David got home, thinking about Sara. "Let's leave the past. From tomorrow onwards, our new chapter begins. Lets see how you'll leave me this time."
Sara got home thinking about David "Oh god! How can I face him tomorrow? Or I just won't go to his class, I'll attend every class except his. Wow, Sara. Good idea!"
At the same time -
"Sara, be ready for tomorrow!
David, be ready for tomorrow!"
**_
The next morning, both woke up early and got ready for college. David glanced at his Watch and smiled as he fastened it around his wrist.
David reached college first. Sara and Sweety arrived in Sweety's sports car. Sweety pulled off her sunglasses. " Sara, Mr.David looks handsome, right?"
Sara looked at Sweety's face. Sweety was blushing. "I don't think so. Even Vicky looks better than him." But inside, Sara felt a stab of jealous.
"Wait! Why I am jealous when I don't care about him? Maybe Sweety likes him. That's why. Whatever. I'm not falling for him again." she thought.
Sweety was confused by Sara's words. " How can you compare David to Vicky? David is better than him." Sara didn't listen and walked to class.
Everyone stared at Sara as she entered. Sara felt uncomfortable. "What's wrong with everyone? Why are they looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" she whispered to Sweety.
"Nothing. You rushed out of class yesterday, remember? That's why." Sweety said.
"It's my choice whether I attend his class or not. Why would they care?" Sweety just shrugged like she didn't know.
When class started, Sweety wouldn't stop talking about David. Sara got irritated. "Why do you keep talking about him? Just listen to the lecture."
"You know, Sara, next class is Mr. David's. I'm eagerly waiting for it."
"Right! Next class is his... I should leave before he comes," Sara thought, then nodded. Sweety smiled at her nod and focused on the lecture.
After class, Sara grabbed her bag and tried to slip out, but Sweety stopped her. "Wait! Where are you going? We have Mr. Handsome's class right now. Why are you leaving?"
"Nothing, Sweety. I have a doubt from today's topic. I'm going to ask lecturer Stella to clarify it. I'll be back soon, don't worry." Sara lied.
"Okay, come back fast! Don't be late," Sweety agreed.
Sara rushed out to find Stella, but Stella was talking to David in the hallway. David was heading to class. Stella started flirting with him.
Sara stopped when she saw them. Her chest burned. She turned and left for the exit.
"I'm getting late for class, Ms. Stella, I have to go." David said with a fake smile.
"Oh, sorry. You can go," Stella replied. But her heart didn't want him to leave. "_He has class right now. I'll talk with him later," She thought.
David face relaxed when he left Stella, and he started smiling when he thought about Sara's class "I'm coming."
When he entered the classroom, everyone greeted him. He greeted them back and and looked at Sara's seat. Empty. His smile dropped. "Not again. Please Sara."
He pushed the disappoint aside and started his lecture. While teaching, he noticed girls in the front row, admiring him, but he didn't react. After class, he took attendance. Everyone said "present" except Sara.
Sweety glanced at the class door once. "She missed his class again. Can't that doubt be clarified later? Is it more important than Mr. Handsome's class?"
"Sir, Sara went to clarify a doubt with Ms. Stella. That's why she's not here yet," Sweety said.
David looked at Sweety. "Are you her friend?"
"Yes," Sweety said with a bright smile.
"Tell her not to miss class again," David said, picking up his book. He sighed. "I know you don't want to see me. That's why you lied to your friend."
"Okay, sir," Sweety said. "Finally he talked to me. I'm so happy. why is my heart is racing?" she thought.
**_
Sara came back after David left. Sweety face was beaming, practically bouncing.
Sara frowned at her. "What happened? Why are you so happy?"
"It's good that you left class. He talked to me! You know, Sara, Mr. Handsome talked to me. Woo!" Sweety giggled.
Sara felt weird about Sweety's reaction. "What?"
Later, Vicky found them and the three went to the cafeteria. Sara heard What happened in David's class but said nothing. Sweety couldn't stop smiling. Vicky looked at her strangely and asked Sara, "Is she always like this?"
Sara sighed.
*
"Is running away from me is the solution? You think I won't leave you. I know your every move. Don't think I'm a fool." David thought, smiled to himself.
For three days, Sara skipped David's class. He got angry.
One day during his lecture, his phone rang. He stepped out to take his mother's call. While talking, he looked toward the football field and froze. Sara and Vicky were there, laughing together.
"Mom, I've have to go. I'll call you later. Bye" he hung up without letting her reply.
"So this is what you do during my class. Today is the last day for 'Hide and Seek'. I'm sure you'll attend my classes from tomorrow. Whether you like it or not."
_**
Sara returned to class after David left. Sweety cornered her, "I don't know why you're missing his classes. His teaching is awesome. I'd give him 10/10. You should attend once - you'll see how good he is?"
"I don't need to" Sara said, forcing a smile.
The Principal's assistant entered and told Sara, "The principal wants to see you in 10 minutes."
Sweety and Sara froze "Why does he want to meet you? Did you do something wrong?" Sweety asked.
"Noo!" Sara said, panicked.
**_
In the principal's office, Sara glared at David but hid it from the principal.
"Look, Dear Sara," the principal said. "I've reviewed your academic record. You're exceptional in every subject. Because of your merit, you earned a scholarship here. Student like you are precious to this college's reputation."
"Thank you, sir," sara replied stiffly.
"I don't your thanks. I want an explanation. Why are you not attending Mr. David class?" the Principal demanded.
David spoke before Sara could answer, watching her with a faint smile. "Next Monday, they have a test in my subject. Their final grade includes attendance. I don't want my student to score low because of absences. That's my policy as an educator."
The principal nodded. "See? Which Lecturer worries this much about his students? We're lucky to have Mr. David. I personally requested him to teach your class. I'm very disappointed in you, Clara." principal said.
David and Sara both looked at principal, confused
"Sir, it's Sara. And the reason I didn't attend-" Sara started.
The Principal cut her off. "I don't need reason. You will attend his class. That's my Order."
he turned to David. "Mr. David, from tomorrow onwards, Clara -no, Sara - won't miss any of your classes. That's my promise." he said with a smile.
David nodded. "Thank you." Then he left for his office.
"Clar- Sara, wait." the principal called.
"Yes sir?" Sara said.
"I'll be keeping an eye on you. You must attend his classes and clear your doubts with him directly. For notes, ask him, not your friends. That's your punishment. Understood?" He said.
Sara nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Okay, you may leave now."
*_
Sara stepped out of the Principal room and exhaled, trying to calm down. David leaning against the wall, waiting.
She glared at him. Unbothered, David stepped close and whispered in her ear, "Today is the end of your hide and seek. Be ready for tomorrow. You'll face me everyday."
David saw her face flush and her breath hitch. He left with a smile.
Sara stood there, stunned. "_Shit. Why are you acting like this? Be calm. Why is my heart racing? Do you still like him?" *