years ago, my literature professor called me into his room for a personal discussion. the first thing he asked when i took the seat opposite him was "are you a robot?" and i was so taken aback that i remembered just staring at the pen he was twirling for a full minute. 

he didnt push for my reply and in fact, he let the awkward minute passed in silence as he kept twirling his pen, never looking away once. eventually i managed a curt "no" which led to one of the most memorable conversation that i have ever had. each time when things get kinda rough for me, i head to a silent corner and i try to recall that poignant moment.

on that "historical" day, immediately after my single-worded response, he gently waved my printed assignment in my face, tore it in half and told me "if you dont have a heart, dont write. you are wasting your time and mine."

we ended up having a two-hour long conversation, and we concluded in mutual agreement  that i still had a heart but was too afraid to explore it, he was being overly dramatic about tearing apart my assignment but he wanted to make a visual impact and lastly, that no matter how i think i hate it, he thinks i will be writing for a long time - doesn't matter if professionally or leisurely.

"every single thing you write, fiction or non-fiction, must have a part of you in it. if you cannot feel it, well you can still write it but your readers will never get it. the shell will be colourful, made of steel and hard to break but it is hollow and empty. just like robots. you get me?" ~ professor a.sb.

thank you, sir. your quirky robot has emotions after all.