The Professor’s Trap

At exactly 8:50 AM, the hallways leading to the lecture hall were witnessing a full-blown sprint, and Hala was the desperate contender. Out of breath, she glanced frantically left and right, her eyes wide with terror as she checked her wristwatch—which stubbornly read 9:05 AM.

"I’m dead. I’m so getting kicked out," she whimpered under her breath.

With trembling fingers, she yanked out her phone to send an emergency SOS to the contact saved as "Dad"

Hala: Dad! My sweet angel! Save me! Please don't tell Mom I’m late again 😭😭💔

Meanwhile, in a sleek, quiet office, Professor Yousef sat behind his dark wooden desk, calmly sipping hot coffee. Suddenly, his phone buzzed on the desk with a strange text.

Raising an eyebrow in mild surprise, curiosity—and a streak of amusement—got the better of him. He leaned back in his leather chair and typed back:

Dr. Yousef: Yes? Don't tell her what? And what on earth happened to you?

Hala read the reply mid-stride, letting out a frustrated sigh. She assumed her dad was picking the absolute worst moment to play dumb.

Hala: Dad, stop joking! Don't pretend you don't get it! I’m late for Dr. Grumpy Pants Yousef’s lecture.. I'm standing right outside the room, terrified to walk in because class has already started! 💀🌪️

Yousef froze instantly. The mug stayed levitated inches from his lips as his eyes darted to the digital clock on his desk.

8:52 AM.

A subtle glint flashed in his dark eyes, and a devastatingly sly smile crept onto his lips. He decided to play along and trap her.

Dr. Yousef: Dr. Grumpy Pants? Why grumpy? What does he even do to you guys in class?

Leaning against the wall to catch her breath, Hala typed back with furious enthusiasm:

Hala: Ugh, Dad, if you saw him teaching! You’d think he’s plotting world domination! He’s super serious, never smiles, and literally the entire cohort is terrified of him!

Yousef’s smirk widened, deepening a faint dimple on his cheek that added an unexpected charm to his stern features. He took another slow sip of his coffee, eyes gleaming with a challenge.

Dr. Yousef: Everyone's terrified? Are you the only one calling him grumpy in the whole college, or are other students bad-mouthing him too?

Hala: Everyone! Even my friend Dima says he looks like those villainous cartoon professors! 😂 Anyway, I’m just gonna brave his death glare and head in now. Wish me luck!

Curiosity now clawed at Yousef’s chest. He needed to put a name to the rebellious girl who dared call him a cartoon villain. He quickly replied before she could lock her phone

Dr. Yousef: Alright, good luck.. But tell me first, who are you among all those terrified students? Seems I’ve forgotten your name out of all my beloved daughters! 😉

Hala giggled softly, shaking her head at her screen with total innocence.

Hala: Hahaha, Dad, are you seriously forgetting your own daughters' names now? It’s me, Hala! The sophomore who’s going to give you a heart attack real soon! ✌️😂

A subtle wave of triumph hit Yousef.

"So... Hala," he murmured under his breath, his deep voice carrying a low rumble as his heart skipped a beat for a reason he couldn't quite name. Leaning back, completely enjoying the moment, he typed out his final move

Dr. Yousef: Well, Hala.. Just for your information: I am NOT your "Dad".. I am Dr. "Grumpy Pants" Yousef himself.

On her screen, the status flipped: (Typing...)

Then it disappeared.

Then it popped up again, as if the sender had suffered a momentary stroke, followed by a text of pure, desperate denial

Hala: Haha, nice joke Dad! You’re being extra sarcastic today!

Yousef set his coffee cup down on the desk. He typed back with absolute, decisive gravity—the tone of a predator playing with its prey

Dr. Yousef: I’m not joking. And it seems your watch is running fifteen minutes fast, because class hasn't started yet, and I’m still in my office drinking coffee. Now.. since I now know you’re "Hala" and that Dima thinks I look like a cartoon villain, I’ll be waiting for you in the lecture hall in five minutes. Let’s see who gets to conquer the world first. ☕️🔥

The blood drained from Hala’s face.

Slowly, as if in slow motion, she lifted her head and looked up at the large wall clock mounted in the hallway.

8:55 AM.

Her jaw dropped. Her heart plunged straight into her stomach.

Hala: Dr. Yousef?! DOCTORRRRR?! 💀💀💀

Her phone buzzed one last time with a brutal system notification

(Message delivery failed. You have been temporarily blocked by the user.)