First Impressions

Chapter Five

It's Sunday night and I am lying on my bed reading 'The girl in the window'.

Life changes so drastically. Doesn't it? I miss my old friends, so badly. Keeping the book down, I take out my other phone, the one that portrays my life earlier, before coming here. I open my gallery and go through all the pictures.

You are not here for your entire lifetime, Rhea. Just a matter of few.....weeks? Months?
But well now it seems I will have to extend my days here.

I walk towards my desk to check on my assignment to be authorised by Proffesor Rao. I have finally completed it.
Feeling accomplished, I open my physics book. I am in quite high spirits right now. The joy of doing something to your mind's satisfaction is unmatchable.

Auntie and Uncle are leaving for the relative's house on Wednesday. And for a few days I will be all alone at home.
Food wouldn't be a problem since the maid would be there everyday preparing the day's meal for I am so terrible at cooking. Thinking about them, I feel that I am more of an interference and trouble to them.
I wish I could find a place for myself instead of perturbing them in this house. Should I talk to Neha? Finances won't be a problem at all.

I am already done with the dinner. I should be going to sleep early. Just one small intext exercise and I shall go sleep for night is the time I am able to study well, with utmost attentiveness.

After about one hour or so I am done with the in text questions and decide to sleep. I keep all my stuff in my backpack, take out my glasses and soon drift off to sleep.

***

I hear the irritating sound of my alarm while I am sleeping like a log under the covers with the blanket fully covering me, including my head and realize that it's time to wake up from my beauty sleep. I hate the sound or to be precise the noise of my alarm, it's way too vexatious.
Still not opening my eyes, I stretch my hand,my right arm to try to reach the alarm and somehow manage to switch it off. Lying there for a minute or so I finally manage to open my eyes.

Getting up from the bed, I open the curtains and let the bright morning sun extend its sunshine onto the room.
I look into the mirror to see myself. My hair is all messy and I look like a zombie. Well, let me tell you all that this is how I wake up every single morning since I don't belong to a television commercial.
I am still looking at my mirror image, wondering how I have changed myself when I hear a knock followed by her voice, ''Rhea, have you woken up darlin'?''

"Yes Auntie" I reply.

"Get ready quickly and I'll have your breakfast prepared"

After I am done having a bath and wearing a sky blue tunic matched with white leggings, I grab my backpack and move out of the room not before having a quick glance at the mirror. My hair is tied into a braid today instead of the usual pony.
I realize I have forgotten my glasses and pick it up from the bedside table and wear it. Way to go Rhea!

I sit at the dining table and auntie serves me Poha. I admire her skills and after finishing my breakfast, tread out of the house to the bus stop.

Catching a not-much crowded bus I reach Hill Valley on time hoping not to encounter Raghav Khanna or any of his friends.
I spot Neha, Piya and Swati from the distance and tread towards them. They seem to be engrossed in a conversation to even bother to look in and around them.

I walk towards them and they finally spot me and welcome me with gleaming smiles. As soon as I reach their spot they speak in unison, "Heyy"
"Hi" I utter returning their smile which changes to curiosity when I hear another person's louder 'Hi' from somewhere behind them, well I guess it came from right behind them. I can't see the person's face properly since the girls are clouding my view.I twitch my eyebrows and try to look through the girls. His forehead and eyes are partly visible. However I am still not able to see who he is.
Hearing the other voice from the behind it doesn't even take them an instant to spin their heads round in the opposite direction. I can't see their faces. "Heyy" they both greet him back.