Being Enthralling

84. Things never go as they are planned, do they?

ARSEN/ ISAAC'S POV.

It was the spring break of my sophomore year of college when I was dragged into Derek's exclusive party at the tavern. I was annoyed looking at the captain of the Eagles football team sprawled on a rusty chair, being high as a kite. Disgusted, I was about to leave when I heard him mention Diana's name.

I turned to see him scolding Josh. Josh and his girlfriend Violet were close friends of Diana since childhood. Derek was dissing Diana and Josh didn't look amused. He scowled at him and threw some curses at him and left. However, Derek continued to speak ill about Diana. 

At that time, I knew Diana right from managerial accounting class. I was too busy with the football season and I was not aware of the group presentations. Diana being Diana took the lead in the presentation. She prepared the parameters and contacted me via email and I failed to respond to her mail. She patiently waited for me to acknowledge it, when a few days passed and the submission date of the soft copy was nearer she did the one she is good at. She reported about my uncooperative behavior and requested to remove me from the group. My credits got affected because of her. I was mad at her and the professor, but I ignored the whole ordeal.

I hardly used to attend the classes due to which I never knew Diana in person. Although, I was not acquainted with Diana then, I heard about her a lot though. She was well famous in our department than any athlete.

The name Diana Forbes finally got a face when I first saw her on the screen of the auditorium, where her indie film was playing in the carnival festival conducted by the cinematography department. She played the role of a sassy vamp. 

I heard comments like, "The bitchy one is killing it." 

"It's like she portraying her true self."

I heard a lot of positive and negative comments and I on the other hand stood completely motionless. At that moment I couldn't comprehend what I was feeling.

 One thing I was sure that, to never cross paths with her.

But things never go as they are planned, do they? 

Our first encounter was quite interesting. 

I vividly remember that day as if it just happened yesterday.

 A very drunk Diana leaning against the door frame of the art gallery, obnoxiously talking loudly on purpose to repel the opportunistic jerks away. I know about this because she yelled it out loud when she was asked to keep her voice down. I passed by her observing a painting. I glanced at her when she stopped rambling. My heart did a weird jolt, she was looking at me. I quickly averted my eyes. 

I was flipping through pages of the catalogue to understand the story behind a painting when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I craned my neck to see Diana. 

She opened her mouth and closed them. She did it again and sighs. She gulped and mumbled an inaudible apology and sprinted away to the other end of the gallery.  

She is odd.

I left the gallery as I could no longer concentrate on the paintings, she consumed all my thoughts. 

Just when I put my helmet on, I heard her voice which almost gave me a heart attack. 

"I am sorry!"