THE BATTLE OF LOVE AND DESTINY

CHAPTER FOUR - WHEN DESIRE MEETS DISCIPLINE

Davies scheduled the first meeting at the campus café, where he would take Kate on a tutorial. Kate arrived at the venue ten minutes earlier. She was looking fresh with a pleasing fragrance all over her. Her hair was carefully arranged with her notebooks carefully stacked inside her handbag.

Prior leaving her room, she spent several hours debating what to wear to the venue. She was skeptical on whether to put on an appearance to impress Davies or just to appear casual. Although she dressed simply, there was a motive in every detail.

She wore a soft cotton silky blouse with a mini skirt; she adorned her lip seductively with lipsticks and put on golden wrist and ankle bracelet to match. She intentionally dressed this way to catch his eye, but Davies never looked.

He entered precisely at the scheduled time. He has a pleasant look, with a warm smile as he entered. They exchanged pleasantries and set out for the task ahead.

Davies began, "Let's start by seeing what you already know." He taught Kate from what she had known to what was unknown. His tone was devoid of flirtation, but was clear and focused. He used gentle and steady encouragement to drive home his points.

Kate was very impressed at the first lesson as she not only understood the concepts and principles of her difficult courses, but also marveled at Davies' intelligence, humility, and his special skills to deliver the contents to her.

"I'm so grateful to you, Davies," Kate said. "It's a pleasure," replied Davies. The tutorial ended, and Davies escorted Kate to the University's gate before going back to the hostel where he stayed.

Kate got home that day and started reflecting on Davies's teachings at the cafe. She reflected on how he taught, cracked jokes, paid attention when she asked questions, and his humility. She then began to have a special interest in him and to love him.

Tutorials soon became habitual, and different venues that suited their purpose were used: libraries and quiet study corners. As time went on, late-night review sessions were held in Kate's room. Kate found each session electrifying. The detailed explanations, precision of his voice, and the spark in his gaze as he discussed complex topics in her core courses and the smile on his face when she eventually comprehended a tough concept all contribute to Kate loving Davies and wanting her to go beyond that level. She started developing feelings for Davies, despite the fact that she had earlier promised to prioritize her academics and nothing else.

She would wear soft fragrances she thought might seduce him and try to study his reactions if he loved it. She would ask him questions in a bid to hear his voice. She would laugh at his dry jokes. In fact, she longed for more than just Davies' mind.

Despite all these seductions, Davies stayed focused, polite, and professional during the tutorial with Kate. Little did Kate know that she was falling in love with someone who had no interest in a romantic relationship.

One day, as Davies was teaching her, she was lost in thought and started imagining her handsomeness and how good she wished she could date him. She then made a move to look into his eyes romantically and gently rub her hand on his back.

Davies paused mid-sentence and said, "Kate, I'm here to help you academically, not romantically." He then gently removed her hands from his body.

Kate was really embarrassed and in an attempt to cover up her shame, she said, "I was just joking with you. “No, you aren't," replied Davies. There was a silence between them for a while. Kate forcefully laughed just to pretend as if it was a light issue, but inside, she was burning.

When Kate got back to her residence that day, she sat on her bed and began to feel like someone who had just failed an unprepared test. She wondered why Davies refused to respond romantically and even propose to her, despite all the romantic signs she had been displaying towards him.

She wanted to befriend Davies and would want their relationship to go beyond just tutorials. She expected Davies to have gotten the signs: kiss her, hug, and even be intimate, but he didn't even mind.

Despite all these, Davies remained steadfast and committed to teaching Kate. One weekend, she invited Davies to a rooftop party that she had invited her friends to attend. Although she had distanced herself from them, she still kept their company on rare occasions. She wanted Davies to know how influential she was and also wanted to spoil her at the party and introduce her to her friends. However, Davies humbly declined the request. When such requests became incessant, he would humbly reject them with a quiet firmness that stung.

Davies believed that he had made a resolution to never get distracted, and he wanted to key into it. Hence, for every overtime he disapproved, he would stand resolute. He would usually say to himself, "I'm here to make you learn and not to be swept up in the current of your world."

Kate started wondering why Davies keeps rejecting her advances and holding back. She said to herself, "Is it his humble beginning, his focus on grades, or is he not even having any feelings? Why is he so serious? Can't he even bend the rules he set by himself?" She became more worried, but she hid her worries from being noticed.

Davies got to the hostel and discussed his experience with his friend Norman. He narrated how he offered to help Kate and how she had been making s****l advances to him. Norman, who came from a poor home like him advised him be careful with the children from poor homes.

He counseled him against entering into a relationship that may lead to regrets in the future if he refused to back off immediately. “I know what I’m doing. I can never fall or fail,” he said. “Mark my words, you will be used and dump on the long run. I have many of them in my department begging me for tutorials in engineering drawing. Such ladies are very proud and will want to play on one’s intelligence. Just avoid her and avoid stories that touch.” Norman counseled.

Davies thought twice and said “I don’t foresee it this way. I’m not convinced by your submission.” Norman replied him, “Enough of this story. You have your own life to live; it’s just a matter of time.” He left Davies in the room and went out.

Davies continued his tutorial with Kate, despite Norman’s warnings. Kate could not resist her urge for Davies anymore. She would have loved Davies to propose to her, but he wouldn't. The fear of other students hijacking him from her intensified; although,

Davies didn't deny her the opportunity to learn from him. She began to watch Davies when he wasn't even noticing it. For instance, she would admire the kindness he showed to other classmates by teaching them what he knew, and also the wisdom in his restraint. The harder she tried to win his affection, the more he seemed to recede.

As Davies packed his notes after another evening tutorial at Kate’s apartment, Kate watched him in silence. Her heart was heavy with unspoken words. “Goodnight, Kate,” he said. His voice was calm and steady as always.

Kate smiled faintly but didn’t respond. Her eyes followed him as he walked away, each step echoing like a warning she refused to hear. When the door finally closed, Kate whispered to herself, “He may not love me today, but someday, he will.”

What she didn’t know was that her determination and lust was about to drag both of them into a storm which neither of them could control.