Chapter 23 - I miss you

Wednesday morning Sarah didn't have class.

Her plan was to work on the project, but she could not focus. She was not able to think about anything except about events related to Aiden. Even when she put all her mental effort to think about the project, she was not successful. Her mind was echoing: 'Aiden, Aiden, Aiden…' Eventually, she gave up.

Sarah checked her email and noticed few requests for code review from Aiden. 'I will look at these when my mind clears up' It made her happy that it's something related to him, but she needed to focus in order to do a code review, and she felt that her brain is a mush.

Sarah sent an email to Aiden with several online stores where he can get customized scarfs for his grandparents and went back to bed. Since she can't work, she should rest. But her thoughts are stubbornly going into direction of a warm hug, and that familiar scent. Her memories of his smile and his deep gaze so vivid, like he is right in front of her. Questions are running through her mind, 'Did that really happen? Was it a mistake? Why do I feel so restless? Will this ever stop?' Sarah was taking deep breaths trying to calm down, but her heart was beating as if it's trying to jump out of her chest.

Her phone made a sound indicating she got an email. She checked and it was reply from Aiden. One word "Thanks". She looked at that email and her heart calmed down. It took her few minutes to realize that she is not restless anymore, 'Did just one small email from him settle my emotions? Impossible!'

She turned on her chat app and texted Vivian:

[Sarah]: "My head is a mess"

...few minutes passed...

[Vivian]: "Something happened?"

[Sarah]: "I'm sure you can guess. Do you really need more details?"

[Vivian]: "Yes, because I want to know. And no, because I told you so"

[Sarah]: …

[Vivian]: "Do you want to meet?"

[Sarah]: "I need to figure out this on my own"

[Vivian]: "OK"

Sarah wanted this unfamiliar feeling to go away. She was always strong willed and in control. She never experienced feelings so intense that they consume her mind, and she can't ignore them.

Sarah got her running gear on and went for a run. Her mp3 player was blasting music in her earphones. Run with a familiar music and cold winter air on her face helped her clear her mind. Finally, she didn't think about Aiden.

Happy with the outcome, she returned to her dorm, and took a shower. Just as she settled down, her mind started racing again. 'Ah! Will this ever stop?', she was desperate.

It was lunch time, so she got ready and headed to cafeteria.

~Tesla University, cafeteria~

Sarah got her lunch but didn't have much appetite. After forcing few bites, she gave up. She still had more than half an hour until afternoon class, so she pulled out her book 'Anna Karenina' with hope to keep her mind busy. It was not working, her eyes went over the lines, but her brain was not accepting them.

"Looks like your mind is elsewhere", deep voice came from behind. Aiden took a seat next to her. When she realized that he is right next to her, she inhaled and held her breath.

It took her only few seconds to become aware that restlessness which consumed her since she woke up disappeared.

She exhaled and said in a quiet voice, "It seems I can't help but to think of you."

Aiden was surprised, and it took him few seconds to recover. He smiled, "I missed you too."

"Huh?" Sarah was confused. 'Is this missing someone?'

She shook her head, "It seems I have a lot to learn."

"It will be my pleasure to teach you", he said with a sly smile, and she found his voice enchanting.

Sarah observed him and her lips stretched into a smile. She acknowledged to herself that when she was with Aiden, it felt right. Like that is the way it's supposed to be. She felt like a puzzle with a missing piece, and he was the piece completing her puzzle. Sarah told herself not to run away from this. Every time she was with him, her feelings changed and reached next level. She was curious what the next level will be.

Sarah noticed behind Aiden a man looking at them. She took a minute to recognize him, and asked Aiden, "Behind you, three tables down, short brown hair, dark blue jacket with gray collar. Do you know him?".

Aiden glanced behind and frowned. "Yes, Philip. Why?"

Sarah hesitated for few seconds seeing that Aiden's mood worsened, but she started talking, and can't stop now. "Last week he approached me and asked if I'm your girl."

'Why would Philip approach her? He can't have good intentions. I need to keep her away from him.' Aiden was getting agitated while thinking about Philip talking with Sarah, "And, what did you say?"

"I don't remember", Sarah mumbled. She could not tell him that she stated that they are not even friends, but acquaintances at best.

"If he asks you again, make sure to tell him the truth."

Sarah can tell that he is upset about something, but is not sure about what, "What truth?"

"That you are my girl", he smiled.

Sarah blushed, 'His girl?! Well, that does not sound so bad.' She gave him a small nod as a response.

He was pleased with her reaction.

...

Afternoon class ended, and Sarah was packing her backpack when she heard Aiden, "Coffee?"

"Sounds good", she responded.

Aiden was happy that Sarah accepted his invitation. Every cell in his body screamed from the need to spend more time with her. And now he felt at ease, knowing that they will spend the evening together, and who knows… maybe longer.

They headed out of the classroom and went to the parking lot where Aiden's car was parked.

"Where are we going?", Sarah asked.

"For a coffee", he responded with a smile.

She didn't ask again. After all, she didn't care where they went, as long as they are together. A short drive later, he parked in the parking lot of his apartment.

"I thought we are going for a coffee", she said suspiciously.

"Yes. I can make coffee."

As they approached the door of his apartment, Sarah thought of previous time she was at there. Her cheeks flushed, and she got nervous. She reminded herself not to run away. She took a deep breath and stepped inside. Aiden closed the door behind her, and next thing she knew he embraced her from behind.

Aiden's face was buried in Sarah's hair, and he inhaled deeply. "I waited all day to do this. Give me a minute". She felt his breath on her right ear, and her mind went blank for a moment.

...

When Aiden stepped out of the kitchen with coffee, Sarah was on the sofa, working on her laptop.

"You are committed" He noticed that she is working on his project. Aiden took a seat next to her on the sofa. He put his arms around her waist while resting his chin on her left shoulder, quietly watching her work.

Sarah's fingers stopped moving on the keyboard. "Can you move a bit away?"

He raised an eyebrow, and his expression showed displeasure. "Why?"

"I need to make up for lost time, and you are distracting me." She was not sure why he looks upset.

He let go of her and backed away, but his face told her that he is not convinced.

Sarah turned toward him, took a deep breath and explained. "I was not able to do any work since yesterday. When you are not close by, my mind is a mess, and when you get this close it's even worse."

'How honest! To tell me that I have such an effect on her!' Devilish smile appeared on his face as he slowly inched toward her. "How I see it, right now you have two choices. One is that you drop the idea of working, and other is that you get used to me being this close." When he finished talking, his face was so close that Sarah could feel his breath on her cheek.

"How shameless!" Sarah moved away from him. Her smile told him that she is not upset. "I will work later...", she mumbled as she kept her laptop aside.

He was happy in any case, as long as she does not come up with a third option.

After some time, both were typing on their laptops, seated on the sofa next to each other. They ordered pizza, and spent the evening working on their project while enjoying each other's company.

~Tesla University, women's dorm~

Sarah was in her bed, thinking about recent changes in her, caused by Aiden. 'Why do I drop my guard around him?' It made her feel vulnerable, and she found that uncomfortable. There are many who approached her in the past, and she never had a problem to send them packing, no matter how charming they were.

Sarah is not able to pinpoint time or the occasion when she noticed that Aiden became important in her life, and he got access to her heart.

When he is not around, she is missing him. 'It will be difficult to spend two weeks without him during holidays... Oh, holidays... Christmas present!' Sarah took her phone and messaged Vivian.

[Sarah]: "Are you free on Saturday after class? I need to do some Christmas shopping, can you join? Lunch is my treat."

After a few seconds Vivian responded.

[Vivian]: "Make it a fancy lunch, and you have a deal"

[Sarah]: "Deal"

The food at the cafeteria of Tesla University is of high quality and there is always a generous variety to select from. But going to a restaurant has its own appeal.

When Sarah saw that Vivian will join her, she was happy for few seconds, and then she got troubled. 'What should I get him? It should not be anything too much, but I don't want to get him a trinket either... Maybe something for couples?... Couples!? When did I start thinking of myself as a part of the couple?' She blushed. 'Why am I getting all flustered for? We are a couple…' Sarah slept off while thinking what Christmas present to get for Aiden.