Purple Romance

Maria stood in front of the dean and held her head up high.

''Sit down, Maria'' the dean told her and she did. ''Tell me. What is this I am hearing? Are you really dating Ad-Din Denarius? This morning I woke up and saw the school's forum in a mess. There were pictures of you and Ad-Din Denarius everywhere"

''Yes, sir''. Maria answered truthfully, having no intention to lie or hide the truth.

''How did this happen? I mean, how could such a thing have happened? Do you know the consequences of your actions? The whole school is shocked by this news. And not only that, if the board of directors and human rights commission hears of this, it is going to bring a lot of problems to the school. Maria, this is wrong. If the Education Office comes to our school because of this case, what do you think will happen. Not only your teachers' licence will be revoke but the school could be sued? You should make the decision for yourself. I don't know how deep you have gone with Ad-Din but you have to stop that relationship. Look at how the other teachers were talking about you? I personally brought you to this school because I trusted in your credibility. I can't say I am not disappointed right now"

''Sir, I will make my own decisions. I am ready to accept any form of punishment the school wants to give me''. Maria said.

''Then, that means you are not ready to break up with that boy? Is that what you are saying?'' the Dean asked as he creased his brows.

''Sir, as I said. I will accept any form of punishment that the school will give me. Leaving or being with Ad-Din is a decision I will make myself. I will not let others make decisions for me as to how I live my life''.

''Okay, it seems that you have made your decision already. Then, I will also tell you my decision. Miss Lee, you are hereby dismissed from this school. You can no longer be a teacher here because you lack the exemplary life that the school needs their teachers to be. You can leave now!!''.

Maria clutched her fists around her bag and stood up to go. The dean looked at her and sighed.

Staff room

Maria went back to the staff room to pack her things on the desk. The teachers who were all now present stood aside and watched her. Maria ignored them and picked the box she brought the first time she came to the school and started putting her things inside it. She collected her items into the box as she heard the loud snickers of the teachers behind her.

''This is why you should always be careful with girls who act all pure and innocent. Who would have thought she had that kind of skills in her? To seduce a rich boy?'' Miss Mani said.

''I know, right? I almost believed she was a saint''. Miss Diana added.

"I heard her mother left her for a younger man?"

"Really? Psst, if I were here I wouldn't dare to even come back here again"

"She is thick skinned. We are talking about her but she pretends as if she isn't hearing a word we say"

''That's enough you two. How can you talk about Miss Lee like that?'' Arnold screamed at them.

''Why don't you wake up already, Arnold. She totally had us all fooled especially you. Aren't you angry at her for leading you on? She acted as if she was mother Theresa yet she was a seductress seducing an innocent boy''. Miss Diana said angrily.

Maria finished packing her things and hanged her bag before lifting the box into her hands. She turned and bowed down before them and walked out.

''What was that? Was she bowing because she is sorry or saying her goodbye?'' Miss Diana said.

Arnold ignored them and ran after Maria.

Maria got to the school park and noticed that all the students were now looking at her. She smiled bitterly and was about to walk away when Arnold got to her.

''Maria, say something. Is everything true? Are you really seeing that boy?'' He asked.

''Arnold, is true. Whatever you heard is true, so please can you let me go before I break down? I am actually using my last string of dignity to face everyone right now''.

Maria told him and turned to go and saw Ad-Din standing at the entrance. He was not in his school uniform.

Ad-Din walked to them and snatched the box from Maria and held it with one hand while the other hand guarded her. His actions made the students and teachers to gasped as they looked on with shock and amusement. Some of the students even removed their phones to take pictures.

Maria looked at Ad-Din's face as they walked out to his car and he said to her ''I know I look handsome in when I'm not in my uniform but now is not the time to admire me, milady''. Maria flushed and looked away.

The driver got out of the car and took the box from Ad-Din and put in the booth.

''I will take over from here''. Ad-Din said and took the car keys from the driver. The driver nodded and stood aside and watched as his young master careful lead the lady into the car and got inside himself.

The students rushed to the entrance and watched as Ad-Din drove away. Arnold was still shocked by what he saw so much that he didn't even move or bat an eye.

....

MARIA'S APARTMENT.

Maria sat in the car quietly without saying a word. They were now at her apartment.

''Maria, are you okay?'' Ad-Din asked worriedly.

''I'm fine. Why did you do that in front of everyone?'' Maria asked.

''Do what? Why did I protect my woman from those bullies? Maria, I will not let anyone to treat you unfairly. We are in this together, why should I let you fight alone?. Ad-Din said.

''Ad-Din, I could have gone out by myself. Now, not only will everyone gossip about you but it could lead to a big problem. I didn't realise the consequences of my actions and just allowed my emotions to lead me on. This, everything was wrong from the very start. I shouldn't have allowed myself to become this vulnerable and attached to you no matter what''. Maria said.

''Are you saying you regret being with me? Maria, didn't we promise each other not to regret being together?''. Ad-Din asked angrily.

''Ad-Din, I think we both need time to sort things out. I'm really confused and can't think straight now''. Maria said.

''You are just doing exactly what everyone wants you to do. Maria, didn't we promise each other to not stay apart even if things become difficult?'' Ad-Din said, his voice quavering.

''Ad-Din, I just lost my job which means the world to me. Do you think I have the time to think about feelings right now? My teaching licence is about to be revoke and very soon the Education office will summon me for questioning. Do you think I have the luxury to still be in the mood for a relationship? Ad-Din, I am older than you and this was wrong from the beginning''.

''What are you saying, Maria? What is your point exactly?'' Ad-Din turned her body to face him.

''My point is this. Let's not see each other again. You have a month to write your finals. You should concentrate on your studies. It was wrong of me to keep you away from your books. What everyone said is true. I seduced you and made you fall in love with me. I am really a wrench who thought she could change her family situation by getting together with you. You didn't lose out too. You slept with me. I gave my first time to you, so let's say we are even. Ad-Din let's end whatever we had here''. Maria said and opened the door and got down.

''Stop there. Maria look into my eyes and tell me that those were your sincere words?'' Ad-Din got down and walked to her.

''Those were my true and sincere words. Have a nice life Ad-Din''. Maria said and walked away. She didn't even take her box that was in the booth.

Ad-Din watched her as she got into her apartment and also entered his car and drove away angrily.

Maria broke down at the stairs and started weeping. It wasn't her intention to say those words to Ad-Din but he was still a kid and she didn't want him to have any problems because of her.

Maria didn't want him to see how she was going to be dragged through the mud. This was the reality of her life. She should have stopped herself from feeling anything or doing anything. She should have stayed far away from him but perhaps because he was the first man to be genuine to her. He was the first man to protect her from her father. He was the first man to not look down on her low upbringing and messed up family background.

Maria sighed feeling pity for herself. She felt that somehow she was just like her mother falling for a younger man.