He stretched his arm towards me ,and his other arm was holding the handle of the jeep's door.
"I think she needs a lift the most at this moment, doesn't she? So I think I'd like to drop her instead of you. And as you said your looks work for you,...so I think you can get another lift ,ok? Can you leave this place? '' With a straight forward attitude Adrian showed her the way out of the jeep and at the first look, she thought she heard something wrong ...but after a couple of minutes she understood that she was getting kicked out of Adrian's jeep, with manners. And with disgusting looks thrown upon me ,she comes down and with an anguish manner, she closes the door rudely.
After listening to disrespectful statements about her beauty, she rudely leaves the place, which left me stunned. Adrian got my hand and with a charming smile he asked me to get in, by being a gentleman, first he let me sit and then get in the driver's seat.
I was still confused whether it was real or if I was daydreaming. All the girls of the campus stare at me with an amuse expression, as we're passing by the campus road all eyes are following us and especially me .I couldn't listen to their words but it can be understandable that they are saying,
"Oh! that girl ....she's with Adrian," of course, he is Mr. Popular after all.
" Are you okay? " he asked me with his sweet smile. As I was busy seeing people's faces out there, with a soft tone I answered,
" Yeah!.....um..yeah I'm okay. Thanks for the lift."
with a soft laugh he replies,
" I think you never took a lift.....this is the last line you say after I drop you at your place, ....and no need of Thanks, it was not safe to walk alone near the woods. The cases are increasing insanely like the temperature of Antarctica. And as you were going through this...,Why don't you inform the teacher about this behavior she showed you? ".
"I don't think complaining will help me, cause I won't be the first one to complain and…,after so many people complain about her .I can't threaten her with this, cause it's a regular scenario for her. So I thought to handle it in my own way. "
I answer him with a soft tone but why I was smiling stupidly, I don't know why.?.And he listened to me patiently with a friendly look.
"Oh my!.." I exclaim in my mind.
On the way, I feel the cool Breeze on my face with my eyes slightly closed.
" So which place is your favorite in Valmot? I think you haven't seen it nicely." he asked me .
" Umm...actually I didn't see any places or spots till now ,as we are still settling the things up …,and I only know my neighborhood nicely " I answered him with hesitation.
"Really? you didn't see anything till now...it's okay if you're free now. I would like to give you a tour of this place..,I know it better than anyone else as I lived here for a long time. `` he asked out while driving the car and my mind.
" Really! like I don't want to bother you..( actually I was thinking it's the best idea I have ever heard) it's not so necessary? " with a formal way and a fake face of disagreement I answered him.
" No,you never bother me. It will be my pleasure.."..and a small smirk appears on his face.
Why are these words catching me so much?....and with a blushing smile I agreed with his idea. He drove me out of the woods towards the beach, he showed all historical old places, and his playing parks .We roamed in all the libraries and I collected all the books together which I'd need to complete my assignment. And you know what was special about this tour, its him. I see the enthusiasm and the knowledge he was holding in his brain, his knowledge and skills amused me in every sense.
Is he so good to everyone? or especially me?....No..no!.. ...that can't be .He just flows his knowledge with his kind words at every place we visit, and I was just following his lead with my head down, blushing. I got into every place he saw me..and at last, he took me to the beach. Can a drive to unknown places bring so much excitement? or this is because of his Aura. This question arise in my mind. He parked the jeep at the side of the Seashore from where, the scenery can been seen clearly. The beautiful long waves ,the tweeting of birds and the cloudy weather from where the sun was playing hide and seek.
Whatever is this feeling..but I can say it is the best feeling I ever felt. It feels so good when someone's focus is all over you .He showed me the place where my father works. And I acknowledge the ground which was mentioned by papa …,but I can't find him there .
And when he asked me to come over the beach, I felt like I was in the movie. It wasn't a date ,because I never know what a date is like; but if ever I go on the date I wish to be everything the same as it is now. And if the person is also the same then, it will be better. However, I know I'm asking more than my luck limit.
As I walk down to join him, suddenly at that time my phone rings.
I picked up and it was my mom's call . She was calling me back home because half of the furniture which was on pause arrived today.
I informed him about my urgency and he didn't mind dropping me home....with a cherishing smile we left that place.
On the way back, I gathered my confidence and asked him,
" Do you use picstagram?...because by mistake..I sended you a friend request."
" Yeah ,I use It rarely..and what do you mean by ' by mistake '? You don't want to send it?". He asked me teasingly.
"No.!..I don't mean that..I mean Mr.Rockwon't like it, if we become friends..so I thought it would be a bad idea " I answered him swiftly clearing his doubts. And he laughs at my reply,
" Don't worry, I won't tell him." he replies with a soft tone. We arrived at my house and what I saw astonished me.....why is he here?
On The road back home . I never felt so good on a drive, now I guess why people prefer to go on a long drive. And his sweet behavior was enough for me to enjoy the moment. We entered Natise street, and he parked his jeep in front of
Mrs.. Latina's house . He walks out and takes the bicycle and slowly keeps it on the road without putting much effort .
" Thanks, for dropping me and for your .....tour ,I had fun.."..I say to him with a cherishing smile.
" Yeah...even me ..,and if next time you need any help ,please ask me without hesitation...,okay! And really ...the truck is loaded with the furniture, you may need extra help? This shifting work isn't easy as it seems to people"...he replies to me while seeing the truck and my father unloading the things.
I walked some steps ahead holding my cycle, and he followed me to drop me at the doorstep. I didn't think that was needed...but It felt good,..as we stand at the door ,a familiar voice lands in our ears. Nope ,it was not of my dad's ; I turned and sync my front yard and found the place from were this voice was coming, and I can't believe in my eyes and I'm sure nor Adrian can,..it was Mr.Rockhelping out my dad ,in unloading the things and settling them.
Tight Black t-shirt and blue jeans, waving his hair, seems like shooting an advertisement. He was giving orders and commanding around the workers as if it was his household work…., to where and how to keep things. It's shocking for me and I'm just trying to think that it's an illusion or a bad dream. For a moment ,I freeze in my position.
Questions raised, " You and me were okay,....so why him? Why us?"
" How interesting does it sound when someone acts fully suspicious but still you do not recognize it and follow their given words? It was weird ,but it was the hints universe was passing to me to make my guard up. But you need eyes and a present of mind to sense them. And when you're blindfolded by over optimistic thoughts and filtered shades on your eyes. Then even the almighty can show you the way. I should have sensed the fishy smell in their acts. However, I failed to sense as it was the first time I was given attention by someone, who unexpectedly came into my life and I let them in, in my lonely life." While recording at the present time , Ana shares her view and again gets into the memories of the past and keeps recording them ,in the dark night.
……..
Back when I was spending my time with Adrian beautiful, then every issue, every problem disappeared from my mind; however after watching Mr.Rock at my place, my mind went blank.
For a moment ,I freeze my legs in my position,
" ANA..,Ana...( a hand shaking my shoulder) Ana! ."
Adrian's voice brought me back from my muse world and made me realise that it's not an illusion.
" Yeah!...I'm here. Sorry ...I,..I was just thinking about something"..I answered him while locking my eyes on Mr... Rock.
" Did you know that...he is coming to your place?, and why is he working with your father? " He asked me the questions which were running through my mind.
" I'm answerless now."
Adrian gave a loud call to Mr.Rock, to get to know his answers. As soon as Mr.Rock's eyes landed on us ,with a straight cold look he walked towards us …,furiously.
" What are you doing here?..and why with her?" Mr.Rockasks straight to Adrian with a serious look on his face. I sealed my lips tight with a shocking reaction.
" I just came here to drop her..,but what are you doing here?" Adrian answered him with a friendly tone and asked my words.
Between our conversation, Papa walks in with an energetic vibes,
" Hey ,Ana...you're late...and ( he noticed Adrian behind me) Who are you? " He asks Adrian.
" Hello, sir, ...I'm Adrian Storm,...I'm..."
"He is Mr.Rock's best friend! " I interrupted.
" Whose!?....Mr.Rock? '' Papa painted his face with confusion. Mr.Rock Glared his eyes upon me,
" I.., I.., I mean..Lucas's best friend and my classmate ..,he helped me today as my cycle ditched me again...,he came up to drop me." I explained to him ,clearing his doubts.
"Lucas's friend!..and your classmate..,means that you and Lucas are also In same class.." .
"....Yeah ,we're in the same class." with disappointment in my tone and with a fake smile I answer his question.
" Young man ! Thanks for dropping my daughter safely, ( turning toward me)..sweetie, you have such supportive friends, and I did not know that you and Lucas knew each other.
( Turns towards Adrian) Come in at least have a glass of water…,I have some work to do. Before evening I have to unload everything ..so I leave now.".Papa shared his friendly words and left towards the unloading work of the furniture.
" If I'd have known that this man is your father, I wouldn't have come here."...Mr.Rockshowers his threatening words at me again.
" Dude, Relax!..But how do you know him?..and you..,I mean 'Lucas' is helping Ana's father...I mean it's good!..but how did you end up here?" Adrian asked him from standing out of the main gate of my house.
" He plays football with us on the beach...and for many days we were sharing a good bond ,and today when he told us about this as he was unable to get workers as required...so I thought to help him...but! here I get to know that he is my neighbor!. And mom was seeing all this ,so she ordered me to help them as she thinks I 'owe an apology to someone '( glare his eyes on me).
So I'm here helping him. I leave now…,there are many articles and artifacts to place, and as mom has an eye on me."....after clearing our questions he leaves.
Seeing him working, I feel quite happy or I can say a little cunning smirk on my face tells all the story.
" Come in..,now my father has also asked you. Please have a seat ...I will feel better. It will be like.....thanking you...and if you didn't come ,it will mean that you didn't accept my thanks. So what do you think? " I appeal to him in a straight tone.
" I will if you ... invite me in.."Adrian speaks with a strange tone.
"I mean I...did it now....don't tell me you need a hand written Invitation?" I interrogate him in a funny way.
" I mean you...have to say it 'three times'. Say ' I, Ana rai..invite Adrian storm at my home '. " .....
Three times.....it's weird!
" Say it three times..." Adrian says in a polite tone.
"But why three times? " I ask as the appeal made by him was awkward.
"If you say it,..then only I can step in, in your residency. If you can't, I think I may leave now ! " He gives every response he can give, but I was still unable to get it, but if it is his wish...and if I want to say thanks properly, So let's do whatever he says.
'' Ok, I'm Ana ,invite you to my house. I'm Ana, invite you ,Adrian, to my house. I'm Ana, invite you and your whole family to my house!. Now okay?" I do it in a friendly manner.
" Why my whole family? " Adrian asks with a smirk.
"Cause....., if in future I invite your family to my house, so we don't waste our time on this." I responded with a smile which I was having from the time he gave me lift.
" OK!..,may I...?" Adrian ask at my main gate to get in, and I say ,"Of course"
He gets inside in the front yard and sees Lucas working really hard..,as he sees the time is less for the dull sky. He asked me if he could help me settle things. And I, I was speechless; 'cause how can someone be so energetic after a whole tough school, a tour of the half of the island, after driving so long without eating or drinking anything?. I made him wait and went to ask my father if he could help? And as I mentioned this in front of him( my father),...he readily agrees. Reason was clear, because the workers were afraid to work in this locality after evening as..the wild animals attacks were increasing. I tell him that Papa agrees to take his help and he takes off his coat and hands it over to me , rolls over his sleeve and gets into the work with Lucas.
They both were working so passionately and perfectly as if it is their house and their responsibility and I am? ; standing at the corner of my front yard as if I'm a stranger or a person who doesn't belong here. It was pretty embarrassing.
As it was hurting my self dignity, I took a step to help , ...but then I realized that my body is tired, and I'm not as patient as Adrian or Mr.Rock. I'm peckish and need a floor to lay down my body and give a rest to my spine. I walked in ,and moved my steps heading towards upstairs to my room, as the first floor is quite settled. I take a shower and change my clothes, coming in my casual clothes. Oversized peach t-shirt ,and I stopped my hand moving towards shorts, 'cause I thought It would be quite weird to go down in this attire as they are working ; especially in front of Adrian.
I hop in my pants ,and usually I don't see the mirror after getting ready in the house but……,I checked three times today. I don't know why...it may be because of him. I happily walk down and stop in the middle of the stairs after seeing four strong arms with all the muscles and cuts holding our bed ' Easily' and putting it inside my mom and dad's room. I won't lie but...They looked like a model or an actor, and I was syncing them like a fool. Stupid me. Within a few minutes, all things were settled in their proper place ,and me and the whole family were admiring their astonishing strength.