Falling For My Married Professor

Download <Falling For My Married Profess...> for free!

DOWNLOAD

CCL 220

Cross-Cultural Literacy Studies class was scheduled for 9am today, and in spite of still not being familiar with her environment, Yaren had made it to class by 8:40am. It was a different lecture theatre today and she realized sitting at the back wasn't a good idea because she couldn't see clearly.

The front row seemed like the better option because the middle row would probably be occupied by students who weren't particularly interested in the class, that meant they'd notice and make fun of her. The front row, however, would be occupied by people who were interested in the lecture, people who would be too focused to notice her. And it was unlikely for anyone to make fun of her when they were seated right in front of the professor.

It was a new week; the second class, and Yaren noticed it was fuller today. Perhaps a lot of people hadn't resumed from the break last week, or perhaps a lot of people hadn't been able to attend the class last week because the professor had shut the doors.

While everyone else engaged in conversations and jokes, she decided to go through last week's note though she'd done that again and again during the weekend. Fortunately, Cassie had been away during that time so there hasn't been a lot of disturbances. She hadn't seen her since Art History class but she'd heard her playing music from time to time, and then she'd heard her locking her door on Friday evening, and it'd been quiet till Sunday night when she returned.

She'd also called home on Sunday when she knew her parents would be home. Elif had been super excited to hear from her; she had rambled about school, and about how she'd told her friends her sister was now studying at an Ivy league university and all. They'd laughed about it, but then, the mood had become sombre when her dad reminded her that she wasn't just there for the bragging right.

He'd gone further to tell her that things were a bit more complicated now that she wasn't home to guide Elif and look after her when they were away. And then her mother had told her to stay away from the boys, saying they were already searching for a husband for her and all.

By the time the call ended, she had been less inclined to study some more instead of going to sleep, and she had studied till she fell asleep at her desk.

An all too familiar hush settled over the hall as the professor strode into into the hall gracefully. Yaren watched him close the doors before making his way to the podium. Sitting at the front gave a an exquisite view of him, and she noticed more than she had last time because she wasn't in any trouble.

She noticed his outfit: a dark grey three-piece suit, crisp white shirt underneath paired with a patterned silk tie, black Oxfords, and a pocket watch chain.

He was good looking; dark hair, traces of a stubble beard, sharp grey eyes which were clear behind thin rimmed glasses. And he looked really rich, she couldn't help but wonder if the university paid so well. Perhaps if she did really well they'd offer her a position at the university after graduation. That way, she could earn some money while furthering her education.

But would her parents let her? Didn't she have to go back to Rize and get married?

She pushed the thought aside and focused on the regal professor in front of her. He took a moment to observe the class before he spoke.

"Let's start with an introduction since the class is more populated than last time." Something about his voice commanded respect, something about the way he spoke. "This is CCL 220; Cross-Cultural Literacy Studies, and I am Gabriel Whitefield. As you know, you can address me as Dr. Or Professor Whitefield."

Dr. Gabriel Whitefield.....

The name echoed in Yaren mind so much that she didn't hear everyone respond to his introduction with a "Good morning Professor Whitefield."

The professor made his way behind the desk to tap on the smart board, and it wasn't long before today's topic was displayed; Narrative as resistance.

She scribbled it down quickly just as he read it out loud.

“Before we begin," The professor spoke, "I have a quick question from last week’s lecture."

Yaren felt herself getting excited, it happened everytime a question was asked in class. She was the kind of student that took joy in answering questions or at least attempting to try.

"How do Rumi’s and Virginia Woolf’s approaches to identity and freedom contrast, and what does that reveal about their cultural contexts?” The professor asked as his gaze travelled around the hall slowly, deliberately.

The hall became even more silent for a moment as everyone thought it through. But Yaren knew this, she had studied religiously and she knew this. She raised her hand almost immediately to get his attention, and their gazes met for the first time this morning.

There was a flicker of recognition in his eyes as he nodded, permitting her to speak. But now that she had his attention, Yaren felt her breath falter ever so slightly and she felt her confidence dwindled. After all, he hadn't seemed impressed by her enthusiasm last week.

She cleared her throat quietly before attempting to speak.

“Rumi embraces a spiritual, transcendental view of identity....."

"Speak up so everyone can hear you." The deep baritone of his voice interrupted her just as she began answering. His tone wasn't harsh or degrading, but it had Yaren wishing she could melt and disappear.

She cleared her throat once more and tried again.

"Rumi embraces a spiritual, transcendental view of identity which encourages surrender to change and unity beyond the self—reflecting the mystical traditions of the Middle East." She spoke, all the while her breath faltered as his strking eyes continued to watch her. To her relief, he nodded once, encouraging her to go on.

"Woolf, on the other hand, foregrounds individual consciousness and personal freedom, highlighting the constraints imposed by society, especially on women in early 20th-century Europe.” She finished.

The professor nodded once more.

"Very good, thank you." He commended before his gaze left hers to travel around the class once more. "This proves that going through lecture notes during the weekend helps a lot."

And just as Yaren was beginning to breathe probably, someone spoke from behind in a low voice which probably wasn't meant to be heard.

"Naah, she's just a nerd."

Snickers followed and it lasted for a couple of seconds which felt like hours to Yaren. Yes, she was used to this, but it still stings from time to time. But what she wasn't used to was what happened next.

"Who said that?" Professor Gabriel asked as he made his way around the desk with a hand in his pocket. He perched his rear on the edge as his cold gaze continued to take in the hall.

Teachers and professors usually ignored comments her classmates made about her being a nerd and all, they treated it like it was nothing mainly because they believed she was inconsequential. But this was different.

"Do I need to ask again?" The professor said.

The hall seemed to have held it's breath. A pin drop silence has settled and Yaren feared the sound of her erratic heartbeat could be heard.

"If I have to speak the security coordinator to look into the footage and find the culprit, the punishment will be severe." He told them.

There were cameras in every lecture hall, and he didn't mind going through the rouble of having someone look into the footage just to find the culprit? Yaren watched wide-eyed, she had forgotten how to breathe at this point.

"It was me, sir." The same voice spoke from behind just as the professor began reaching for his phone.

Yaren looked behind her to see a guy with sandy blonde hair standing at the back. He seemed arrogant and haughty but the cold glare of the professor made it less apparent.

"Your name?" The professor asked him.

"Leo Fontaine, sir."

"Did what you said about her sound right to you, Mr. Fontaine?"

Leo cleared his throat quietly before responding:

"It was meant to be a joke." He said, and she noticed he had a subtle French accent.

The professor shook his head.

"It was disrespectful, not just to her but to me." He said. "You disrupted my lesson."

Ah, so he was more upset his lesson had been disrupted? Just like he had been upset about her opening the door last week. Yaren felt a pang of disappointment for having thought this was about her.

"I'm sorry, Professor."

The response was immediate. "No. Apologize to her."

Yaren's breath hitched on hearing that. She didn't want to think too much of the fact that everyone was now staring at her.

Leo seemed very displeased about having to apologize to a nobody like her, but he didn't have much of choice.

"I'm sorry." He said to her.

And she nodded quickly. The sooner they resolved this, the sooner they could return to the lesson and everyone would forget about her.

"Good. Sit down." The professor ordered. "This should be the last time any one of you decides to do something like that in my class. Do you understand me?"

Everyone responded with a "Yes professor."

"Good. Back to the lesson."

And it was only then Yaren let herself breathe.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter