The bell rung and all the young girls in Final year Bachelor of Science were back from their trance. Though the attendance of all the girls in the class was 100% for the new lecturer's class, the attention was 0% towards his lecture. He walked out of the class and all girls sighed.

Aparna: The best thing happened was Ms. Mary's pregnancy. We got him as a replacement lecturer.

Shweta: Wow!! Yaar, he is the definition of the perfect man. I can die to get married to him.

Shehnaaz: Really? I know he is drool-worthy for his physic but physic alone doesn't describe the perfect man.

Aparna: You are a big disappointment. I don't know who would qualify the perfect man as per your list of criterias.

Shehnaaz: My mom always tells me, perfect man is one who understands and respects a girl.

Shweta: Yeah, whatever, good luck with finding your perfect man, Mumma's girl.

Shehnaaz: (frowns) Yeah, I am mumma's girl, what's your problem? Are y'all really my friends who keeps nagging me everytime. Leave me alone.

Aparna: What the hell? Why is she over reacting? Go to hell. Come Shweta, let's go!

Shehnaaz was very frustrated or rather had a mood swings. It was always the case whenever she got her menstruation. She was irritated and her anger raised from 0 to 100 within no time. Her mood swings normally started one day before and she felt terrible.

She went home as the school ended and lied down on her bed curled up as her lower abdomen pained. She skipped her meals as she threw up whenever she ate especially during the mornings.

The next day she went to the college. Her friends were still mad at her and she didn't bother to speak to them because she was equally mad at them. She pulled off the entire day at college as she leaned forward to minimise the pain. It was the last lecture and she just hoped it to get over as soon as possible. She was sweating with pain and didn't even go out during the break as her friends weren't talking nor did she eat anything.

Finally, the bell rang and one by one everyone went out of the class. Shehnaaz walked slowly towards the door when the lecturer stopped her from behind.

Lecturer: Aaa.. Shehnaaz.. wait a minute!

Shehnaaz curses him in her mind for stopping her.

Why the hell is he stopping me? I need to go home. I am sick and tired.

She turns around and looks at him.

Leturer: Aaa.. aaa.. Your dress is stained from behind.

She was terrified and felt embarrassed. She quickly ran and sat back on the bench with her head glued to the floor not knowing what to do. She covered her face and sobbed slowly out of pain and embarrassment.

Lecturer: I am sorry Shehnaaz, I didn't mean to embarrass you. Even I have a mother and sisters at home, there is nothing wrong in it. If you don't mind, I can cover you by walking behind you and accompany you until the restroom.

She nods yes, with her head down. Shehnaaz walks in the front slowly with her bag and he walks behind her blocking her back from being viewed by anyone. As soon as they reach near the restroom door, he stops.

Shehnaaz: Thanks Sir.

Lecturer: No need to thank me. I will be right here, incase you need any help.

Shehnaaz nods and goes inside. She opens her bag and was horrified to find that she had forgotten to carry extra pads. She carried it in her bag everyday but last week her friend had borrowed it from her and after that Shehnaaz forgot to refill it.

She went back to the door where he was still waiting.

Shehnaaz: Excuse me Sir!

He looks at her.

Lecturer: Is everything alright?

Shehnaaz: I.. I forgot to carry.. carry extra..

Lecturer: Oh!! I got it! Wait right here, I'll get one for you from the pharmacy outside.

Shehnaaz nods and tells him the size. He goes to the pharmacy. In the mean time she cleans the stained dress but the dryer wasn't working. He gets the pad for her and passes it to her.

Shehnaaz: Thank you Sir.

She changes and waits in the washroom for almost 20 minutes as her cloth was wet and she hoped that the students would have left and there will be no crowd. She peeks outside and when she finds no one, she steps outside. A voice came from behind.

Lecturer: All done?

She flinched at the voice and immediately turned around.

Lecturer: I was about to knock since you took so long.

Shehnaaz: Aaa.. aaa.. the dryer wasn't working, the dress is wet.

He looked at her. The pain was evident on her face. She was unknowingly leaning forward.

Lecturer: Oh!! Hold on!! Wait right here, I'll be back in 2 minutes.

He goes to the staff room and comes back quickly.

Lecturer: Shehnaaz, I can drop you home on my bike if you don't mind and if you trust me.

Shehnaaz was surprised to see him going out of the way to help her so much. She nodded to take the offer.

Shehnaaz was impressed by his Bullet bike. He put on his helmet, sat on it and gestured her to sit. She hesitantly took support of his shoulder to climb up and occupy the seat.

Lecturer: Are you comfortable? (He looked through the mirror)

Shehnaaz: (nods) Yes, sir.

Lecturer: Shehnaaz, I won't mind if you keep your hands on my shoulder. Sit comfortably.

She nods again and places her hand on his shoulder. He drove the bike and Shehnaaz instructed him the route. He drove so carefully that he made sure he didn't have to hit sudden breaks or the bumps to not cause her any kind of discomfort. But even a little bumps on the road gave her pain and he knew it as her grip became stronger at intervals.

Lecturer: I am sorry no matter how much I am trying to be careful, these bumps are inevitable.

Shehnaaz: It's okay, Sir. I can understand.

The bike came to halt at the gate and she got down from it.

Shehnaaz: Thanks a lot Sir for everything you did today. I don't know what I would have done without you.

Lecturer: No problem at all. Take care and rest well.

Shehnaaz: Sir, won't you come in? My parents will be very happy to meet you.

Lecturer: I need to be somewhere else, it's urgent. See you tomorrow in college.

Shehnaaz: Okay!

He starts the bike and rides away. Shehnaaz looks at his retreating figure and smiles.

See you tomorrow in college. See you tomorrow in college. See you tomorrow in college.

His words echoed in her mind the whole day and she smiled every single time.
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Sidharth: I am sorry, I got a bit delayed and had to keep you waiting.

Divya: Oh.. no worries. No worries at all. I have been waiting here for just.. (looks at her wrist watch) ...26 minutes. (Sarcastically smiles)

Sidharth felt humiliated yet he shrugged off the thought. The waiter comes to take order.

Sidharth: Good Evening! What would you like to have Sir/Ma'am? (Forwards her the menu)

Divya: I've already read the menu about 20 times. (Sarcastically) Cappuccino!!

Sidharth was mortified with her comment yet he managed to push a smile.

Sidharth: I love Cappuccino. Make it two. (He said gesturing two with his finger)

Divya glared at him.

Divya: Aa.. Waiter, Cancel Cappuccino, I hate it and instead get me a Cold Coffee.

Sidharth looked at her and then saw the waiter who was looking at him if he wanted to change the order as well.

Sidharth: No change for me.

Divya: Please make it quickly.

Waiter nodded and left. Sidharth was already feeling uncomfortable.

Divya: So, you are a lecturer by profession?

Sidharth: Yes! Actually, a replacement lecturer as of now for 6 months.

Divya: After that?

Sidharth: Huh? Hmm.. If they like my teaching they will offer me permanent role else I'll join some other college. I am doing my PhD currently. Another 2 years and I'll be a professor.

Divya: I don't understand, why do you have to hurry for marriage without having a permanent profession of your own. I told my mom that I am not interested in this proposal but she was so adamant because you happen to be her sister's best friend's son and good looking. I mean will someone's good features fill the stomach?

As Divya attacked him with those bitter and piercing words, Sidharth just wanted to run away from there. He had no intentions of coming here but his mom too had forced him to meet her. When he said he wanted to settle down in his career before marrying she asked him to date her and get to know her by getting engaged and can marry after 2 years.

Sidharth just sat there not bothered to listen to Divya's nonsensical talks. He sipped the Cappuccino. He knew it's not working and he was happy that he doesn't have to put up with such an arrogant person his whole life.

He kept looking at her cup and as soon as she took the last sip, he got up with a smile.

Sidharth: It was nice meeting you Divya. Hope you find a boy of your dream. I need to prepare myself for tomorrow's lecture. Bye!!

He slipped the money in the bill along with the tip and left.
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Sidharth: Mom, I am just 26, what's the hurry? It was so humiliating to hear that I don't have a proper profession and intend to marry. Please don't ask me to see any other girl atleast until I finish my PhD... I am not going to discuss over this again.... Okay bye, will talk to you later. (Disconnects the call)

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To be continued.. ❤️❤️

Updating after a long time. Hope everyone is doing well. Stay tuned for part 2 of the perfect man.