When Love Happens

The lecturer

Kate’s Point of View

“So how was the school tour?” Paula asked us as we arrive at the office, I was exhausted from all the walking.

“Well, Kat was swept off her feet by the new lecturer.” Allison was quick to respond as Paula shrieked coming closer to me

“What? Really? What is his name? Did you get his number?’ She excitedly said while holding my hand as I remove it from me.

“I did do anything like that. Plus, it was just…” I wanted to say but seems like Alisson was enjoying this moment

‘I think he likes her too. Because of the way he responded towards her? He was like admiring her” She said to Paula who seemed so excited to hear that I was interested in someone.

“I am not listening to you guys. I am going for a meeting” I quickly excused myself so that I don’t spend so much time with them, looking at them chit-chatting right now? I knew that even if I were to explain myself to them, they would not believe what I am saying to them

“Are you not leaving?” I questioned Allison who was still chatting with Paula, I needed to change into something formal from my private shower so that I can get back to work.

“Well, I was actually thinking of staying the day here,” She said winking at Paula who seemed to be enjoying herself while here

“Well, I wish you could stay but unfortunately I have particularly important meetings. And I do not want to hear about that Professor so your young lady, you will be on your way out now” I said to her linking my harm with hers, and started working towards the door.

“Paula, please? A little help here?” She shouted as Paula shrugged her shoulders with a smirk on her face,

“Sorry, but the boss has spoken” She waved at Allison who removed her arm from me. “I will leave, but promise me you will come early at home? I will prepare pasta okay?” She said to me as I faked a smile looking at her

“Okay, Fine. I will see you later. Now please go” I Said trying to push her out of my office, but she was resisting.

“You know I can talk to that man just maybe you can finally be….” She wanted to say but I shook my head

“Not. Now please?” I said to her and she laughed it off and kissed my cheek. “Don’t worry, I know that you will be together soon” She said in almost like a whisper, I just chuckled softly turning bac the go back to the office.

“So, I see you two are finally getting along. It’s nice to see her smiling again” She said to me as I sighed heavily going to sit in my chair.

“It is, I couldn’t believe it either that she was actually like that. It was lovely” I said to her as I sat back thinking about Allison, she was going to school and after a long time she looked like she was living again

“You know what I think? I think you two need to continue like this, with a little effort from you I am sure that…”

“What do you mean a little effort from me? I have always.” I interrupted her as she came to sit next to me

“We both know that you have always avoided being close with your sister and somehow I always felt that you blamed her for …” She paused looking at me, I wanted her to finish her statement but stopped holding my hands

“Now this professor? Are we giving him a chance? Should I arrange for someone to look into him?” She questioned me, I thought about what she just said I could not do that to that professor. I know I have done it in the past

“No, I am not interested in him and I don’t want to involve myself with such right now” I abruptly stood up walking away, after my last attempt at dating I could not bring myself again to go through such a thing.

“Kate, it about time that you started living for you. Did you feel any butterflies when you met with this man?” She questioned me as I nodded my head, I was so uncertain of what I was feeling.

“Okay, did you want to get to know him?” She questioned again,

“Yes, But Paula, this is Allison’s new professor. I cannot start going out with him plus he did not look at me in that way. He thought I was some student at the university” I disappointed pointed it out as I went to stand by the window. She sighed heavily before coming closer to where I was standing.

“Maybe trying to get to know him better? Go back there and introduce yourself to him?” She said as I shook my head, I did not want to find out anything about that man because I had no intentions of getting involved with my young sisters’ lecturer, that was not me at all.

“Please just let this go. I have had enough problems already and can’t add on a man to it” I stressed out and she nodded her heading exhaling heavily.

“I will go and work on a few reports before I know off,” She said squeezing my shoulder, I did not respond but just looked ahead thinking about what my life would be like if my parents were still alive.

****

Six weeks later

For the past few weeks, I tried so much to keep my mind off that lecturer, even when Paula insisted that I meet him and get to know him I just could not. But here we were going to the school, Allison in her own mind thought I should drop her off on her first day at university.

“Ally, Are you ready? Come on! I am running late” I shouted for her to come out of her room, it took longer than usual for her to dress up and now I was going to get late if I am going to drop her off.

I checked my watch for the second time before going to get my handbag and going to the car, I was not going to wait for her in the house.

I was slowly getting impatient with her telling long, I pressed the car’s horn honking several times until when she came out. “I am coming… Please” She shouted as she rushed out of the house. It reminded me of how many times my mother used to do this whenever she was dropping me at university.

I quickly wiped a stay tear that fell from my eye, “Sorry took a long, I couldn’t find my tablet” she said to me as I faked a smile starting the car.

“It’s fine, I think I just got a little impatient” I apologized to her as I went around the fountain driving out of the yard.

“Should we play some music?” I questioned her as I tried to find a channel where I can find some music. I could not find something so just left the radio and drove thinking about what a burden I have carried for so many years.

“Oh… I love this song” She said when Jason Derulo’s Riding solo started playing increasing the volume, “What? You were only nine years old when this song came out” I said to her.

“Mm-hmm, I was old to under what this song is about” She responded, I chuckled before joining her singing along as I drove as fast as I could while jamming to the song.

After driving for half an hour, we finally pulled over in the schoolyard and I turned down the volume.

“Okay, here you are. I am sure you will find your way inside” I said to her as she took her bags about to get out of the car, tears filled my eyes as I looked at her. I could not believe just eight years ago she was so young and could not certain things on her own.

“Wait, I came with a camera. Let us take a picture” I exclaimed as I came out of the car as well and she laughed shaking her head.

“I am definitely not taking pictures. I am no longer in middle school” She murmured as I laughed trying to find someone to take a picture of us.

“Excuse me, Please could you…” I wanted to ask the man who was about to head towards the building, I froze not believing what my eyes were seeing. The professor? He smiled at us taking the camera from me.

“Of course.” He said to me as I swallowed hard not sure how to react.

“Kat, we are waiting for you” Allison brought me back to reality as I swallowed hard shaking my head, As I went to stand next to stand Allison.

“Ready?” He questioned us as I smiled looking at the camera, once he was done, he walked towards us and handed me the camera.

“You haven’t been to class for weeks.” He said as Allison looked at me widening her eyes at me

“I think you…” I wanted to explain to him, but I froze again failing to speak.

“Well, it’s fine. Most students find my teaching boring. Let me know…”

“I am not a student here,” I said to him cutting him short as he looked at me from head to toe.

“I will see you later at home” Allison quickly excused herself waving at me before disappearing

“You are not? Then what were…” He said to me as I faked a smile, holding tight to the camera. I sighed heavily looking at him

“I came with my sister who had come for a tour. I finished university a long time ago” I said to him as he smiled moving his bag from his right hand to the left.

“Forgive my manners, I didn’t realize that. Perhaps I can buy you coffee?” he questioned me, I wanted to go with him, but a meeting was waiting for me to address in 40 minutes.

“Well, that would be lovely but unfortunately I can’t. I will have to get going” I said to him wanting to walk away but he stood in front of me.

“Maybe another day?” He questioned handing me his business card, I exhaled heavily as I looked at him from head to toe, this man was not even in my class of the type of men I would go out with.

“Sure… that would be great...???” I said wanting to get his name

“Jason…. Jason Watson and you are???” He said extending his hand.

“Katelyn Adams. I should get going” I flatly said knowing that my name just gave him all he needed to know.

“Okay, Katelyn. I look forward to receiving that call from you” He said to me as I nodded my head about to leave as he moved out of the way, I sighed heavily as I opened the door to my car getting in. What did I just do?

I waved at him before driving off, I just imagined the face Paula would have if she found out that I had this professor’s number. I know she would be chaffed to know it