Three weeks went away like two days. As you know medical students are so packed with lectures, we got little time left with ourselves. We were almost done with entire body genetics and a few practical experiments by now. The teachers were humble and very helpful towards us. Mr Sanger had started with general physiology - it was a subject full of mechanisms of different parts in the human body. Miss Giselle was our Biochemistry teacher; she had started with cell biology - it was quite interesting and easy to learn.
I used to meet Matt occasionally but the time we spent was worth it. Matt used to tell me that they had subjects like Indian economy, finance, business management and corporate accounting in their fifth semester. I realized It was better to hang out with a person from an opposite field - we always had new topics to discuss or debate on. He talked about how Miss Lusiana tried to crack jokes in between their businesses management classes; and how the class would go silent right after. It was humorous. I would tell him my classroom stories and he would listen to them with patience.
Thursday, 30th July...
Two days were left before the "The Highway Fest", thus we girls gathered at one of the classrooms of the Arts department in the evening as planned. It had been about three weeks on this campus and Flare had learnt everything in her department except for the actual study part. She was quick-witted and always kept seeking attention. We could feel it in her demeanour. I tried not to get bothered by her attitude; keeping it cool had become my survival motto.
When we stepped into the room, we saw seniors from miscellaneous departments and also people of our age working together to complete the tasks assigned to them. Matt was there too. He smiled when he saw me enter.
We were entrusted with different tasks. Flare was told to take care of the wall charts. Betty was given the lettering part for the banners of the fest. Linda was acquainted with stacking all the scripts for the talent show. I was asked to create some origami star boxes and paper balloons ( as I was good at making them) as showpieces for the event.
Dan handed me some colourful papers to work with; soon I found a spot at the corner of the room and started getting crafty.
As a kid, I loved origami. I remember when Grandpa first bought a laptop home, I was surfing the web when I found an article based on origami - "Origami" - the Japanese art of folding paper into beautiful shapes and 3D models without the use of scissors or glue. The subject interested me the second I read about it.
"Fold" ... "Press your thumb"...
"Interfold"...
"Fold" ... "Press your thumb"...
"Interfold"...
"Fold" ... "Press your thumb"...
"Interfold"...
"Fold" ... "Press your thumb"...
"Interfold"...
"Fold" ... "Press your thumb"...
"Interfold"...
"Ta da !!" I said excitedly as my first set of creations was done. 20-star boxes were ready. And 20 paper balloons were yet to go. Everyone gave a deep stare (as if I made a sort of crime ). I guess I interrupted while they focused deeply on making the models. Matt simply showed me a thumbs up.
I took a 5-minute break. My lips were dry, so I applied some Vaseline and kept it under the side table. Half an hour more and I was done. I drank some water from my bottle and looked around stretching my hands a bit.
Flare was discussing the charts on the soft board and needed something to tag the chart onto it. She noticed I had a clutch on my hair. We made eye contact. Without a second thought, she came near me.
"I'm taking your clutch to tag the chart on the board; don't mind me," she said quietly taking out the clutch from my hair.
"Hey, what about my hair! " I spoke up a bit louder, as my hair started flying around here and there.
I usually put up a bun or a clutch to prevent my hair to wander off (and now she took it off). It was annoying.
"Keep it open for a while, " she answered (less bothered by the acquisition).
I had a hard time folding paper with one hand and holding my long brunette hair on the other hand.
Matt saw me irritated with the flying hair; unable to complete the task at hand properly. He promptly asked Prince for a spare thick red ribbon that was lying on the table and then came near me. He stood behind me and gently slid the ribbon underneath my hair and began tying a knot. His delicate touch gave me a shiver as I didn't expect this at all. I looked up. His eyes told me - it was okay. He tied me a ponytail with the ribbon.
That was so thoughtful of him.
Everyone cringed, staring and gossiping; some even clicked pictures.
"Now your hair won't fly," he said facing me.
"Yes thank you, you didn't have to -,"
"It's okay, stay focused and complete your task . We'll hang out later ".
"Yes, "I muttered.
Flare gave me a face seeing Matt having a small chat with me. I didn't care much.
In some time, I finished making paper balloons as required for the decorations. I was now exhausted.
"Good work people! " Dan encouraged and handed out a small water bottle to each of us.
Everyone had completed their tasks.
.
.
.
.
.
.
We girls left the Arts department; when I heard someone call my name; I looked around.
"Grace!" Matt yelled running towards us.
He took a breather and continued speaking.
"Is this vaseline lip balm yours ? " he asked.
"Yes, how did you know this was mine?
" I asked (embarrassed).
He placed it on my palm and folded it, giving a slight jerk.
"When I tied your hair I saw it under the side table," he said.
"Yes I forgot it there, " I said (rubbing my forehead).
He smirked and then ran back to the classroom.
I couldn't put a finger on his weird smile - what was he thinking? God, why are boys so complicated to understand.
As we walked, Betty began teasing, "How cute is he! Wow Grace you got your admirer so soon, " she said elbowing me.
Flare walked off swiftly.
Linda giggled.
I gave a stare to Betty so that she stopped using her brain on useless topics. She understood my stare and shut up eventually.
I continued redoing my hair bun with the spare rubber band given by Linda. We got to our rooms and were again in our solitude world.
When I unlocked my phone I had received a bunch of texts on WhatsApp; one of which was Matt's. His text made me laugh; All the girls gave me a weird look. Maybe they knew all along that we were getting closer but none of them stepped into my privacy (except for Flare).
"So you've been texting him? " Flare said trying to glance at my phone.
"Umm it's just about the Highway Fest," I said quickly switching off my phone.
"Is it! Oh okay then," Flare scoffed as she moved to her allotted bed.
I sighed in relief. It was tiring to debate with a person who was too self-obsessed.
The Philosopher
( Today )
"Good Night!!!
[I hope your hair is not Flying Now :)] "
"Yes, I have made a hair bun now, so my
hair is not flying. Thanks for the Ribbon."
"Good Night Matt!"
I then peeked at the red ribbon (that I had saved in my pocket) one last time, and went to sleep (putting my phone on silent mode).
***Author's note
The illustrations are self-made by me 🥰
If you are liking the story so far do press the star button and comment your views.
***Spoiler alert
Does everything happen as planned in the highway fest? Or do they get tangled up in unsaid words and emotions?
Stay tuned 💬