Why Did It Happen?

(1)

That day, I was in the library of Magdalen College, Oxford - the day when my life was reborn, only to end in its infancy.  I was reading a book by Paulo Coelho, when I realised that a boy sitting at the far end of the table beside mine, was staring at me. I recognized him. His name was Daniel Smith. He was in my department (Classics and English) but senior to me. I flashed a crooked smile at him and resumed reading my book. All the while I was reading my book, I could feel his intent gaze on me. It made me feel awkward. So, I simply issued the book and planned on reading it in my hostel room (which I shared with my friend from India – Shruti – who came to study in Oxford with me). I hurried out of the building and was heading towards the hostel building, when I heard my name called out from behind, “Hey, Scarlett!”

It was the boy from the library. He came running to me and said, “Hi! I’m sorry for staring at you like that in the library. I had no intentions of making you feel uncomfortable. I just couldn’t get my eyes off you since the day you punched that fellow.”

The boy he was talking of, was a Biomedical Science student and of my batch. His name was John Black. He was a Casanova, and apparently, very attractive (according to all the girls EXCEPT me). He was always surrounded by stupid girls who considered him the epitome of beauty. Instead, for me, he was only a dim-witted and brainless person. The incident Daniel was talking about had occurred a few weeks back, when my friends and I were strolling near one of our college gardens. John happened to be there, too. He was leaning against a tree – quite maliciously- with a look of complacency on his face, which he would carry with himself everywhere. We were trying to ignore him and walk away, when he approached us. I don’t know why, but of all the girls in this world, he started flirting with ME. I told him to back off and stay away from me, but all he did was increase his level of stupidity. He started flirting with me even more. Finally, when I could not restrain my fury, I punched him with all the strength I could muster using my left hand (since left was my dominant and the more powerful side). He fell on the ground, clutching his right cheek. His mouth was bleeding and he was writhing in pain. I crouched beside him, and said in a threatening manner, “Don’t you ever again DARE to come near me, because I don’t really care about the repercussions.” With that, we walked away.

“Well, um, actually, I was, um, quite, afraid of talking to you”, Daniel said, fumbling a lot.  “John Black was in a pretty bad state after that, you see”, he chuckled. Even I couldn’t help laughing a little bit.

“Don’t worry. I won’t do that to you. I don’t like him much and he was misbehaving a lot. Plus, I’m a very short tempered and a no-nonsense type of a girl. That is why I punched him”, I replied.

“Thank God. Well, I have a question to ask you. Although I know what the answer would be, I still want to give it a try.” He paused for a few seconds and then continued, “I really like you. I have seen the rage that wraps you. I have seen your fiery beauty. Now I want to know what lies within. I want to know the real you, not what you show to the world.” Again, he paused, closed his eyes and asked in one breath, “Will you be my girlfriend? I know now what type of a girl you are, but this is what I had initially intended to say and ask and I’m too stupid to alter my lines at the last moment.”

This time, I couldn’t refrain myself, and burst out laughing. My sudden outburst left him completely baffled. “It’s alright. Don’t worry yourself. I’m glad you came and told me everything and simply delighted that someone likes me so much. Yet, I’m very sorry. I have just come to England and have no intentions of indulging in anything that might distract me from my studies; but don’t get disappointed, we can be friends.”  I smiled at him and held out my hand. We shook hands, waved each other goodbye and went our separate ways. This marked the onset of our friendship.

Hi!! I am actually Sanya's friend and this is my first story. I hope you'll like it, and if you do, don't forget to vote and comment ;)
Any sort of criticism is heartily welcomed... And do read the next chapter :)