: Encounter

The girl looked at her reflection on the tinted glass of the big black car resting beside her bike.

She pulled her hair at one side and then pulled it up and let it down again.

"Argh! It's still wet."

She put on a strawberry lip gloss from purse.

"Mm...perfect!" She pouted her lips and adjusted her specs and locked the helmet.

There was still 30 secs left before the red light would turn off.

"Oh boy! That was close!" The man sighed of relief seeing the green signal.

He almost forgot that the windows were specially prepared to be translucent.

No one can see a thing from outside but guess it was time to change the car.

He turned the volume up.

"Why, oh why, tell me, why not me?

Why, oh why, we were meant to be

Baby, I know I could be all you need

Why, oh why, oh why

I wanna love you.....

If you only knew how much I love you

So why not me?"

"Why not me?" by Enrique Iglesias was playing on the stereo. The man increased the speedometer and drove off.

_________________ __________ _________________

"Damn! Only 3 minutes left to 9!! I'm screwed today!"

Parking her Scotty, The girl yelled and ran towards the lecture hall.

"1 minute still left! Thank God I reached the class before the demon himself. " The girl sighed in relief and opening the back door of the lecture hall she started walking towards the 3rd last row, her usual seat.

"Miss Park!!"

She stopped on her way for a second, then started walking again without turning back.

"Miss Lina Ray Park! Where do you think you are going?"

The high-pitched voice of Prof. Shin was heard all over the hall.

Every student present there were jolted from the sudden uproar. Nearly 100 pairs of eyes were now on her.

Lina turned back with puppy eyes and sheepishly looked at the source of the sound i.e. Prof. Shin.

" Umm... Yes sir…? Are you asking for me? "

.

"Is there anyone else you know named after Lina here, Miss Park? " Deep voice of Prof. Shin cut through the hall.

"Umm.... No… Sorry… Yes. Good morning Sir. I was just walking towards my seat." Lina shook her head.

"And on what right?"

Prof. Shin's voice was a bit higher this time.

"Sir, to attend your class obviously."

"And on what time was my class?"

"Sir, it was scheduled at 9 AM sharp."

"And what time it is?"

"Sir it's 9 'o clock now."

"You are coming to attend class or to watch circus?"

Prof. Shin was fuming in anger. "I don't tolerate late comers at all."

"Sir, I'm not late. I'm just in time."

"Shut up! You.!"

"I always recommend my students to reach 5 minutes before the scheduled time for my lecturers. And here you are coming late and walking towards back row ...acting all fishy and arrogant! Is it a medical school or fish market to you ? Who are you trying to fool except yourself Ms. Park? Who do you think you are?"

Lina — "..."

She lowered her head and blankly stared at the ground. Being aware of Prof. Shin's obsession for punctuality Lina felt guilty.

"What ??!! Don't you have anything to say? Did cat get on your tongue or what?"

"No sir.I will not give any excuse as it was indeed my fault today. I'm Sorry sir. It'll not be repeated."

Prof. Shin calmed down hearing her apology.

"This is the last time I'm allowing you to join my class. Just keep it in your mind that there will be no next time."

"Sorry sir. I will never give you another chance.Thank you for allowing me." Lina bowed at him.

"You should be. Now go and sit." Prof. Shin finally calmed down upon hearing her sorry.

"Meet me in the second half in the OPD to receive your punishment. "

"YES Sir.Will do."

She sat on her usual seat without looking at her surroundings knowing all eyes were now on her. She was always afraid of those judging looks.

Lina looked straight to the projector screen and started taking notes.

Prof. Shin was teaching medicine. He was a renowned faculty of the college. Every student was eager to attend his classes. Even post graduate trainees used to take his classes.

Little did she saw in the meantime the man from the car had deliberately altered her next seat with another student who was supposed to there and focused all his attention to her.