A COLLEGE AFFAIR

NINE

It has been a week after her encounter with Mathew at the supermarket and again he has missed another class. Worriedly, she thought of him because he was her student and naturally she should. Melissa delayed her visit another week and Aurora had the time to get the Spaghetti she'd forgotten the previous week. Pasta sauce was one of Melissa's favourite meals so it was a necessity.

The Classroom was nearly empty when she walked in. Aurora always made it a priority to get to class ten minutes before the allotted time. She liked to watch the students file in and take seats. It gave her time before the class, also this way, she didn't have to spend minutes to calm the students before they began the lecture. Presently, the class was half full but it was calm. Unbidden, she thought of her student, Mathew Calmer, wondering if he'd show up today. She arranged the materials she'd brought to give the students, then checked the time. The stroke on the digit was precise. She got up, wrote on the board and began the lecture.

"When people stand outside a good building, they often appreciate the structural designs, but when they are inside the building, they appreciate the interior design." She paused; "What makes you a good architect is not the appreciation of people when they they look at a building you designed, not just from the outside, but also from the inside. It is when they look within the walls, and imagine the ingenious creator of such a beauty that your work is really appreciated." "To stand out, just being an architect is not enough, you have to be a good one, you have to make some mad designs, else, the interior designers, are gonna' beat you with a stick." Aurora said and the students laughed. "Thankfully though, interior designing is a part of architecture."

She looked through the class. Mathew was seated at one of the seats towards the window overlooking the hallway. 'Mathew!' Aurora didn't realize she'd called his name out loud. When the students looked at her expectantly, she quickly said; "It's good to see you in class." The students cheered and Aurora grimaced because she knew it wasn't genuine. Infact, they were probably mocking him. She forced herself to continue with the class. Just as the class ended, she got a call from the Dean asking to see her in his office.

The Dean was a nice, principled man in his sixties. When she got to his office, he informed her that everything for her PhD admission had been set into place and she would be starting classes the next month.

Later, as Aurora walked towards the staff quarters, she tried not to jump giddily. It wasn't because she did not want to, but because it probably wouldn't go well with her high heels. She occasionally wore heels to class and this was one of those days. Her knee length blue flowy gown swished as she walked. The gown was designed with a turtle neck. Designed sleeveless, she'd paired it with a red jacket which brought in red heels. Now she wanted to jump, the damned heels wouldn't permit her. Anyway, it was probably a good idea to get inside the comfort of her home first. She wondered why her little journey was so long and noticed that in her excitement, she'd taken the long way back. She passed through the now empty classroom on the way. She breezed in to make sure she'd hadn't forgotten anything. As she came back out, she saw someone at one of the seats with his head down on the desk. "Hello?" She said walking towards the person. "Hello?'' she said again. It was probably one of the students that had fallen asleep. The person raised his head. It was a student alright. Mathew Calmer.

"What are you doing here? I mean, why haven't you gone home?" She asked.

He stood up. The brown eyes she loved so much were red rimmed. He looked tired. "Are you alright?" She asked again.

"I'm fine. I just fell asleep." He assured her with a smile.

Aurora narrowed her eyes at him. "Were you asleep in my class?" She asked jokingly.

"No ma'am, it was right after the class." She quirked an eyebrow and he laughed. "I promise." He said.

"Alright. You should get going then." Aurora said as she checked the time on her wristwatch. It was quarter to twelve. She didn't know her meeting with the Dean had taken that long. She looked at Mathew still standing in front of her.

"Aren't you leaving?"

Mathew said nothing but motioned to her. She was obstructing his path. "Oh sorry." She said moving aside. The space wasn't as much as she'd thought it would be because his body brushed against hers. She flinched and perhaps thinking she'd tripped, Mathew quickly held her arm. In the minute that followed, they stood looking at each other. Slowly, quite as if compelled, the little gap between their bodies closed. Mathew audaciously flicked his tongue over her lips and Aurora couldn't help the moan escaping her mouth, opening to him. The kiss turned feverishly uncontrollable. Mathew's hand scalded the goosebumps on her arms as held on to her waist. Her fingers found their way into his hair, tangling the silky strands. Their tongues brushed in a mad dash, tasting each other. Mathew hoisted her on a desk and she crossed her ankles at his waist. He groaned as his groin made contact with warm heat. He pulled her even closer and Aurora moaned loudly as his fingers brushed her thigh, bare, from her bunched up gown. A beep beep went off in her head. Aurora ignored it but the sound persisted. They pulled apart. The alarm for twelve o'clock was beeping from the electronic wristwatch on Mathew's wrist. Sanity dawned on them. Aurora quickly stood from the desk. She settled her gown while Mathew bent to pick up the brown envelope that fell from her hand while they'd been engaged in their hot embrace. The envelope was a slap of clarity on her passion induced mind. Without looking up she retrieved it from Mathew's outstretched hand, mumbled an apology and quickly walked out of the classroom. Out in the hallway, she broke into a quick run. Her heels permitted her.