying!!!" A small smile played on my lips as I quickly responded, suggesting she take a break and relax. I followed up with another message, telling her I would arrange for a light lunch to be delivered to her house so she could recharge. Her reply came with a string of grateful emojis, and she asked if she could drop by my office for a few minutes. But then Javi's caller ID flashed on my screen, reminding me of the pressing meeting ahead. Reluctantly, I texted her back, apologizing that I was about to enter a meeting and wouldn't be available, but assuring her that I looked forward to seeing her soon.