Chasing The One I Pushed Away

Lines crossed

The breeze outside was gentle as the sun lazily filtered through the long windows of the lecture hall. Mila sat at the third row, her notepad half-filled with bullet points, but her mind somewhere else. Since she blocked Keisha, things had felt calmer. For the first time in a while, her days were soft—Liam walked her to her classes, waited for her after lectures, and took her out often, even if it was just for meat pie and malt at the school canteen

But peace never lasted long in Mila’s life, it started subtly.

The lecturer, Dr. Adams, was in his late thirties, young-looking and charismatic in a way that made some girls giggle when he passed. He taught Philosophy of Human Behaviour, and though his classes were insightful, Mila never really liked the way his eyes lingered a second too long.

At first, it was small talk after lectures—questions about her take on the lecture, then random personal questions like what state she was from and if she had a boyfriend. Mila always kept her answers short, respectful but short.

Then one day after class, as most students rushed out, he called her back.

“Mila, wait behind a moment.”

She froze slightly, her fingers tightening around her jotter, but she turned and walked back.

“Yes sir?”

He gave her a half-smile, leaning back on the desk, “You’re quite sharp. I noticed you, your answers in class show maturity.”

“Thank you, sir,” she replied quietly.

He studied her face. “I know first year can be overwhelming. If you ever need help understanding any part of the course or anything at all, my office is open.”

She nodded, trying to be polite, but her stomach twisted a little. She didn’t like the way his eyes didn't blink when they looked at her.

“Alright sir, I’ll be going now.”

“You didn’t save my number,” he added as she turned.

“I don’t have my phone here.”

“You can memorize it.”

She forced a smile. “Alright sir,” and left quickly.

That evening, she told Liam. He didn’t even let her finish.

“Which one is memorize it? Is he okay?” Liam fumed.

“Calm down—he hasn’t done anything serious yet,” she said.

Liam paced her room like he owned the space. “Babe, he’s testing the waters. These kind of people, they push boundaries till you don’t know where the line is anymore.”

Mila sat on her bed and stared at her palms. “What should I do?”

“I’ll be waiting for you after every class he takes,” Liam said. “He won’t have the chance to try rubbish." and Liam actually did.

Every week, Liam stood near the Philosophy block when Dr. Adams’ class ended and every time Mila walked out, she felt a mix of pride and fear—pride that Liam had her back, and fear because she didn’t know what would happen if he wasn’t around.

But Dr. Adams didn’t stop. He began sending emails, subtle compliments buried in academic feedback. Then one day, the email said:

“You have a bright future ahead. You just need the right support… and the right person to believe in you. Don’t let the noise distract you.”

That day, she printed the email, walked into Liam’s room, and handed it to him without saying anything.

He read it twice, then again.

“Shey this man wants to lose his job,” Liam said in a Nigerian accent.

Mila sat on his bed and sighed. “What if reporting him makes it worse?”

“It won’t, but I’ll do it. I’ll send it anonymously. He won’t know where it came from.”

“Won’t they still call me in?”

“I’ll make it look like someone else noticed it. Leave everything to me.”

And true to his word, Liam sent it—through an anonymous email, attaching screenshots and past messages. The school opened a quiet investigation and though they couldn’t confirm everything without Mila speaking up, Dr. Adams was warned to “maintain appropriate boundaries.” Mila never saw him alone again.

The university campus buzzed with its usual morning rhythm—students moving in groups, some rushing, others dragging their feet with sleepy eyes and half-finished breakfasts. Mila walked beside Liam, her fingers laced with his, a peaceful smile on her face. There was something comforting in the way the sun hit the red roof of the lecture hall and the way Liam kept glancing sideways at her like she was still too good to be true.

It had been two days since Liam officially reported Dr. Adams. The school was unusually swift—he’d been placed under investigation and suspended from academic duties pending review. Mila didn’t say much when the news broke, but the relief in her eyes said it all. One less weight to carry.

But peace, as always, never stayed long.

That evening, just as Mila returned to her room after a group study session, her phone buzzed again.

"Sender: Unknown

Subject: You think you’ve won?

It’s just getting started."

Her heart clenched.

Mila sank into the bed, staring at the screen like it was a curse. She had blocked Keisha’s number, social accounts, everything. But emails? She hadn’t expected those.

She was about to delete it when Liam walked in, noticing the tense look on her face.

“What’s wrong?”

She turned the phone to him.

His brows furrowed as he read the message. “She’s obsessed,” he muttered. “I’ll report this too. We’re not letting her get to you again, okay?”

Mila gave a tiny nod, trying to brush off the chill that ran through her. “She’s not here, she can’t hurt me.”

Still, her words didn’t feel strong enough to convince herself.

The following week, she tried to keep busy—assignments, lectures, even joining a drama club to try something new. Liam was supportive every step of the way. He came for her rehearsals, brought her food when she stayed too long in the library, and made sure her laugh returned.

One Friday, he surprised her with tickets to a student talent night. They weren’t performers, just spectators, but it felt like a real date—something Mila had never really had before.

They sat together in the back row of the auditorium, watching poetry performances, music acts, and even a hilarious skit that had Mila doubling over in laughter.

“You needed this,” Liam whispered, smiling as she wiped a tear from her eye. “You look lighter.”

“I feel lighter,” she said honestly, squeezing his hand. “You’re the reason.”

But just as the final act ended, Mila’s phone vibrated again.

"Did you enjoy your little show?

You look so stupid laughing like that.

I’m watching."

This time, Mila didn’t say a word. She handed the phone to Liam silently.

His face hardened. “Enough is enough.”

The next morning, Liam walked into the ICT department and spoke with the campus cyber security team. They traced the email back to a proxy location—but it was still local. Someone was helping Keisha, or she had found a way to stay close without being seen.

Meanwhile, Mila received a letter from her faculty head. Apparently, someone had submitted an anonymous complaint alleging she’d cheated in her last exam. The claim was false—Mila had studied harder than ever, with Liam by her side every step.

Still, she had to appear before the board.

It was clear now. Keisha wasn’t just threatening from afar. She was trying to destroy everything—again.

But Mila had learned. This time, she wasn’t going to let it happen.