Chapter 7 - Passing By

The smell of freshly cooked eggs lingered in the dinning room while the appetising breakfast beckoned from the table. But for Anaya the smoke swirling out from the stove was much more fascinating, reminding her of old times when everything was so much simpler and she was content even if still haunted by the past or some kind of unpleasant matters.

Her mama always hummed an unknown tune while making Paratha and eggs. Her foster mother on the other hand turned cooking into a lesson, her voice filled with love and patience as she taught Anaya the subtle precision and nuances of cooking. Sometimes, her foster father would join in, their kitchen clamouring with laughter and joy, decidedly different from the silence of her birth home even if similarly comforting.

She missed those times, the nostalgia a bittersweet ache. She missed her foster mother's teaching, her funny phrases and unconditional love even if she wasn't their child. She missed those shared breakfast, filled with cosy comfort and soulful laughter. Eggs had always been a constant on their table, a symbol of those happy mornings. Now, with them gone, she found herself losing her appetite for everything, eggs included.

Maybe, she thought, she should simply start to stop investing extra in food; it will be beneficial for her dwindling financial state anyway.

"Sounds like a plan," Anaya decided, wiping away the traitorous tears that escaped from eyes. It was of no consequence anyway.

Having a half hearted breakfast that she mostly forced herself to eat, she picked her books and left for college university.

The morning air was colder than usual, Anaya tightened the coat around her and observed the gathering fog in the hallway and grounds of university. She was sure there was not as much fog on her way to college but maybe she was too busy studying her notes to pay attention to the weather and surroundings.

A frown creased her face as she realized something was off. The air had a strange chill to it and if the cold fog against her skin was not proof enough then she could feel it in the wind, and then there was the strange emptiness of college. Not emptiness as in empty but the lack of usual activity. Sure there was that girl standing by the pillar engaged in a conversation on her phone and a couple of friends lounging by the tree, but the usual hub hub was missing as if the majority of students were busy in something important.

It wasn't like she disliked cold weather, she absolutely loved fog and enjoyed snow but it was just the extreme cold that made her feel absolutely miserable. The cold brought strange nostalgia, feeling similar to being back home after years. And paradoxically, the weather reminded her of the emptiness in her life.

Besides her body wouldn't cooperate with her either, unable to withstand much cold. Her feet and hands would forever remain cold, a lingering effect of the anxiety that happened to be her childhood legacy.

As she neared the hall, she could barely see beyond the fog and gave up the effort to see where everyone was so much busy. It wasn't like it was any of her business anyway. So, off to her first class.

Just as she took a step forward, she almost knocked into someone. Internally, she cursed at the newly acquired habit of clumsiness but outwardly she raised her head to apologise only to forget to breath and she found herself staring into the most ordinary eyes that somehow seemed so unique and important she had no idea what that meant. For a long moment, hazel eyes got lost in the depths of onyx ones.

Realising that she was staring, Anaya snapped into reality and mumbled an apology, avoiding looking at him after her blunder. She hurried towards her first class only to be intercepted by Arohi.

"Hey you met the new guy" Arohi squealed dramatically, bringing a frown on Anaya's face.

"New... What?" Anaya asked to gather her wits after the strange meeting, if only Arohi had given her a moment of reprieve. She was too out of sorts to have coherent thoughts.

Arohi was jumping on her feet as she animatedly gestured behind Anaya and repeated her words: "The new guy."

Anaya stared at her baffled. Her mind was processing slowly and for a moment she wondered whether Arohi had gone mad.

"See, everyone's going mad about him," Arohi continued, gesturing around them once again. This time, Anaya noticed people talking and pointing somewhere. Some eyes lingered on her too for odd reasons, Anaya frowned in confusion. "You should've seen Natasha's face when you talked to him, however brief it was."

It took another minute for Anaya to finally put the context to Arohi ramblings. It seemed that the black-eyed guy was the new dude in college and the center of everyone's attention. And of course her brief apology had attracted attention because apparently it was a big deal for odd reasons.

Really people are too messed up sometimes.

Anaya rolled her eyes at the absurdity of it all.

"What's the fuss about him anyway?" she asked dismissively, adjusting her bag on her shoulder and starting towards her class. Her mind already wandering away with thoughts of lessons and assignments.

"The fuss huh?" Arohi giggled at the wording seemingly thrilled. "So you don't think anything about him either eh? Good for you. It's not worth the fuss anyway. Except for Natty Natasha's face of course."

Arohi let out another cackle of laughter absolutely reliving the memory of Natasha's reaction. Anaya sighed with a shake of head, already aware of her obsession with Natasha. Not that it was Arohi's fault either. Really. From what she gathered after listening to long stories from Arohi, Natasha was her friend back in school days; a fashion enthusiast but sharing Arohi's attitude for not giving a damn about the world and the shitty thoughts of its residents. A classic friendship of the opposite attracts or whatever nonsense. Until of course the things turned sour and the glam of college turned Natasha into a stuck up bitch.

Secretly, Anaya wondered if she was always bitch and simply hid it well from Arohi.

"Well the guy is absolutely handsome and definitely rich," Arohi was still answering her question and she forced herself to pay attention. "And new, so naturally, everyone is falling over themselves to get in his good graces." She snapped her fingers with a dramatic eye roll, projecting her distaste for everyone's behaviour.

Well, Anaya could relate to that reaction. That was something they both had common for apparently different reasons. Arohi doesn't give damn to rich guys or guys in particular because she herself had too much money to give a damn about such stuff while Anaya doesn't give care about men in general for reasons, uh, a bit complicated but yes no care whatsoever.

In the busy life of university, Anaya completely forgot about the stranger and those striking onyx eyes. Even when she had the evening all to herself, it being a day off from the café. She spent the evening completing her English assignment and reliving the moments she thought quite forgotten.

It wasn't until much later, late at night when something finally happened to remind her of the dark eyes as black as starless night.