The Colors Of Love - Episode 1

 

Before we go very deep, there are a few things I'd like to tell you about myself.

1. I am basically a Tomboy. I hate girly stuff_clothes, makeup, SHOES_let's not even go there.

2. I'm the plainest girl you'll ever see. If you come into a room of thirty people, me included and study each person carefully, you'd probably not remember me when next we meet. It's not that I'm not pretty, I am . But you'll understand better later.

3. I'm a genius_the Einstein of my generation. But I prefer to keep that bit of information to myself, to the outside world I'm an just a nerd who loves to read but doesn't really grab the concept of stuff. Funny right? I know_I've rolled on the floor many times when people treat me like I don't know anything.

I'm one of those girls who prefer to curl up and cuddle with a book than paint their faces and go for fancy outings, picnics, parties or whatever it is girls of my age do. I'm twenty by the way.

I live with my two best friends_Aliyah and Ilhaam. We've been sharing the same dorm room for the past three years right from hundred level_we're presently in the third year of university. I'm studying biochemistry, Aliyah Geology and Ilhaam physics

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-colors-of-love

. While Aliyah is the religious, geeky type_a hijab-wearing-yet-music-fanatic, wearing headphones with her nose stuck in her books, Ilhaam was the make-up-obsessed, high-heel-wearing, shopping-loving, party-going type. Don't get me wrong, Ilhaam is a good girl, don't mind my description. I just have a flair for drama. And I'm just plain Aarfa_there's nothing special about me except my very high IQ which is practically nonexistent. Sometimes I actually believe people who say I don't have a life but on a day like this I don't.

Its a normal Saturday and I'm curled on my bunk in a loose fitting beige cashmere sweater_ a gift from Aliyah when she went for vacation to Paris_have I mentioned she's from a filthy rich family? Well she is. Her father is the ambassador of Nigeria to the United states. That sweater is  probably among the most expensive pieces of clothing I own_not that I'm poor_but more of that later. So I'm wearing a sweater and my favorite pair of jeans with some comfy woolen socks with my Harry potter glasses_just so you know they're not medical glasses_but everyone except for my family and my two Best friends. I wear it to make people believe I'm the nerd that I am. Ha. I'm reading 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorns for probably the hundredth  time when Ilhaam announces her arrival with the clank of her stilletos_okay her four inch heels since stilletos are hooker language.

"Aarfa, guess who I saw just now?" She shrills in a loud voice, waving her hands in the air as she kicks of her shoes

"Who else but Nabeel? He's the only one who makes you crazier than your already crazy self" quips in Aliyah as she snorts.

I didn't even know she was in the room. See what I'm saying?_she's one of the most introverted people you'll think you know but she's the loudest among us.

"Yeah, yeah_you're such a kill-vibe" Ilhaam says pouting. Dressed in a loose fitting royal blue gown that pronounces her fair complexion, with an elegant wrap of a veil that is her signature wrap, even with the heavy coat of makeup_she's easily the prettiest in our trio.

"Oh, come on Aaliya, you're such a spoilsport. Come Ilhaam, tell me" I say smiling brightly as I remove my nerdy glasses. I open my hands in a gesture for her to come in for a hug.

She embraces me and I'm almost choked by her perfume_its designer and all but my olfactory nerves disagree. I take a deep breath and pull away from her. She sits beside me and starts with a dreamy look in her eyes.

Girl you've got it so bad. I kinda pity you. Its not that I don't like love_I'm a sucker for love and fairytales and forever happy afters. I have my own fantasies_that my prince charming will ignore my dark skin and short hair, he'll look deep into my soul and love every bit of my crazy soul and we'll have plenty of cute babies that look like him of course and we'll live happily forever after.  Sigh

Yeah right, Aarfa. Keep dreaming.

"....isn't he?" She questions as she looks up expectantly at me.

Uh uh. Apparently I didn't hear a word of what she said because I zoned out_thinking of my non existent Prince charming. Way to go Aarfa.

I give her my most encouraging bright smile and say "Of course he is".

Her smile falls as her eyes begin to tear up.
"Why does he look at me as if I'm trash then? I'm pretty, classy and just the type of girl a glamorous guy like him can date? Then why? Or do I need to start dressing up like Tee-Kamal before he takes interest in me?" She sniffs as one tear drops on my socks.

Oh boy. I don't do well with tears_i start to cry as well.

I look up to Aliyah with a plea in my eyes_telling her to save me. Aliyah understands my every move and look. She gets the point and comes over engulfing us both in a big hug.

"Ilhaam, come on. You're better than this? You don't need to be all that for a guy to like you. Tee-Kamal is a tramp_everyone knows that. But you Ilhaam are a gem my love. You're the prettiest girl I know. If Nabeel doesn't like you the way you are, then he needs to get his eyes checked and be prescribed glasses.

Oh Aliyah, she knows just the right thing to say. Ilhaam is already wiping her mascara laden tears.

Another reason why I hate make-up.

"You think? I'm pretty enough?" She questions looking up to my eyes. I have a feeling she wants to hear my opinion so in an attempt to make up for zoning out earlier_not that she knows of course, I say

"Aliyah is right darling. You're the prettiest Lady I know. You're even prettier than Lucy Hutton.

Lucy Hutton is my favorite fictional character from my favorite book and she's supposedly the prettiest lady I've seen and....never mind. I can see you're looking at me as if I'm crazy. Well I did warn you.

She laughs at my statement and I pass her a tissue.

" I'd love to see who this Nabeel of a guy is. I want to see why Ilhaam the Queen of Campus_the girl that has the guys of KSU pining for a glance and smile_is dying to get his attention. Wow. He must have something special right?" I blurt in wonder.

"Well, Rumor has it that the guy transfered from Imperial College, London. He has a British accent that has the girls drooling and he's filthy rich. Not to mention he was the top of his class back in UCL. And girl you have to see him. He belongs on the cover of Vogue." Aliya explains.

Great. Apparently everyone knows about him_even Aliyah the introvert but I don't. I'm making one hell of a great first impression on you, ain't I?

"And?" I ask. I see no reason for the hype. Realization dawns_ So he was the guy those girls in the bathroom were hyping over.

"He has Hazel brown eyes, fair, glowing skin_amazing sideburns and soft pink lips I could kiss all week. God, he even has dimples." Ilhaam says in a singsong voice, her eyes staring into space.

Oh please, that is so gross. I have better things to do with my time. Ilhaam will you go wash your face and study for your test?

Seeing their shocked expressions make me realize I'm expected to say something, so, i fake enthusiasm and say in an attempt to lighten their jaw-dropping, eye-bulging expressions.

"Wow, that's great. But I don't see any reason why the guy is hyped over? He sounds like a pretty normal guy to me" I say shrugging to show how indifferent I feel.

Ilhaam looks pained_I would say even betrayed. Ha. I turn to Aliyah and her expression is a combination of shock and exasperation_Wow. This is serious_let me tell you, Aliyah doesn't drool over hot guys_not even Joshua Templeman or Chris Hemworth_not even Zac Efron_so you can see why I'm flabbergasted.

"What? Stop looking at me like that. I can't sample or classify the guy until I see him. So you can close your mouths and fix your faces before you freeze and we'll have to bury you like that" I chirp as I struggle to get out from the sandwich they made from me.

They quickly recover their composure and I laugh as both of them sit back with dreamy looks. I shake my head and mutter to myself as i head to the counter to pick up noodles.

"Who's hungry? I have a class by 1" I ask.

Ilhaam looks so faraway in 'Nabeel-land' so she probably didn't hear me. Aliyah answers no and I go on to cook my noodles.

Hello guys, Chapter One is down_drop your opinions please