"The Oedipus complex is theorised by Sigmund Freud, this usually begins when a boy is aged between three and six years old and gains sexual attachment toward his mother while competing against his father for his mother's love". Mishti shoved her glasses up a little before continuing, "Upon Hamlet's father's death he had orders to avenge, but showed lacking due to his obvious gratitude that his father was out of the way so he could move forward with his mother, it could be argued that Claudius- his father's murderer- is viewed as a reflection of his desire to bed his mother, therefore in seeing something similar he feels that murdering him will be murdering that part of himself because he is no longer the son in need of a mother, he is a man searching for a woman".

Tapping his fingers carelessly over his arm, Abir sat back onto the desk with a coy grin. "Why do you think Hamlet eventually did murder Claudius?"

"After his mother's demise, Hamlet's anger toward Claudius at having a relationship with his mother he could never have seeps out, I believe he didn't kill him for his father, he killed him out of jealousy and in a way to rid himself of the attraction and longing he could finally release now his mother was gone". Pursing her lips, she swayed unsteadily in an effort to avoid his piercing gaze.

"And your partner's part in all of this? Where do they have to say? You said I not we".

Swallowing harshly, she rose her chin "I did the work alone, Sir".

"This is an assignment for two not one, I appreciate the dedication but I really should throw your grade out" the second he went to turn away, her voice held him still.

"My partner claims to be-" she paused, unsure if she should say it aloud when so many eyes were on her.

Twisting his torso, his face paled "Claims to be what, Miss Agarwal?" Trust him to end up texting the smartass of the class, of course, it all made so much sense now, he really was a fool, dream Mishti hit the nail right on the head.

"Claims to be ill" she smiled. "He's not well, I don't think either of us should be punished for that, Sir" she blinked slowly, eyelashes fluttering in the most flirtatious manner she could muster. Her teacher likely wasn't her partner, but if he was, she wasn't going to jeopardise his entire career right here and now and she enjoyed messing with him too much to let him off that easily.

"Oh" he stepped back. "Well, I guess that's understandable" clenching his fist as he jotted down her mark, he ran a tired hand down his face. He hated how he'd yearned for the student to be her, not because of anything untoward, just because she was the only person in class that made an ounce of sense, the rest were for lack of words...as dumb as dumb could be. "You may take your seat".

As she walked past him, her arm brushed against his. "He claims to be you, Sir" she whispered, just to see the look on his face as she finally fell into her chair.

Gritting his teeth, he swiped a hand across his forehead, shoved his hair back and allowed his jaw to fall. Pinching the brim of his nose, he looked her way, now was his chance, admit it was him and risk losing it all or play the long game and hold his cards close to his chest. "All part of the assignment I suppose, extra points for creativity" he nodded.

Darn it! For a second then she thought she'd got him, but alas, she'd been right all along, her teacher really wasn't that stupid.

~•~•~

Downing yet another shot of expresso, Abir looked up wearily into the street lights that shone a little too bright into the cafe window. Decidedly, spending an evening in a petrol station cafe wasn't exactly the dream, but it was his norm, atleast it was every third Thursday of the month.

Because that was when she came.

Black, glossy curls hid the cruel intentions dancing in her eyes and a buttoned up shirt covered the blackness of her heart, but still he'd loved her.

Even when he knew he shouldn't have because she had never loved him.

"Abir" she allowed the corner of her lips to lift slightly as she took her seat, long nails stroking the scar on her throat as she ran a meticulous gaze over him. "You look" she halted, "Well".

Snickering, he threw his head back. "Couldn't lie if you tried" although now he was happy she was that way, it wasn't so long ago when he wished she'd be any other way. Her truth had hurt a little too much, perhaps her lies would sting less?

"Our meetings wouldn't survive lies" placing a cold hand over his, she leant a tad closer. "We wouldn't be us if I lied".

Snatching his hand away like he'd been scorned, he looked away, shaking his head as he did. "No, we would be us if you had" he corrected.

"Is that what you wanted? Lies?"

"Back then" Abir shrugged away her unblinking stare, "Back then I would've killed for it, but now" he fell silent.

"But now?" She pushed.

"But now" he looked up, "I wouldn't even die for it".

Leaning back, she scoffed "You always knew how to make it hurt".

"I didn't think anything could hurt you" he muttered under his breath.

"You did" her eyes welled up.

"Then I guess we're even" Abir begun to stand only to falter when his phone pinged.

Hey FP! I told our Professor about your little act today, it's no surprise he denied it! So, who exactly are you?

Snatching his phone from her line of sight, he shoved it into his pocket, accidentally pushing the call button as he did.

"Yes" the woman sat back. "Who exactly are you?"

Leaning closer into the phone, Mishti frowned, the hello stuck in her throat before she could even say it.

"A man who will never be yours" he spat, smacking a few bills onto the table as he passed.

Twirling on her heel as she stood, she laughed menacingly. "My name on your chest says different".

Finally reaching his car, he slammed his hands into the wheel in aggravation then pulled apart his shirt to see the name who'd ruined everything he knew and broke him in two.

Kuhu.

Wow, I forgot how much I used to enjoy writing this! Hope you guys enjoyed! Any idea what Kuhu did that was so bad?