December arrived, signaling the near end of my Level 1 Chinese course. For the last two weeks, I had been looking for Teacher Wang, but he was absent. Even on what was supposed to be our final class, he wasn't there. I sent him a quick text.
"Teacher, won't you come today?"
His reply came back immediately: "No, I didn't come today because we have an event. And my classes have finished."
I couldn't hide my disappointment:
"Oh, ok :("
"See you next semester [Chuckle]," he said, his easygoing manner softening the blow.
I simply replied, "Ok."
After class, our teacher announced there was a singing competition that evening between Chinese and Bangladeshi students. We were invited to attend and enjoy the show, though she also gave us a stern reminder to prepare for our final exam the next day. My friend and I were completely free, so despite the venue being quite far, we decided to go.
Surprisingly, when we got there, I saw Teacher Wang on stage. He was the Chinese host for the event, sharing the duties with a female Bangladeshi host. We had a great time enjoying the competition.
The next day, he texted me: "We will hold the spring festival around January 20th, which will be one of the biggest events, you are welcomed then."
I was thrilled and replied immediately. I then told him he was the perfect host the previous day, and he asked which day I meant. I sent him a video I'd recorded of him on stage.
Seeing the video, he replied, "Oh, you were there! I don't know you came. Thanks for your record. You always record the important scenes. [Lol]" We chatted for a while longer, the conversation still centered around studies and events.
That night, I texted him again, heart racing with a newfound boldness.
"I have something to show you (don't guess). I hope to see you on Friday. I've been waiting for 2 weeks. Don't say that you won't come."
His reply deflated me slightly, but was still kind. "No, it's actually no need for meeting on Friday since you come here almost every day. But I don't want you to spend money on it. If other things I will be very appreciative. I think next Friday I will be at the office."
I hadn't bought anything, and his concern for my money made me smile. I was so happy I literally jumped out of bed. I clarified that I hadn't bought anything and promised to be there right after my exam finished.
Friday came, and the exam was done. I finished first. After my class teacher checked my paper, I took a photo of the perfect full marks score and sent it to him.
"Oh, have you finished your exam?" he replied.
"Yes" I texted him back with a emoji of flex.
"Full score [ThumbsUp] [ThumbsUp] I'm preparing to go to the office now," he texted.
"I'm waiting," I said. He arrived quickly.
"Benny, I'm at my office," he texted.
I asked if I could come now, and he said yes. Getting permission from my class teacher, I ran to his office. I finally gave him the canvas I had painted—another moment I'd captured from his WeChat feed.
He was genuinely delighted. I made sure to tell him how precious my paintings were to me, saying that they were like my lovers, and this was my third canvas—the first I gave to my best friend, the second I kept, and the third I was giving to him.
He looked at me seriously and said, "I will take them back to China and hang them on my wall."
"Really?" I asked, my heart swelling.
"Of course I will take them back. How can I leave them here and go away? I think the more precious is your mind. It must take a lot of effort," he replied.
I was overcome with happiness. Then, pointing to his wrist, I said, "Teacher, I have noticed you always wear bracelets."
He confirmed he liked wearing them and had many. I dared to ask him to give me the one he was wearing. He hesitated, saying he'd been wearing that one for a long time, but promised, "I will give you another one when the next semester will start."
"I'll be waiting," I told him, a silly, hopeful smile plastered on my face.