Life changes. Either ever so slightly or abruptly or gradually, but it does; and so do personalities. But souls know no alterations. It was all so the matter of eons when fate smile innocuously at the idea of the higher power; the script and souls were aligned. I don't know if it would be wise to ascribe a chronological pattern to whence the play was unfolded or leave it to a realm of guesses, but either way, it all crashes down to this story. Arleen was insensitive to her normality as a teenager .She was a girl with no inclination for dependence and was thus, out there, paving the way to make a place for herself in the world. Neither the dull routine nor the harsh trials could fail her features to sharpen but they certainly casted a mist upon her inborn personality. The real she was screened off, to such a point, where she'd simply glided in and out of a crowded room unnoticed. This kind of destiny was hanged around her neck with no notice on her part. And she lived, one could say, happily.
"The essay's done, my organic question's all covered up ...Oh! And I've got a few math issues to clear up with that prat" She was muttering to herself while scratching the innocent paper she was busy deciphering a few moments before when her phone rang up.
" 'sup?" came an excited voice
"Uhm...I'm a bit caught up" Arleen replied drily
Marz hesitated for a few seconds and then exclaimed, her usual flamboyant self showing:
"Oh! Drop it! Listen, I've got a plan"
"Fire away" muttered Arleen
"We could just put off the physics session for Wednesday" marz said
"And what about my chemistry coaching?" snapped Arleen back
"Oh well, we'll have the second physics session which will end early enough, on Saturday for you..."
"Saturday what??" interrupted Arleen
"Uhm ...you remember you'd told me there was one session on Saturday afternoon?...well ,never mind" marz was struggling to find the right words .
"Uh! Right...Yeah, well, I can do that! Thanks love"
"okayyyy"
Arleen's boat was being steered round a huge iceberg at a breakneck speed, noiselessly enough to avoid drawing her attention. Or if she was honest with herself, the uproar caused by her own pursuits silenced every other significant issues. Arleen was jogging between her papers that Friday night .It was past midnight and breezy. Slumber overtook her till she woke up to a new day. Saturday, as anticipated, was a dull, gray morning and the gust of wind messed with anyone who dared to cross its path. She thought she saw someone waving at her but cared not to stop. A voice startled her: "heyyyyyyy"
It was Marz and the delight of meeting up soon echoed down the deserted lane.
"You've turned up so early!" Marz was all smiles.
"I was hoping to see you already curled up in the lab" frowned Arleen
"There's still a full 30 minutes "pouted Marz, "we can perhaps discuss our practical data "
"Er...right. And in case you haven't noticed, your sandals look great all soaked up in mud!"
The two girls made their way into the static atmosphere of the class and were fully engaged till they had to part ways, while making their way down a small lane reaching a shabby-looking room at the far end. While entering it, the overwhelming sense of boredom dawned upon Arleen .She couldn't explain to herself as to why she'd not yet blown up the small classroom.
Glancing over her shoulders, she watched the other students worming into the class. One familiar feature passed by. Later she realized he was the one whose gaze met hers few months earlier .Ezekiel. It was an awkward encounter, yet bathed in recognition. Recognition of what, she wondered? Oh! The silly things which cross one's mind at times. This class makes a market place sound much decent and on Arleen went to make the most out of the madness of her syllabus content. As luck would have it, one fine day, he picked up an offhand conversation:
