[Suddenly, Lunette realised that she was running late. She brokes into a frantic sprint as if her life depended on it and bumped right into her destiny- the one who would change her life forever.(Thwack!)]
Lunette: (Gasping for air, her face flushing a deep crimson) I'm...I'm really sorry! I didn't see you and accidentally bumped into you. Are you ok? (She started fumbling with her fallen papers, her hands trembling sIightly, her breath coming in shallow, jagged hitches.)
Leo: Hummmmm... (In a low, gravelly tone that vibrates through the air).
[In the midst of picking up my assignments, I raised my head to see if he was alright. That was when I saw a man dressed in all black with a bit of muscular physique and was of imposing height. His face was covered by a black mask, but I could see his eyes-dark, piercing orbs that seemed to look right through me. When our eyes met, I felt something unusual. I didn't know what it was, but his gaze seemed to hold unspoken mysteries, raw pain, haunting emptiness, and a hollow longing for love he seemed to have forgotten. (My breath hitched in my throat; it felt as though time itself had stuttered to a halt, leaving me suspended in the sudden chill of his presence). He looked at me, and I looked at him. For thirty seconds, there was only silence between us. A silence so heavy... it felt physical.Then, suddenly, he turned and left without uttering a single word, leaving only the scent of cherry blossoms and cold air behind. I finished gathering my papers and went straight to the university, realizing how late I had become, my heart still hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs.
[At the university]
Lunette: (With proud, beaming smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes, which are still searching the distance). My university is so big and beautiful. Oh, Lunette, I'm truly proud of you, girl. There's nothing wrong with appreciating yourself.
[Lunette's Interior monologue.]
(I entered my first class which was English, and met a girl who matches my vibe perfectly. We became fast friends; she is such a kind and good- hearted girl. Her name is Irida. She likes me and I like her, too. We were huddled together, lost in a hushed, excited conversation- our whispers punctuated by a shared giggles- until the door swung open with a sharp, heavy thud. The atmosphere shifted violently. Our professor of English stepped into the room, and the whole class went crazy. The air in the room seemed to be replaced by a heavy tension, charged with the sudden, magnetic presence of the man standing at the podium.)
Class: (A collective, breathless sigh rippled through the rows of desks. Many students leaned forward, their eyes wide.) "Awwwwwwwww"
(He is impossibly tall-about 6'3"-with long, powerful legs and a muscular physique that seems to command the very air around him. Dressed in all black, possessing an effortless, dark elegance. He moved with a predatory grace, setting his leather satchel down with a deliberate click. His long, thick black hair covers his forehead as if the forest is trying to hide his silent secrets. What I can say about his eyes? They cannot be described with words; But... with eyes only. I think the professor noticed that the whole class was paralyzed and awestruck by his beauty, but there was no reaction from him. He remained utterly unreadable-an ice-cold statue. My heart hammered against my ribs. I knew he was the same guy from the street where I bumped into him today, but I chose to be a stranger, as if we were meeting for the first time as teacher and student.)
Leo: (He stands at the front, his gaze sweeping across the room like a biting winter wind. When he speaks, his voice is a low, velvet rasp.) Good morning, students! I'm your English professor for the year. My name is Leo. (He pauses, letting the silence grow heavy and suffocating in the room until it feels like it might snap.) Let me set some straightforward rules for you. 1) Your voice is a privilege, not a right. You're only allowed to speak when you have doubts, when I have asked you a question or when there is some emergency. Otherwise, keep your little mouth shut and study. 2) During exams, no cheating is allowed. Use of AI to complete your assignments is also prohibited. You may only seek help from the book, from me, or from someone you know. 3) No unnecessary drama or talking in my class. 4) In my class, you are only allowed to do one thing, and that is to study. (His voice drops to a low, dangerous whisper.) If I found anyone disobeying my rules, a strict and disciplined punishment will be administered. You had all better understand.
Lunette: (Leaning toward Irida, her voice dropping to a frantic whisper) Oh God, Irida! He is so scary; we had better be obedient.
Irida: (Her voice trembles slightly as she fidgets with the hem of her sleeve) Indeed he is. You....You are so obedient, intelligent and such a good student, but what about the others? I feel like he is a 'death god' in person, here to take our lives for our sins and procrastination.
Lunette: (She reaches out, placing a steadying hand on Irida's arm and offering a small, reassuring smile) Don't worry, Irida I'm here to help you.
Irida: (Exhales a long, shaky breath, her shoulders finally dropping) That's a relief! But what about the others? how will they survive this hell and this hell- monster?
Lunette: (Narrowing her eyes slightly as she looks toward the rest of the room) I will also try to help them, too. But if they reject my help then it's not my concern.
Irida: (Beaming with sudden pride) That's my girl!
Leo: (Clapping his hands together sharply, breaking the tension) Okay, students, today we will start with the concept of poetry. So, what is poetry?
Class: (The room falls into a heavy, suffocating silence)"....."
Leo: (Looking across the sea of blank faces, his brow furrowed in frustration) What's the reason the whole class is silent today? Is poetry really that terrifying? when there is gossip, there is no punctuation in the voice, but when it is time to answer, why is it a full stop?
Irida: (Leans in and whispers frantically to Lunette) Lunette, don't be nervous, don't let the silence win. You can answer this; I know you can. Just don't give up without even trying. You've got this.
Lunette: (A flicker of steel enters her gaze; she nods once, sharply) Thanks, Irida I will answer this, let whatever happens afterwards happen.
(A heavy, suffocating silence hangs in the room. Lunette's hand trembles slightly as she slowly raises it, her knuckles white.)
Leo: (His voice booming, yet expectant) Yes-you!
Lunette: (Voice small at first, then gaining a rhythmic strength) Professor.....poetry is the raw expression of emotions, feelings and human spirit, we express via words. It is how we translate the thrumming of our hearts into something others can finally hear. It's a way of expressing the human heart and mind. It is the bridge between the unspoken and the understood. When the voice is unable to flow, words come to life. Poetry is the oxygen that the soul breathes to survive. Through poetry, any feeling can come to life and become a part of humans.
Leo: (Adjusting his glasses with a warm and genuine smile) Exceptional! Truly well done. Might I ask what your name is?
Lunette: (Beaming, the tension finally snapping into a radiant pride) Lunette!
Leo: Well, Lunette, that was a masterful insight. I hope you continue to participate in my further classes. You may take your seat.
Lunette: (A breathless grin) Yes, Professor! Thank you!
(Lunette sits down and continues to study while the girls admire how handsome the professor is and the boys grow jealous of him. Amidst this, Lunette looks at Leo, and at the same time, he makes an eye contact with her. She panics and darts her eyes toward her notebook. A hot flush creeps up her neck as she quickly drops her gaze, fumbling with the corner of her notebook. Leo, standing there, gives a slow, knowing smirk.)
Lunette: (Thinking To herself) Oh god! Now, he'll think I'm crushing on him too. He'll think I'm just another face in the crowd of admirers. Why is fate always against me? Or maybe I am just overthinking. (She buries her face in her palms, stifling a frustrated groan.)
(The lecture continued for a full hour, Lunette enjoyed the session very much. Once the lecture was over, Irida began a conversation with Lunette.)
Irida: (Leans in close, her eyes sparking with unfiltered excitement.) Lunette! Don't you think he is so handsome? He's like a CEO who walked straight off the cover of a romance novel!
Lunette: (Looks at Leo, a thoughtful furrow appearing between her brows) I don't know! Maybe?
Irida: (Her jaw drops in genuine disbelief, her eyes widening) Maybe...? Are you kidding me? He is the most handsome man to ever arrive in the city.
Lunette: (Her voice thins, losing its strength as she admits her fear) Irida! I'm very bad at praising men. I'm sorry, but until I'm comfortable with someone, I don't even know how to continue a conversation. I have always run away from people. I keep my distance, building a wall of 'friendly' small talk. It's safer back here, where I am all alone and can't be hurt by anyone.
Irida: (Her expression softens into a sympathetic smile.) Ohhh! That's a good thing. You have me and that's enough.
Lunette: (Letting out a small, hesitant breath) Hummmmm!