Heal With My Heart

By Uma Nathan

Hannah Johnson is a student in her final year of a Master's in Computer Science. She lost her dear friend Amy in an accident and still mourns her loss. She decided to do a project that Amy dreamed of in respect of her memory.

Jack Martinez is a substitute faculty member who has come to Hannah's University. He is a substitute for Hannah's project advisor and will now be guiding her on the project. He expresses his interest in Hannah from day one, despite being a lecturer. Especially on campus, where the relationship between a student and a teacher is strictly not encouraged. He carries an aura of mystery.

What is Jack's motive? Is he genuinely interested in Hannah? Or is he playing with her, knowing clearly that Hannah also likes him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pustaka Digital Media
• Release date: Dec 11, 2023
• ISBN: 6580545010533

Book preview

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Heal With My Heart

Author:

Uma Nathan

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https://www.pustaka.co.in/home/author/uma-nathan

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Part 15

Part 16

Part 17

Part 18

Part 19

Part 20

Part 21

Part 22

Part 23

Part 24

Part 25

Part 26

Synopsis

Hannah Johnson is a student in her final year of a Master’s in Computer Science. She lost her dear friend Amy in an accident and still mourns her loss. She decided to do a project that Amy dreamed of in respect of her memory.

Jack Martinez is a substitute faculty member who has come to Hannah’s University. He is a substitute for Hannah’s project advisor and will now be guiding her on the project. He expresses his interest in Hannah from day one, despite being a lecturer. Especially on campus, where the relationship between a student and a teacher is strictly not encouraged. He carries an aura of mystery.

What is Jack’s motive? Is he genuinely interested in Hannah? Or is he playing with her, knowing clearly that Hannah also likes him?

Part 1

Avoice shouted, I want to drive.

You are not sober. I’ll drive. Another voice spoke up.

The entire scene unfolded in darkness, shrouded in mystery. I couldn’t discern any faces, but only hear sounds.

I don’t want to go home anytime soon. Turn the car around. I hear the first voice again.

Hey! What exactly are you doing? Don’t turn the wheel. The second voice yelled.

Guys! Guys! Be careful. I could now hear another person, and it sounded like myself.

Then there was a violent jerk, and I felt the truck spinning out of control. I sound of screeching tires, metal scraping and shredding, and heavy shouting overwhelmed my senses. And then there was a loud noise, and everything fell eerily silent.

I shot up in my bed, straining with irregular gasps. My one hand instinctively reached for the water bottle on the bedside table, while the other tried to calm my irregular heartbeat. My hands were working on reflex. For the past three years, they had repeated the same deed after the same nightmare.

I scanned around the room, drenched in sweat, to make sure I wasn’t in the car and on solid ground. Even if the nightmare occurred less frequently, it had the same effect as the first time.

I saw the time, which was ten minutes to five. Realizing sleep is out of option, I got up and sat on my study table, and switched on my laptop. Working on my final project thesis was the least I could do. I was finishing up my Master’s degree in Computer Science at Baron University. In four months, I would be graduating with honors.

The shrill of my mobile alarm pulled me from my work. Glad that I didn’t turn off my alarm because I wouldn’t have had time to get ready. I sighed and closed the laptop, saving my work.

Paige and I were sharing a modest flat near the campus. Many of the university students stayed here. Even there were a couple of professors staying with their family. As the realization of the advancing hour settled upon me, I gracefully gathered my clothes, proceeding with purpose towards the sanctuary of the bathroom.

I entered the kitchen for my breakfast and coffee. I need a heavy dose of caffeine to compensate for my lack of sleep. I saw Paige sitting on the kitchen island engrossed in a book with her breakfast. Making a toast along with a large cup of black coffee, I sat next to her.

Hearing my arrival, Paige looked up from her book with a smile. Her reaction changed upon seeing my face.

Good morning, Paige! I said to her.

Good morning, is it the same dream again? she asked with a concerned-filled voice.

I nodded my head, rubbing my tired eyes.

Hanna, you need to talk to someone about this. If not your doctor, at least to your parents. She said.

No, Paige. My parents will be worried and want me to come back home. It will take us only four more months to complete the course. I don’t want any issues to arise at this time. Also, the frequency of the dream had reduced.

Is the impact reduced? She hit the right target.

No! But I can cope, I replied to her.

But... Paige tried to talk.

Please, Paige. You know that this degree is my dream. I want to finish this course.

She sighed, realizing that I would not change my mind.

Promise me, at least you will tell me if this is affecting you too much.

I touched her hand with a smile.

I will.

To divert her from the topic, I asked her How is your final thesis coming up? Have you finished?

Almost. I have submitted it to Mr. Robert. He had asked me to meet him today to discuss the final draft. What about you?

I have finished mine. But Mr. Michael is still not back from his break. I will wait for another two days, and if he is not back, I need to request for another professor to guide me. I said to her.

She looked at her watch. I have to meet Mr. Robert before the classes. See you in the first session. With that, she finished her coffee and was about to move. She looked at me once again with a severe face.

You need to come out of that. Three years is a very long time to mourn. Paige said to me.

I did not answer, as I didn’t have one. Paige sighed and left the place.

I sipped my coffee as my thoughts drifted to the events that happened three years ago. I finished my bachelor’s degree in computers in my hometown and applied for a master’s here. Amy, Paige, and I clicked together, and we became good friends.

When I heard that Amy was also from my town, I was very surprised. I hadn’t met her in my school days or even in college, as we had studied at totally different institutions so far. After the first year, we went back to our homes during the summer break.

My mind jumped to the fated day on its own. It was the end of summer break, and we were waiting to go back to college for our second year. Amy’s sister, Ruby, had been selected for law school. To celebrate Ruby’s acceptance to the college, Amy, Ruby, and I went out. While coming back, we met with an accident, and Amy lost her life. I remember enjoying ourselves in the club, and after that, my memories were dark. Doctors said that it was due to the shock, and I would get my memories eventually. But it was three years, and still, I could not recall what had happened that night.

I was still in touch with Amy’s parents, Kelly and Mathew. They were also slowly recovering from their loss. But Ruby stopped speaking to me.

Amy, Paige, and I were in this flat initially. But after Amy, we never want another flatmate. I sighed, coming back to reality. Still today, Amy’s loss hit with a pang in my heart. She was such a lovely friend.

I locked the flat and climbed down. Many students are walking towards the university like me. Once entering the campus, I moved towards the main building when a voice stopped me.

Excuse me.

I turned towards the voice and stood there, stunned.

A tall, handsome guy stood in front of me with a charming smile. His dark hair, neither long nor short, stood attractively. His deep, dark eyes could capture anyone’s attention. A sharp nose and curved lips added to the allure of his face. Did I miss the jawline? No one can be this handsome. It is not possible.

I stood there, barely blinking. God, someone teach me how to breathe again. I snapped back to reality after hearing a chuckle. Realizing that the man had caught me staring at him, I felt my cheeks flush.

Yes, I said, finally finding my voice.

Can you tell me where the administrative office is? He asked.

Yes, I said to him.

Okay… He dragged with a confused smile.

Realizing this again, I pointed to the building. He looked back at me.

Thank you. And it should be my lucky day. He remarked.

Why? I asked.

To get directions from a beautiful girl like you." He said it with a smile, turned, and walked towards the office without waiting for my answer.

Only then did I realize I hadn’t asked his name.

Part 2

Paige entered the class precisely a minute before the first hour. She rushed to the seat next to me.

What happened? I asked her.

She smiled back. Mr. Roberts finally accepted my paper. He had approved the final draft. I have to schedule the project discussion by this month.

Good for you, Paige, I said with a smile.

You should talk to our department head regarding Mr. Michael. It is already late for your paper submission.

Our little chat got stopped when we heard someone entering our class. And my breath hitched at the person. He was the same guy who asked the way to the office. But why was he moving towards the professor’s table?

Good morning. My name is Jack Martinez. Unfortunately, Mr. Michael Hill cannot come back till the next term. So, I will be substituting him for this term. I will be covering all the activities Mr. Hill was taking care of.

He looked around the class at all of us. But he never showed any sign of recognition when he saw me.

Lucky you. You have to submit the paper to Mr. Hot there. Paige whispered to me.

I don’t know that. I have to confirm that. Mr. Michael knows about my paper, and he has only to check my final draft. But Mr. Martinez will have to check my paper from the start, and I am unsure if there is enough time. And I shushed her before Mr. Martinez caught us talking.

***

After the class, I stayed back to talk about my project. Then, after asking Paige to wait for me in the library, I reached out to him. He was still in his chair, looking into a book.

Mr. Martinez…

He looked up at my voice.

Ah! The beautiful lady whom I met in the morning. His lips curved with a sensual smile.

Mr. Michael is my project advisor. I want to know since you are substituting him, and will you be taking care of my project thesis too?

He stood up, rounded the table, and stood next to me. He leaned on the table and looked at me. He was too close to my peace of mind, and something in his eyes stopped me from moving away.

You haven’t said your name.

I am Hanna Johnson.

He offered his hand and said, Hi.

I looked at him with a surprised look but understood his intention. I shook his hand to say hi.

Once our hands touched, I felt a sharp tingle pass through my arms. I pulled my hands out with a gasp. His eyes widened in surprise, and he looked at me with shock.

You are a dangerous woman, Miss Johnson. His husky voice caressed my ears.

I looked at him with shock. Then, realizing the surroundings, I took a sudden step back.

I... Well, I... I stammered since I could not come out of the sudden emotions. But his smirk spiked anger in me. How come he was not affected, but I was shaken. The anger spiked in me gave me some clarity.

Will you be guiding me for the project? I asked him with a flat voice.

His smile said that he understood my intention. A blush creeped involuntarily at my cheeks at his words.

"Yes, Miss Johnson. Michael had already given me all the details regarding your project. And I got an overall