Avon and Aveline were seated with a bunch of books before them where one could see endless numerical problems and derivations were written.
It was a total mess, both of them looked exhausted.
"Want to take a break?" Aveline asked in a weak voice.
"..yes", Avon answered.
She got something to drink and they both just sat quietly for a while.
"I am sorry Ms.Aveline. You put in so much time for my sake and helped me so much while asking nothing in return and I ended up like this. I...I will be careful to confirm things on my own from next time and not be so careless."
Aveline felt uncomfortable as she heard him say this. She knew it wasn't exactly his fault.
It was a human error and such things can happen. He could've been more careful but sometimes things can slip out of hand. Especially when someone was as busy Avon was. Every day was an effortful one.
Looking at him dejected like, she felt a pang in her heart. Whenever he was with her, his eyes had this shine, which seemed to project outwards, but now, his eyes had a deep and dead look.
He was obviously exhausted after putting in so much effort each day only to know that his small error may lead to all of this being for naught.
She didn't like it, she liked it when he was an awkward, positive and shy kid just going about his work with an optimistic mindset.
He was always trying to make things fun whenever possible during the classes. His shy nature was also obvious but he tried to hide it but she could notice all of that. Right now though, nothing affected Avon and he was just dejected and tensed. What she found even painful is how Avon apologized to her saying he wasted her time.
Avon was currently lost in deep thought recollecting everything that had happened.
'If only I had seen the date once, just once, things would have been fine. Why did I not do that. Isn't it obvious to be very careful about such things. I am always like this. Unlreliable. Passing the exam would've been difficult but I'm sure there was a chance I could. Had I seen the dates much earlier then it would've helped in preparing quicker too'
He let out a long sigh.
Aveline who was looking at Avon could see that he was blaming himself for what happened.
Aveline knew had begun to understand know about Avon's simple character somewhat. As long as the task is in his hands, no matter how difficult, he will keep on trying.
It was evident when she taught him, he had gone from basics to advanced stuff taking time, but with clarity. He knew when to use intuition and when to just memorize. No matter how difficult, he tried his best to understand.
Even in this short time, he learnt so much but with quality. That was what impressed her the most.
But now the situation was not something in his hands. He didn't control when the next test would be and it was highly likely that it wouldn't be at any time convenient for him.
Aveline who knew this just looked at him, stress was evident on the neutral and easy going face of his. She could not bear to see this state of his and realized something.
'I have gotten attached to this kid....It makes sense ...spending time together everyday having conversations and working together towards a goal. If it was anyone else, maybe I would not have gotten attached. But because he is genuine, I came to care for him. He obviously carries a burden too big for him. He hasn't told me what it is yet but I can see that much. Yet, he maintains his composure and tries to be normal. Working hard towards overcoming the difficulties.....
I have been alone for so long ...meeting him multiple times coincidentally made me just a little curious about him. But he is such a good kid. Unknowingly, I have gotten attached to him, everyday waiting for him to come, waiting for him to find jokes in little things and wanting to listen to his opinions on various things. The meaningful conversations and the nonsensical conversations, he is so good at both that I love talking to him. I want to always support him. He has become the light in my dark, dull and monotonous life. I cannot bear to see him like this. This devastated look on his face makes me realize how much I care for him.'
"Listen carefully Avon, this just a mere setback. If you start believing that everything is lost then you will lose everything. How about we focus on the task ahead of us. Let's quickly finish the syllabus first."
Avon who was looking into empty space while hearing all of this looked at Aveline.
"Please, there's no need to do this for me...I will handle it myself. You helped me so much, gave me so much of your time and knowledge only for me to waste it like this. It's time for me return already. I will take my leave for today."
He said slowly getting up.
Aveline pulled him down and said,"I am doing this because I want to, I want to help you, stay, stay and let me help you"
"No...I can't trouble you anymore than this..."
His stubbornness irked her, in aggressive tone she said,
"Listen here Mister, I have helped you everyday, given you time out of my schedule just to help you. I taught you personally and if you fail tomorrow it is my failure as a teacher too. It's not like if you have the test today you could've guaranteed to pass. Talking about passing, do you even know how low of a standard simply passing is? Especially if you're my student. I was going to let it pass because of the time constraint, but after I helped you so much you're willing throw it away over some self disappointnent? So you will listen to this teacher of yours and stay here and master all of the remaining syllabus, got it?"
Avon was taken aback, he knew her intentions but didn't know she would scold him like this.
He didn't agree with part that he was throwing it all away but he felt that this wasnt the right time to speak back.
He had made a friend who was there to help in this difficult time. Initially she was helping him but they weren't that close. However now, they were more than just a person helping another out of curiosity or any other formal teacher Student. They were much closer now. A smile appeared on his face
"Thank you"
He spoke in a soft voice.
Her heart fluttered looking at his smile and she smiled too. "Nothing to thank me for, thank me when you pass."