Unexpected Encounter

"...and when one of them meets the other half, the actual half of himself, whether he be a lover of youth or a lover of another sort, the pair are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy and one will not be out of the other's sight, as I may say, even for a moment..."

– Plato

This stupid piece of alarm. Bruh...trust me, one day I'm gonna smash you for good. Such a peaceful sleep and that thing had to ruin it with its annoying noise. Definitely, the world's worst sound award goes to your alarm.

My day started with the usual me cursing my alarm. I knew very well this day is gonna be the same as yesterday, the same as the day before yesterday, the same as the whole week, the same as the whole month. Yep, my life goes like a cycle and the truth is that every one of my age's life is a cycle, repeating itself every day reminding us that we are ordinary people with ordinary life; nothing fun to do. I don't even know the purpose of living like this you know, especially with the High School life I'm enduring right now. It's gonna be over soon but still...it's not over yet! I've to resist the urge to throw off these thick books stacked all over my bedroom for 4 more months!

I sat up on my bed to directly see my sticky notes of math equations written over the wall in front of me; one of my study tactics. Being a nerd is not easy you know. I read the notes and byhearted it one by one. Then I got off my bed and went towards my bathroom for doing my...morning stuff.

I took a quick fast shower and put on my ironed stiff-crispy uniform. I combed off the knots in my long wavy black hair and tied up in a comfortable ponytail. Then I looked over to my face in the mirror and sighed.

What should I do with you? I asked myself.

I've tanned skin, almost the color of chocolate. Though I've a flawless smooth skin I.hate.it! This is the only thing I hate the most in my whole pathetic life; my skin color. The thing that outstands me away from my sisters. They've porcelain skin; natural beauties. My father's genes caused this misfortune to fall upon me, discriminating me from my sisters. Being the eldest child that's what I got first and my sisters inherited my mother's natural beauty; very impressive. YES, no doubt I'm jealous and I won't deny it (maybe in front of my family). So I'm bestowed to live with this stuff sticking to me like a pair of pantaloons for the rest of my life.

The point is, whatever I do I can't hide my color. Even if I put makeup all over my face and cover up my entire face my rest of the body remains. People put on makeup to either cover or highlight their features. To me, there is no point for me to put on makeup and thence I never put on a single bit of makeup. Yep, just blank face.

Scoffing at my face, I just put suncream on my exposed body parts. I glanced at my clock and ran towards my study table. I slid my thick books and science records into my plain black bag. I stuffed my short notes into the side pockets of my bag and swung it over my shoulder. Ouch! Dang heavy. When will they even pass a law to reduce the weight of this thing!

I took one last look at my room and rushed out to exit it.

Loud music could be heard from the door opposite of mine with a huge 'OUT OF HERE' poster plastered over the door with a danger sign; my sister Liya's room. How can she even sit inside it with that much noise? The sound is practically vibrating through the walls. My mother is shouting from downstairs for her to get ready well...who hears!

I skipped to the kitchen from where the delicious odor of breakfast is flying towards my nostrils. I smiled at myself and went inside it to meet my mother who's busy cooking and talking to one of her student's parents by phone; she's the Headmistress of her school. And she's busy with her own life, every day. Who blames her anyway, it's tiring work.

"Morning mom" I muttered as she ended her call.

"Morning Mia" she came towards me with a hot dosa (a south Indian dish).

"Good morning sister" called out my 15-year-old sister beaming with her 1000 Watt smile. Aah..the usual morning sunshine well...24/7 sunshine.

"Ooof...sorry mom I'm late." there comes my 16-year-old sister with her usual excuse.

My mother just glared at her which my sister gladly brushed off as nothing and started piling her plate with breakfast. She then looked up and saw us.

"Heyy sisters!" she snickered.

My other sister smiled brightly almost blinding her and greeted her back.

"Liya, how many times should I tell you to put makeup to a minimum. You are going to school, not a fashion parade! Your face is caked with makeup! Brush your lipstick off young Lady!" my mother exclaimed "Riya I get it you like the pink color the most but that doesn't mean you have to wear everything pink. Other colors exist too." finally she turned towards me and I knew what she was gonna say "Mia..." she trailed off and sighed "Please I beg of you. Put at least a foundation on your bland face."

Let me give you an introduction to the characters of my sisters to clear things out.

Liya Sherin:

A pop fan, especially k pop. She is always seen with earphones and a phone. A typical music lover more like music obsessed. She is as I've already mentioned, very beautiful with light brown eyes, straight black hair with brown strings, and a wonderfully curved body. With all the points mentioned above, anyone can guess that she's the Queenka of our school. Yep, we three studies at the same school. She's the most popular girl with a hundred fans in school and a thousand followers on social media. She is also a playgirl; heartbreaker to be exact. I've seen her breaking many boy's hearts without any emotion, it's just a hobby for her. When asked about who she'll seriously date she'll point to a Korean guy in a poster on the walls over her bedroom showing a V-sign with a boxy grin. Don't ask me!

And my other sister Riya Sherin:

She has the manners and elegance of a princess. Everything she wears is either pink or white, and my mother hates that also, she'd tried many ways to stop that but in vain. She has natural straight light brown hair, hazel eyes, and a brilliant smile of hers which can attract people from even other planets. She's as popular as my first sister at school and on social media. She's very nice, kind, and caring, the exact opposite of Liya who's straightforward selfish. Riya never dates anyone because she's waiting for her Prince Charming like in those stupid fairytales she reads every time. It's annoying, yes.

And finally me, Mia Sherin, who's a straight-A-student, typical nerd, who can be described with none other than the word ordinary. Sometimes I do wonder if I really am their big sister. MY FATE!

I just finished my breakfast fast and rushed out of my house(I don't go to school with my sisters). I opened the gate and stepped out to nature. The morning breeze instantly hit my face rising goosebumps all over my body. I inhaled the fresh scent and started walking through the path towards the fields. I always take the shortcut to walk through this nature extravagance. Within minutes of walking, the narrow path widened towards the extending green field. The sun was shining faintly as it was still early morning. Its rays piercing through the dewdrops hanging from the tip of the tree leaves. What a beautiful sight to see! And when we look ahead we could see the mist covering the peaks of mountains...How I wish I could live in that moment!

I hastily walked to my bus to catch the bus and listened to whatever morning melody was in the bus. It was crowded as usual, with workers and students with white earphones hanging from their ears, not caring about the other world at all. I stood in silence enjoying the wind and the flowing music, calming my nerves.

I got off the bus at our school entrance and walked inside my class nonchalantly. Everyone was in their own little social bubble, why care! Honestly, I don't have any friends and I don't bother to make some. I don't have time to build up trust and cry when it's gone. I have a purpose here and I'll go like everybody else after it's done. I'm not jealous of those whispering huddles of popular girls, nor the flirting playboys...they live their life their way so am I.

I got inside my class first, yay! I started my day at school just like that by me not caring about my surrounding, just solving problems over and over whether it be maths or chemistry or Physics.

Bell rang.

Prayer.

Monday test.

First period.

Second period.

Interval.

Third Period.

Fourth period.

Lunch break.

Fifth period.

Sixth period.

That's it. Teachers coming and going, teaching and teaching, me writing notes. Free time equal to oh yes more problem-solving time. Just a little chits and chats here and there with my fellow classmates. The life of a typical nerd is just that. No fun just STUDYING...every.single.time!

But no complaints.

Seventh period, fortunately, the last.

"...a matrix is an ordered rectangular array of numbers or functions" blabbered Mr.Shameer "The numbers or functions are called elements or the entries of the matrix..."

I was writing down the notes rather fast because the last bell could ring soon signaling the class to end. I glanced at my wristwatch; 4:28 PM. Yep, 2 minutes to freedom. Oops sorry, partial freedom because I'm going to my house right.

RING!!!

"That's it, class...Do exercise 12.1 for tomorrow. And also don't forget to study for tomorrow's weekly test. Thank you" concluding Mr.Shameer left the class. Yet another test, bruh.

I patiently waited for the boys to head out first yeah yeah pushing and pulling like Kindergarten kids. I sent goodbye to my classmates and ran out of the school. I'd to catch a bus early or I won't have time to study for tomorrow's test...yeah scream nerd at me!

With my dashing not-so-athletic sprint, I was able to catch the bus.

Finally, I got out of the bus panting. It was an effort because I was nearly sandwiched between two middle-aged ladies. I really had to wrestle to get out of them. I saw the bus conductor silently chuckling as I jumped out of the bus to whom I shoot a glare, he immediately looked away.

I was again walking through the fields. I sighed looking at my bore life. To anyone who looks into my life, it may seem like the most boring thing ever, and I won't blame them because it is. Nothing special. No intimate friends, no hangouts, no chill times, no laughter...apparently nothing. Just me and my thick rickety books.

I was walking slowly contemplating my life when a group of small children ran past me giggling. I looked down at them walking in front of me laughing with their hands around their shoulders. Friends...the word I haven't used for years. I don't even know the meaning of it now. That part of my story was simply blank. Well, what part of my story isn't blank?!!

I never knew those blank parts of my life were going to be filled soon by someone I didn't even know existed and vice versa. The pen to write in it was in the hands of someone special, someone who's gonna change my life forever with those little sounds of footsteps.

Hearing the silent footsteps of someone behind me I turned back.

There stood a guy clad in winter clothes around him. He had smooth chocolate brown hair falling into his eyes with chubby cheeks and a clear complexion. He looked cute and sexy at the same time with a sharp jaw and pink plump lips. He was the most handsome man I've ever seen and with one look, I could say that he's either a model or an actor. From the way he'd dressed in the burning evening sunlight in those scarfs around his neck and coats I could tell he was not from here. China or Japan maybe..? But what's he doing here in a village, it's kilometers away from the town and this is not a tourist spot.

"Are you lost?" I asked in English.

His beautiful eyes widened as his plump lips parted in...surprise?

He was staring at me as he gingerly took a small step towards me as if I'd run away any moment. Finally, after a moment he asked me leaning in slightly.

"Y-You can see me?" he asked pointing at himself in.....Korean? He's a Korean then.

I know Korean because I have a crazy hobby of learning new languages and cultures every summer vacation. I know almost eight languages. I only studied Korean last vacation, it is now handy I guess?

"Of course I can see you." I said in Korean.

His eyes widened even more.

"But no one could see me before..." he mumbled to himself faintly but I caught it.

What's with this weird guy?

"Who are you talking to, Mia dear?"

I turned to my back and saw Menon uncle, my neighbor, walking towards me.

"Aah uncle I was talking to this guy," I said pointing at the Korean guy behind me.

He looked behind me and shrugged "There's no one there dear."

Now it was my turn to widen my eyes."What?!"

I turned towards the Korean guy. He was still there staring at me and uncle with a small pout.

"But he is right there uncle" I pointed to the same spot.

Menon uncle just sighed and walked to the place where the guy was standing puzzled. Uncle was almost gonna bump into him when I shouted "Uncle wai-"

UNCLE JUST PASSED RIGHT THROUGH HIM. ALMOST AS IF HE'S TRANSPARENT!!!

My eyes widened with horror as I was frozen to the ground.

"See? No one's here." chuckled uncle waving as I was watching his hands go through the guy's body. "Just go home, dear. You might have watched a horror movie or something. See you later" with that he went away muttering "..kids these days..."

This is IMPOSSIBLE.

The guy looked at me with concern all over his face. "Are you o-okay?"

"No, no, no, no, no" I started chanting to myself thinking I'm going paranoid.

"H-Hey, you okay?" he asked again coming towards me.

"NO" I shouted at him, startling him "You're not real"

With that, I turned around and sprinted towards my house in full speed.