VERENA

I took an abrupt step back, moving away from him.

His face crumpled. "Please, don't." He sounded so vulnerable.

Everything he dumped on me in the past five minutes is making my head spin.

He already knew me. He stalked me. He saved my life. He was obsessed with me.

I swallowed past the dryness in my throat. "Why...why didn't you tell me all this earlier?"

"I was...afraid. Of how you would react."

"What now? You are not afraid of my reaction anymore?"

"I am", he whispered taking a hesitant step towards me. "But you confessed your love so...I thought this might be the right moment."

"Because you are sure I won't..." I shook my head, not knowing what to say exactly. "You think I won't run away from you now that I have admitted my love for you?"

His jaw locked tightly and he gave me a slow nod.

I let out a shaky breath, licking my lips. "I am not sure whether to be flattered or creeped out by what you told me."

"Thank you for saving my life back then," I added.

He looked in pain as he shoved his fingers through his hair. "No. I am sorry that my decision back then put your life in jeopardy, and gave you trauma."

I shrugged. "You possibly couldn't have known that I would be stuck inside there, it doesn't matter now. You saved me."

I stepped towards the door but he was quick to block my path, grabbing my shoulders. "Verena, please. Don't run from me."

"Asael..."

"No. Listen to me. I am sorry for hiding the truth from you. I was obsessed with you, I still am. Back then, I wasn't sure what to do about you, I was afraid of how you were affecting me and I'll be honest, I hated it. I hated the effect you had on me. But I couldn't stay away because the longer I went without seeing you made me go insane, it felt like I was dying."

"So, I came here, and became your professor so that I could see you every day but at the same time, there was this legal line between us which somehow kept me in check. I kept reminding myself that you are my student and I can't have you."

"But you crossed that line," I muttered.

"Yes, I did. I couldn't resist, not after you flirted with me. Every time I interacted with you, my walls went down. You made your attraction to me clear and that knowledge tempted me even more."

I made an effort to walk away but he held me firmly, pulling me close to him, wrapping an arm around my waist. "I am not letting you walk away, Verena. Talk to me. Please."

"Can I be honest?"

"Yes", he whispered, eyes locked with mine looking so desperate.

"Despite how you stalked me, watched me every month I am not scared of you. I know you, you are not the type of man to take advantage of someone like that. It was wrong but I know you wouldn't have hurt me. So, I am not angry over that. I am just a little disappointed that you didn't tell me the truth earlier but I see your point of view too."

His body relaxed with every sentence, hope igniting in his eyes.

"However, I need time to think over this. I am not breaking up with you. I am just asking for some space to process everything. So, it's better if we don't see each other for some time."

He dropped his forehead on mine. "How long?"

"I am not sure."

He let out a heavy sigh. "Okay. Take your time."

Leaning back, he grabbed my left hand, brushing his finger over the ring. "But this stays. Nothing will change, Ver. Take as much time as you need but please come back to me."

I managed to smile past all the emotions. "I will."

Cradling my face in between his palms, he kissed me tenderly. "I will fix everything, I promise. I am sorry for making you worry, for not telling the truth earlier, for making you stress when your exams are going on."

"I think I can manage. I won't fail."

He gazed at me lovingly. "I believe in you, Verena. And I am fucking proud of you."

"It was Luce," I told him in a low voice. "I am pretty sure he is the one to spread the rumours." I proceeded to tell him how he must have seen us together.

He looked furious on hearing that but took control of his expression and nodded. "I'll look into him."

I nodded back.

He pressed one last kiss on my forehead letting his lips linger. "I love you. I have since the moment I saw you four years back even though I wasn't sure what it was then."

I should be angry. I really should be. But I wasn't. If anything, my heart skipped a beat at the thought of being loved by him so madly that he left everything, and travelled across the oceans just so he could see me.

I moved towards the door, this time he let me even though he was hesitant, eyes watching me intently, filled with so much longing.

I didn't say goodbye because this wasn't a goodbye. I am not giving up on him, on us.

His hand held mine, stretching as I moved further and then slowly, he pulled back his hand, fingers grazing my palm.

Despite everything, my heart ached as I left.

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Zahria's mouth was full of water when I told her everything and with every sentence, her mouth dropped further causing the water to dribble down her chin.

"I should be creeped out but instead I am flattered." I groaned, burying my face in my palms.

Zahria looked a little shy as she wiped away the water. "To be honest, I am a little flattered too. I mean if someone was so obsessed with me that they left their home for me then, I would be on my knees for him." She sighed, mumbling to herself, "Maybe I am pathetic."

"If you are pathetic then I am too." I wrapped my arms around her, leaning against her. "I love him, so much. Even after learning the truth I don't want to stay away. But I am going to think about it."

"Hmm, you should give it a thought."

"Did anyone ask you anything again?" I asked a minute later.

"A few did, the ones from our class but I gave them the same answer. Did you tell Asael about Luce?"

"Yeah, he said he will handle everything."

I swear I heard her sigh dreamily. "Is it just me or every time a mature, old guy says that he will take care of everything, all my feminism disappears?"

I chuckled. "Not just you, Ria. Asael told me he would take care of me when we were in England, I was so ready to marry him on the spot."

"Okay, not just me then. That's a relief."

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Asael: How was your exam today?

Me: Good as usual. I expected you to be here since it was your subject.

Asael: I would have loved to but I already resigned.

Me: Where are you?

Asael: England.

Me: Are you not coming back?

Asael: Do you think I am going to leave you alone, Ver? You are my fiancee. Soon-to-be wife.
I'll be back.
All the best for the rest of your exams.
I love you.

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Me: I have been thinking. A lot. And I have a question.

Asael: You can ask me anything.

Me: You said you were obsessed with me for years. Four years is a long time so...did you...

I wasn't sure if I wanted the answer to that question and I didn't even know how to ask it.

Asael: Why are you hesitating? What's wrong?

Here goes nothing...

Me: (In blunt words) did you have sex with other women when you were obsessed with me?

Asael: For the past four years, the thought of any other woman who was not you has disgusted me. I couldn't even look at any woman without comparing her to you so how could I even think of having sex with them?

Me: You have been celibate for that long?!

Asael: Yes.

Me: You are kidding.

Asael: I did give myself orgasms if you are wondering but other than that, I haven't been with a woman intimately.

I didn't reply back for a whole minute.

Asael: Verena? Are you okay?

Me: I am trying to process this information. You said that you had no plan of dating me initially. If we never dated then did you plan on staying celibate for your whole life?

Asael: I didn't think...this far.

Me: I am feeling extremely flattered right now so please say yes.

Asael: Yes, Verena. You are worth staying celibate for the rest of my life.