Tejumole finished sending the materials to the representative's phone.
She then gathered her items and left the podium. Her destination was clear. She was headed towards the disobedient child who skipped his classes.
Seeing her walk in his direction, Haoyu stood and waited for her arrival. Meanwhile, he sorted the excuses he had prepared for this moment.
"Hello, professor." He began in a harmless tone and reached for her bag while gazing at her with his deep, dark eyes.
Tejumole refused his attempt and walked away. Leaving Haoyu to smile helplessly and follow her out of the hall.
Climbing down the stairs, Tejumole began to address him in a slightly gelid tone.
"Why are you not in class?" Her calm tone showed almost no sign of displeasure, but Haoyu knew she was quite upset. He hurriedly explained, donning a serious and regretful expression on his face.
"It's not what you think. I didn't skip any class because there was no class in the first place. The lecturer called and said he would be unable to make it. And since the class got postponed, I came here instead. You see, I was crushed by the news, so in the quest to fill the void this news left, I decided to attend a different lecture. And what better class to attend than yours."
Haoyu said all this in one breath. He was quite amazed by his ability to spill such ridiculous fiddle-faddle. At the end of his drivel, he was panting slightly as they reached the ground floor.
Tejumole stopped and turned to face him. He was much taller than she was, and this made her have to look up at him. However, her neck felt uncomfortable, so she backed up a bit.
"But, isn't literature a little too deviated from your course?" She was a little confused as she said this. She thought that even if his class got cancelled, he could use the time to read or rest instead of coming here. Their faculties were pretty far from each other.
"I wanted to broaden my horizon, and gain more knowledge." He shamelessly said.
"More importantly, I wanted to see you." Haoyu added. He felt pleased because he knew Tejumole was no longer upset. Her anger came and went like a tide. Or was she only like that with him?
They began to move. Walking side by side. Haoyu reached for her bag. This time she didn't resist and let him carry it. Currently, the two were like a dignified professor and a decent student.
"Hmm."
Tejumole glanced at him with a strange expression. Of course, she was happy that the child missed her, but she also wondered if he wanted to change his course.
'He's in his third year though…' She thought to herself.
"Professor, are you not even the slightest bit happy to see me? I came all this way for you…and to learn."
Haoyu mumbled in a tone that sounded like a whimper. Tejumole turned to look at him and saw him gazing at her. His eyes were clear and flickering. It reminded her of an abandoned puppy, no an abandoned kitten.
'Dogs are bad…' She thought gravely.
Tejumole heaved a sigh, then stopped in her steps. She stretched a hand to Haoyu's head, which he willingly lowered for her to reach.
Stroking his head, she said.
"I'm always happy to see you. Still, next time wait in your lecture room. It takes fifteen minutes to get here, even with a car."
She ceased speaking and continued down the path. Her office building was now only a few feet away.
'Haai, the child is still young. It's natural for him to be clingy. I'll let him off today…' This, she said to herself.
Haoyu beamed brightly. With those words, he knew he was completely out of the woods.
'Great!'
However, her next words caused his lips to twitch slightly.
"When we return home, I'll give you a few books to read. After, I'll give you a test. Since you seem so interested in literature, I guess I can be your tutor. I'll send you a few other recommendations now."
Tejumole took out her phone and then typed a few lines before clicking send. The whole process only took about five seconds or so. It was so fast that Haoyu couldn't even get a chance to refuse.
"Ding."
He didn't even have to check to know what that text was about. Haoyu looked at the professor pitifully.
'Why? Why do I always end up with more schoolwork anytime I open my mouth? This is unnatural!'
Haoyu felt like crying but had no tears. He sighed in acquiescence, thinking to himself.
'On the bright side, if the little professor tutors me, we'll get to spend more time together. This isn't so terrible.'
With these thoughts, he no longer despaired.
" Okay, I look forward to it."
Tejumole nodded in gratification, thinking proudly to herself that her child was excellent. He got so excited over learning. I'm such a good influence on him.
They had reached the vicinity of the staff building. It was just a few steps away.
They both stopped walking at the same time. There was a sign that read 'staff only' in front of them.
Once again, she stretched her hands towards his hair and touched it lightly. This habit was turning into an addiction. An addiction she never wanted to deal with.
'So soft…'
"What time is your next class, or are you done for today?" She asked and vowed to get his schedule while admonishing herself for forgetting.
Leaning toward her hand, he replied.
"No, I have a class by three o'clock. It'll hold for two hours."
Tejumole glanced at the time, which read 2:45 pm.
"Okay. You should get going. I'm done with my lectures for today. I'll wait by the gate, so we can leave together."
She stopped touching his hair, and Haoyu felt it was a shame.
He handed over her handbag and straightened himself.
"Okay professor. See you soon~"
"Hmm."
Tejumole watched his residing back until he turned at a corner.
She then looked away and sauntered along the paved path to the building's entrance.
However, she had only taken a few steps before when she was stopped by someone.
"Babe, what's up?"