It was my first time seeing Emily again in five years.
When she left us, she had barely just turned 18. It was on this very day- Valentine's Day.
Since then, on every Valentine's Day, I've thought of the last time I saw her, wondering how she has changed.
And now here she is, in the most unexpected setting- a speed-dating event at a pub, of all places. This was certainly a far cry from the academic setting I was accustomed to seeing her in.
She was a clumsy school girl, a bit absent-minded and needing special one-on-one attention to help her organize and stay on track of her schoolwork. And I was her instructor, barely 25 at the time and wondering why an 18-year-old needed so much extra help. She was far more interested in cosmetics than academics and her grades showed. There I was, putting in extra hours in my spare time just to make sure she could graduate.
I didn't hate it- Being alone with her, that is. She was pleasant to look at. Her large, starry dark-brown eyes would stare off into space on occasions, and her pouting cherry lips would hang open softly while she rested her chin in the palm of her hand. I would snap at her to regain her attention, but not before taking a brief moment to admire the sunlight caressing her blush, angelic face.
But of course, at the time our relationship was strictly professional. I was the instructor and she was the student. I was dead set on helping her graduate whether she wanted to or not. And graduate she did.
Now here she was, post-college graduate and a fully mature young woman in her prime of 23, with a fully developed body fitted tightly into a little black dress and dark nylon stockings. She chats away with a few of her gal pals at this little speed-date session, an event hosted here every year on Valentine's weekend. My younger cousin Ashley, who happens to be Emily's friend, insisted that I come along but neglected to inform me that Emily would be here this evening. She asked me to bring along a bouquet, which I had thought was meant as a mere formality at these events. But now I can see what Ash was really playing at. I can't help but think about whether someone else had prepared a bouquet that will eventually end up in Emily's hands. It's not out of the question considering the number of young men and women that can be seen bringing boxes of chocolate or stuffed animals or flowers.
As I dreaded over this possibility, I saw Ashley talk to her. Ash makes a gesture in my direction and Emily turns her head, the long wavy raven locks flinging to the motion as those same large, starry, dark-brown eyes meet mine from under her dark mascara. Instantly there was a warm smile of recognition on her face.
For a moment I didn't know what to do, except to crack a silly little grin- an old habit from when I taught her and would crack silly little jokes to help her stay focused. She saw my grin, and the smile on her cherry-red lips cracks even wider as she waltzes over in her black heels.
"I didn't expect to see you here, Mr. L."
Her giddy voice chimes like a little bell in the summer breeze, carrying a hint of playful excitement. As she stood in front of me her perfume carried the fragrance of wild roses. A few flower tattoos adorn her arms- a look that's quite new for her, and frankly, gives her an air of exotic allure. Strapped to her neck is a black velvet choker with a little silver wing- something I had given her, or rather, something she had asked me to buy for her as a reward for successfully graduating, on this very day five years ago.
"Ashley tells me you're cousins."
"Well, yes...she was the one who invited me." I stammered slightly, doing my best to maintain composure in the presence of a former pupil under such circumstances.
"Those flowers are lovely, by the way. Are they a Valentine's gift for a date? God, I'm jealous." Emily looks down at the bouquet with a slight chuckle.
"Oh, these? Well...hey, why are you jealous? I'm sure you'll be getting one soon. From your boyfriend, probably. Or maybe a secret admirer." I seized the moment to probe a bit.
Upon hearing the word "boyfriend", Emily lets out a light-hearted giggle.
"Oh stop it, I don't have time for boys. I'm a lot more serious as a college student than I was in grade school, you know. I'll be starting an entry-level job next month at a cosmetics company."
"Really? You don't say. That's awesome, congrats!" I instinctively hand her the bouquet. "I suppose you should have these then, to celebrate you getting your dream job."
Slightly caught off guard, Emily wraps the bouquet into her bosom and shifts her eyes to the ground, a blissful blush reddens her cheeks.
"Thanks...hearing that from you means a lot..." Her voice is suddenly soft and shy and far more tender than before. She bites down slightly on her lower lip. "So, uh... Mr. L, meet any cute girls at the event?"
"Haha, no I haven't, unfortunately." I chuckle nervously, then hear the words come out of my mouth: "Except maybe one..."
