Colin and Ruby
The East always has enticing things. Food, styles, art, and women. All of them have a powerful charm to them. I became quick to learn this many times. This was the first time.
It was a slow Sunday that day. I didn't really have that much homework to do, so I want out to the campus again. Most of the students went to the game for the afternoon. Me? The only sport I like is rugby. The academy is in football season right now. Football is for the pretty boys. I'm a man's man.
I digress.
So, I'm wandering around campus with nothing to do. Suddenly, I come around one of the gardens in the east side of the campus. I had never seen a pond look so clear before in my life. I could even see the sky behind me. I leaned in closer. My fingers reached down to touch the water. I nearly jumped back at how cold it was. It was then I noticed that someone was watching me. I glanced up and thought I saw Heaven in that instance.
An Indian girl stood on the other side of lake, watching me. Her eyes stabbed me right in the heart. Somehow I could only stare at her. I slowly put up my hand in a wave. She didn't move. I blinked to see if I was dreaming or not. No, she's still there. Come to think of it, does she work here? I don't think I've seen her before. I just had to learn more about this beautiful…
She caught my attention when she started to move away from the lake. Without thinking, I dashed over to the other side to catch up with her. Her sandals left heavy impressions in the dirt below her.
"Excuse me!" I called out to her. The beautiful Indian girl glanced behind at me and started to walk away again.
"Wait!" I yelled to her. I ran after her to keep up. This girl led me through the willow trees and moss. As I followed her red sari-covered back, I became confused at all of the green around me. How the hell could a city have this much in a garden? I didn't think this academy had the space or money to pull this off? Am I even on earth anymore?
As I keep walking, the trees seem to swallow up the sky. I tried to keep up in the dark. The deep green clashed against the beautiful sari the girl wore. I could reach out and touch her shoulder.
"Come back here!" I yelled. She laughed in response. The slippery moss made it hard for me to keep my balance. I fought to keep myself standing and running. If I could just…
She isn't making it any easier for me to keep up. I have to try and run after her with every turn and curve. I might as well be on a treadmill with her in the front. She's just in my reach, but I can't touch her. She knows this and keeps teasing me as she walks. This girl is getting a kick out of this; I can tell. She's teasing me and enjoying every moment of this walk. The question is, where are we going? Our surroundings are starting to look the same by this point. I have only seen trees and green for maybe miles now. Were even on campus anymore?
The next thing I knew, I found myself in front of the Luna Hall, the science building. I looked around for a good ten minutes before I realized what just happened. What the hell happened to that garden?, I thought. A light laughter pulled my attention forward. There was the Indian girl standing before me. I blinked at her as she smiled at me.
"Uh… what just happened?" I asked. She held out her arms to me.
"Congratulations," she told me.
"Huh?" I asked.
"You are the second guy to keep up with me this far," the girl went on. I raised an eyebrow at her.
"This was a game?" I asked. She nodded at me. I still tried to get what she was saying here.
"So… who was the first guy?" I asked. She gave me a little wink.
"Secret!" she whispered with a little smile. I looked at her still confused.
"So… what's my prize for winning this 'game'?" I asked. The girl only leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.
"This is your prize from me, Ruby Singh, to you Colin O'Sullivan," she whispered in my ear. I looked and saw her wink and give me little tap on the nose.