Misunderstanding

Fahmeen's POV:

Mum invited Rolf to stay for lunch and he was hesitant. I assured him with my warmest smile and he gave in. I think he felt intrusive, badgering on about; it's your Saturday and he shouldn't overstay his welcome yada yada yada.

We were currently sitting on the dining table, and my sister joined us. A steaming pan of lasagne sat in the middle. Its delicious crust of bubbling cheese was salivating. There was a vibrant assortment of wild leaves and cherry tomatoes, seasoned to perfection. Mum presented the food in her best dishes and she's enjoying having a guest. I see the way her eyes light up at Rolf's questions and interest in me. I brush off the sudden sadness at the thought of family. How easy it was for them to cut ties and ignore our past. It's hard to stop the flashbacks of my cousins and our reels of memories haunting my happiness now. I hate the hold over me.

"Looks delicious, Mrs. Mia." Rolf says. All our eyes are gleaming with anticipation. Food is surely the key to the heart.

"Thank you." Her wide smile is courtesy of his compliment and she begins to dish out generous heaps on everyone's plates. I then follow with the glass bowl of salad and my heart flutters when Rolf gives me his plate. He's looking at me intensely whilst taking it back, now with salad, and I can't tell you what he's thinking. I'm the first to break our contact and sit, focusing on my meal. I place my hand over his under the table and we all start to eat.

He sits adjacent to me and as he's busy talking with my family, I feel his knee brush mine every once in a while. I find it endearing how he reaches out to me, I find his touch reassuring. It warms my soul... and body.

"You're helping my daughter a lot, Professor. She comes home happy talking about your lessons." My mother's oblivious at first to the look I give her. I want to laugh because she catches on and her face grows rosy and Rolf chuckles,
"Ah really?" He takes a sip of water.
"That's interesting to know. She is a great student." He looks at me and winks so only I see.
"A fine addition."
I clear my throat and he looks away, and no one suspects anything I reassure myself.

...

My mother sees him to the door and I stand on the stairs, watching their interaction. She really likes him and it makes me happy in a weird sense that he has her approval.
"Thank you for the hospitality, Mrs. Mia and Fahmeen? I'll be expecting you on Monday." He says the last bit authoritatively at me and nods before leaving.

"I like him." My mother says, raising her eyebrows. I know what that means, she knows I find him attractive.
"Me too." I'm never shy of telling her of every crush I've ever had and to make things as plain sailing as can be, I admit this crush.

"He's good looking." I fold my arms, gauging her reaction.
"He is handsome. I've never had a teacher look like that before." She's chuckling, walking away. Her happiness affecting the overall mood of our home. It feels a little less desolate.

I blow out a breath I didn't know I held.

Fahmeen's POV:

It would've been a normal day if it wasn't for the exaggerated PDA perpetrated by her.

I was trying to work in the common room; which is a space designed to encourage studying and it was designated for the senior students. My head was down, concentrating on the feedback by one of my teachers. I was swimming in mock questions for exam practice.

I hear an obnoxious giggle, it was so much louder in here because people like to quietly work. However, people like Shania didn't understand that. Nor care to. I sigh deeply, calming the impending irritation. Looking over at them, I see her sat on Emilio's lap. Whispering in his ear and he's clearly uncomfortable with her very public affection.

It didn't suit him at all, this couple behaviour. Emilio keeps looking around nervously as she's almost nibbling his ear.
"You're so funny." She almost squeals and her wandering gaze lands on me for a second. It was a cold look. It wasn't weird I was discreetly looking at them because most people here were. She loved it, he didn't.

What was funny however, he didn't actually say anything and instead he's gesturing for her to get off his lap. She brushes it off not taking his request seriously. But I can tell he's serious. In fact, his face flashes with anger and frustration. Shania is oblivious to how she's making him feel. His face grows red as she remains seated, loudly chatting to their friends around them.

Suddenly, Emilio harshly whispers,
"Get off." Shania looks offended.
"Are you serious?"
Emilio's expression never falters and she complies eventually. Once he's up, everyone is looking. I'm holding my breath, not knowing what to expect. He frustratedly sighs and shakes his head. Before he turns to leave I see his expression. Emilio looks so disappointedly at Shania. I pity him, especially as he leaves no friends chase him and his girlfriend scoffs and turns back to her conversations.

My heart is beating fast, thinking do I go after him? I felt bad that he'd be alone right now especially considering how kind he'd been to me before. I stand, packing away my bag and ignore Shania's calculative stare.

I find him outside the academy gates. Usually students smoked here but he just leaned against the entrance. He's startled at my arrival. Emilio stands straight and watches me approach him. I'm very nervous, feelings I've hidden away now dare to resurface as our eyes connect.

"Are you alright, Emilio?" I'm not sure how to start a conversation with him, it's our first proper one without being conveniently in the same room.

His stare is long and judging of me. Slowly he nods and looks away.

"I made a mistake." I'm unsure of what to say as I don't understand what he's referring to. I boldly ask,
"Is this about your girlfriend?"
He scoffs.

"Yeah, my girlfriend."

"Can I ask something?"

He turns to me with his undivided attention. I notice his nod for me to proceed and I don't think about what I'm about to say.

"Why did you change? I thought we were kind of friends. But suddenly you stopped talking to me. It was like I did something wrong."

He swallows down hard, avoiding my gaze.
"You noticed that, huh?"
"It was hard not to." I meant it in a way that wasn't how he must have thought judging by his surprised expression. I ignore his steps towards me and await his explanation.

"Shania's not who I thought she was. Well, I guess she is. But not who I needed."
"I was chasing the wrong thing." He quickly follows.

"The wrong one." He's softer in speech and I wish I looked away from his deep brown eyes. They were holding me to my spot. I was suddenly feeling emotional because he was my first real crush. And now he's talking to me like I'd always imagined. But everything is different now. We never can be. I don't think we were meant to.

A loud car slams shut and startles me out of my thoughts. I look to the source and find Rolf, he clenches his jaw and immediately looks away from the two of us. He blows out a breath and locks his car door. He's carrying a bag of food and walks up to the entrance. I'm hurt he's ignoring me. I wander how long he's been here?

Rolf uses his ID to open the electronic gates,
"Are you two ready to go inside?" His tone is accusing but formal. Detached from the usual tenderness and familiarity. Still he doesn't look at me. I see his quick glance at Emilio and it suggests he's holding back.
"Yeah, sure." Emilio walks through as Rolf waits by the gates.
"Thanks Professor." I say, hoping he'll look at me, just once. He simply nods and as soon as I'm through, he follows and walks past fast into the building.

The absence of him is misery