Langdon was already wearing his swim suit. He realized that he was exposing himself towards a student. Half naked like this. He was nervous. Very nervous. Especially because this student of his was very beautiful and bright. On his thinking level. It almost felt like she was looking trough his minds when she looked at him.
There she was. "Hello Robert, I am on time aren't I", she said. "You are", Langdon said. "Good, so why the swimming pool?", she asked. "Because this is the best way to keep up your condition, let's start with swimming labs as fast as you can and as much as you can", Langdon said.
"Aren't you going into the water?", Nina said. "No... wasn't planning on it", Langdon said nervously. "I am not swimming until you come in the water Robert, come on, train with me, be your own coach as well", Nina said.
Langdon was thinking about it and he actually find it a good idea and he jumped in the pool.
"Where are you from actually?", Langdon asked. "I'm from London originally. I grew up there. What about you Robert?", Nina said. "New Hemisphere", Langdon said. "Oh okay, well did you had a great youth?", Nina asked. "I'm sorry I don't like to talk about it", Langdon said. "Sorry I asked", Nina said and she meant it. "It's okay", Langdon said.
"I can only tell you that I'm claustrophobic, when I was young I fell into a wale and couldn't get out. I remember praying to God. It didn't got out because of that. Someone else saved me that night and I still don't know who it is. I only know it was a young girl", Langdon told Nina.
"I am so sorry Robert, but at what age were you back then?", Nina asked. "I was 12 years old", Langdon said. "I was 3 years old at that time I was living in New Hemisphere. Are you telling me that you where that boy in the wale that I saw. I called down my mother and father and they got you out", Nina said. "Are you telling me it was you who rescued me", Langdon said. "I think I did yes", Nina said.
"Thank you", Langdon said. "I was 5 years old Robert. I barely remember it", Nina said. "Still if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here a professor, teaching", Langdon said. "We knew each other growing up, our parents knew each other", Nina said. "Were we friends?", Langdon said. "I can't remember, I think so", Nina said.
"Should I make you a promise", Langdon said. "I am curious", Nina said. "First we train, then we go out for coffee and we each share a memory, it gives us a chance to get to know each other. Only if you want", Langdon said. "I would like that very much Robert", Nina said. "Okay, now we are getting on to business, something where we came for in the first place. Training", Langdon said.
Langdon was feeling a bit weird about being with her now he knew that she is the one that rescued her in the wale. That they met before, when they were young. Now he was teaching her. He let her swim labs and after she was tired he took her as promised to a coffee bar.
"Maybe I have a photo from us as kids. I have some photo albums with me I can take a look at", Nina said. "Please, if you have photo's I would love to see them", Langdon said. "Robert, you should come to my dorm then, I can show you the photo's there, I rather not take them outside my dorm", Nina said.
Nina showed Langdon the way to her room. She knocked checking if Valery was there. No one was. "Looks like we are in the clear", Nina said. "Good, I don't like to be watched at", Langdon said. "You teach, how can you not be okay with that", Nina said. "That is different", Langdon said. "Come on, you must know that the students, the girls. They all hang on your lips because they always talk about how good looking you are. They aren't wrong you know", Nina said. "I didn't noticed", Langdon mumbled. "Don't be modest", Nina said.
She was searching trough the albums and finally found the right one. "Can I ask, what is with the Mickey Mouse watch?", Nina asked. "It's... eh", he started. At that moment Valery came bursting in. "Oh my God, you never believe...", she started but then she saw Langdon. "Oh sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you guys", Valery said.
"You kind a did, but you may know this. Promise you keep it a secret", Nina said and she placed a hand on Langdon his knee. Langdon could feel his body heated up. "Robert and I... we grew up together. Now I'm trying to find a picture of it, can you help search trough that", Nina said. "Really you guys knew each other, that is awesome, as in puppy love?", Valery said. "Val, no nothing like that", Nina said. "What, it could have been", Valery said. "It wasn't. I was five", Nina said.
"I think I found it. You look like five in this picture", Valery said. "Thanks Val", Nina said. "Where you this boy?", Nina asked to Langdon. "I was that boy, that really is us. I can remember that day", Langdon said. "I don't, please tell me", Nina begged. "Maybe some other time", Langdon said.
"Hey Neen, I am going to the library to study. Don't do anything I wouldn't", Valery said. "Val", Nina said shaking with her head.
"Robert, can you tell me more about that day at the picture", Nina asked. "Can we go to my house then. I invite you for dinner if you want, then we can talk without disturbance", Langdon said. "I'd like that", Nina said.