Chapter 8 ۵ Birthday

YARA'S POV

The lecture hall was cold, the air thick with anticipation as students filtered in, taking their seats. I could feel the tension mounting within me as I entered the room, the familiar weight of Mr Moreno's presence settling on my shoulders like an icy burden. It was my first lecture back since the chaos with my dad, and though I had spent countless hours catching up on everything I missed, nothing prepared me for the searing gaze that I felt burning into my soul. I sat down.

He didn't ask me a single question during the lecture, but I could feel his eyes on me, every look he cast my way dripping with disdain. I could sense that he loathed me, perhaps even more now than he had before I'd gone missing for a few weeks. The usual rhythm of his voice seemed to harden, every word a sharp rebuke that wasn't directed at me but somehow still found its mark. My mind was racing, barely able to focus on the complex equations and theorems he was scrawling on the board. I knew I should be paying attention, but the weight of his unspoken judgment kept dragging me back into my own thoughts. I couldn't help but replay every missed email that must have fueled his anger towards me. The guilt gnawed at me, and the frustration of not being able to explain myself properly only made it worse.

As the lecture ended, I packed up my things and left the hall like I always did, my thoughts elsewhere. It wasn't until I was halfway across campus that I remembered the question I needed to ask him about one of my assignments. The one part of the coursework that had tripped me up even after all my late-night study sessions.

I stopped dead in my tracks, debating whether to just leave it, but I knew I couldn't afford to let this slide. My grades were already on shaky ground, and if I didn't get this right, it would only get worse. With a heavy sigh, I turned on my heel and made my way back to the lecture hall, my heart pounding louder with every step.

When I reached the door, it was still slightly ajar. Pushing it open, I saw Mr. Moreno at the front of the room, packing up his things. The room felt even colder now that it was empty, the silence only amplifying my nerves. I forced myself to walk down to him, each step feeling like a mile until I was finally standing in front of him.

"Mr. Moreno" I began, my voice barely above a whisper "I have a question about the assignment. There's a part I don't quite understand" He looked up at me, his dark blue eyes tightened as they met mine. For a moment, I thought he might ignore me altogether, but then he set down the papers in his hand and folded his arms across his chest. The room seemed to grow even colder as he spoke.

"You missed so many lectures, and now you have the audacity to come here and ask for help?" he said, his tone dripping with contempt "What do you expect me to do? Hold your hand and guide you through every single problem you've caused yourself" he mocked.

If only he'd known the full truth "I-I had to take care of my dad" I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady "He's been really sick, and I couldn't just leave him" I spoke looking down at the ground. For a brief moment, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes, but whatever it was, it vanished as quickly as it came. His expression hardened again, the sympathy I'd been hoping for was nowhere to be found.

"We all have our problems, Malik" he said coldly "But that doesn't give you an excuse to abandon your responsibilities. If you think I'm going to make exceptions for you, think again"

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I felt the tears threaten to spill over. I wanted to shout at him, to tell him how unfair he was being, but I couldn't find the words. The anger and hurt twisted inside me, and all I could do was stand there, trembling as I fought to keep myself together.

"Are you going to stand there crying, or are you going to listen to the explanation you asked for" he snapped, his voice cutting through the silence like a whip. I swallowed hard, forcing back the tears as I nodded "I'll listen" I managed to say, my voice barely audible.

For the next hour, he went over the assignment with me, his explanation sharp and precise but devoid of any warmth or understanding. He was distant, as if he couldn't be bothered to care whether I understood or not. Every word felt like a reprimand, every glance a reminder of how much he loathed me.

By the time he was finished, I felt drained, both emotionally and mentally. I could barely meet his eyes as I gathered my things, my heart heavy with a mixture of anger and sadness. I'd never felt so small, so insignificant as I did when I was with him.

As I stepped into the cool evening air, I finally let the tears fall, the frustration and hurt I'd been holding back pouring out in silent sobs. I hated him, but I hated myself more for letting him get to me. I had to be stronger. I had to be better. But at that moment, all I felt was broken.

The next few days at university felt like walking through a fog. Despite the weight lifting from my shoulders after catching up on my assignments, I still felt the sting of Mr Moreno's cold treatment. Each time I saw him, the tension from our last encounter seemed to hang in the air like an invisible barrier between us.

The lecture hall seemed more like a battleground now. Every lecture was a reminder of how alone I felt. Students whispered around me, some talking about Mr Moreno and how 'hot' he looked and others about how much they hated his dark presence.

The few times he did interact with me, it was as if he took pleasure in finding fault. During group activities, he seemed to deliberately place me in situations where I struggled, his comments laced with thinly veiled sarcasm. "Did you not understand this part of the lecture, Yara?" he would ask with a sneer when I made a mistake. "Or were you too busy catching up on what you missed to pay attention?" It was as if he was determined to make sure I knew exactly how much he disapproved of me "Sydney why don't you explain the content to little Yara here" he jeered. The whole purpose of him asking Sydney was to humiliate me, to make me feel worthless and stupid, to make me hate myself more and more.

I couldn't help but feel a sting of jealousy towards Sydney. She was perfect. After effortlessly going through the content with me she looked up at Mr Moreno for recognition to which he praised her. I rolled my eyes I knew this was as all part of his stupid tactics to make me feel like shit.

"I think Mr Moreno has a soft spot for you Sydney" one of the girls teased her after Mr Moreno left.

Sydney shook her head "I think it's more than a soft spot" she giggled whilst chewing her pink gum. I didn't know it was possible for him to have a soft spot for anyone but Sydney was right, he treated her better than anyone in this class.

🎀🎀🎀

I never realised how dark Mr Moreno's office was it matched his deathly peronlity perfectly. The curtain were pitch black but looked expensive. If the room wasn't already dark they helped to darken it up even more. Most of the furniture was black too. The lighting was always dim unless he needed to turn it up.

"Sorry Mr Moreno, I left my book here yesterday. I need it to go over my notes" I spoke trying to break through the chilly atmosphere. His head was resting on his desk. He look disheveled.

There was no response so I quickly scurried up to his desk and attempted to find the book "um Sir, I- I can't find it" I squeaked. Ok now I was beginning to get nervous.

"Mr Mo-" he lifted his head up "I heard you the first time" he groaned out. His eyes were red, his hair unruly. I couldn't smell any alcohol lingering anywhere, thankfully he wasn't drunk. But he looked beyond tired.

He reached into his first drawer and grabbed my book and practically threw it on his desk "thanks" I replied quietly before noticing a present on his desk "I-is it your birthday sir?" I asked. Why did you do that? Great, now I've probably ruined his birthday......He looked up once again, his expression neutral as he responded "what does it look like?"

Maybe this was my chance to finally break through the ice "Happy Birthday" I murmured. Mr. Moreno's eyes flashed with an intense, fiery anger all of a sudden. Without warning, he slammed his papers down onto the desk, the sound echoing harshly in the confined space.

"Get out" he growled, his voice laced with venom. "I don't have time for this" he roared.

I stood frozen, confusion and hurt flooding my senses. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to-"

"Leave" he interrupted sharply, his tone brooking no argument. "Bloody hell, leave my office Yara I'm not in the mood for your attempts at friendliness" His sudden rage left me reeling. I tried to process his harsh response but was too stunned to find the right words. My heart pounded but anger was surging through me like a drug. His hate for me set off something in me, he loathed me for no real reason "At least I'm trying to be friendly Mr Moreno, I hate you" I pulsed out.

He sluggishly got up from his desk looking unbothered by my words "leave Miss Malik" he spoke causing me to scoff.

"You don't treat anyone else in our class like this, especially Sydney. You're doing all of this because I forgot my phone? It was a fucking mistake Mr Moreno get over it" I mentally face palmed myself. Why did I bring Sydney up? The doubt was replaced with satisfaction. I could tell my words got to him and his pride because for a second his monotone face held anger. His dark blue eyes immediately hardened, his expression filled with something close to contempt. He let out a humourless chuckle "My attention towards Sydney is getting to you, is it?" He looked at me in complete mockery. My confidence was long gone. I hesitated, second-guessing my decision to bring it up, but it was too late to back down now "Why are you so much nicer to her?" I sounded like a little child complaining but I wanted answers.

For a heartbeat, everything seemed to freeze. Then, without warning, his expression twisted with pure revulsion "Jealousy really doesn't suit you, Yara" he belittled. His voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. Before I could process what was happening, his body was towering over me making me feel a sense of claustrophobia. His hand clamped down on my upper arm, his rough fingers digging in with bruising force. A pain surged through my upper arms causing me to wince in pain. "Let go of me!" I attempted to snatch my arm out of his deathly grip but it was of no use.

"You think I'm 'nicer' to her? You're pathetic" he hissed, his voice dripping with venom "Sydney actually tries. She's smart and doesn't waste my time with stupid questions like you do" his fingers dug even deeper into my flesh. The ever growing pain in my arm made my breath catch. I relentlessly tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened, holding me in place with a painful intensity that sent a jolt of fear through me.

"You're just a jealous little girl" he sneered, his tone growing harsher with every word he hissed out. For a moment my fearful brown eyes made contact with his deathly void of blue eyes. His eyes intimated me to the point where I could no longer move. I was paralysed with fear. He began to drag me towards the door, taking big strides. I found it almost impossibly to keep up with his pace. Panic surged through me, and I stumbled backward, trying to escape the bruising hold. "Get off of me" I hissed, attempting to pry his big hands off my arm with no success.

"Don't ever come back here again. Understand?" His voice sent chills down my spine. Just when I thought he might actually push me out, the door suddenly burst open, and a high-pitched voice filled the tense room.

"Happy birthday Daddy!" It was Elena. The instant she entered, Mr. Moreno's grip on me slackened as if the sound of her voice had shattered whatever hold his rage had over him.

"Elena..." he breathed, the anger in his voice evaporating into something softer, something almost unrecognisable.

The little girl froze when she saw me, her bright eyes widening as she pointed at me with a tiny finger "Daddy that's the girl from the store! Do you guys work together" she squealed, giggling as she ran up to me. Her little arms wrapped around me. His rage instantly disappeared I could tell he hated the fact his daughter was hugging me. At least I had some leverage over him......

I took a shaky step away from Elena, my arms throbbing from where he had harshly gripped me. Elena smiled turned into a frown when she looked up at me "Why are you cwying? Did my daddy upset you" she said with genuine concern lingering in her face.

I didn't even realise I was crying until Elena had pointed it out. I quickly wiped away my tears earning a look from Mr Moreno.

"Yara" he finally said, his voice low and strained, he looked.....almost.......apologetic for a second? Before he could finish his sentence I opened the door to leave when a soft hand grabbed me, it was Elena. She looked at me with pleading eyes "where are you going Yara?" She questioned her brows furrowed.

Before I could even answer the innocent little girl Professor Moreno had spoken for me "it's getting late El she wants to leave" he spoke looking down at Elena who look sad.

"Pleaseeeeeee stay. You're my only fweind" I giggled at her behaviour.

"I doubt that's true" I smiled at her causing her to blush "it's true, daddy makes me get homeschooled" she played with her hair.

"So you must be smart then?" I teased her. Her little giggles ran through my ears. A sense of joy fluttered over me.

"I'm reallly smart. Daddy told me I'm the smartest girl in the whole wide world" she spoke looking up at her dad who seemed to be looking at me. He was taken out of his trance like state when Elena tugged on suit trousers signalling to him she wanted to be picked up. He complied and effortlessly picked her up earning a smile from little Elena.

"Why don't you say bye to Miss Malik?" Moreno's cold voice spoke.

"No! I want Yara to hold me so that she never leaves" her little arms pulled out to me wanting to be held by me. I wasn't sure what to do here, hold Elena or to upset the girl and leave like Mr Moreno would want me to. I picked the first option, hesitantly I held Elena earning a hard look from Mr Moreno. I giggled at her happy state "you're so pretty" I complimented Elena making her going red once again.

"You're the prettiest girl in the world Yara. I bet my daddy likes you" she said innocently. I almost chocked on my own saliva when those words came from her mouth. If only she knew her dad disliked me more than anything. And besides wasn't he married?

"That's enough Elena. We need to get going" poor Elena gave a look of disappointment "you're so mean daddy" she innocently spoke, digging her head into my shoulder, sniffling.

"Hey, hey.........don't cry Elena, we'll see each other tomorrow" her head lifted from my shoulder, her eyes read "your promise"

"I promise" I said wiping the tears off her chubby cheeks. I wasn't sure if I was definitely going to see her tomorrow. But I had to lie in order to get her father to stop darkly staring at me.

I said my goodbyes to Elena. I could feel his intense stare set on me as I spoke to Elena. It was as if he was calculating my every move to see what he could use against me. Once I finally left the room I let out a deep breath.

As I tried to sleep that night, the confusion gnawed at me, keeping me awake. My arms still ached from where he had grabbed me, a physical reminder of how far things had spiraled out of control. I hated him more than ever, yet that small voice in the back of my mind kept questioning, why was little Elena so happy to see her dad? Why had he reacted so violently to something so innocuous? The anger and confusion left me feeling unsettled and emotionally drained. So it was settled, he hated me simply because I was me, even after my attempts to be nice he still loathed me. What was I to do? I was doomed.

A/N

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