Nick __Professor: Scene
Nick stood by the desk, sorting through a stacks of papers from the morning lectures. A few files were spread across the surface, along with a pen that he absentmindedly left uncapped.
Outside the window, the campus buzzed with it's usual midday activity. Students crossed the courtyard in small groups, their voices faintly drifted through the open window.
Nick gathered the last of the paper and slipped it into the folder. He had completed his morning classes earlier the usual today, and was preparing to leave for the hostel.
Just as he reached for his coat, there was a light knock on the door.
Nick glanced up.
A girl stood at the doorway, that he recognized as one of his student. She hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Sir..... may I come in for a moment?"
Nick gave a small nod.
"Yes."
The girl stepped inside, clutching her notebook closer to her chest.
"Sir, we were wondering.... She began, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "Are you coming for the farewell today?"
Nick studied her expression briefly before answering.
"I am afraid I won't be able to make it." he said politely. "I have somewhere else I need to be."
The excitement in her eyes dimmed, though she quickly nodded.
"Oh.. I see. Alright, sir."
Nick picked his folder, and walked passed her as he stepped out of the office.
Meanwhile, in another part of the university, a group of students were discussing Professor Nick's absence from the farewell.
"I know that Professor Nick is a bit distant, but missing his own class farewell?" one of the teachers exclaimed. The Head of Department intervened, "As expected, but what's done is done, putting that aside every one should make sure that all the preparations are done perfectly, and carry out a proper last minute check."
After his encounter with the student, Nick left the university and headed to Arcadia to meet Ash. The walk wasn't long, but his mind wandered as he moved along the familiar road.
The umbrella is his hand felt oddly unnecessary, because the sky was perfectly clear today.
But he had bought it anyway.
The memory of last night resurfaced, without warning.
On his way back for the campus library, he had seen someone walking along the quiet road outside the hostel. At first he didn't payed much attention__ until he saw it.
Ash
She had been walking slowly through rain, completely drenched, her hair clenching to her face. There had been no umbrella, no attempt to shelter herself from the downpour.
He had almost call her out then, but she disappeared through the hostel gate before he could even decide.
Now, standing outside the same gate the next day, he found himself still thinking about it.
Nick signed the entry register at the security desk before stepping in the hostel compound.
His eyes instinctively wandered for the security guard who was usually stationed nearby.
Spotting him sitting on a chair near a tree, Nick approached him.
The security guard looked up smiled in recognition.
"Ah, professor Nick. Here to see Ash again?"
Nick returned a polite nod.
"If you could let her know I am here."
He knew Nick well__ The university professor often stopped by to meet Ash, so he was quite familiar with him by now. Therefore, without wasting time , he reached out for intercom.
"There you go" he said with a light chuckle "This admirer of yours will call her right away." Just then, his eyes drifted towards the umbrella Nick was holding. The guard glanced up the sky, which was perfectly clear, and out of curiosity he added
"But sir..... why the umbrella? The sky look perfectly clear." He glanced up the sky and chuckled."
"You're right, it won't rain." Nick said, following his gaze upward for a moment.
The security guard nodded and made the call.
Ash was lying on her bunk, quietly absorbed in a book, when a girl from burst in, excitement radiating from her face. "Ash, someone's waiting for you!" she exclaimed. Ash's curiosity was piqued, and she got up calmly, smoothing out her clothes.
She walked towards the entrance at an unhurried pace, brushing a loose strand behind her ear.
Nick raised his hand in greeting.
"Hey!"
She stopped in front on him.
"You came here?" she asked, a little surprised.
"I was just nearby," Nick said "Thought I'd check on you."
Ash gave a small nod.
"I'm fine."
Nick studied her for a moment before asking,
"So.." he said casually "How were your exams?"
"They went well."
Nick raised an eyebrow
"Well?" he repeated "That's all"
She shrugged faintly.
"They were manageable."
Nick let out a quite chuckle and shook his head slightly.
"that's your way of saying you probably finished half the paper before everyone else."
Ash gave him a quite unimpressed look. "You exaggerate."
"Do I?" Nick replied ( Ash has always been like that__ the kind of the girl who rarely complained about the exams because she was usually the one setting the standards for every one else.)
Nick folded his arm slightly "And the assignment I gave you? Is it completed?"
Ash sighed, as she nodded her head in approval.
For a moment neither of them spoke. Then Nick lifted the umbrella he had been holding.
"By the way this is for you."
"For me ?"
"You were walking in the rain," Nick said calmly "Without an umbrella."
"You saw that?"
"Unfortunately."
He held the umbrella out towards her.
"You came all the way just for this?"
Nick shrugged.
"Someone has to make sure you are taking good care of yourself."
She rolled her eyes slightly but took it.
"Thanks....I guess."
Nick nodded towards the street, "There a café nearby, let's go there and don't flatter yourself the coffee is for me."
"You assume things. I would prefer making one for myself rather then 'flattering myself.'"
Even though she resisted at first, but ultimately ended up agreeing, and quietly followed him as they left together.
They walked side by side in silence, and stopped in front of the small café, at the corner of the street.
Nick held the café door open for Ash and followed her in. They chose a cozy table by the window, and Nick ordered for them. Ash raised an eyebrow at the amount of desserts he'd ordered.
"You don't even like sweet, why did you order so many?" she said, looking at the waiter as he walked away.
Just then, Nick's phone rang, and Ales's name popped up on the screen. Nick's expression changed, and he cleared his throat.
"It's Ales." he said.
"She came to the country this morning. She might have something important to tell," he explained.
Ash nodded, and Nick answered the call.
Ales's voice burst through the phone, fast and frantic.
Nick listened patiently, his expression calm. Ash watched him, fascinated by his patience. When Ales finally ran out of words, Nick spoke up. "Calm down, and listen. I'll definitely scold them for you. Take a deep breath and chill."
As he spoke, his eyes met Ash's, and he was struck by the sight of her smiling. It was a gentle, genuine smile, and it took his breath away. For a moment, the world seemed to stop. "Listen, Ash is sitting in front of me. Want to talk to her?" he said, his voice low and husky.
Nick had known that Ash wasn't the type to initiate conversations, and this encounter might lead to an unexpected outcome. Yet, he was drawn to the possibility of rekindling their connection. He had been waiting for this opportunity for years, and the prospect of a new beginning filled him with hope. Despite the intensity of the situation, he refused to let it slip away. For once, he wanted to seize the moment and take a chance.
Ash, on the other hand, was taken aback by the sudden turn of events. She had never expected Nick to be so forthcoming, and her usual composure was beginning to falter. Her face etched with complaints and disapproval, she seemed to pierce a hole through him with her gaze. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to object, not when Nick's words held a gentle, coaxing tone.
Ales' voice on the other end of the line broke the silence, her delicate tone a stark contrast to the tension in the air. "Sup, Ash?" she asked, her words stirring up memories that Ash had tried to keep buried. The sound of Ales voice emotionally drained her, and Ash struggled to compose herself. Tears welled up in her eyes as she avoided eye contact, her gaze drifting to Nick, who was staring out the window, his profile unreadable.
Ash longed to vanish, to flee from the pain and the past, but fate had other plans. She was obliged to confront her emotions and react. "E...verything is on track, what about you?" she stuttered, her voice cracking as she struggled to maintain her composure. With her blurry vision, she hid her vulnerability from Nick and glanced at him, desperate to gauge his reaction.
But Nick remained oblivious to her struggle, his gaze fixed on the window. "It's going well! Got my grad degree, back here," Ales declared concisely, withholding unnecessary details.
Nick's decision to keep the conversation going seemed to be paying off, as Ash was now actively participating, her words soothing to his ears.
As Ash took a spoonful of brownie, Nick's eyes met hers, and for a moment, they locked gazes. A subtle grin framed his face, and Ash's eyes narrowed, her expression infuriated. "Ales, someone is getting worn out from our chat," she blurted out, referring to Nick, who was chugging water.
"Don't tell me that someone is big brother!" Ales exclaimed on the other end of the phone. "No, keep going. Don't bother yourself," Nick said coldly, giving Ash a stern look. Ash rose her brows, biting the inside of her cheek, unsure of how to respond.
The conversation continued, with Ash sharing her plans for internships and Ales responding with enthusiasm. But Nick's attention was caught by Ash's question about his friends. Is she asking about them? No way! I must have heard wrong. It's been years, and she hasn't asked about them once, he thought, taken aback by his own reaction.
Ales's responded, "You mean Ather and that dumbass? They won't die, so don't worry!" only added to the tension. The look on Nick's face was intense and heartbreaking, his expression visibly pale.