The next few days went by in a whirl. It was the usual routine. Wake up – breakfast – class – back home – dinner – sleep. On days that there was no class, they spent the entire day at home, watching TV and cleaning around the house when Papa was not around. And when he was, then reading and staying in the room. On weekends, they all went to the local store nearby to stock up on foodstuff.
Faride combed her shoulder length hair back and packed it with a blue ribbon. It was much smoother now than it was in Nigeria. The weather in KL was doing wonders to her hair, she had noticed. Rubbing her Aloe Vera gel on her palm, she smoothed it over her combed hair. Perfect. It was time for school. Papa wasn't in the sitting room so she put on some powder and mascara, splattered on kajol and brushed back her eyebrow. She still wasn't a pro at makeup talkless of making a good eyebrow so she preferred to simply brush her thin eyebrows to avoid looking like a clown. Finally, she put on a light brown lipstick. For the first time, she thought she looked beautiful as her face looked radiant in the mirror.
It was slightly raining when they arrived at school. Faride ran up the stairs to her class. She was already late. "What happened?" Liu asked her.
"It was raining a bit and I woke up late."
"I wanted to stay in today too. Blame it on the rain." Nur told them before noticing Faride's face. "Ooh. You look pretty."
"Oh please, don't even start." Faride rolled her eyes. It was true though. She was even feeling pretty. Liu nudged her and giggled.
"Have you guys heard that orientation is next week? Finally right?" It was the whole buzz around campus. Faride had heard it from her brother, and they had made a silent pact not to tell Papa. He would simply forbid them from attending. Orientation was supposed to take place months ago when they started classes but due to some admin issues, it was postponed.
"Yass. Everyone's talking about it. Wearing all that gown will be quite cool and all the food." Liu emphasized already imagining the bouquet that would be set out for them.
"Uh-huh. It'll be nice. It's on the 26th. Friday."
"Yeah. Is it taking place in the auditorium?"
"Nah. That's too small for it. I heard there are like thousands of people attending so I think they will communicate a place for us."
Liu sipped her chocolate shake and jumped into telling them what she had heard. "It's going to be in Sultan Ismail. That large auditorium used for gatherings."
"Oh really? You sure?" Nur looked at her, surprised.
"Ohh," was all Faride said. She had never been to any stadium before. Only saw it in movies. And she had absolutely no idea about the one in Sultan Ismail.
Liu nodded. Nur turned back to Faride. "That one that is located behind your condo. Well I know, not literally behind, but you know, not far from it. I bet you can even see it from your apartment."
Faride nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Wow that would be nice. It's a really big one."
"Can't wait! Our orientation." Nur squealed. They all burst into giggles.
After the boring class which none of them listened attentively to, they ran downstairs to grab some waffles before their last class. Faride pulled out the few notes and coins from her tote bag. Would it be enough to buy for Farouq, Hajara and Ibrahim? She did the calculation in her head, her hand working the math in the air before she nodded, satisfied. Her friends were already across the street in the waffle shop. Those girls. She hoped they wouldn't pay for her. They always did that! She wanted to at least pay for everyone today.
Just as she shoved back her money and strapped her bag eager to join them, she bumped into something hard. Ouch! She blew out air, rubbing her arm. Gosh. Look where you're going, girl! Head down in shame, she walked slowly before a deep voice resonated in her ear. "You seem to be in a hurry."
Faride stopped. Did she really hear that? Turning behind her, she saw him leaning again a pillar arms across his chest. What was he doing here? It had been a while. Some days now. And she was forgetting about him. Now, he just arrives here casually. Just like that. Like he owns the whole place. She kept a straight face and greeted him, then walked away.
His urgent footsteps carried behind her. "Hey. It's been a while. How have you been?"
What do you care? Sad? Depressed? Lonely? Angry? Insecure? "Fine." Then after a beat, she added, "you?"
"Okay." They crossed the street together. It was a hazy morning, chilling cold. It had stopped raining and the aftermath was a misty weather.
Liu and Nur gawked at Alessandro. When Faride stood next to them, they nudged her, whispering. "Him again?"
She just shrugged. He was watching them intently. They stood in silence as the waffle man, a friendly Chinese man of about 60 poured the batter in the waffle maker and brought them out, before asking them which flavour they each wanted. Faride took out her money before any of them offered to pay. When she gave the notes to the waffle guy, he simply shook his head. "Already paid for."
She looked at him quizzically wondering what he meant by that. In reply, he pointed behind her. "He paid."
She swung around to see Alessandro with his hard rock face looking back at her. HE paid? But when? She was standing there the whole time. Must be when she was giggling with her friends about the new teacher. But…never mind. Her anger should be aimed at Alessandro. Who did he think he was? Did he assume she could not pay for her own waffle? What impudence! Her face beet red, she walked over to him. At that moment all she could think of was how annoyed she was with him. "You did not need to pay."
"But I did."
Jerk! "I can pay for my own things, thank you very much."
"I know." He knows? Ugh! This was getting annoying. Talking to him was useless. She walked away just as he added, "wanted to do something for you."
Faride rolled her eyes. Do something for her indeed. What was this guy's…no scratch that, this man's endgame? He was annoying her. She walked back to her friends and took some of the packages.
"That man is legit handsome. I'm blown. And that was so gentleman of him." Nur swooned.
"What? Nur, what is wrong with you? He paid for us. As if we couldn't pay for our own selves."
"Yeah, but he was just helping. Wait, I hope you thanked him."
"No. I reprimanded him."
"What? You don't do that." She hurried up to meet Faride's fast strides. They took the steps to their class floor.
"Yeah. I can. And I just did."
Liu chipped in. "I think Faride is right. That man, we don't know him. He has no right to do that. He looks creepy by the way."
"Exactly! Thank God I am not the only one that has seen his dark eyes. Too intent. I don't know, something's off about him."
"You guys can be so…"
"Shh. He's coming." Liu whispered to them. True enough, he was climbing up the stairs.
Please God, make him pass this floor. In a hurry, she distributed the waffles and drinks to her siblings who were lounged on a seat outside the classes. Liu and Nur joined them. "Aren't you joining us?" Hajara asked.
"No, I'm just going to revise some notes for the next class." In truth, she wanted to hide from Alessandro. There were three other classes in the floor, she was sure even if he stopped by, he wouldn't see her.
The class she entered was very cold. Colder than the one she had class in. As she settled on her seat, waffle and drink in front of her, Spotify on, the door opened. At first, she didn't turn. But after a beat, she felt hot. As if someone's gaze was on her. Slowly, she turned. Their eyes met. She felt a flip in her chest, just by looking at those brown eyes. Her impeccable mystery man as here. Again. Oh shit!