Lost

Chapter 67: Overwhelmed

Goals, same as last time. Start the comments :P (Relevant and "INLINE". I won't count them if it's just you chatting about donuts and unicorns :P)

Salma headed towards her last class, English. Since the project was not occupying most of her time anymore, her days were passing by very quickly. Salma was really upset about the sudden turn of events, but less time at the campus meant more time with James and Dean, and that more than made up for it. She walked by Professor R.K's office on her way and a shiver ran down her spine. It had been a couple of days since Zayn's last attempt to blackmail her, but the whole experience of that day still affected her.

"So, Mr. Harris requests your assistance in his project in return for his help in yours," Professor R. K had informed a horrified Salma. "Since his entry in our research facility is prohibited you will have to frequent the digital arts department."

Salma sat frozen to a still as Professor R.K explained why it was better for her to accompany Zayn in his department rather than stay in hers. It would take time to issue him another permit, he explained, which would be even harder now that he had a disciplinary complaint filed against him. Salma felt her heart sinking lower with each word that the professor spoke. She could feel Zayn's eyes fixed on her. Occasionally clicking away on a pen in his hand, he was probably enjoying his torment of her.

Salma's stomach twisted with anxiety. She was to help him in a project of his. She had no idea what he wanted her to do or how long would he demand her presence. To top it all, she was to work in a place that was unfamiliar to her. Salma would not have considered the familiarity of her working environment but this was Zayn she was being asked to aid. That boy had a knack for invading her physical space, and he had threatened her only a few hours earlier that he would make her regret her decision to kick him out.

"So, that's all." Professor R. K. Smiled.

That's. . .all? Salma eyed the professor incredulously. He just handed her a death sentence and said 'that's all'?

"I'm sure Mr. Harris would love to guide you further should you have any more questions," the professor continued, unaware of her mental turmoil.

Oh, wouldn't he love that, Salma thought, clenching her teeth in anger.

Zayn maintained his silence, clicking his pen a few times. He had not uttered a single word since they entered the office. Salma tried to ignore his intense gaze holding her to the spot.

She swallowed uneasily. She was mildly aware of the fact that the Professor did not ask her even once, if she was even willing to offer her assistance.

"What would happen if I decline to offer my help, Professor?" Salma asked.

Although she was fully focused on the middle aged professor sitting in front of her, she still saw the fiery glow that set Zayn's angry eyes ablaze.

The professor hesitated, throwing Zayn a hasty glance before replying.

"That is something I would personally not opt for," the professor replied uncomfortably. "You see, Mr. Harris has refused to hand over the visuals he has created for our project on the condition that you help him."

What?!

Salma's mouth fell open in disbelief. Countless number of hours that she spent stiffly sitting on those lab stools, hundreds of detailed sketches, and pages upon pages of notes flashed before her eyes. She could not belief what she was hearing. She was tempted to turn to Zayn and ask him if he was really going to be so manipulative as to make her choose between her choices and all her hard work, but she resisted.

As Zayn tilted his head, stare still fixed on her, getting some twisted kind of satisfaction from her distress, Salma forced herself to show no signs of it.