5. ACQUAINTANCE

Few weaks later...

After that incident i asked my dance teacher to exchange partners and i was now partnered with james who was michelle's partner. It had been two weaks since that incident and lauren was not seen in practice either he tried to contact me but i ignored so even he stopped calling. i asked kate to inquired about him and got to know that he went to his uncles house in Australia last weak as his uncle was having some severe health issues.

i was at university sitting in canteen alone as Krys was absent. I was completing my assignment when syndra and destiny came " hey ! rose you seem to be very busy these days." said destiny " no babe just casual" i said taking sip of my coffee " by the way we got to know about your breakup sad " she sad with sad face " no worries i am okay, have you guys completed your assignments" i tried to ask question to avoid talking about my breakup. " i am near to half probably this weekend i'll finish " said syndra " i will probably start this weekend" said destiny to which everyone burst out laughing. destiny started " you remember Arlen the boy you danced with even he got breakup few days ago his girlfriend was so toxic." " do you know her?" i inquired " no we just met once but she was so mean" the bell rang and we left for lecture.

Days passed in hurry and we were having inter college sports competition in just ten days and our college was host. we were in bastekball stadium checking the lights and infrastructure and other arrangements and our team was practising as we opened the back door a little kitten ran towards the court. As i saw the kitten i ran to save her from the players and ball as it might injure her when i was trying to catch her she ran between the chairs and as she was in middle of the court i grabbed her i was looking at her when one of my friend shouted " rose careful" then i saw a heavy basketball coming towards me but due to sudden actions i was unable to move and closed my eyes in fear i was waiting for it to hit but the moment did not arrived and when i opened my eyes i saw a boy with ball in his hand staring at me. his eyes were unreadable but shinning out of purity. i got up and even my friends gathered around me. He was the same boy i danced with Arlen. He was wearing college sports jersey which made his muscles to look more clear. he was in college basketball team. He just insured with his eyes that i am not injured and gave me small smile.

As i saw the surrounding everyone was quite and looking at me i felt embarassed so i left the stadium hurriedly. The day went faster and in canteen i heard a group of girls taking about the new basketball player and his amazing physique. i completed my work and left for home. i took some rest and prepared for classes. i asked kate to drop me to Y.M.C.A.

While coming from classes i again felt someone stalking me. i was feeling this from last month today i decided to find out. i went near the turn and stopped in the corner when he arrived i pulled my leg out due to which he fell on the ground and i locked his hands from back and removed his hoodie. i was surprised he was the same man i met in the parking in club but why is he following me i asked " Are you a thieve?" He in that position gave a smile and said " what can i get from a student." well he was right " why were you staking me ?" to this he thought for a while and said " maybe because..." he turned and stood straight and left my hands. he smiled and said " you have some aura i can not keep myself away frim you." I knew it was not true " don't act smart " i said crossing my hands " don't you think you should be more gentle just like your name Rose." he said leaning to the wall " even you should know that rose have thrones too." i replied him firmly to which he chuckled " ouch ! that hurts." he said keeping his palm on his chest. i was geting annoyed by him so i rolled my eyes and said " next time i better not see you or else you will regret messing with me." i spat at him abd turned to move when he calles from behind " okay i am sorry. i saw you with destiny at the club. so i was just curious about you." he said to which i stopped and looked at him and he continued " and i was not stalking you at club i came to see my friend and i stay nearby so, it's coincidence. " he said i was listening to him carefully " how come i never saw you here ?" i inquired as i was travelling from his path since six years but never saw him. He gave me smirk and said "nice observation i shifted here few months back." he said looking at me as if examine me " hmm i think i should leave" saying this i left from there.

Next day i reached college and after attending lectures i and Krys headed to our respective groups i was in management so we had to take care of event and krys was in arts group so she was basically designing stage and auditorium. i was back stage we were checking sound system some one from us said " i think this mike is not working." i suddenly remembered so i said " don't worry i'll bring new one i saw it yesterday in store room." saying this i went to store room. the store room was at extreme corner so it was quite i was able to hear my shoes tapping on floor. i went inside the store room and searched for the mic as i opened the door i crashed on something hard and was about to fall when someone grabbed me by my waist. i opened my eyes and saw a boy staring at my face and his dark orbs were to intimidating that i was not able to move my hands were on his chest and i quickly remembered him he was Arlen. i tried to move but he was holding me tight i looked into his eyes and said "leave" in very low voice to this he immediately removed his hand and started looking around then i asked " how come you always come for my rescue." to this he just smiled and saod " how do you manage to be so tipsy every time." i smiled at his comment and inquired " but why are you here?" " actually i needed new basketball for practice so..." i nodded and then waving each other i left.

After my dance classes i was at bus stop waiting for the bus when that stranger appeared again he stood beside me and said " you took too long today ." he said " hmm practice was hectic today but don't you think you should introduce yourself." i said because i knew nothing about him " ohh so myself Neon." he said and shook hands with me i laughed and ask " how you know destiny?" " we met few days back because of my buddy whose in same class with destiny and you." i was surprised by his reply " really whose it ?" i asked curiously " Arlen, do you know him?" neon inquired i remembered him quickly and said " just acquaintance." i answered and after this my bus arrived and i waved him and get inside the bus.

Next day i was preparing for college i wore pink flower print top with white shorts and tied my hairs in pony. I was wondering about what neon said was a truth or a lie so i made my mind to talk to Arlen. I left for university and met krys in classroom after finishing lectures krys went to drawing class and i went to canteen. As i entered i greeted uncle jacob and was about to sit at nearby seat when i saw arlen at the corner seat alone i thought it was right time to talk to him i went near him he was busy on his phone i said " hey! remember me?" he looked at me and gave a sweet smile and said " yes i do please seat." he pointed towards the opposite seat i sat and our conversation started " as much i remember we never introduced ourselves so myself Rosiette Herd and everyone here calls me Rose." I said stretching my hand out for handshake to this he replied taking my hands into his ' glad to meet you miss. rose myself arlen matteo." he left my hand soon after the firm handshake. he was having a different kind of aura which always make me feel so conscious around him i gathered myself and asked him " actually i wanted to know that do you know anyone with the name neon." i was confused to ask him " yes i do know one infact he is my good friend. why something happened." he said with concern " ahhh not so serious we just met few days back and he told me about you." I said and then he said " sorry for any misbehaviour done by him he's just to too outspoken." arlen said " No please no need of it he did not misbehave with me we just had a small talk." i replied with smile he was now more relaxed he asked " so you wanna have some coffee?" he didn't ended his sentence when uncle jacob came with a tray with everything i always order. " here my child i thought you were busy in talking so i didn't waited for you. i think you should try other things too just eating same meal everyday." said uncle jacob with mocking disgusted face. " you know i need my food and my life according to my will." i giggled and he left. " i guess you are quite known here." said arlen "hmm it's been long i am studying here even my brothers passed out from here so i am quite known. you tell where were you before?" i asked. " i was in saint. Joseph Army academy." I raised my eyebrows in shock and i said " ohh so you are from defence that's why you have such a great physique." my tongue slipped he looked at me with blank expressions and i didn't know what to say to cover up my blunder i looked at my food then i heard him chuckle then he said " Thank you for compliment." i was red due to embarrassment i didn't even looked at him and said " i rememberd i have some work at office." i left canteen in hurry and while going to student lobby i scolded myself in mind " how idiot you are rose what will he think about you. mommy is right you are a chatterbox who has a unfiltered mouth." i was walking in hurry when krys stopped me " hey! what happen why are you in hurry?" she was putting her stuff in her locker " nothing krys." i said i knew if i would tell her about everything she would lecture me about not to talk to strangers and all that stuff. " rose nowadays you are becoming so secretive." she said in firm voice " no dear it's just the event giving me headache the management sucks." i said " hmm true but just few days and i also have a good news for you." she said in excitement " i am going for art and culture fest." i was happy krys always wanted to participate in this annual event. " really when?" i asked curiously " dates are yet to come but soon." said krys then we left for the lecture.