Chapter 3: Anticipation's Edge
1719 Words
Eleanor's perspective.
I couldn't take my eyes off my phone despite the battery being low. I had waited so long to plug it in and the battery was almost flat.
I had butterflies in my stomach. I was expecting to get a call or a text from Professor Asher. It's been 7 hours since I sent him a video. I hope he saw it?
"You seem restless tonight," Scarlet noted, lying casually on her bed besides mine. We were both roommates and course mates, so she knew me better than most people.
"Hmm," I replied, as I finally plugged my phone to charge on my nightstand. I couldn't let my phone die.
"Are you even listening to me at all?" She queried. She was right, I wasn't listening to her.
"All your attention is fixed on your phone. Even now you are still staring at it." She pointed out.
She was right again. I was already obsessed, but her words restored my sanity temporarily.
"I'm sorry," I apologized, as I turned to look at her. I didn't mean to ignore her. I know how bad it felt, as I was being ignored myself.
"I'll accept your apology if you tell me what is going on." She smiled, wanting me to spill the beans.
I could feel the inner pressure building up inside of me to reveal my secret. Can I trust her with such personal information?
I wasn't quite sure yet. We had only known each other for about a week.
"It's really nothing," I tried to downplay.
"Common, you can confide in me." She persisted. She sat up now, so she could really listen to me.
I could feel the concern in her voice and a growing connection between us.
"I know. We've been close since we moved in together." I admitted. We've been like best friends, almost inseparable - except for when her boyfriend comes around.
"That's true, so please tell me if anything is weighing on your mind. I'm here for you." She assured.
She was so right. I just felt really insecure, revealing to her, I had fallen in love with our lecturer.
"Okay."
"I have very high expectations of myself, but I am afraid I might fall short, I might not live up to my expectations." I revealed, my voice slightly shaky.
"Oh my dear!" She came over to my bed to comfort me. I was wrapped in-between her warm embrace.
"I noticed it this morning. You have been reading a lot in class and mingling less with people." She pointed out, still holding on to me in her embrace.
I felt good at that moment as I relaxed, letting out some of my inner pressure. She was quickly becoming more than just my course mate.
"Is that all that is bothering you?" She asked, as she slowly let me off her embrace.
I wanted to tell her the whole truth, but I couldn't.
"Yes, that's all that's on my mind." I gave a faint smile.
She looked at my phone and nodded her head like she understood and went back to lying on her bed.
"You should let your phone charge for now while you get some sleep. It is almost 12 A.M." she advised as she covered herself with her duvet.
I looked at the wall clock in our dorm room and it was true. It was getting late, and I needed to sleep, but I couldn't.
I couldn't just lie on my bed and fall asleep unless I reassured my anxious heart.
I know how I felt in class staring at him today, and I know how he looked at me too. It was how the poets, novelists and musicians described the emotion - love.
That magical feeling, that chemistry, that spark in your heart for someone. The mutual feeling that they feel the same way about you too. The connection of two hearts as one.
I was positive he still hadn't checked his email, otherwise he would have seen my video and contacted me by now.
"He will check it by dawn, do not worry," I reassured my heart in a whisper.
"He will reach out to us tomorrow." I had a gut feeling about it. With that, I laid on my bed and left my phone to charge.
***
I was anxiously waiting in class for Professor Asher to arrive as I sat down. Last night I dreamt about him.
Thinking of it this morning, it brought smiles to my face. It felt so real and amazing, and I took it as a sign!
"Why is Harper still in her seat?" I muttered impatiently, as I looked in her direction. By this time yesterday, she was out looking for Professor Asher.
I observed the entire class. They were less rowdy than yesterday. I wonder if any of them were panicking as I was?
I was indeed nervous. I needed to see Professor Asher again!
I closed my eyes, as I took a deep breath. He rang my phone just as I was about to fall asleep last night. At first, I wasn't sure if it was him, but I desperately hoped he was the one.
"Hello, this is Eleanor Rivera."
"Who am I speaking with?" I was almost out of breath.
I could see the time was past 12 A.M. I knew no one else would call me by that time. Was it him calling me this early in the morning?
"Hi, this is Professor Asher." I heard his bass-baritone voice.
"It is him, he calleddd!" I froze in disbelief, as I tossed my phone on the bed bewildered. I couldn't believe my ears!
I was lucky my roommate was fast asleep and didn't witness my reaction. I tried to calm myself, as I scuffled towards my phone and held it again.
"...Eleanor, are you still there?" He asked. I held my bosom with my right hand, to calm my fast-beating chest.
"Yesss...I am still here." I wore a broad smile on my face. I was so ecstatic.
"Good."
"I got your conspicuous email and watched your video too."
"I want you to know, I beat your challenge." He disclosed unimpressed.
I knew he was far more intelligent than that, but he memorized my phone number!
"Yayyy!" I screamed in my head in celebration.
"I knew you would!" I replied. My happiness was conveyed in my voice.
"Now you know my phone number by heart." It was the best feeling ever!
"Yes but I am only going to call you this once." He revealed sternly.
"NO! PLEASEEE! WHYYY?!" I raised my voice confusingly, almost waking up Scarlet. Did I offend him? My new-found joy was about to be cut short.
"Why? - Are you really asking me that?" His voice stern, as he questioned me instead.
"Did my email offend you? Did my video offend you? I'm very sorry!" I apologized, almost in tears.
"No. I wish your email and video were as offensive as your actions in my class yesterday."
"You impressed the class at my expense. You embarrassed me!" He sounded upset.
"I didn't mean to embarrass you...I simply wanted to prove to you, I was listening in your class. I thought you would be impressed." I explained.
His reason for not wanting to call me again was unfounded and petty.
"Maybe you are saying the truth and you meant no harm. Your video though, did leave room for questioning."
"I demand to know the truth, why did you send it to me?" His question was piercing, as he probed for an answer.
I held my breath, buying myself some precious time to reflect on his question.
"You are the very best Professor Asher and you inspire me."
"I want to be like you and I want to learn from you".
"I want you to be my mentor and I want to work closely with you." I poured out my heart, revealing only half of the truth.
I couldn't tell him the whole truth. I was afraid he might end the call.
"And what if I told you I had no more room for mentorship, what then?" His voice conveyed his seriousness.
"I would do anything you ask me to. I would do anything you command of me, until you take me under your wings!" I was not exaggerating, I was desperate. I was willing to do anything to please him!
"Anything? Are you sure?" His voice was still stern, but I could tell he was contemplating my offer.
"Yes I am sure, anything." My voice was sensual. I was inviting him to test me.
"Alright, I'll soon find out."
"I have just the right test for you."
"Do not disappoint me."
His later words were sort of a warning.
"I promise I won't!" I was eager. He had consented to my request, and we could only get closer from now onwards.
"Would you like to test me now? And what will my test be?" I was curious to know straight away.
I imagined it might be related to my school work, but I hoped it would be something else - something naughty. Fortunately, Scarlet was still asleep, and so I had some privacy.
"Your test won't be over the phone."
"See me later today after classes."
"And one more thing - come alone."
He sounded mischievous. It was obvious I wasn't the only one who was good at playing games.
What test did he have for me? What was he planning to do to me? He had piqued my interest and I was trapped.
"I will!" My thoughts were lingering. I couldn't help but relish the excitement that was to come!
"I will, I most definitely..."
Scarlet nudged me by the side, interrupting my thoughts. I look at her fuzzily, my mind coming back to the present. She had her laptop opened in front of her and so did the rest of the class.
"Professor Asher will be here any moment from now. Get your laptop out." She advised.
I quickly did as I was told.
Last night's conversation was only a vivid dream. Today I was very optimistic it was going to become a reality.
"He must have seen my email and watched my video by now." I just had to wait a little while...
- Writer
