Avon and Aveline were seated with a bunch of books before them where one could see endless numerical problems and derivations were written.
It was a total mess, both of them looked exhausted.
"Want to take a break?" Aveline asked in a weak voice.
"..yes", Avon answered.
She got something to drink and they both just sat quietly for a while. She had been teaching for the next day's test for the past three hours. It was night time and they knew they were nowhere near done.
Avon just looked at the stuff they covered and stuff to still be covered and sighed. He then looked at Aveline who was sitting beside him drinking and lost in thoughts. Avon's lips parted as he wanted to say something but hesitated, he decided to still speak ,
"I am sorry Ms.Aveline. You put in so much time for my sake and helped me so much while asking nothing in return and I ended up like this. I...I will be careful to confirm things on my own from next time and not be so careless."
Aveline felt sad as she heard him say this. She knew it wasn't his fault.
He was always trying to make things fun whenever possible during the classes. His shy nature was also obvious but he tried to hide it but she could notice all of that. Right now though, it was obvious how nothing affected Avon and he was just dejected and tensed. What she found even painful is how Avon apologized to her saying he wasted her time.
Avon was currently lost in deep thought recollecting everything that had happened.
'If only I had seen the date once, just once, things would have been fine. Why did I not do that. Isn't it obvious to be very careful about such things. I am always like this. Unlreliable'
Aveline who was looking at Avon could that he was blaming himself for what happened.
They had a very difficult task ahead of them. Since the beginning they were covering the syllabus as fast as possible, so covering almost another day's worth along with parctice in a single day was near impossible. They just couldn't go faster than this.
Avon knew this too and that is why he was so tensed. He did not have the option of failing the test as the raid would take place before the next test window. He was trying his very best to do something about the situation.
If Aveline too pulled an all-nighter teaching him, maybe there was a chance. But he could ask something like that from her. His self respect wouldn't allow him.
Aveline who knew this just looked at him prepared to take it all on himself. Stress was evident on the neutral and easy going face of his. She could not bear to see this state of his and realized something.
'I have gotten attached to this kid....It makes sense ...spending time together everyday having conversations and working together towards a goal. If it was anyone else, maybe I would not have gotten attached. But because he is genuine, I came to care for him. He obviously carries a burden too big for him. He hasn't told me what it is yet but I can see that much. Yet, he maintains his composure and tries to be normal. Working hard towards overcoming the difficulties.....
I have been alone for so long ...meeting him multiple times coincidentally made me just a little curious about him. But he is such a good kid. Unknowingly I have gotten attached to him, everyday waiting for him to come, waiting for him to find jokes in little things and wanting to listen to his opinions on various things. The meaningful conversations and the nonsensical conversations, he is so good at both that I love talking to him. I want to always support him. He has become the light in my dark, dull and monotonous life. I cannot bear to see him like this. This devastated look on his face makes me realize how much I care for him.'
"Listen carefully Avon, this just a mere setback. If you start believing that everything is lost then you will lose everything. We still have the entire night in our hands. Let's not give up, I will help you so don't worry"
Avon who was looking into empty space while hearing all of this looked at Aveline.
"Please, there's no need to do this for me...I will handle it myself. It's time for me return already. I will take my leave for today."
He said slowly getting up.
Aveline pulled him down and said,"I am doing this of my own accord, I want to help you, stay, stay let me help you"
"No...I can't trouble more than this..."
His stubbornness irked her, in aggressive tone she said,
"Listen here Mister, I have helped you everyday, given you time out of my schedule just to help you. I taught you personally and if you fail tomorrow it is my failure as a teache too. So you will listen to this teacher of yours and stay here and master all of the remaining part tonight, got it?"
Avon was taken aback, he knew her intentions but didn't know she would scold him like this, a faint smile appeared on his face, "Thank you" ,he said.
Her heart fluttered looking at his smile and she smiled too. "Nothing to thank me for, thank me when you pass tomorrow"
Then with new energy they both got back to work and after long labourous 9 hours of hardwork, they had completed almost all of the syllabus.
"So we have covered sufficient amount to pass the test, ofcourse covering it all overnight was impossible....just have confidence in yourself and you will be able to do it."
Aveline told Avon as they were tidying up. It was morning already.
She gave him a strong energy drink and some hot spicy food to keep him awake for the exam. He tried to stay relaxed so that everything he learned assimilates properly.
It was almost time to go to the academy. With a quick bath Avon set out together with Aveline. Again he was surprised by how the washing machine washed and dried his clothes within minutes. Aveline separated midway saying she had some other work to do before reaching academy, so she wished him luck and left.
Avon went in and it was time to give the test.