Foolish Games.. (1)

I’d love to say it was one of those “love at first sight” things, but as palpable as the instantaneous attraction was, the most overwhelming feeling was annoyance. Supreme, unparalleled annoyance. We met in November, unofficially of course. It was around the time mid-terms were starting at uni and I was in the Sultan Centre getting study food for my cram session with my best friends Ritaj and Haifa. I left the house in the hurry in jeans and a huge pullover with Cornell emblazoned on it, my father’s Alma Mater <3 I was vaguely aware of something holding up my hair but I made no effort to check if it was still intact before rushing out.

I parked my car in the first empty space, went inside and proceeded to dump various contents of junk food into my basket. While I was debating whether I should get ginger cookies or chocolate chip, I felt holes boring the back of my head, I’ve always considered myself a bit of a clairvoyant, but it doesn’t take a psychic to acknowledge that the sudden rush of heat I felt is that which can only be brought on by sombody’s intent stare. I casually turned my head to the right and saw him.

He didn’t even attempt to keep up the pretense of being busy with something else, he just stood there impudently returning my level gaze. I flirted with the idea of continuing our little game for a while longer but realized I was probably making more of it than there really was. So I chalked it up to paranoia and moved on to the next aisle. There he was again. It was maddening, really. He didn’t even seem interested, just amused and slightly puzzled. I didn’t know what to make of his reaction and the vibrating of my phone interrupted my train of thought. I gasped and accidentally dropped it, causing the back cover and the battery to go flying across the floor, right at his feet. Great. Just great. I walked over as calmly as I could and picked up the cover, I looked for the battery and couldn’t find it, I saw a hint of something silver under his shoe and realized he was standing on it!

“Do you mind?” I furiously bit out, “My battery is under your shoe.”

“Not at all!” he cheekily replied as he smiled at me and moved his foot. I picked up the battery, mumbled a “thanks” and moved away as far as I could before I started reassembling the parts of my phone. I could still feel him staring with every step I took and wondered what could possibly be holding his interest for so long, did I have something stuck in my teeth? I realized the ludicrousness of that thought as soon as it finished, he was after all staring at the back of my head and didn’t even see my mouth!

I checked to see who called, it was Ritaj. I called her back and heard her scream into the phone as soon as she picked up.

“Where the hell are you?! You better not still be at home," she threatened, “I WILL cover you up in a red blanket and throw you in an arena with 5 bulls!”

I laughed, it’s so like her to make empty threats, she has an unbelievably strong violent streak in her, I’m just thankful she’s passive about it! “I’m getting YOUR study food, bala 7anna, I’ll be there in 10, do you want anything specific?”

“Well, now that you mention it, your forgiveness would be greatly appreciated!”

She informed me that a few other girls will be joining us, she knew how uncomfortable I was around girls I didn’t know very well but I trusted her judgment and knew they couldn’t be all that bad. I told her it was fine and insisted on bringing lunch along with the junk food.

“Are you sure? We could just order when you get here, it’s fine, REALLY!”

“Don’t be silly, it’s already on my way! Besides, there’s nothing that gets the brain working better than junk and fast food, we took that in biology, remember?" I asked.

I heard her laughter ringing out from the other side, “I’m not sure we were listening to the same thing hun, the message probably got jumbled up with your other million thoughts, how about McDonalds?” she suggested.

“Perfect, what should I get?”

“Okay, do you have a pen and paper on you? What am I thinking, of course you do, along with a bottle of sanitizer no doubt,” I could almost hear her rolling her eyes!

So I might have a slight case of OCD, it’s not a big deal, there’s nothing wrong with a healthy fondness for organization and cleanliness! A little sanitizer and post-its never hurt anyone. I took out my notepad and rummaged through my bag looking for something to write with.

“Uh-oh, I think the “curse” might finally be lifted! I, your best friend of 15 years, left the house without a pen or a pencil! Not even a highlighter!” I sounded extremely appalled, even to my own ears.

I heard her hysterical laughter once again, I managed to make out a distinct “maa9adiiiiiiiiiiiiig” in between her squeals.

Suddenly, I felt a light tapping on my shoulders and my hair being undone, I turned around startled. There he was again.

I heard him clear his throat, still looking thoroughly amused and saw him holding out a pencil, “I believe you were looking for this?” he asked with a wry inflection in his voice, “ I hate to interrupt your little tirade, but I found this in your hair.”

I felt my face being flooded with about 12 shades of red. Oh crap.