Golden hair shining in the sun. Dancing. Fluffing. She moves! She comes!
"A butterfly!" That's what Peter thought at the first glance on Riza. He was sitting on the stairs, wide as the wide entrance door, really not thinking anything. The sky was before him, some trees, and vehicles plying on the road afar. Now his void brain is filled with a picture. In motion. And how!
Riza was coming to college on the first day. She did not know what life lied ahead of her. A mixed emotion engulfed her head. Wonder, new life, new world and the inquisitiveness to know them. She had this mixture of a bit low confidence and grace. The grace comes from acceptance of what is to come. A natural feminine trait.
Peter is not thinking! He got up - like a teenaged tiger. All are blurred. There is this girl before her - and nothing else. A predator in making. Nobody noticed. All were concerned about themselves. He stood before this unknown, hitherto unseen girl at a distance. Riza had to stop.
She looked at him. Observed. Taller and wider than her, standing as tower, every inch of muscles burning in muscular fire. Wearing a yellow t-shirt and faded blue jeans, he was staring at her with eyes mixed with aggression and innocence. A look a woman can never give.
Peter smiled a little. He looked on. Riza thought it's better to move on. She gave a semi-hearty smile and side-passed him. Peter saw a yellow fire moving away, not before sending the heat-waves in his heart.
"Hello." Peter paused. "My name is Peter."
"Hi!" Riza slowed down. Turned her face sideways. Gave a little smile and her white teeth came out. "Riza."
"First year?"
Riza nodded; her eyes giving out the glimpse of ocean.
What Peter felt he wouldn't be able to describe. His heart pounded. Something ran through his body.
"Which class?"
"Economics.''
"Economics! Same here! So we will study together!?"
Riza smiled a little. The boy is a semi-wonder. But she preferred to retain her composure.
"The class begins at 10. This right side building. First room."
Riza nodded. Saw his earnestness to help. His wide, piercing eyes coming out, gave away the eagerness to share, to let her know what he knows.
"Already a hero", Riza thought. In her mind she smiled a little. The lips could not hide it entirely.
Riza was going the other way.
-Where are you going? I told you the classroom is on the other way.
Peter was persistent.
-Cafeteria. I will take some food first.
-I will also. Let's go.
They went together. This boy won't leave me, Riza thought.
- Haven't you have any breakfast?
Riza did not reply. This boy doesn't know my family conditions. She did not want to divulge her family problems to an unknown boy.
- I had a little. There is fire burning in my stomach. Peter smiled, looking at Riza. Riza smiled a little.
- Why did you had little?
- I was in a hurry. I didn't want to get late on the first day.
- Doesn't your mother prepare breakfast for you? Riza was trying to compare.
- She does. I too do occasionally. Generally I do while going to school. Peter paused. Now college. He smiled.
Riza gave out a small smile.
- Good.
This boy knows some responsibility, at least.
At cafeteria they took up a comfortable corner. Long sofas, tables, each table hidden to others by long backrests. Wide hall, against one wall long serving counter, you have to collect the food from there. No service at tables. Beautifully designed, windows all along the walls.
- What would you like to have? Peter queried.
- Why, are you giving me a treat?
- Yes. Peter gave a semi-stare.
Riza became quiet. Peter ordered two grilled cheese sandwiches. They were eating silently. Riza did not know what to say. She could even look properly at Peter. Presence of this taller, wider, white boy gave her an uncanny feeling. She could not look up to his t-shirt, giving the clear hint of a wide chest. Nothing was big anyway, they were bigger then hers, that's all. She could not put her eyes up. She glanced at him and downed her eyes. So she was avoiding eye-contact. Just looking sideways, left and right. Eating brought some peace in mind. She became immersed in her own thoughts. Her home. Her family. Peter was gazing occasionally. How to start up a conversation? His eyes were feeding more than his stomach.
- Where do you stay?
- Eletia.
- Oh! I have gone there. Nice town. So far away college?
- Got chance here. Since this is a good college, thought I should try... Riza twisted her lips a little, bent her head, looked at the bitten end of her sandwich, then lent her wide eyes to the light coming through the glass of the fixed window forward; and her eyes were lost to an unclear future, where dedication is involved.
Peter saw this.
- Ratahan. He said.
Riza looked at him quite wide. Rich man's son, she thought. Ratahan is a posh area.
- What's your family? She asked, taking care not to show her inquisitiveness.
Peter shrugged.
- Me and my parents.
- Only mom and dad! You're the only son?
Peter nodded.
Riza desired to ask his father's profession, she didn't. Too much to ask so early. She was getting interested in the boy.
- What about you?
- Welll... my mother and me. Pop died when I was a child.
- I am sorry.
They were speechless for some time.
- Do you like the sandwich?
Riza gave a fake, beautiful smile. She nodded, her hair danced and glittered. Peter was mesmerized. For two seconds he was dumb. That didn't go unnoticed. Peter attempted to regain his composure.
- We'll have something better, next time.
Riza gave a full look. This boy's already thinking of next time! A twinkling feeling arose in her. She downed her eyes. Why is this happening? Boys come to her. This never happened.
First bell rang for the first period.