My Rival: who poses no threat

After yesterday's conversation, he didn't seem as elusive anymore. We even had breakfast together, a small but significant step forward. Yet, I found myself sinking deeper into this intoxicating whirlpool of emotions. When he was not around, my yearning for him became all-consuming. It was as if nothing else matters except the thought of him. Even in the midst of a lecture, my mind wandered to him — what he might be doing, what thoughts occupy his mind. It was a relentless cycle of longing and speculation.

Suddenly, amidst my wandering thoughts, I heard it—the sound of his voice. Instantly, I'm jolted back to reality. I needed to locate him, by focusing, listening and finding the source of his voice. But before I could do so, I had to calm down and get rid of the problems from my mind. I closed my eyes, slowly, and slowly to focus. Bingo. I found him.

However, just as I began to feel a sense of relief, another voice interrupted — a voice I didn't expect. "Professor Neil, I admire you g