Reverie Ch. 02

"Ok so what are the five principles of implementing a hospital budget?"

...

"Anyone?"

The silver head looked around the class in expectation. "Ah, Miss Vines. Tell me what the first one is."

"Miss Vines?"

Rya's blank expression let the professor know her answer. She opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated. As she shook her head apologetically, Professor Miller let out a deep sigh and glanced at his watch. They were out of time.

"Well... by the looks of Miss Vines; you all seemed to have contracted a case of amnesia. For homework read chapters 9, 10 and 11 from the text, plus the online study material and the additional commentary."

A chorus of groans echoed throughout. Those chapters were really long reads. Rya could feel the accusatory glares all around her. While she was usually the one who knew all the answers, she had completely spaced out in that moment. This was the only class she actually participated in, all the others she made sure she was invisible.

"And I expect an engaging discussion next class... maybe even a quiz." His narrowed eyes lingered on some discontent faces.

"You are dismissed." Sounds of shuffling papers and chairs scraping the floor resonated in the room.

Rya quickly gathered her belongings and tried to make a quick escape.

"Miss Vines, please stay behind." Rya fought the urge to scream.

When everyone cleared out of the room the professor's attention was completely on her.

"Ok, out with it, what's wrong?"

Rya nervously shrugged. "Nothing... Well, I don't know."

The stagnant silence was uncomfortable.

"You don't have to be so hard on everyone." She mumbled, and then nibbled her inner cheek. A trademark sign of uncertainty.

The professor couldn't help but smile. It was a habit she'd picked up as a child.

Richard Miller could never forget when he first laid eyes on eleven-year-old Rya Vines.

Long plaited pigtails swayed anxiously as she waited by her mother's bedside. A hospital was no place for a child. And yet Rya wore eyes of a 70 year-old woman with ease. Resigned to accept whatever came their way.

Working as the Director of Health services at the time, Richard didn't really interact with patients. His job was behind the scenes, ensuring the hospital and staff ran smoothly. Much like the Wizard of Oz he was incognito but powerful; he encountered few problems without a solution.

However at hearing of a young mother's rare condition with only a child at her side, he'd been moved, but mostly curious. When he saw the girl, his heartstrings pulled him right into their room and struck up a conversation with her. Her mother was heavily sedated and so he asked the girl how the facilities and staff were treating her.

Maturity oozed from her very bones as she tactfully told Richard that although the facilities and staff were fine, her mother wasn't. In the end that's all that mattered. Her small hand clutched her mother's weak one as she claimed her position as sole caregiver. There was no one else but her. Her father came around, but wasn't really present in their lives.

Richard melted and felt a sort of kinship with her. He made a point to come by and bring her a lunch or a snack and ask how she was doing. It wasn't enough. Determined to help her further, he called in a few favors and pulled some strings. Rya's mother was chosen to be treated with an experimental drug which she responded favorably to. When she was finally released from the hospital, Rya found herself continuing to visit Mr. Miller whom she remembered as kind and helpful in her time of need.

A friendship was formed. Richard soon discovered that although Rya was extremely mature and serious when it came to her mother's care, in all other things she was almost whimsical. Her active imagination transported her to different worlds she created. Perhaps she did it as an escape from her reality.

Whatever the case, he enjoyed their talks and the time they spent together. His family did too.

His wife, Elaine often joked that having Rya was the easiest birth she'd ever had. Zach their oldest and most stubborn, took 36 hours to finally grace them with his presence. Two years later came the girls. When it become obvious that the twins Madison and Caroline, could not be coaxed out of the womb, they were finally born via emergency C-section. But with Rya... within first couple of minutes of meeting her, they fell in love with and made her part of the family. Even though she didn't actually live with them, Christmas cards and family dinners were never complete without Rya. Among friends and family she was known as their bonus child.

In turn Rya always felt right at home. Her mother, Sondra didn't mind; in fact she appreciated how the Millers had taken Rya under their wing. God knows kind-hearted, generous people were hard to come by. Anything to ensure her daughter of a brighter future. One of the best days of her life was when Sondra saw her baby start college. With her deteriorated condition, she didn't think she would live long enough to see it, but it brought her great joy and peace of mind to know the Millers would there for her long after she was gone.

Richard and Elaine, who was also a schoolteacher, helped Rya with her scholarship applications and essays and were delighted when she received a full ride to some great schools. Although Richard wasn't sure it was the right fit, Rya insisted on pursuing a career in the medical field. He ended up taking a teaching position at a renowned New York college and as luck would have it, she was in his class this semester.

It was odd at first, but they adjusted. Rya wasn't used to this side of him. He was always kind and patient like a surrogate father, not this militant instructor. Her peers had no idea she knew him personally and didn't hesitate to express how much they hated his class. Even though they'd later admit they learned more from him in a month than years with other professors.

Professor Miller sighed. "I wasn't being hard on them. It's imperative you learn the material. But let's go back to my previous question, what's going on with you? You seem off."

Rya held her tongue. Was it that obvious? Ever since meeting Haseem she's been all out of sorts. She tried to keep a straight face. "I'm fine."

His eyes narrowed. She wasn't fine, but he'd let it go for now. He couldn't help but feel overprotective when it came to her. "Alright then, I'll talk to you later."

Grabbing her stuff she hurried out, she didn't want to stay another minute. He had a way of reading her she found unnerving. She didn't know how he'd react to learning about Haseem and who he was. She didn't need him worrying unnecessarily. Rya waved goodbye and made her way to the library. She needed to invest a couple of hours in coursework before her work shift started.

As expected the large library was quiet, with only the chatter of books to fill the void. Rya found her favorite area uninhabited, as always. It was secluded but close enough to see people walk in and out of the building.

A couple of hours later and Rya was content with the progress she'd made. With a book in hand, she slowly walked past the rows of library stacks, looking for its home.

Just before she approached an open area with tables, she stopped dead in her tracks. It was Haseem - the man who'd been firmly embedded in her thoughts and dreams. He sat at a table as he concentrated reading through paperwork.

Quickly, hiding behind a stack undetected, she peered through the tops of the books. She was far enough not to be heard but close enough to see him perfectly.

What was he doing here? How was this even possible? Of all the locations she could see him again this was the last one she thought he'd be. Oh God, was he there for her? She knew it, he told her too much. It had been weeks since that day. She figured he had chosen a different route to avoid her, but now she knew he was just biding time to find her. To send a message that it didn't matter where she went... he'd find her.

And now as Rya's eyes widened and her heartbeat quickened, she wondered if it was fate. She was going to die at the hands of the first person she ever talked to on the train.

She observed him for a moment. He seemed oblivious to her presence. If he was going to kill her, he wasn't trying very hard to find her. That was odd. As she stared at him, it should've been fear gripping her insides, but it wasn't. A current of anticipation swept through her. She almost wanted him to catch her staring.

She shook her head. What the hell was wrong with her? She squint her eyes but couldn't make out what he was reading.

It was probably some top secret plot to capture U.S. homegrown terrorists. Perhaps it was a list of names he'd been ordered to take out personally by the president. He was a hit man, who lived alone and had to change his identity every six months to avoid capture. He was in New York for a couple more months but then moved on to... Chicago. He was at her college because some of those names were currently enrolled students. Rya rolled her eyes; that was ridiculous. Although, she did know a couple of engineering students who were a bit suspicious. Her mouth twitched a smile.

Perhaps it was a plan to get back into his country and save his family members before it was too late. The documents he held were coded letters sent by his only living niece who still lived in Pakistan. In it she begs for his help, as conditions have worsened for her. She has no money and is being threatened by extended family members to marry. She taught herself to read and write in secret and just wishes to one day come to America and see him again. Being the man he is, Haseem would risk it all and save her. Even though if it means his immediate death.

No no no, Rya grumbled to herself. That didn't fit either.

Haseem cleared his throat and his Adam's apple bobbed. She didn't understand why, but she was struck by the motion. She had the sudden urge to run her tongue up his neck, circle around it and gently suck the ridges.

She observed how his tapered fingers held the paper ever so lightly while he intermittently scribbled with the other hand. Focused pupils moved in a straight line as he read along. God, he was beautiful.

His lips softly moved as he read to himself as though it were an incantation.

And it was working.

The spell he'd woven around Rya was so tangible, she could almost feel herself being tugged towards him; completely forgetting about his confession or the fear she felt in her bones. She remained still as her body heat rose. She closed her eyes and recalled last night's vivid dream.

Late one night, she rode the train home and was the only one in the car. Suddenly he opened the connecting doors and stepped through. Momentarily frightened she almost screamed, but froze under his piercing glare instead. He slowly stalked towards her and she felt her breath hitch as panic turned into arousal.

She asked him what he was going to do to her. He replied that she knew damned well what he was going to do. Then he roughly grabbed her and crushed his mouth on hers. Rya tried to push him away, but Haseem tightened his hold around her waist. He swallowed her cries which quickly turned into moans as his mouth took possession of hers. His hands roamed down her back and soon his wandering fingers lifted her shirt and caressed her taut stomach. She muffled a sound of approval as he murmured words of encouragement.

The top button of her jeans popped open, the zipper lowered and she felt his touch smooth over her panties. It was slow but insistent. She was so wet. Her core wept for him as she anxiously waited. Her feminine walls clenched as his finger finally found her entrance. His tongue thrust into her mouth mimicking what his finger did down below. He added a second finger and continued to stroke in and out of her. His thumb circled around her clit and created a delicious rhythm. In and out as he rubbed the small bundle of nerves. She was so close, just a breath away from heaven. When he pinched her clit and added a third finger; she exploded.

Rya opened her eyes and let out a ragged breath. She licked her lips and her heart raced, it felt so real. She turned around and with her back to the stacks as her chest rose and fell erratically. Nimble hands brushed her breasts and lingered around her nipples. Her skin was on fire. All reason flew out of the window and she couldn't even recognize herself. She closed her eyes and she could almost feel the soft hairs of his beard whisk her cheek as his masculine smell lulled her senses.

Rya opened her eyes and stared at the rows of books as she calmed her racing heart. Chancing another look at him, she turned around and peeked again. Her heart stopped.

He was looking straight at her. Molten lava pools burned into her.

After a minute his features softened. He stretched his arms, crossed them and settled them above his head. Flexed biceps and triceps distracted Rya even more. He smirked.

"You can come out now."

Shit shit shit. She quickly crouched to the floor as though it would help the ground from opening up and swallowing her whole. Terrified from embarrassment she tried to see if she could escape undetected.

"Just come out, I can see you. Unless... you want me to go get you."

Rya nervously bit her lip, she wasn't sure if that was a threat or a promise. Whatever it was... it sounded sexy as hell coming from him. She braced herself, slowly untangled her limbs and walked out of her hiding place.

She couldn't bear to look at him. A flush of heat overwhelmed her and she was completely embarrassed.

"Sit." He commanded as he extended his hand to the seat across from him.

She complied, but her shoulders hunched with tension and her bottom barely touched the seat. It was his turn to stare. Her eyes ping-ponged around the room as she looked everywhere but him. He didn't like seeing her like this. Nervous and afraid of him. After thinking about it, he realized he messed up. Initially he told her the truth in hopes of scaring her away. Now he feared he succeeded. And he didn't like it one bit.

"I guess I should apologize for being an asshole before. I... don't really know what to say when people ask about me or my past. It's annoying as fuck. So when you were so insistent, I decided to just tell you the truth and see your reaction. But you should never be afraid of me."

She let out a breath and felt herself calm. She guessed that made sense. When she continued to keep quiet he felt himself get annoyed. He wanted to hear her voice and see if it was as sweet as he remembered. He let out a wicked smile.

"So you like to watch me?" It was more of a statement than a question. Slowly he gestured for her to tilt her chin up and when her eyes finally met his, she felt that same magnetic pull from before.

Those damn dimples made an appearance as he let out a smile. "I don't mind you staring; in fact I rather like it."

Rya remained quiet and nervously swallowed. Her mouth dropped open a little and she took deep pulls of air. It seemed her body couldn't decide between being completely mortified and being turned on. She was already hot and bothered from before and as she as sat across from him, she was engulfed in heat. She couldn't understand it. God he probably thought she was a complete weirdo.

Haseem's eyes softened. "You don't have to hide, not from me."

She bit her bottom lip and smiled demurely. So it looked like he wasn't going to kill her after all. Stay calm and act normal. She cleared her throat and asked, "What are you doing here?"

He slid the paperwork in front of him to her. She read the words and was surprised to say the least.

"You're applying to go to school here? Here? You're applying to this college?"

"Don't sound so surprised." He dryly replied.

Going back to school was always part of the plan, but it didn't necessarily have to happen right away and not exactly in this particular college. He admitted it; he may or may not have seen her student ID when she pulled out her MetroCard. And he may or may not have been going to this library, for the past couple of weeks, on the off chance he'd run into her again. He wanted to have a real conversation with her and didn't want it to be on the train. Rather he wanted it to be in a non-threatening environment.

She didn't know what to say. Haseem attending her college didn't fit with any of her scenarios.

"So what are you going to study?"

"Well I've already accrued some pre-med courses, so I think I'll pursue that."

Rya stared at him blankly.

Haseem chuckled; he seemed to enjoy shattering all of her preconceived notions of him.

"Let's just say I have real world experience when it comes to... tending to wounds. That and the fact that I've always been interested in the human body."

She tried not to let his words get to her. "So when did you take pre-med classes?"

"I spent my early twenties in London as a... recruiter of sorts. I took advantage and completed all of my foundation courses."

So he was a terrorist with a ten year plan. This was getting weirder by the minute. She scoffed, "So you were recruiting people for your... cause, while you were a college student? That's just. That's just wrong."

"At the time, I didn't think it was wrong. I was just doing was I had to do. While in college I realized I could be more. Have a real future. That's when I started trying to get out."

"You must have been busy in your... career as a. As a..."

"Let's just get this out of the way. I told you my past. I told you who I was, who I used to be. You don't have to dance around it, just say it. I was a terrorist."

She bit the inside of her cheek and furrowed her eyebrows.

He continued, "I mean yes if there are people around, I guess it would be common sense to not say the word. People already have prejudices when they look at me, they don't need to know their hateful thoughts towards me were once completely right. Not that I blame them."

She observed him for a minute. She could feel the regret and self-loathing dripping from him. She couldn't imagine being in his situation. Perhaps that was why he wanted to become a doctor, to be in a position to save lives rather than destroy them. Her mother raised her not to judge people and their past, but rather to embrace who they were now. Perhaps he just needed a friend.

Finally she said, "Can I be honest with you?"

Haseem nodded and braced himself. She was the first person he'd been completely honest with since he moved here. He hated to admit it but he was intrigued by her. Her opinion mattered to him.

"I know you moved here because you wanted to start a new life, so do that. You're going to meet people and they're going to ask where you're from and what you used to do. So what are you going to tell people when they ask? What have you been telling people you've met so far?"

He shrugged, "I usually ignore them or tell them to fuck off."

She gave him a deadpan stare and then mumbled, "I guess I was the lucky one then."

"Anyway, I don't know how things were in London, but you can't tell people what you told me. And you shouldn't just tell people to fuck off either. That'll make you suspicious as well. I'm not saying you should lie, but believe me Americans don't take too lightly to suspected terrorists. Let alone real life ex-terrorists. You can barely say the word b-o-m-b anymore."

He knew she was right. It was the same thing from where he was from, you couldn't utter the word American unless you attached some words of disgust to it.

"So what should I say then?"

"Well we can make up a story."

"You make it sound so easy."