The Colors Of Love - Episode 2

 

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I arrive late for my class all thanks to Aliyah eating all of my noodles and I had to cook again. Urgh_she can be a pain sometimes. I just went to the toilet for what? Two minutes tops and when I came back I found an empty plate. And I can vividly remember asking her if she wanted some.

The class is already full and the lecturer, already in class_I scan the theatre and spot an empty seat. I make my way silently to my seat and look up to see the lecturer_ Dr Zafar Khatan glaring at me . I swallow a chuckle_knowing what will come after the glare. I quickly taking a seat, as he throws a question at me. 

Do I know him or what?

"What is the energy yield for the complete oxidation of the fatty acid palmitate, Miss Hakeem?"

Uh uh_I vaguely remember reading about it this morning in class as I was divided between hearing rambles of "TheNabeel" from some girls belonging to his fan club and reading Lipid Biosynthesis. I think its 106, or 108 ATP_I'm not sure, I can't remember.

Dr Zafar always does this to me_asking me questions related to topics we haven't discussed in class. Just because I  once pointed out a mistake he made in analytical chemistry last semester

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-colors-of-love

. He always asks me questions_so I read ahead to avoid getting embarrassed. But seriously, are we kids or what?

I clear my voice and answer "106 ATP sir" but it comes out as more of a croak that sounds like a cracked 1950's song_I have sore throat. I mentally face palm myself as the guy beside me whispers "its 108 not 106".

I look beside me to size him up but he's wearing a hoodie, so I can't clearly see him. My instincts tell me to trust him since I'm not sure, so I clear my voice again and answer.

"The energy yield for the complete oxidation of the fatty acid palmitate is 108 ATP sir" I say, hoping I sound confident enough. Dr Zafar is like a shark_immediately he smells blood, or in my case now_fear,or uncertainty, he'll gobble me up as dinner.

I hope to God you're right, young man. Cause Man, I'd really hate to start introducing myself with the b-tchy side.

"That is incorrect, Miss Hamza. As you once said to me_recheck your sources. The correct answer is 106ATP." Dr Zafar answers_more like gloats with a wicked smirk that I want to wipe off his face.

Bad bad Instinct... I trusted you but you betrayed me.

The class erupts in laughter probably from recalling the said incident_but hey_ I just pointed out a mistake he made and at the time I didn't even know he was a lecturer_he looked more like those ITK(I-too-know) gurus giving their fellow dumb students tutorials. That was why I said the 'Recheck your sources' phrase. I immediately apologized when I realized who he was but he'd already taken it to heart.

I could hear mumbles of "she's the BCH nerd right? shugaban 'yan gaban nan(the head of the front benchers association), that egoistic ugly girl.....

Okay let's stop right there_WTJ( What the Jahannam) is front Benchers' association? I'm literally rolling my eyes. And ugly? Seriously? You girls can do better than that_ I'm not  bothered by the ugly comment_I'm used to it, and I accept it_I know I'm not model-worthy pretty but I'm not ugly. I'm God's creation after all. And my mum used to say I'm the prettiest thing she's ever seen so you see_ I don't f-cking care.

Oopsy doodsy. Forgive my language. Stupid, naughty brain. Now back to my hoodie neighbor. What's with the wrong answer huh? Well that's definitely my fault but then I have to let off steam on someone now, don't i?

I turn on my glare full on and turn to face him and can you believe it? The guy is smiling at me_you know those innocent smiles four year olds give you when they want to swindle you out of chocolates? Yap_he's giving me that kind of smile. I'm sure I have a duh expression_if you get what I mean. The first thing I notice are his lashes_Bloody hell, I would kill for lashes like his. Suddenly I want to cry_life isn't fair I swear. He's a guy for Allah's sake. And his eyes_ Thank heavens I'm sitting_cause my legs feel jelly like beneath me. He has amber eyes_just like Edward Cullen's (ring a bell? Twilight_Vampire? That Edward). His eyes are so mesmerizing I actually continue to stare at him dumbstruck. I just hope my jaw isn't hanging.

"Hello mate, how you doing?" he says in a smooth voice, raising his brows in what I think is an attempt to be friendly.

Do you know one amazing fact about the human brain? It functions everyday for twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, all through the month, and throughout the year_from the day you were born_tirelessly and only stops when you're taking a test/exam or you're speaking to someone attractive. When I read that piece of amazing discovery_note the sarcasm then_ at the time I had thought it was bollocks but now I concur_ I'm a believer.

Speaking of attractive people, the long-lashed, amber-eyed beauty_wait, guys aren't called beauties, right? So he's what? A hunk? Whatever. He seems to be saying something as I can see him waving in my face.

"...Hey, are you okay? Don't tell me you're pissed about my little joke, because you look a little bit flustered".

That statement makes me snap out of my little reverie. I glance in the shiny surfaced table and see my frown just the way I want it and I turn fiercely to face him mentally threatening my wayward mind not to be swayed by his pretty eyes and lashes this time.

"That's your idea of a joke? Seriously? And I'm not your 'mate' or whatever" I say mimicking his accent and putting air quotes on the mate.

"Jokes are for people you're friends with or at least acquainted with, which we certainly not are. So keep your jokes and endearments to yourself" I huff in a loud whisper, squinting my eyes to make sure my message is passed.

"Woah_easy there young woman. It was just a little joke, nothing more. You think I'm trying to get your acquaintance with that? Who the hell do you think you are anyway? You're pissed about what I did? Let me see_" he says in a mock presentation of being deep in thought_putting a finger on his jaw, and looking up. He looks back at me after a few seconds.

"Guess what? I'm not sorry. So man it up. Oh I'm sorry again_girl it up" he says this time a little bit louder.

I'm stupefied_is this guy for real? Who the hell does he think he is too? Nobody has ever behaved this rudely to me. Speaking of rude, his little yelling antic has turned everyone's attention to us_everyone including Dr Zafar.

"It seems your attention seeking behavior will not end in course related topics_it has extended to other parts now I see, Miss Hakeem. My class is no stage for your little theatrics.  You both should quietly leave my class and you two are suspended from attending my class for the rest of the semester. See you in the examination hall" he renounces with a tone of finality that doesn't give room for arguments_or even apologies.

I think of all the ways I can kill this boy_this beautiful guy. I mentally smack myself for still referring to him as beautiful.

I could trangle him to death, but then he looks too strong for me_i wonder if he takes protein shakes, after all he looks quite built and fit. I read somewhere that cyanide made from apple seeds causes paralysis that will eventually lead to death. I could castrate the a-hole, I could make him trip the stairs and fall to his death.

I shove those evil thoughts from my mind, reminding myself not to stoop to his 'low, cheap' level. We quietly make our way out of the theatre and I could swear i heard Dr Zafar mutter 'Good Riddance'.

Wow... What have I gotten myself into? This boy's in for it today.

As soon as we're out of earshot, the 'guy' yanks my shoulders and drags me to the far end of the big tree that's beside the theatre. I freeze and my thoughts fly in every possible direction.

That's it, he's going to kill me. That tree has a big hole_ opening , whatever. You could probably hide a dead body in there and nobody would ever find it. Dear Lord, save me.

He must have seen my quivering lips and the way my eyes were shut tightly because he suddenly let go of me and I fall to the ground with a thud_like a sackful of sand.

Could today get any worse? I've never been this pissed in my life.

I'm so angry I see red in the background. My hijab is opened and I'm sprawled on the floor as if I'm a skinned eid ram awaiting to be grilled.  I stand up and brush the dust of my jeans_my hijab has lifted high up to my waist and onlookers can probably see my belly button as I'm wearing a sports bra_

Stop judging me, I specifically told you I hate clothes. That's why I always wear a long hijab and jeans_so no one knows what I'm wearing underneath.

I come closer to him and he's so tall I have to look upwards and guess what? He's looking down at me like a fly in a soup. But I'm not intimidated. I gather all of my energy and give him a resounding slap.

The look of shocked surprise on his face is magnificent. His expression is priceless_I wish I can click a picture of it. I suddenly wish I were a portrait artist so I can capture it in oils. So I can pass it to my generations. Ha_this is one of the best moments of my life.

I'm brought out of my stupor by his yelling. I'm just noticing he has an amazing voice_like Ed sheeran's.

Stupid, wayward mind. Stop getting distracted.

I shake my head to hear what he's saying.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" He yells at the top of his voice. His face looks murderous and I take a step back.

I shrug in indifference when I'm shaking inside. What if he slaps me back? I muster all the courage left in me and answer him.

"I should be asking you that, a-hole."

Remind me to slap my mouth when I get out of this unscathed.

"Can you just f-ck off already?_ Its no wonder nobody likes you."

Well he certainly goes for the jugular doesn't he. Now we're what? Mortal enemies or feral foes? That last statement there hit a nerve. It really gets to me that most if my course mates don't like me_so I ignore them for the majority of the tine and act like a b-tch when I'm pissed. What? Its a  normal human reflex.

"Yeah, right. As if I need anyone's approval_least of all yours." I spit out, my voice betraying me as it breaks

"Great, just great" he says smiling in fake sympathy.

"Are you going to cry now?" He asks.

I can't take any more embarrassment for the rest of the day, so I storm off before the tears filling my eyes fall and give that a-hole satisfaction.

"I won't forget this" I yell over my shoulder not caring if he heard me or not. Not caring about the whispers and muffled laughter of people around. I just want to scream and yank my hair out. I want to cry my heart out. I want to break that stupid guy's bones_piece by piece and feed him to the dogs. I've never been a fan of violence but my thoughts today are erratic.

Show some love people. Drop your opinions.

Adiós. Gracìas.