Self

Chapter 9

Yara led the way, with the man trailing just behind her.

She seemed to have shaken off the unease from the previous night

and was back to her usual self.

Wade pulled up in the car, and Yara hopped into the front seat.

As they drove, they came across a fruit market.

Yara said, “Can we stop for a second? Just two minutes. I want to grab some fruit.”

“Fruit?”

“Yeah, for the professor.”

Wade, gripping the steering wheel, looked puzzled. “Do we need to go through all that trouble?”

Yara raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice. “You don’t bring a little something when you visit someone?”

Wade nodded, his honesty shining through.

Yara gave him a silent thumbs up–what a boss!

Maybe that was how the big shots rolled. They did not sweat the

small stuff?

Even so, he pulled the car over.

Wendy’s place was nestled on a road that curved around the mountains, not too far from Bellmere University.

The neighborhood was dotted with charming little houses, a tasteful mix of East meets West, each with its gate and garden, simple yet full

of character.

A walk through a grove of maple trees led to her home.

It had been six years.

Yara clenched her seatbelt tighter, eyeing the basket of fruit by her

feet, a wave of anxiety washing over her.

Wade picked up on her hesitation. “You’re not getting out?”

She nibbled on her lips. “Just give me a minute.”

He gave her a brief nod. “I’ll head in first.”

She appreciated his discretion.

As he walked away, Yara took a deep breath, clicked her seatbelt off, and stepped out of the car.

The season was in full bloom.

As she stepped into the yard, she was greeted by the delicate scent of flowers on the breeze.

The vegetable patch by the fence looked a bit forlorn. It had probably been untended since the owner fell ill, and the plants were sprawling untidily.

Before she even reached the door, Yara caught the professor’s voice, her heart skipping a beat as she hurried to catch up with Wade.

“Professor.”

Wendy set aside the latest biology magazine she was flipping through and pushed up her reading glasses. “Huh? Wade? What brings you here?”

Wade came over and gently took her arm, guiding her further into the room. “Just checking in on you. How’s your health?”

“Oh, it’s nothing serious. No need for you guys to come running one after the other.”

She gave his hand a reassuring pat. You’re all so sweet to worry about me, but I’m fine! Really!”

Wade hesitated for a second. “Actually, I brought someone else with

me today.”

“Who?” Wendy looked puzzled.

As she followed his gaze, Yara came into view at the doorway, standing there meekly with her head down like she was in trouble.

Wendy’s eyes flickered with shock and a hint of joy, but she quickly masked that with a look of complexity and forced indifference.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice firm.

“Professor…” Yara fumbled for words.

Wendy’s tone was stern, her face unreadable. “Weren’t you the one who said you wanted love? That you’d throw caution to the wind for it? So why come back now?”

Yara bit her lip, trying to hold back tears. “Professor, I’m sorry. I let you down.”

“And?” Wendy was seldom that serious.

Yara swallowed hard. “And… I was wrong.”

She hesitated, then added softly, “Is it too late for an apology?”

“At last…” Wendy let out a sigh, her stern expression slowly softening. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for you? Six years. Six

long years.”

Tears filled Yara’s eyes as she stammered, “I… I had no idea…”

Had her professor really been waiting for her all that time?

“It’s good that you’ve come to your senses.”

AVE

Who could tell how much hurt and struggle lay behind that realization? Wendy’s face was a mix of tenderness and sorrow.

Yara’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she could not hold them back any longer, diving into her professor’s arms. “Professor…”

Wendy’s hand, dry but gentle, patted her back, and her heart melted a little more with each pat

“There, there… You’re too old to be crying like this, you know.”

Wade stood by, watching the whole scene in silence.

As Yara and Wendy hugged it out, making up for lost time, he quietly slipped away to the balcony, giving them the privacy they needed to talk.

Years had passed since Wendy and Yara had seen each other, and Wendy could not help but ask how Yara was doing, carefully steering clear of discussing her love life.

Yara’s admission of being wrong was proof enough that her past choices, especially concerning specific people, were not the best.

Why dig up old wounds?

Yara mumbled, “I’ve rented a place near the school and started studying again. I’m gearing up to take the grad school entrance exam at the end of the year…”

Wendy’s eyes lit up, a wave of joy nearly knocking her over. “Really? Are you serious?”

She had to ask twice, just to be sure,

“Mhm.” Yara nodded, too ashamed to meet her professor’s gaze.

She had strayed from the path once before and was trying to find her way back.

“Fantastic! That’s the spirit! You better not be pulling my leg. You

promised to try for my grad program! I knew saving that spot for you.

wasn’t a waste…”

Yara was taken aback.

She suspected the professor might have kept a spot open for her, but having it confirmed still left her in disbelief.

‘Yara, oh Yara, how do you even deserve this?’ she mused.

“Professor, whether I’ll pass is still up in the air, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves…”

Wendy beamed at Yara. “If you set your mind to it, there’s no way you’ll flunk! I know exactly how talented you are. The only way you’d fail is if you were pulling my leg, you little rascal!”

Yara could not help but let out a giggle and a groan. “Why would I ever

“Look at the time! You and Wade… Huh? Where’s Wade?”

“Right here, Professor.” Wade stepped in from the balcony.

“It’s already lunchtime. Stay and eat. I’m taking over the kitchen!”

Yara’s face went pale at the thought, and Wade looked like he did not know whether to laugh or wince.

“Um, maybe you should take it easy. I’ll handle the cooking.”

It was not that Yara did not appreciate the gesture; it was just that with Wendy in the kitchen, there was a real risk of a culinary

catastrophe.

Wendy gave an embarrassed cough, fully aware of her notorious.

cooking skills, but she could not show any weakness in front of her students.

“Sure, sure. I’m still on the mand, so I shouldn’t be cooking anyway.

Yare quickly sipped on an apron and darted into the kitchen.

Wade rolled up his sleeves and followed, eager to lend a hand. “I’ll

ano day

Wendy watched them, her smile growing wider.

The fridge was stuffed with fresh ingredients.

Since the professor was still recovering, Yara figured she would whip up something light and easy on the stomach.

Wade asked. “How can I help?”

Yara pointed to a pile of veggies. “Ever washed veggies before?”

He paused, a bit unsure. “Shouldn’t be too hard, right?”

Yara cleared a spot for him.

His attempts at washing the veggies were clumsy but eamest, and he managed to get them clean.

Yara threw a question over her shoulder. Any foods you can’t eat?” “Nope.”

“What about flavors? Anything you prefer?”

“I’m good with whatever.”

She chuckled softly. “You’re not fussy at all, are you?”

She thought of Yale, who was always so particular and had a laundry list of food demands.