Hot Night With My Professor

“Miss, are you alright?” Somebody’s poking me, and I manage to peek. I saw a familiar face, but I didn’t even know his name. All I know is that he’s one of my classmates in this subject.

“You want me to take you to the infirmary?” He asked, but I declined.

“The guy at the back, what are you doing?” I heard Ismael’s voice being extremely annoyed, and that was the time I froze. I checked my phone and saw it was Wednesday.

“I just… I checked my seatmate to see if she was alright. Something’s odd about her.”

I sighed and sat properly. I saw Ismael walking towards us. His gaze is way too unpredictable. Is he mad seeing me here when I protested to be out of his sight?

“If you’re not fine, then tell me so I can let you leave.”

I swallowed a lump in my throat. Does he really want me to leave? I clenched my fist. Does he hate me because of what I did? I looked away. I felt hurt because of that. I shouldn’t be here then. I also heard him sigh, but because of the discomfort I was feeling from what he said, I took my bag and left his class.

This is what he wants; I must give it to him.

I suddenly felt a hand on my arms, which made me hope it was Ismael who was stopping me, but it was the guy poking me earlier.

“Jothea, right?” he asked. “I’m Raviel,” he introduced himself. “Are you ditching class? Can I join you?”

“No.” I again walked away after removing his hand from my arm, but this individual was absolutely insane for continuing to follow me despite my repeated warnings to the contrary.

“I know this is random, but I think I know now what your problem is, and I must say, I know the solution,” he added, which made me become interested in the thing he was implying.

“What is it?”

I heard him chuckle. “The case must be serious. It looks like you were hit all over, ah.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I shrugged. What is he talking about? I am not hurt.

I was shocked when he grabbed my hand. He ran off while holding me. I tried to pull myself, but due to being surprised, I wasn’t able to do that. I was out of breath when we reached the front gate. I saw him take a cab and make me enter it. I am really insane for letting myself follow him.

My phone rang, and I was about to answer it when he grabbed it from me. “No phones.” He smiles playfully.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“I’ll help you forget your problems.”

*****

Raviel brought me to the casino. It was my first time being here, and I was amazed. Is this an appropriate way to ease my problems?

I sighed and looked at him. “I should go now. This won’t help me,” I said and I was about to leave when he pulled me again.

I saw a lot of elites there, busy playing with each other. Claiming checks, money, and titles from their opponents. I then noticed the elegant design of the place. The interiors are made of the colors brown, red, orange, and gold, but the whole place is covered by the smoke from the left and right chain smokers.

“Sit down; I’ll teach you.”

He gave me those chips, which I don’t know how to use.

And there he lets me play, and from a moment on, I forget my problems. I can admit that it was quite exciting and fun. I never deposit even a single penny, and I let him just pay everything. We’re both laughing and having a smoke while going out of the casino. I enjoyed it so much.

“How was it?” he asked.

“It was fun,” I replied and smiled.

“I told you, this is the right answer to your problems. If you have a problem, you just need to divert your thinking to some new, interesting things. It will help,” he explained. “Here’s your phone.” He gave me my phone, which I had forgotten was in his possession.

“I can’t take you home because surely someone will fetch you.”

I frowned. “Who’ll fetch me?”

“Someone who keeps calling your phone.”

The number of missed calls surprised me when I looked at my phone. It was from Ismael. Why would he call me? Did something happen?

“I think I should go now. Bye, Jothea.”

I smiled and nodded before saying goodbye to him. I never thought that, in a glimpse of time, I would have a friend. We had some conversations, and I found it very comfortable to talk to him.

I was about to smoke my cigarette when someone took it. I was surprised to see Ismael. There is a trace of annoyance on his face but I can clearly see how he can suppress it. He stepped on the cigarette butt that came from my lips and hand.

“You know how to smoke?” he asked in disbelief, which made me frown. His face shows disgust.

“Obviously,” I arrogantly answered. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to teach the class? What brought you here?”

“It is what brought you here, Miss Alvandra? Why are you being like this?!” His face turns red; it seems like he’s fucking annoyed with me. I can see that he’s just suppressing himself. But why did he end up here? And how did he know I was here? What the hell is going on?

“Being like this? This is the normal me, Ismael. It is you who are acting unusual. What do you care if I’m here?”

He sighed. “You’re messing with your life… again,” he emphasized as if he wasn’t even sure what he answered me.

“And what does it have to do with you?” I inquired. I am looking into his eyes, trying to find the right answer, but no matter what I look at, I can’t read it.

“You’re putting my life in danger. Didn’t you promise not to be a hindrance to my dreams? Then, what are you doing? You are clearly ruining me.”

My forehead creased. “Fuck, Ismael! I don’t understand you! I am trying my best to distance myself, but what are you doing? Care to elaborate? ‘Cause my brain can’t comprehend everything, even your fucking subject-Calculus!”

I saw how his jaw tightened in annoyance. Even his throat moves while he talks and gulps.

“What you’re doing is destroying me more. Do you think your stubbornness can solve everything? You’ll just run away from me when you promise to do everything? I told you, I need you here. I am requesting that you be a good student because it will have a lot of effect on my records. Why can’t you just think straight?”

I was blown away. I’m not sure why what he said hurt me. Was he here just because he was concerned about his position? He really exerted a lot of effort that made me think he was here for me when, in fact, he was doing everything just for him.

“Sorry if I think like this, huh? Sorry if the only thing I know to solve your problem is distance. I just don’t want to hear any more bad criticism about your character. Fine! I’ll do what you want! What else do you want me to do, Professor?” I asked hard while staring into his eyes. I hope he can see how annoyed I am with him. I was concerned about him hoping that he would at least care about me because I am his student; that’s what he told me before when he saved me from being molested, but the thing is, he is still numb as stone and cold as ice; he just cares about his career.

“None, for now,” he answered.

“Then good, ’cause I’m leaving.”