After Sara saw David as her new lecturer, she couldn't handle it and rushed out of the class. even Vicky tried to talk to her, but she didn't responded, Sara left college and went to the football field to be alone.
Back in class, everything turned upside down. Everyone was shocked by Sara's behavior. Sweety was still in shock "What the hell is happened to her?". David watched the empty doorway, his thoughts dark. "You still haven't change. Always running away from me. Are you still angry at me?"
After class, Sweety searched everywhere for Sara but couldn't find her. Distracted, she walked straight into someone. "Ow! Shit! My head," she hissed, rubbing her forehead. "Why is this pole so strong but soft?"
She looked up and saw Vicky standing face to face with her. "You! What are you doing here? And did you see Sara? She left the class suddenly. I don't know what's wrong with her today. She's acting completely Strange."
Before Vicky could get a word in, Sweety kept going. " Why aren't you talking? I'm the only one talking right now! Don't you worry about Sara? My poor Girl. How will you take care of her in the future?" Sweety yelled. Vicky was stunned. " Wait! what did you say? I'm searching for her too!. And you didn't give me a chance to talk." he shouted back. He sighed. "I think she's still around campus. Come on, let's search."
Sweety found Sara sitting alone on the football field staring at nothing. "What happened to you Sara? Why did you run out of class like that? Is there something you want to tell me?"
"No! nothing happened," Sara replied too quickly. "I just... remembered my dad. That's why I left suddenly." Sweety studied her face. Sara's eyes were a little red, her lips pressed tight. She looked like she was about about to cry. Vicky tried to step closer, but Sweety grabbed Sara's wrist. "We are leaving." She pulled Sara off campus. Vicky stood there, watching them disappear. "Weirdos," he sighed.
**_
David retuned to the lecturer's office and set his bag on the table. His eyes caught his watch - Casio Edifice EFR-526D-1AVUDF Black and silver. "Sara gave me this."
Two years ago - Walpole Bay, Margate
The wind off the sea was sharp, but Sara didn't seem to notice. She sat beside him on the stone steps leading down to the tidal pool, tying the watch around his wrist with careful fingers. "I know, you don't like watches. But you have to wear it for me. As a birthday gift." Her eyes lit up, possessive and bright. "See? Now you're mine. I've made my reservation. Nobody can look at you. And if they dare, I'll pluck their eyes out."
David laughed. "Oh? How can I see anyone when those beautiful brown eyes look at me with love? I don't dare to look at anyone but you. It's always been you. Love you. No - I love you more than myself." He kissed her cheek. Sara's eyes filled with happy tears. "Love you too."
"I won't take this watch off," David promised. "But why did you choose this place? We could've done this at my apartment. Even though... I think I like watches now.... because of you. when you're not here, at least this watch is with me. It's like you're holding my hand."
Sara hugged him, grinning. "I wanted to make your first birthday memorable after we fell in love. And we're heading back to London tomorrow anyway, so don't worry. I'll buy you a better one next time."
"No need. Just love me and spend your entire life with me. That's enough," David said, looking at her with all the love in his eyes.
"I will," Sara whispered.
**_
David snapped back to the present when a soft voice said, "Hi Mr.?" He turned. A female lecturer stood there. "David!" he replied.
"Oh! Hi, David. I'm Stella, The 'Managerial Economics' lecturer. If you need anything, don't be shy. Just ask - I'm here for you." David felt weird. Stella was young and beautiful, but she wore too more makeup. And the way she looked at him... it made him uncomfortable. "Thank you, Miss. Stella." he said politely. Other lecturers came to greet him after that.
_**
Sweety took Sara to Kensington Gardens. They sat by the lake.
"You know, Sara?" Sweety said, watching the water. "Whenever I'm sad, my dad brings me here. This lake makes my mind peaceful. That's what's special about it."
She turned to Sara. "Is something bothering you? If there is, tell me. I don't want you to feel like you're a burden."
But Sara just smiled faintly. "Nothing. Like I said I just remembered my dad. I miss him."
Sara glanced at her watch. Almost noon. "Oh my god, Sweety! It's time for my shift at the cafe. Can you drop me there?" Sweety frowned. She still didn't have a real answer from Sara, but the mention of time distracted her. "Fine. Let's go."
Sweety dropped Sara at the cafe and went to home.
Sara forced a smile and greeted her coworker. But her mind was racing. "How could he be our lecturer? Does the principal have any sense? Why would he hire him? Shit! Come on, Sara, don't think about him. He's not worth it." She pushed the thoughts aside and started her work.
Sara served coffee with a smile "Have a good day."
Then she looked at the door and froze.
"God! It's him. How did he find this place? Wait, it's near college. Of course he'd come here. Just act like you don't know him. Okay, you can do this!"
David stepped into the cafe. His eyes landed on the counter and he froze too. "So here you are. I Found You" he thought.
David walked to the counter to order, but Sara slipped into the back and told her coworker, "Can you take orders at the counter for me?"
Watching her disappear, David sighed. "Again, really. Do you hate me that much?"
The other worker stepped up. "Your Order, sir?"
"Expresso" David replied.
In the back, Sara's hands stopped when she heard his voice. "He still likes expresso. Or is he doing this on purpose? Whatever. I'm just here to serve his order."
David sat down with a book titled 'If we ever meet again'. Sara placed the cup on his table and left without a word. She went to the counter, but her eyes kept drifting to him.
After finishing his expresso, David left the cafe quietly, a small smile on his face.
Sara was stunned by how calm he'd been. She went to clear his table and saw a note stuck to the wood:
'If you want to look at me, just do it directly. Don't play hide and seek with me.'
- Love David.
Sara scolded herself for staring at him earlier.
"Idiot." She thought.