"Okay, what was that about?" Georgia wore a sly grin, probably assuming the worst of that moment.
"What was what about?"
Georgia looked unconvinced. She proceeded to then choose a salad, make a disgusted face and select a 600 calorie cheese toastie instead. Along with a chocolate bar and milkshake.
"You like him, don't you?" Not giving her friend the chance to deny it she went on.
"You have a crush on Professor Rolf! And... he likes you too."
"No!" Fahmeen retaliated, buying both their lunches. "That's ridiculous."
"What part? You liking him or that I think he likes you too?"
"Both Georgia... look I admit, I find him very attractive. Who wouldn't?" Georgia defeatedly nodded and listened on.
"But that's it. He thinks we're kids anyways. Didn't you hear him? Anyways, let's get back. I don't wanna be late to his lesson."
Georgia watched as Fahmeen went ahead, her mind clouded with insecurity and doubt. Helpless she followed, determined to solve whatever her friend needed her to solve and the hunger gnawing away at her belly.
...
"Good lunch ladies?" Professor Rolf was all smiles as he held the door open for the two late students.
"Sorry sir, we lost track of time." Fahmeen said apologetically. She avoided his gaze and went to her seat along with Georgia.
"Okay, please don't make this a habit." He glanced at them both and continued where he left of.
...
The class ended and it was time to pack up. One more lesson and she could go home.
Fahmeen was excited for the evening, it was going to be a pizza and movie night with Georgia. Pyjamas and indulgence. Bliss.
"My mum's picking us up today, remember?" Fahmeen said, putting away her copy of the play.
Georgia nodded. "Meet you outside?"
"Okay." She had a few questions for the professor. Regarding the play, of course.
"Professor? I have a few questions?" Rolf sat up straight and leaned forward.
"Sure Fahmeen. How can I help?" Having his complete attention was nerve wracking. It was one thing staring into his eyes in a dream and then staring back in reality.
"Erm... it's regarding the play, Anthony and Cleopatra" He nodded for her to go on.
"I don't like it, to be quite frank. I know I told you I enjoy tragic romances, but the characters?"
She sighed and he smirked, enjoying watching her lost in thought.
"Come closer."
Her eyes widened.
"To my desk, I mean." He pulled out a chair and placed it to the side of his desk. She smiled, the thoughts in her head... looser. As she took her place, he sat too again and curiously asked.
"Which characters, Fahmeen?" Must he always say her name… Like that? Full of meaning and unspoken words. She wanted him to fill them in. Wait, what was she doing? What happened to maintaining a distance?
"Cleopatra. She's selfish."
He looked at her, a challenge in his eyes and a face as to say he was enjoying this.
"Why?"
"Why is she selfish? Come on sir."
He cleared his throat and raised his eyebrow.
"Oh sorry, professor?" He gave her a small smile.
"You can do better."
Their eyes looking at each other's. Unspoken words.
"Rolf?" That infectious smile again. He had these lines on his cheeks and beautiful teeth. He scratched his beard.
"Finally!" They both laughed.
"She's completely selfish. From the beginning she had Antony on his knees for her, doing her bidding. He's a fool in love and she just... just takes advantage of him."
The professor couldn't stop the smile on his face. These conversations were getting longer and the more he learnt about this student the more he enjoyed her company.
"Fair enough. She does tend to look out for herself a lot more than the average person."
Fahmeen lightly rolled her eyes and retaliated.
"Why does it feel like most women can get away with being completely selfish in love because men let them?"
"What, men like me?"
She just blinked, she was unsure of how to respond to this was sounding more dangerous. They seemed to be testing waters on how deep their conversations can go.
"I don't know about you, Professor." There, that'll cool things off.
"But I'm sure you have good intentions doing so yet you don't realise what you're allowing to happen."
Rolf leaned back, wanting her to make her point.
"Antony's a doormat. A plaything. Whilst for him it was real. He was truly in love, Professor." She looked at him then. He clenched his jaw, drumming his finger on his desk.
"But he was conflicted."
"By what?" He asked, coming closer.
"Bound by duty, blinded by love." She saw him swallow hard.
"Sometimes you have to choose. One over the other. It's not something you'd ideally want to do but it has to happen sometimes. Love is a powerful thing."
"Dangerous too. Duty is more important though." She responded.
His eyes studied her face, checking out her lips slowly, taking his time. Then bringing them back to her eyes.
"Is love not a duty? To oneself?" He looked down at her hand, which was holding the play. His hand, restless on his thigh.
"Duty to others takes precedence." Rolf for a moment looked surprised. That someone still so young can hold such traditional views.
"Touché, Miss. Mia."
"Miss huh?" She shook her head and looked back at him. Her smile went away when she found him staring at her without one. Instead, he looked serious. His eyebrows were drawn in ever so slightly and both his arms rested on the desk. He was no longer fidgeting.
"You seem... uninterested in love. Bad past?" Was he really asking her about her love life or was she looking too much into it? Either way, if this meant he did like her then she was all for it.
"No past." He seemed confused for a quick second but then realised.
"Ah. You constantly surprise me, Fahmeen." She shrugged.
"Just not interested I guess. See, if I got an Antony. I definitely would treat him better than Cleopatra." She chuckled and stood up.
"So you're waiting for the right guy... I assume?" He joined her on his feet and walked her to the door. Once again she had her back against the door and he was in front of her. This was becoming a thing.
Looser and looser the thoughts in her mind unravelled.
"I guess so. How about you, Rolf? Are you happily married? Kids?" She was nervous anticipating the answer.
"No and no." He quickly said. "Bad past."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Sir." He looked up from just seconds ago being lost in thought to her.
"How many times, Fahmeen?" He stepped closer. From the corner of her eye she could see his hand go behind her.
"Just Rolf." There were maybe five inches between them. She held her breath, not sure what she was waiting for.
"I find you so..." Before he could finish that sentence, her hand was on the door knob. But she found his there already. So, now they were touching hands. Great.
She didn't realise this but she had leaned back slightly, to accommodate him filling in their gaps.
"I need to get back to Georgia." She cleared her throat and that seemed to clear his head as he stood back and nodded.
"Of course. See you next week."
Cheers to the friggin weekend.