As we strolled through the gallery, I found myself mesmerized by the collection of art. The paintings, portraits, and sculptures were simply breathtaking. It was no wonder the stained glass dome above us was so renowned.As we walked side by side, our hands occasionally brushed against each other. Then, unexpectedly, Izan gently intertwined our fingers, his touch sending warmth coursing through me.“I can’t believe I’m allowed to touch the art,” he whispered excitedly, his eyes sparkling with delight as he glanced down at me.“You’re such a goofball,” I chuckled, feeling a surge of affection for him.He brought my hand to his lips, planting a soft kiss on my knuckle. “And I can even kiss the art,” he said with a mischievous grin.“Izan!” I exclaimed, playfully swatting his arm.“What? It’s true,” he replied, his tone playful as he flashed me a charming smile.He gently cupped my face in his hands, his touch tender and warm. “You outshine the art upon this wall, I’m sure. For in your p
“Thank you so much.” I sighed in relief. My savior, cladded in a not-so-shiny black hoodie, returned my phone—that had flew out of my hand when those thugs were running after me. He gave me a nod then turned around. “Wait! Can you give me your number? I wish to repay your kindness someday.” I sought after him but he shook his head and started slipping away into the darkness of the alleyway. “At least tell me your name!” I called after as he ran faster into the approaching darkness. “Wait!” I shouted as I ran after him but it was futile, no matter how hard I tried, he was always out of my reach. I was brought back from my slumber to the continuous ringing of my phone. Another dream. The same beginning, the same ending with just a few things differing each time. I glanced out the window from my study table at the corner of my room. The sun had started taking the shade of orange, casting the city in the hues of approaching evening. I sighed and picked up the phone.“Hi Ma.”“How are
Confidence wrapped around him like a cloak, his demeanour exuding an air of authority softened by a hint of approachability. Dark, tousled hair framed a face that could rival the ancient sculptures, with shades of mahogany and copper dancing through the strands, hinting at a hidden fire. His hazel eyes, behind clear glasses, shifted like chameleons, in hue with each flicker of emotion, an ocean of complexities shimmering beneath their surface. They held a certain depth, seemingly concealing a wealth of knowledge and experience. Standing tall at 6’2”, he effortlessly commanded attention, drawing gazes without any effort. The contrast between his crisp cream shirt and deep ocean blue slacks only added to his composed sophistication. In that instant, I was spellbound, entangled by a potent mix of awe and intrigue. The fleeting hero from that fateful night had transformed into an academic, adorning the guise of a professor within the walls of academia. The revelation sent a surge of quest
“So, where are you guys from?” Luca inquired as we settled into a cosy corner at the small table.“Born in America, grew up in France, studied in Germany, now living in this beautiful country of Romania hoping to come across perhaps Lord Transylvania or a handsome vampire,” Zoe shared dreamily, earning a chuckle from us. As I took a sip of my coffee, Luca’s curiosity turned to me.“Born grew up, and studied in Bangladesh,” I replied with a smile, noticing a flicker of puzzlement in Luca’s expression—a reaction I completely understood.“No offence, but where is that?” Luca asked sheepishly, his expression tinged with a slight embarrassment.“None taken,” I reassured him. “It’s in Asia, right beside India.”“Ah, I didn’t know, sorry,” Luca responded apologetically.“Don’t worry, it’s a small country and not often in the spotlight. I totally get it,” I reassured him.“Yeah, I came to know about Bangladesh when my flight to Japan had a layover there a few years ago,” Zoe chimed in between
The countdown to the upcoming Modern Literature of Europe lecture crept by in agonizing slowness. Every passing second felt stretched into an eternity, though it amounted to just two days. Secretly, I found myself yearning to see him again, a desire I refused to admit aloud. His absence made the campus, not the largest expanse, but sizable enough to conceal him from my curious gaze.My attire for the day cascaded with deliberate elegance: an off-white shirt of satin texture gliding over my form, accentuated by a sleek black sweater vest. Paired with brown slacks, I meticulously folded the sleeves of my shirt, adding a touch of casual sophistication. Opting for a low ponytail, I allowed tendrils of hair to lazily frame my face, lending a subtle allure. A mere hint of moisturizer and sunscreen graced my skin, and as I set the sunscreen aside, my fingers grazed over my modest collection of lipsticks. Feeling a streak of boldness, I chose a dark shade of brown, one that harmonized with th
“I will, Sir. Thank you,” I assured, clutching the book tightly against me as he nodded.“Have a good day, Ms. Hanan,” he bid before stepping into the hallway.“You too, Sir.” A smile automatically crossed my lips as he walked away, leaving me with a strange fluttering sensation lingering in my chest.“Will that be all for today, Ms Hanan?” the librarian inquired politely as I returned the borrowed book to the library counter.“Yes, thank you,” I replied with a smile and turned around to leave only to remember something I needed.“There actually is something I needed help with. I'm looking for ‘The Anxiety of Influence’ by Harold Bloom,” I asked.“Of course. We have the book. It’s in the literature criticism section, aisle three, third shelf from the top,” the librarian directed, her tone helpful as I set off to locate the book.Navigating through the shelves, I traced the spine labels, scanning each row for the sought-after title. Finally, I spotted it, neatly nestled between other c
It was a lazy Saturday, and I found myself engrossed in a conversation with Zoe over the phone. She was still grilling me for being late to our café meet-up earlier in that week when I had stumbled into Izan. Luca was quick to brush it off but Zoe, well, she is Zoe.“Are you certain you will be able to make it tonight?” Zoe’s voice rang with a hint of exasperation, the question feeling all too familiar.It was a lazy Saturday, and I found myself engrossed in a conversation with Zoe over the phone. She was still grilling me for being late to our café meet-up earlier in that week when I had stumbled into Izan. Luca was quick to brush it off but Zoe, well, she is Zoe.“Are you certain you will be able to make it tonight?” Zoe’s voice rang with a hint of exasperation, the question feeling all too familiar.“Yeah, yeah,” I sighed, a twinge of guilt in my voice. “I just need to find something to wear for your party.”“I have tons of dresses. Just make it on time for the dinner, will you?” Z
After the initial exchange, silence draped over us like a heavy curtain. It was not the comfortable kind of silence one might appreciate, at least not from my end. I kept my fingers busy on the keyboard, eyes glued to the screen, purposely avoiding any chance of our eyes meeting again.Despite my efforts, I couldn’t help but sneak peeks at Izan from time to time. He was totally absorbed in his book, jotting down notes like a pro. His pen danced between his fingers effortlessly, all his attention on the pages. I felt like a mere ghost of a person, invisible to him in the midst of all those words. It was like the world faded away around him, leaving me here, anxious and tapping my feet to disguise the nerves I couldn’t really explain. I shook my head, trying to snap out of it, and turned my focus back to the blank page on my laptop.I felt my frustration mounting as I sifted through the pile of books, notes, and endless tabs, trying to make sense of this paper. With a sigh, I slouched i
As we strolled through the gallery, I found myself mesmerized by the collection of art. The paintings, portraits, and sculptures were simply breathtaking. It was no wonder the stained glass dome above us was so renowned.As we walked side by side, our hands occasionally brushed against each other. Then, unexpectedly, Izan gently intertwined our fingers, his touch sending warmth coursing through me.“I can’t believe I’m allowed to touch the art,” he whispered excitedly, his eyes sparkling with delight as he glanced down at me.“You’re such a goofball,” I chuckled, feeling a surge of affection for him.He brought my hand to his lips, planting a soft kiss on my knuckle. “And I can even kiss the art,” he said with a mischievous grin.“Izan!” I exclaimed, playfully swatting his arm.“What? It’s true,” he replied, his tone playful as he flashed me a charming smile.He gently cupped my face in his hands, his touch tender and warm. “You outshine the art upon this wall, I’m sure. For in your p
“I thought I might find you here,” his voice caught me off guard, causing me to jump. I turned around, book in hand, to see him leaning against another bookshelf, hands casually tucked into his pockets.“Don’t startle me like that,” I sighed, but couldn’t help smiling at the sight of him. How could someone look so effortlessly good? As he straightened up and began to stroll towards me, instinctively, I backed up.“Don’t look at me like that,” he murmured, his hands coming to rest on either side of my head, effectively trapping me. I glanced away, but he chuckled softly, his thumb gently tracing along my jawline.“What are you doing? We’re in the library, Izan. Someone might see us!” I whispered, my heart pounding with excitement and nervousness.“I don’t care. Let them see,” he replied, his voice low and filled with determination.“I think you might have forgotten that you can’t be seen with one of your students. And I happen to be just that,” I reminded him, pushing him away gently.
Relief washed over me in waves, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. The turmoil that had been keeping me awake at night finally settled, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. But then, as I basked in the warmth of his embrace, reality came crashing back with a vengeance. He had shown up out of nowhere, as if he hadn’t left after promising he would never leave. Anger bubbled up inside me, hot and fierce, and before I could stop myself, I pulled away from his arms.With a surge of adrenaline, I stomped on his foot with all the force I could muster, my heeled boots making contact with a satisfying thud. He winced in pain, clutching his foot, and I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me, tempered with a hint of regret at my own outburst. “Okay, I deserved that,” Izan admitted, wincing in pain as he nursed his foot.“You’re such a jerk! You know that!” I couldn’t hold back the anger in my voice, but he just kept his gaze do
At the last minute, I hesitated, cold feet creeping in as doubts flooded my mind. Was using him as a distraction really a good idea? But before I could think of an escape, my phone rang, and Luca’s name flashed across the screen. With a shaky firmness, I answered and agreed to meet him by the campus in ten minutes.As I hung up, nerves fluttered in my stomach. What had I gotten myself into? But I had said yes, and now there was no turning back.With a deep breath, I pushed open the door and stepped outside into the crisp afternoon air. The cool breeze offered little comfort as I made my way toward our meeting spot.Conversation flowed around me, students laughing and chatting as they made their way home. But my mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of distraction and rebellion against my own heartache.With each step, my resolve wavered, but I pushed on, determined to prove to myself that I could do better, that I wasn’t going to wallow in self-pity over a guy who had left me behin
The feeling was suffocating, like the air had been sucked out of the room, leaving me gasping for breath. Every moment without him felt like an eternity, his absence a gaping hole in my chest. I clung to the hope that he would show up for our class, that his familiar presence would ease the ache in my heart. But as the minutes ticked by and he remained nowhere to be seen, dread began to pool in the pit of my stomach.Class after class passed, each one cancelled without warning or explanation. Panic set in, gnawing at the edges of my mind. Had I done something to drive him away? Was he hurt, lost, or worse?I reached for my phone, fingers trembling as I dialled his number. But each call went unanswered, his voice nowhere to be heard on the other end of the line.The uncertainty was like a weight pressing down on me, threatening to crush me under its unbearable heaviness. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I paced back and forth, my mind consumed by thoughts of him and him alone
I watched as the words slipped from my lips, and carried on a fragile breath of hope. “But I’m glad you did. I’m glad you thought of me,” I murmured, my voice barely louder than the whisper of the wind through the trees.His eyes, deep and endless like the night sky, widened ever so slightly. I saw the subtle shift in his expression, the flicker of something stirring within him. His breath, once steady and calm, now quickened, each inhale heavy with unspoken emotion.And then it hit me like a sudden gust of wind, the weight of my confession crashing down upon me like a wave against the shore. “Oh my God. Forget I said anything,” I blurted out, my words tumbling over each other in a desperate attempt to backtrack.Scrambling to my feet, I gathered my things, trying to escape. But as I turned to leave, I felt his touch, warm and gentle against my skin, wrapping around my wrist like a lifeline.Electricity coursed through my veins at his touch, sending sparks flying in every direction. I
My heart leapt as her eyes fluttered open. Those beautiful honey-coloured orbs widened in surprise as she realized she was nestled against me. She began to pull away, but I winced, pretending it hurt, and she halted.“Sorry,” she whispered, her voice groggy. “Are you in pain?” she asked, concern evident in her eyes. I sighed softly.“Not anymore,” I whispered, tightening my grip around her. I could feel her cheeks flushing as my fingers held her close.“I should make something for you to eat,” she murmured, and I knew our moment couldn’t last forever. She had to leave, and I had to let her go. Mira slowly got up and hurriedly left the room, never lifting her eyes to look at anything but the door. I chuckled and laid back down.My world was a dangerous place, and I never wanted to drag someone from the outside into my mess. I didn’t want her to be tangled up in my complicated life. But just the thought of not seeing her for a few hours sent a stabbing pain through me. That's why I foun
She laughed, smiled and glowed right before my very eyes. At that moment, without even lifting a finger, she made me feel things I didn’t think I was capable of feeling. Jealousy being one of them. I was so overcome with jealousy that before I could think of something better, I bumped into her, the mug of coffee flew out of her grip and I was quick to make sure it fell on him, that guy.The level of satisfaction and comfort I got seeing him running to the washroom later made me question everything but I got to talk to her. And for that, I will bump into anyone, drench anyone in burning hot coffee. Needless to say, after getting her coffee, I slept a lot better.But my peaceful days were short-numbered. I heard them talk and what I heard made my blood boil.“Invested? In what” Mira asked. And her obnoxious friend spoke again.“Come on, don’t tell me I’m the only one who noticed how he was eyeing you,”I guess someone needs a little eye plucking! I barely kept myself from growling aloud
I was awe struck, baffled and absolutely bewildered as I stared at the woman nuzzled into my neck, sleeping so soundly. She lay nestled against me, fast asleep, her grip on my arms firm as if she dreaded my vanishing act. Glancing around, I noticed the sun already casting its golden light into the room, illuminating every corner. Her fragrance permeated the air, wrapping me in its comforting embrace with every breath I took. My gaze drifted downward, revealing the bandages covering my body. I wrapped my arms around her a little too tight, holding a little too close, indulging in how she felt against me. We fit perfectly. I had given up hope, never daring to dream that I would one day experience the warmth of holding my soulmate in my arms.I had given up hope of ever finding her. I had stopped looking for her. Then, fate decided to play its hand, and she crashed into my world, quite literally. That day’s mostly a blur, I forgot most of what happened that day but every detail of when I