Nick __Professor: Scene
Nick stood by the desk, sorting through a stacks of papers from the morning lectures. A few files were spread scattered across the surface, along with a pen that he absentmindedly left uncapped.
Outside the window, the campus buzzed with it's usual midday rhythm. Students crossed the courtyard in small groups, their voices drifted faintly through the open window.
Nick gathered the last of the paper and slipped it into the folder. He had finished his classes earlier the usual today, and was preparing to leave.
Just as he reached for his coat, a light knock sounded at the door.
Nick glanced up.
A girl stood hesitantly at the doorway__ one of his student.
"Sir..... may I come in?"
Nick gave a small nod. "Yes.!"
The girl stepped inside, clutching her notebook to her chest.
"Sir, we were wondering.... she began, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "Are you coming to the farewell today?"
Nick studied her expression briefly before replying.
"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 masked it with a nod.
"Oh.. I see. Alright, sir."
Nick picked his folder, and walked passed her as he stepped out of the office without another word.
**
Meanwhile, in another part of the university, a group of teachers 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 them remarked.
The Head of Department intervened calmly, "As expected, but what's done is done. Let's focus on making sure that all the preparations are done perfectly, and carry out a proper last minute check."
***
After leaving the university, Nick headed towards 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__ the sky was perfectly clear.
But he had bought it anyway.
The memory of last night resurfaced, uninvited.
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 realized who it was.
Ash.
She had been walking through the rain, completely drenched, her hair clenching to her face, 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 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 and then up the sky, which was perfectly clear. And as his curiosity piqued he asked.
"But sir..... why the umbrella? The sky look perfectly clear. Doesn't look like rain." He glanced up the sky and chuckled."
"You're right," Nick said, following his gaze upward for a moment. "It won't rain."
The security guard nodded and made the call.
**
Ash was lying on her bunk, quietly absorbed in a book, when a girl burst in, excitement radiating from her face.
"Ash, someone's here for you!" she exclaimed. curious, Ash stood, smoothing out her clothes.
She made her way towards the entrance at an unhurried pace, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Nick raised a 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 nodded slightly.
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 said lightly. ( 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? he added "Done?"
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."
Ash blinked. "You were walking in the rain," he continued "Without an umbrella."
"You saw that?"
"Unfortunately."
He paused__ Holding back the lecture that almost came naturally. Things weren't the same anymore Nick would have lectured her, for being so careless. But he was well aware that everything's changed.
He held the umbrella out towards her.
"You came all the way just for this?" She asked.
Nick shrugged. "Yep, 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 still ended up agreeing.
She 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. While Nick placed a ordered for them.
Ash raised an eyebrow at the amount of desserts he'd ordered.
"You don't even like sweet, why order so many?" she said, looking at the waiter as he walked away.
Before he would answer, his phone rang, and Ales's name popped up on the screen. Nick's expression changed, and he cleared his throat.
" Ales." he said glancing at the screen. His expression shifted slightly. "She arrived this morning. Might be important," he explained.
Ash nodded, and Nick extended his hand, to answer the call.
Ales's voice burst through__ fast and frantic.
Nick listened patiently, calm as ever.
Ash watched him, fascinated by his patience.
When Ales finally ran out of words and paused, Nick spoke up gently. "Calm down, we will definitely handle it. I'll scold them for you. Now take a deep breath and relax."
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, it stilled him.
"Listen," he spoke into the phone, voice softer now "Ash is here. Want to talk to her?"
Ash stiffened slightly, caught off guard.
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 toward 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." she stuttered, her voice cracking as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"What about you?" 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, and finally back here," Ales declared concisely, withholding unnecessary details.
Minutes passed, and Nick's decision seemed to be paying off, as Ash slowly eased into conversation, 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 now chugging water.
" Don't stop," Nick said flatly "Keep talking" he said while giving Ash a stern look.
Ash rose her brows, biting the inside of her cheek, unsure of how to respond.
The conversation continue__ light on the surface, but layered underneath. But Nick's attention was caught by Ash's question.
Is she asking about them? No way! after all this time?, he thought, taken aback by his own reaction.
Ales's response came casually, "You mean Ather and that idiot? They are still alive__ don't worry!"
The shift was immediate.
The look on Nick's face was intense and heartbreaking, his expression visibly pale.