A Match for Me

Chapter 3: "Looks Familiar"

                                       Nelly.

I had a very busy morning. It was Monday and it was my turn to be in the Student Center. We have an English tutoring program for all students every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It is a very helpful program I must say. As a native Spanish speaker country, a lot of college students still don't know how to construct English essays. Reason why we, English major students are pushed by our dean to be part of this program.

Today, most of the students I helped were in engineering, either chemical, electrical, or mechanical. I wonder why. Maybe their professor pushed them a little harder on this subject.

I was writing something for my physical education schedule when I heard someone called my name.
"Hi Nelly, how are you?"
"Hi Sam," I answered raising my head, actually I was not expecting to see him here today.
"I am fine. How about you? Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked.
"I'm good, he is the one that need some help" He said pointing his finger at the person that was maybe a few meters away from him. And there I noticed his companion. He looks familiar, I just don't know where I saw him. I give him my usual smile, but he just ignored it but I take no offense, I cannot judge him in just single encounter.
He is thin, maybe 5'10 or 11 tall, with thick eyeglasses. He looks brilliant in it in fairness, and I can say he is handsome, just that his beauty is not eye-catching, especially that he looks so serious and pale. He has a mysterious quality that makes one drawn to him. I tried my best to recollect where I saw him, but nothing came to me at the moment.
" Nelly, this is Val. He is my friend and he is also attending our church meeting, he is new like you for just maybe a couple of months. Val, this is Nelly Anne. I guess you already saw her in our Sunday service" Sam introduced us to each other pulling the shirt of Val to come nearer to us.
"Hola, mucho gusto," Val said reluctantly and a wave of his hand. He got a nice husky voice.
"Hi, nice meeting you too" I greeted him back and turned to Sam "How can I help?"
"He has an assignment in English and it is due tomorrow before 12 noon, and unfortunately I cannot help him as I already have things scheduled for today, and I remember you, working here. Maybe you can lend some help? " Sam explained.
" Yes, of course!" I answered to Sam and looked at Val. "What do you need to do?"
"Ahh.. I.. I... I," he said, stammering and before I can say anything he already said,"Excuse us  for a second," and then he pulled Sam to the corner and they had this discussion that from where I  am I can tell its a serious matter. Then, after a long while, he came back alone with confidence and a brighter face. Sam smiled from a far, waved his hand and left the room, which I wonder why.

Val handed me his notes and I was amazed by his letters. It was too neat for a man. I looked at him and found that he was staring at me. I felt a little bit uncomfortable, so I cleared my throat and suggested to him some things he could do for his assignments.
He seems more relaxed now, and not pale anymore. Instead, I noticed that his ears are red. He started working on his essay and after more or less 40 minutes, he bid me goodbye.
"Thank you Nelly. Nice to finally meet you.I hope this is not the last" he said in a low voice. I smiled at him and said,
"You are welcome at anytime." He looks a little strange since he came back from his discussion with Sam, I cannot help but marvel what happened there.

**Mid-afternoon**

" Nelly, tomorrow at 4:30 in the afternoon after class, same place as last week," Oscar reminded me from one corner of the room.
" Okay,bien. cuídate " I answered back, meaning "okay,good,take care". Oscar is one of our seniors. He is one of the in charge of the activity we will be doing tomorrow for our community service. I have been part of this activity since I attended the church meeting.
"Tu tambien," meaning "you too," he said back and left. I don't know how to explain it but I feel excited for tomorrow's meeting.

******
It's already past 5 o'clock in the afternoon. I started my way heading home.
I hope the Bus is not full this time, sometimes it got too full that we need to wait for another bus and today I cannot afford to do that, mom is waiting for me for our family dinner.