Nina
I got up from the bed and got ready for the day.
Professor Abraham had told me to be on time, and looking at the fact that all the stunts I pulled yesterday were unintentional, I'd better be a good student today and not provoke anyone.
Even though I couldn't tell what the time was,  as I walked out of the tent, I could still see that the sun was still rising.
And it's pretty cold. So I decided to head to the cafeteria and get something warm for now.
"Hey!" I hear Mike's voice from behind me.
I turn around with a smile plastered on my face.
"Hi, good morning," I greet him.
He walks over to me at his long but surprisingly slow pace, but soon he is standing in front of me.
"Good morning," he greets as well.
"Hope you slept well?" he asks, and I could feel the concern in his voice.
I remembered just how we left him stranded yesterday.
I had been wondering why he got so angry about that, and I wanted to ask him, but it just felt like it wasn't the right thing to do.
But whatever his reasons are, I'm sure they must be gone now since he is smiling once again.
"So, where are you headed to?" he asks.
"To the cafeteria," I answer slowly.
He walked closer and took my hand in his, my left hand.
I could see the way he was staring at the ring on my finger, as if he wanted to pull it out and throw it away.
I even thought that he would try to ask me how I am married to my professor because he was adamant about not believing we were a couple, and he seemed pretty upset when it turned out to be the truth.
Well, only in the world might I be reminded.
He wraps his hand around mine.
"Let's get going then; I also happen to be heading there," he says.
The warning given to me by Professor Abraham last night came to mind.
He had asked me, or rather, ordered me, to stay away from Mike for whatever reasons he had in mind.
I knew I wasn't going to follow all his rules to the latter, but being seen with Mike as early as possible in the morning, well, that's asking for it.
What if somebody decided to tell him that he saw us together? Or worse, what if he bumps into us?.
I was feeling rather hesitant, as I had promised myself to stay out of trouble, at least for today.
"Come on, let's go," he says again, cutting off my internal debate.
I looked up into his eyes, and I couldn't get myself to decline him, so I just nodded and followed.
It's just for today. I kept on reminding myself.
"So, how's the field trip treating you?" he asks, starting another conversation as we walk towards the cafeteria, still hand in hand.
"Well, it's kind of good; I am really enjoying it," I answer, and that's the truth.
"So, tell me all that you have learned so far," he asks.
"Well, I can't remember much since I am not with my note book now; you know, typical student stuff," I answer.
I'm sure he understood what I meant.
We students make a lot of notes but will never revise them until it's exam period.
"So, you're telling me you can't even remember a thing until you peek through your notes," he points out.
"No, not all of it; I can certainly remember when we were given lectures on Lion; they are one of my favorites, you know," I say.
"And what are your favorite animals?" he asks.
He seems so interested in knowing which types of animals I like.
"Uhmm, let me think," I say, tapping on my forehead with the hand that he wasn't holding.
I know I should have told him to let me go, but I am just letting him go since he's a good friend.
"All cat families," I say.
"What, do you actually know how vast that family is, and not all of them are as kind and good-looking as you think?" he says.
"I still do love them anyway, and one day, I'm even hoping to open a zoo full of them," I say in my dreamy voice.
"You know, you do look cute when you are so engrossed in your imagination," he points out.
It felt kind of awkward for him to say that to me outright, but I just shrugged it off, and instead, I started laughing.
"Mwanamke mzuri kama huyo," he says in Swahili and joins my laugh too. (Such a beautiful woman.).
"What did you say?" I ask.
"I said you look beautiful," he answers, looking right into my eyes.
As I stared into his eyes, I thought I saw something lingering in his eyes at the moment.
"I'd love to learn the language; I've grown to love it so much," I say.
I was actually indicating for him to step in and teach me.
But before he could give me an answer, I was yanked away, and the next thing I knew, I fell on some hard-assed chest.
I didn't need anybody to tell me that it's Professor.
He pulled me away from Mike and walked away, but then he stopped when we reached a corner where there were not many people around.
He flung me into the corner, and I almost fell to the ground.
I was still nursing my hand, which he had held so tightly that I didn't notice him come forth.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stay away from this guy?" he growls at me.
Really! That's all that he cares about.
He has twisted my wrist, and now it's hurting.
"Speak up," he demands again, making me flinch.
"He is my friend, and I don't see any reason why I can't be friends with him." I also bark out in anger.
I look up at his face, only to see his veins all popping out.
His face has also turned red with rage. Even though his eyes are closed, I bet you that they are filled with fire right now.
Just like that, he hits the wall with his bare hand, making me flinch.
What is wrong with this man?.
Why is he behaving in such a manner?.
He opened his eyes, and I could see all the anger laced in them. His eyes have literally turned red.
He is still fuming. If he were a cartoon character, I'm sure he would have had smoke coming out of his ears and nose right now.
I was also angry, and so I stood my ground with him.
He is my teacher, yes, but that doesn't mean he could dictate the people I should be friendly with and whom I shouldn't.
I am an adult, for heaven's sake.
We stood there, glaring at each other for what seemed like forever, until he finally decided to break the silence.
"If you insist on breaking my rules, then don't blame me for whatever will happen next," he growls through his gritted teeth.
"What..."
But I was cut short when he pulled me to him and crashed his lips against mine.
I was lost at that moment, not knowing what exactly to do. My brain seemed to have short-circuited once again.
He kept on savoring it in my mouth, like I had no right to it and it only belonged to him.
He was exercising dominance with every move of his.
Finally, let's go.
I could see a reflection of satisfaction in his eyes.
"There, this will make sure you know exactly what will happen to you whenever you defile me," he mutters.
I was still processing his words in my head, but he pulled me away and held me by the waist, and with that, he headed for the cafeteria.