Chapter 1 : First Eyes

*curtains open*

Nah,

Not that dramatic musical/dance concert hall, glorious and slow red curtain opening.

This is my mom, slamming the window curtains (well atleast it felt that way)

in my room open,

successfully interrupting my beautiful and peaceful sleep.

           "I've been shouting from the kitchen for the past ten minutes, waking even the neighbors up, but YOU sleep like I don't even exist.", she said in a loud voice.

She paused while I sluggishly moved on my bed.

          "GET READY NOW, we're already late for mass."

With the blazing sunlight and mom's rapid fire of words, I couldn't help but get out of bed rather hazy and reluctantly.

              "But mom it's 8 AM", I said lazily, barely getting a glimpse of the clock.

            "Honey we all know you take forever to just button your shirt", she replies going out the room.

I wasn't used to waking up this early, considering my school timings being in the afternoon, and especially on FRIDAYS where here, in U.A.E, is considered a holiday.

It was my 3rd Friday in Catechism for my pre-confirmation classses.

Mom dropped me off to church and I headed towards my class in the church basement.

On entering the class I searched for Malcolm, probably the only friend I had ever since I joined Catechism, and his extremely excited face with that VERY wide smile made him easier for me to spot.

I'd always sit with him, since he happened to be my schoolmate and also, I was never really that much of a social figure.

Luckily our Catechism teacher hadn't arrived yet so, I entered the class without any trouble, and talked to Malcolm.

He was a year younger to me, and was my junior in school.

But nothing ever stopped us from being the best of friends.

Met him back when I was in 8th grade, and 2 years, he's stuck to me and I've had to deal with his annoying ass ever since.

My mom being very religious wanted me to finish my catechism and receive confirmation as soon as possible, so that I could focus on my studies better. This year, being the most important, 10th grade.(Atleast that's what I was told)

All my thoughts are interrupted when the teacher enters the class.

Mr. John D'mello.

A very large but healthy person. Filled with wisdom, in his early 40's happily married and served in the church. Was jolly most of the time but also incredibly strict when it came to teaching.

He wishes us and starts taking attendance.

He comes upon a name which catches my attention.

           "Rose ?", he reads out.

                 "Rose..."    I think to myself.

                       "what a pretty name."

I bend down to tie my now-untied shoe-laces.

There's no reply from anybody in the class.

And as the teacher was about to mark absent, the classroom door slams open.

           "PRESENT SIR!"

A girl, who comes inside the room so hurriedly, right next to where I was seated.

I raised my head.

       "Whoa."

At that very moment, time suddenly seemed to freeze.

There was silence.

She flipped her seemingly messy hair which somehow fell into place perfectly.

Her smile created an unusual but beautiful warmth around the place.

Butterflies in my stomach,

I could see her face even better now, and for some reason, I couldn't get my eyes off of her.

My heartbeat got faster.

What's happening to me?

              "W.....who is she?", I asked Malcolm, with my eyes, still locked into her.