Then bury the jar in blazing coals and as soon as it begins to get hot, you will hear a crashing inside, as the mercury unites with the blazing sulphur.
-Benedictine Monk Theophilus on the creation of Vermilion
The word 'hate' didn't begin to describe the depth of her distain for him. She considered herself a calm person but Noah knew exactly how to push her buttons.
That condescending prick.
They shared an optional elective anthropology class
Culture Through the Lens of Religion.
It was the only class the Art History major had with the Engineering major, but she personally felt it was one class too many. Afterall, it was the only reason their paths crossed.
You would think they would get along with all the things they had in common. A deep unwavering belief in the existence of God, a superiority complex about their religion being true, and an irrational love for pointless debates. And oh they found a
LOT
to debate about.
It hadn't always been like this. In fact the first time she saw Noah, Alisa found him attractive.
This was a secret she kept from everyone, even herself. Yet, no amount of lying to herself that Noah gave her the
ick
changed the fact that he was handsome. The kind of handsome that belonged to the Old Hollywood era.
At least that's what crossed Alisa's mind the first and only time she allowed herself to appreciate his beauty openly. It was the first day of their early morning elective. He had been the only one in class before her - engrossed in a novel to kill time. His face framed by his dark brown locks - not too long, not too short.
His cheeks were slightly pink, from hockey practice. He has that classic chiselled jawline and surprisingly full lips for a white man. What really stood out to her was the fact that he was wearing a button-down shirt in college. It's rolled up sleeves revealing strong forearms and hinting at more beneath the surface. When he looked up to see who entered the class she was met with the most piercing green eyes. Eyes that just as quickly turned back to his novel with a muttered greeting.
She would later proudly claim she never understood Noah's popularity, but when no one noticed she would find herself sneaking glances at him. One day she caught herself right before tucking her hair behind her ears when he walked into class. She didn't wear a hijab, so her long raven locks were no secret.
If she was not waiting until marriage for love, she might have even considered dating him at first glance. Maybe that is why she sat next to him that first day. A decision she came to regret when he opened his mouth to say, "There are other seats, you know?"
3 months in
"So, you are saying that just an impure thought is a sin? In that case we all sinners!" she blurted out, not realising what she confessed to.
"Well, if we weren't all sinners, we wouldn't need a to be saved. Have you looked around recently? Do you see anyone who's not a sinner?" he shot back, clearly getting a excited at another verbal sparring contest
"Well in Islam, only the act is a sin. That just makes more sense to me. We don't need to feel guilty for just existing." she said while rolling her eyes at Noah who seemed to take her critique as a personal attack.
"And where does that practical action stem from? The heart. The heart is what has to change, not just actions."
"The fact that I want to punch your face but resist is just proof of how good I am!" she goaded, making their class laugh.
"So, if I sit back, and only dream of all the ways I'd like to humiliate you- that makes me a saint?" he said, ignoring the laughter.
"Not a saint but definitely not a sinner. It's like how, if you really want to do something but don't, you are doing a good deed. Don't you think priests deserve that in return for their vows of celibacy? Or are you just that heartless?"
"Oh, are you trying to argue for some default grey area, where people are just ok? There is no in between, you're either good, or bad. There's no standing in a warzone, shrugging and thinking you'll be fine just in the open."
"Your war analogies are so annoying. You sound like my grouchy neighbour," she said with exasperation. "And you haven't even served."
The professor interrupted them "That enough, no need to get personal. This is supposed to be an intellectual discussion.
"Nice to know you care about our priests. Relate to their vows of celibacy?" he quickly whispered as the class focussed on the lecture.
Noah watched her blush, as he settled back into his seat and messaged her,
"Oh, had you taken a vow of celibacy? How is that going?"
She turned back to him and flipped the bird when no one was looking. Even close friends back home would act weird when she told them she was a virgin so she stopped talking about her decision to abstain. That said, she wouldn't be surprised if he was one too.
"Much better than your vow. I heard that you are interested in watching women pee. FYI Tina can't keep a secret. I'd be wary if I were you, Noah."
She watched as he reddened slightly, and put down his phone. The rest of the lecture was uneventful but Alisa could not shake the feeling of his eyes on her.
Alisa winked at him when the bell rang. Catching his eye while nodding towards Tina who was waiting outside for him. He brushed past Tina with a muttered excuse and ran out after Alisa. He caught up with her at the entrance of the building, and held the door open for her.
"Someone's being a gentleman, what's the catch? Tina caught your tongue?" she teased.
"How did you and Tina get on a subject like that anyway?" he said while leaning against the doorframe. As people rushed past them to leave the block, they pushed her closer to him. "Are you interested?" he asked, trying to embarrass her the way she embarrassed him.
"Absolutely NOT!" she said in exaggerated shock. "I was talking about how holier than thou you are with me and she was surprised." She let out a big laugh, "Tina told me about how you love her C-cups more than big boobs. That, they are just the perfect size for your hands." she teased. "In fact, she had a lot to say, you really should stop texting her." She stopped laughing and advised seriously, "I am not joking. She does not respect your privacy. I had to stop her from describing your cock to me."
She enjoyed watching his face redden as he tried to compose his voice. "You don't need to stop her next time."
"What!?" she asked in the now empty lobby, almost certain that she must have misheard him.
"What?" he shrugged. Pretending to be indifferent to her reaction. He had only meant it as a joke to rile her up but now he was starting to forget what made it so funny.
