THOSE DAYS

the approval

When I was returning to my home with Harry, I heard a voice calling me . When I turned back , it was Lucas standing with a few bags in his hand. He elegantly approached towards me . just then he came more closer to me and said

"  Catherine! What happened to your shirt ? "
"Oh ! It got dirty when I and Harry were hanging out . you've bought so many things ? "
There were so many bags in his hand and when I looked closely, it contained groceries, daily need things , oil and many more essential things. It looked very heavy for a single person to carry but by looking at Lucas's face , he looked totally normal like it weighted nothing to him. Still I had some conscience so I grabbed some bags from his hands and handed them to Harry to carry . Lucas looked flustered and confused so I told him

" Harry will carry it for you . Furthermore he calls you brother so he must complete his filial duty ."
" It's heavy , let me carry it alone . I don't want to trouble you and Harry with it "
" It's alright, he's just carrying some groceries . Don't belittle him , He can do it . You can also give me some bags . I would be happy if I can help you. You've already done me many favours . Let me help you . "

while the three of us headed towards the colony , Harry and Lucas started chatting

" Brother Lucas, don't belittle my power , you know I won the gold medal in race last year? "
"You're that good ? Catherine, it feels that your whole family is good at running . I envy you"
"I just run fast , not think fast. There's nothing to envy about "
" Sis , you are the only one who's not smart in our family. Okay? "
"You ..."
I was so mad at Harry when he said those words that I could murder him at that point. But since Lucas was with us , I couldn't even say a word to him . I planned on acting like a good , mannered daughter and sister in front of Lucas atleast . I wanted to build a good image of me in his mind so that he would know how suitable are we for each other but in reality, it would just be a proper facade . We were walking quietly while I walked slowly so I could adore that perfect figure of Lucas . His appearance like a holy Greek god gave a chill throughout my body but it was not my fault that God devoted his every second to build a picture perfect figure like Lucas. Just then Lucas asked me

" How's your preparation going for sports meet then ? Arlo said that you already agreed.  "
" I didn't agree. He asked about it today also . Is it that important to you ?"
" To be honest, yes , it is important. We haven't beaten the St. Thomas school till now . It's already been so many years now so Arlo decided to work really hard to win this time to seek revenge. He wants to defeat them this time as it would be his last chance as we're going to college next year. Basically, this match represents our dignity and pride. "
" Maybe....I should join you then "
". You better not . I don't want it to affect your studies . But I can imagine how interesting it would be if we train together."
" You....you think I'm interesting? "
" I think so. You can give me the bags now , my home is here "
" Ohh!! Here you go "
" Thank you Catherine and thanks to Harry too "
" Byee "
All the way back , I could only think about Lucas's words
'

But I can imagine how interesting it would be if we train together.'

I was so happy while those words were ringing in my head continuously. I think I'm really a  Dumbo or a dumbhead just like Arlo calls me .

ARLO'S  POV -

I was waiting for Catherine at the school gate . Second by second, each student passed beside me but I could still not see Catherine. I wondered if she was always this late or was it the fact that I was too early today. The provincial sports meeting was going to be held soon and I wondered if we could have Catherine in our team as she could definitely earn a gold medal for our school and maybe she could be the key to defeat our enemy , St. Thomas school. While I waited, I saw Noah coming towards me . He approached me and said
" It's really a rare view to see you standing here this early "
" What takes Catherine so long ? Where the hell she is when I'm waiting for this long . I've never waited this long for someone in my whole lifetime. "
" Arlo , here's my friendly advice , since you decided to invite her to our team , you need to be nice to hear . And also , you have to be sincere to her later "
" I brought her water and saved her from many troubles . I even thought I'd loose a leg when I saved her and her brother. What else do you expect me to do? "
"But your attitude was lofty when you did those things. Well , sometimes you were sincere "
" And when was that ? "
" When you jeered at her "
" When did I do that ? "
" When you called her fleetfeet , bad student and dumbhead off course. How could she be happy? "
" Is it so harsh to face reality?"
" Listen , it'll be a miracle if she agrees . Couldn't you say something sweet "
" Like what ? "
" Tell her that ' Catherine , you're so pretty and graceful '. "
" Haha..are you kidding. I can't say that against my will to a girl like her . Besides, do you think she'll agree if I say something like that to her ? She knows herself best enough already ."
" Forget it , you better kneel in front of those boys from St Thomas. "
" Okay. I'll do as you say "
" Now we're talking "
" Saying , you are so beautiful and graceful to a girl directly is against my will. I really can't say something like that. It sounds flirty right ?  Others would think I want to go out with her ."
" Fair enough "
"Any other way ? "
" Why don't you just cry and pretend to be pitiful . Girls are kind hearted. Isn't this idea great? "
" Dude , I'm a big man . I .... I... okay I can do it . Just don't give me that face "
Noah was passing a very DISAPPOINTED and DISSATISFIED energy to me with the way he was looking at me . I was going to deny his dumb as usual idea but I had to agree at last . Furthermore, I didn't had a choice. Did I ? And Catherine was not easy . I mean she had her ego standing before anything else. When I used to bully her when she was a newcomer, I thought she was just like a proper country side girl , sweet , gentle , caring , warm hearted and girly but she turned out to be just opposite of my expectations. Because instead, She was bold , passionate, determined and not girly off course. She acted like she was a boy wearing the skin and looks of a girl. Just Then , I took Noah's water bottle and we both splashed that water in our eyes . I thought that it would be a proper facade to pretend with a few fake drops of tears . Just then I heard Lucas calling out for us
" Hey Arlo, Noah. What are you doing here ? . What's up , why are you crying ? "
" Get Outta here . We're waiting for Catherine. We're going to try to persuade her again . Fake tears , you see ? "
"I think we should leave her be . Time's precious for her right now . Don't embarrass her . Besides, it seems she has left already "
" Whatt? She left already "
" Hmm "
" Forget it , let's train ourselves. "
" Come on "

I grabbed both Noah's and Lucas's shoulder and the three of us headed to the school playground. As we reached there and I lifted my head , I couldn't believe what my eyes saw . I saw Catherine and Tiana practicing in the school playground. I thought that I saw it wrong or maybe they were doing their own business but then Catherine saw us and waved at us . I just couldn't hold my smile and my happiness. She finally agreed ! Just then all three of us ran towards her . I had many questions struck in my head and now I think I would feel at ease. Just then I asked Catherine

" Catherine? Why are you here ? "
" I'm training. Didn't you all trained at this time everyday ? What ? You found someone to replace me ? "
" No no no. What changed your mind suddenly? "
" Umm..I..."
" It doesn't matter . Listen to me, fleetfeet has joined us now . We're hard to lose now. "
" Say it again ! Who's fleetfeet? "
" No no nothing . I'm sorry master Catherine , my heroine. Alright? From now on , I'll do whatever you ask me to . I won't beat you . How's it ?"
" Okay , move left right then "
" Knock it off , let's train. Come on "

Sometimes, I think life is full of surprises. It's just that we have to wait for that time to come