"And my friend you are special"
He was on the verge of departing the university when a voice from behind interrupted his exit.
"Sir are you not going to join us on fair well?"A girl who looked in her middle twenties asked excitedly,while looking straight into his eyes.
He recognised her as one of his students,he gave her a short glance,his rising of eyebrows changed his facial expression,and was deliberately trying to read the latter face expression.
"Ohhhh!Sorry I have got things to do,so I might not make it on time."he declared politely while rushing out hurriedly.
"But sir…..I…
And he was no where to be seen.
"It's our last memories!"A layer of sadness was clear through her face,she looked down with disappointment, her eyes fell on a pebble near the tree, frustratedly, she kicked the pebble hard, while watching it as it skittered, She took a deep breath and soon starting walkin toward university hall away from the tall tree that was believed to be older then the university building.
"Grls! I asked emily,he won't be coming."said kim,a student of final semester.
This causes an uproar in class,the girls who were previously excited for farewell suddenly became dull.
Kim could sense that most of the girls will not be coming after hearing this.
Few students who missed the announcement were told,and there reaction was as expected.
"We know that Professor Nick is always cold ,but atleast he can't reject his own class!"said one of the teacher who once had a crush on him.
"What's done is done!"exclaimed the Head of Department.
It was 11,when Nick left the university,after his encounter with one of his student.The bright morning of Saturday was the perfect excuse for outdoor activities.
He knows that Aish normally have off on Saturday's,so he left to meet her in Arcadia, although he somehow made to Arcadia, but he was still not sure of his actions.
After marking his entry on the gate,his eyes started wandering to look for a security guard.
He found the security gate sitting on the chair,close to the tree,with a cup on his hand.When the security gate realized who the person was,he welcomed him with a polite smile.
After a bit of talking, Nick remembered his real purpose of being here.
"Sir,can you call out for Aish and plz don't let her know my name?"
"There you go, this admirer of yours,will call her right a way. But sir what's with the umbrella, you know the weather is all clear. Am I wrong sir?"
"No, you are right , don't worry it won't rain, the forecast say so." He answered while viewing the sky.
Aish was rolling on her bunk while reading peacefully because it was weekend and two of her roommates already left for home, the other went to farewell.The events will start on 12, Aish knows that much because that girl was overly excited about it and ended up telling every one in the hostel.
While she was having her time chilling someone interrupted her in between "Aish someone's waiting for you"it was a girl from room 1, who was more excited then the one for whom it was meant to be.
"Any name?"
"Raju uncle didn't mentioned it soo…"
she left, giving Aish a unusual look.
Aish slipped off from her bed,and walked towards closet to wear sweater, since it was windy outside. she tied her, messy hair into bun and left the room.
Her steps were fast yet delicate, her finger rolling the fence while biting her lips.She didn't think much of who will be waiting for him and fasten her speed.
Her eyes were on the tall figure, who looked like he had got nothing else to do, but to stand calmly. He was pacing back and forth unless he saw Aish.
" Hey! How is it going,all good?" He speaked while trying to avoid eye contact with her, just for a moment there eyes met, but he hurriedly looked away.
"Hmmm.."
He pulled out an umbrella,from his left hand and offer it to her
"It's just,yo.. you don't walk in rain…know that it's not good for health."he told her so politely,that it could melt away anyone's heart regardless to gender.
When no response was received from her nor did she extended her hand,He grip her hand and handed over the umbrella.
"I was not eyeing you, you know I was just passing by" He explained himself, so that he can get rid of her confuse expression.
"How is your studies going?"
"It's going well,had exam last week"
"Don't overdo things, I will be there for you, just reach me out if need any help,okay."Even he himself knows that, he had never talk to anyone this politely. When it's about her he had this prominent calm and loving side of him.Not even once he dare to rise his voice as if she was to precious to him. He could to anything for her smile, he worries about her, care for her, and can't afford to lose her.
"Hmmm.. I will!"
He would glance, down and then would look towards wall,back to her once in a while.
"Soo, I will be leaving then…"
"Have a good day!"
He rubbed the back of his head, and start walking away.
Once he reached the exit door he turned around to find Aish still standing there.
He rubbed the back of his neck, staring blankly for a while with an expression indicating that he must be thinking of something. And wave her, telling her to come to the door where he was standing.
Aish who was thinking he was saying goodbye, waved him back.
A faint smile envelope his face "Silly girl, I am asking you to come here."
Aish who was dumbfounded, still stayed on her feets, without moving an inch.
" Girl,you dare not to listen to me, you are been way impolite to your big bro."He walk to her and pinch her ear, while gently pushing her hair back, exposing her ears
" Or is there some problem with your ears?
Come we are going out for dinner,put your umbrella inside, I will be waiting for you here. And NO EXCUSE! Got it."
He could sense from her expression that she won't listen unless scolded.
" Silly girl, do you want me to rise my voice on you!
I am dead serious."he warned her
Even though he couldn't see her eyes he lower his head and find Aish looking down.
He stretched his hand and gently tab her head "Forget it, I will go all by myself."
He tend to leave, when Aish finally speaks
" Give me five minutes big bro."his back was facing her when she announced which let to subtle grin on his face,as if he is proud of himself.
"be quick."he spoked while turning around but Aish had already lefted.
She rushed to her room,changed into something comfortable,and quickly marched towards stairs.
"Big bro! We can leave now." She conveyed her msg while stammering.
She let him lead the way,even though Aish had a fair height she could only reaches his shoulders.
There was no exchange of thought between them throughout,they silently walk side by side even though Aish had low pace ,Nick keep track of her,not wanting her to lag behind.He would shift his position,to the right not letting any stranger to pass by her,and would jump to the left whenever see a car.
They stop my a café.
Nick hold the door for her letting her in, and he entered after her.He could sense continuous chitchatting,people enjoying their time,chilling and relaxing, for some it was break time as if it's was like a normal regular day for them.
They chose a comfortable table of two, near the window at one corner of the café.He drag chair for her and once she was settled,he sat at opposite side of the table.
"So what would you like maam?How can I serve you!"he was looking straight into her eyes while waiting for her answer.
"I don't.."she was interrupted by him
"Waiter what options do we have?" After rising his hand to call the waiter who was done serving the table next to them.
"Sir for dessert we have tiramisu,cupcakes,cookies, chocolate brownies with some side dishes,we do have some drinks
What are your preferences sir?"
"If we have an option of chocolate ice cream cake, I would like two serving of it, one tiramisu, and plate of brownies."
"Any beverage?"
"Coke will do, thank you!"
"Are we expecting a guest?" Aish declared seriously.
"You have learn how to piss me off right,or you might have gotten better in bander." He tsk while rubbing his ears
"Of course it's of us."
" But you don't like sweet, and what you ordered is too much" she said while looking at the place where the waiter was now.
He was about to talk back, when his phone ring, on the table, and a name popped out, which results in both of them knowing who it was, even though a bit of disappointment was clear on Nick face, as if he didn't want the latter one to know.
"It's Ales , she came to the country this morning. She might have something important to tell." He said while clearing his throat.
There was a layer of pain in his eyes, when Aish told him to go ahead, she asked him to put the phone on speaker, while stuffing her mouth with brownie which was delivered by the waiter, a while ago.
"Hello there, sup?"
"Big brother they shut the door on my face, and threw me out of the house, Am I home less now."
"Big brooo! No one care about me. I was so tried and all I wanted was to pick me up from the airport, but they made me wait for hours and when I somehow made home, they shut the door on me."
She was so cooked, that started yapping as soon as he picked the phone,without letting the receiver to react. He calmly listen to her yapping for minutes, and when she ran out of word, he finally had his opportunity to speak.
"Calm down, and listen I will definitely scold them for you, so take a deep breath and chill." He remarked politely, but his eyes felt on the most unbelievable, and unexpected thing and that was he found Aish smiling. The most serious person who had forgotten how to smile, was smiling. He saw Aish lips stretching into a smile, it effected him so much, that for once he felt the world and time had stopped.
"Listen, Aish is sitting In front of me , wanna talk to her."