The Student Teacher Affair

Chapter 11: Confessions and realization

Mercy's POV

I woke up the next morning with a heaviness in my chest. The previous night's events replayed in my mind, especially the message from Jessica on Joshua's phone. I couldn't shake off the feeling of jealousy that had surged through me. It was ridiculous. Joshua was my lecturer, my project partner, and nothing more. Or at least, that's what I kept telling myself.

Throwing on a robe, I shuffled to the kitchen where Gracie was already making breakfast. The smell of coffee filled the air, and I grabbed a mug, taking a deep sip. Gracie looked up from her frying pan, her eyes curious. "Morning, Mercy. You look... conflicted."

I sighed, sitting down at the table. "I need your advice."

Gracie raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Oh? This should be good. Spill."

I hesitated for a moment, then blurted out, "I saw a message from some girl named Jessica on Joshua's phone. It was... flirty. And I felt weird. Like, really weird. I think I got jealous."

Gracie's smile widened. "I knew it! You're in love!"

I almost choked on my coffee. "What? No, no way. I can't like Mr. Joshua. He's proud, annoying, and always has a snarky reply for me. We really can't make a great couple. Plus, he's my lecturer. You know how the school gets about those things."

Gracie shook her head, laughing. "Mercy, those are classic signs of attraction. The bickering, the jealousy-it's all there. You're just scared to admit it."

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "I don't know, Gracie. Maybe I'm just going crazy. I mean, he's so infuriating. How could I possibly like him?"

Gracie leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. "You don't have to decide anything right now. But denying your feelings won't make them go away."

I sighed again, feeling even more confused. "Maybe I just need to get away for a bit. Clear my head."

A few hours later, I packed an overnight bag and headed home. As soon as I walked through the door, my mother greeted me with her usual exuberance. "Mercy, darling! It's so good to see you!" She pulled me into a tight hug, her perfume enveloping me in a familiar, comforting scent.

"Hi, Mom," I replied, smiling despite my turmoil. My mother, a classy and influential Lagos woman, always had a way of making me feel better, even without knowing what was wrong.

We decided to go out for dinner, as my dad was out of town on business. We chose a cozy little restaurant in Victoria Island, one of our favorites. As we sat down, I noticed my mom studying me carefully.

"Is everything okay, Mercy? You seem... distracted."

I fiddled with my napkin, trying to find the right words. "I might like someone I'm not supposed to like. And it's complicated."

My mother reached across the table, taking my hand in hers. "Tell me about it, sweetheart. You know I'm here for you."

Taking a deep breath, I began to explain without revealing Joshua's identity. "There's this guy... he's a bit older, and he's kind of important in my life right now. But liking him could cause a lot of problems."

My mom's eyes softened with understanding. "Love can be complicated, Mercy. But it's also beautiful. If you think this man is worth it, you should follow your heart. Happiness is what matters most."

I nodded, feeling a bit lighter. "Thanks, Mom. I just... I don't know if I can handle the fallout if things don't go well."

She squeezed my hand. "Whatever happens, you have a family that loves and supports you. Don't let fear hold you back from something that could be wonderful."

After dinner, we returned home, and I found myself replaying our conversation. My mother's words echoed in my mind as I lay in bed. Could I really be falling for Joshua? And if so, was I brave enough to pursue it?

The next morning, I felt a renewed sense of determination. I couldn't avoid my feelings forever, but I also didn't have to make any rash decisions. Taking things one step at a time seemed like the best approach.

Back at the university, I decided to focus on our project. The competition in Abuja was approaching fast, and we needed to be prepared. I couldn't afford to let my personal feelings get in the way of our work.

As I walked into Joshua's office later that day, I felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Joshua looked up from his desk, a faint smile on his face. "Morning, Mercy. Ready to wrap this up?"

I nodded, sitting down across from him. "Let's do this."

For the next few hours, we worked in relative silence, only breaking to discuss the final details of our presentation. The tension between us was palpable, but we managed to stay professional.

At one point, Joshua looked up, his expression curious. "So, did you have a good time at home?"

I hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, it was nice. My mom always knows how to make me feel better."

Joshua smiled, a rare, genuine smile. "That's good to hear. Family is important."

I nodded again, feeling a pang of homesickness. "Yeah, it is."

As we finished up for the day, Joshua's phone buzzed with a message. I couldn't help but glance at it, and my heart sank a little when I saw it was another message from Jessica.

Joshua noticed my reaction and raised an eyebrow. "Is everything okay?"

I forced a smile. "Yeah, everything's fine."

He looked unconvinced but didn't press further. As I left his office, I couldn't shake the feeling of jealousy and confusion. My mother's advice echoed in my mind, but the reality of my situation felt daunting.

For now, all I could do was take things one day at a time and hope that I would eventually figure out what I truly wanted.