It was mid-spring of this year. After taking 6 grueling courses for my certification, I was registered in my last one. The big kahoona as I called it. It required me to focus and say, “12 more weeks.. that’s it!”
I wanted to finish badly, because I was tired at that point of being a student and paying for each course. I felt old too, but many people would not believe it for a million dollars.
It was my final online course, but I chose to discuss my project face to face because I felt it was easier and quiker. So it seemed.
A middle aged man was sitting on the computer. He looked like he was in his late 30′s or early 40′s. He said with disbelief in his tone, “You’re Mona?”
I said, “Yeah.”
He never seen me obviously from my other adult online courses. I looked like I belonged as a student right out of high school.
He said, “I have to finish with this student (online chat) and I will get to you.”
So I sat down and meekley drew on the table with my fingers. After 2 minutes, he looked at me with the corner of his green eyes and said, “I did not forget you. Just give me a minute.”
I smiled and nodded.
A minute or so later he said he was done and I moved across from him. I told him briefly about me, where I was originally from, my project and the chaos that I live through every day. He stated that he worked with enough programmers in his life that he could label them as one thing, “Brilliant.”
I talked some more, and he saw my tone changed to an unearthy bitterness, and he said after all my complaining, “You’re moody right?”
I knew who I was dealing with, and enough titles in his name and his current work position proved that. I said, “Yes. So?”
He looked at me for a few seconds and then I continued talking. He quickly stopped me and offered me some of his chocolate. I looked at it and took a piece and said, “You always eat chocolate?”
He nodded and I looked at the clock behind him. He looked back and looked at me. I said, “I didn’t mean to look at the time.”
After a few seconds, and me growing tired, he stopped me and said, “You have a boyfriend? Kids? Divorced?”
I had no idea why he asked that and why. So many thoughts permeated my head and during that 1 second of thinking of an answer, I said with a smile, “No.”
He looked at me and did not say anything. I said, “I am 31, but a lot of people don’t think I am.” He said, “I am 45, and no one believes me either.”
Another student walked in and stopped the conversation. I was not only glad, but I had a sigh of relief under my breath. After a grueling hour, I had the chance to go. He said, “Don’t go. Stay with me till I finish all the students.” I hesitated and stayed for another 5 minutes and said later cutting off the other student, “I have to go now. See you later in the semester during the presentations.”
I left. As I was going down the escalator I phoned home and said, “Oh my God! He talked so much!!!!”
As the semester went on, in online discussions he picked on me once and wrote a long winded speech. For all that know me, I did not give a rat’s ass, and merely answered, “It was great!”
Later on, during presentation time, he was happy to see me, and he situated him self next to me. Did I mention he was divorced? I don’t know why, but I had a good speculation who asked for the divorce.
As the presentations went on, he only mentioned my name, and used me as an example for everything. I grew tired and it was noticable. I don’t talk much or ask, but I just listen to everyone. As the night went on and during a change in presenter he said to me, “What are you smiling about? I am going to find out later why you are smiling.” I said nothing. I did not want to answer that and I wanted to leave.
More presentations were conducted a week later. Again, he picked on me till the bitter end. After all the presentations were done, he offered everyone that was there to come to dinner at a restaurant in the same building. I wanted to leave, but he begged me to stay. I said fine. I went along with two other students that agreed too.
As we were going down the escalator he said to me, “You will not get above a 90% in this class.” I said nothing at the point. I was angry and my bitterness grew. Who is moody now? The girl that did not say anything back to you, or you?
I was furious at that point. We sat down, and like the possesive and controlling a-hole that he was, he ordered for us all a plate of nachos to share. He looked at me, and the first thing he said, “Mona. You have a beautiful smile.” I said nothing. I looked at him blankly. He said the same remark again. No reaction from me at that point.
He mentioned when the marks were due and he had to submit them. As I was boiling inside I said, “So I have to endure you as a teacher till Wednesday?” He looked at me not knowing what to say. My true colours are slowly showing and I was beyod angry. As we all conversed, the food came. I refused to eat.
He said that I should not be in a higher profession and I should find a man and let him take it off my shoulders. I did not say anything, but my boiling point was reached and he tipped on a territory that is forbiden in my world.
As it was very late, I said I had to leave. I shook the other students hands. He said, “Mona. Give me a hug good bye.” I drew a no in my hand as a sign of whatever. He said, “Come on.” I said, “Bye now.” I shook his hand and left. I did not see him again.
He did not submit the class marks till 3 weeks later. Obviously, he did not answer my emails later and he lowered my grade by 10%.
All I can say that some people make my blood boil and that’s why I am bitter. I did not mention this story earlier because I was going through a period of disbelief of some humans who think they can get what they like. He met his match.
I recieved my certification later and did not care. It was in the bitter past. So many people you meet in your life. So many.
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