The Blooming Flowers

New Things

Alia's pov

I'm standing outside my classroom. I don't fell like going in . It's a mess in the class. Who would say those are college students in there. It's like the whole classroom has turned into a fish market. They are talking to each other so loudly. A girl almost fell over me while being chased by another girl. They are basically doing whatever they want. How can they be so immature!

On the first day I thought, “why am I even here? Shouldn't I be in a private college or something?”

It's all my parent's fault. I had enough score to get into one of the top private colleges in the country. But no, my parents just had to make me get admitted here in a government college with some immature girls at my age.

How will I stay here for years! I don't even want to think anymore.

I went in the classroom after some time. I was looking for a seat for myself. I saw an empty seat so I started walking towards it. When I got closer I saw one of the girls from the other day. She was seating beside that empty seat. I recognised her on the first glance. Because her appearance is neat and clean. She also gives a polite vibe unlike the most of the students in this class.

After going near I putted my bag on the desk. Hearing sound she looked in this direction. After seeing me she opened her mouth to say something.

“Oh! Hey goo...”

The teacher entered the classroom so she couldn’t say anything. It's good. Don't talk to me. Where is that other girl she was talking with the other day? Will she talk to me like she did with that girl. It's bothersome when people talk to me. I don't like having conversation with anyone without necessity .

After that the teacher started his lecture.

“There is a class test on Monday next week. All of you will have to take the test. If you don't we will inform your guardians. So be smart and prepare for the test. All the best. Hope you all will work hard for it and give it your best”, the teacher said.

All the students in the classroom groaned a little hearing about the test. I'm also getting annoyed a little. Test on the second week of college! Isn’t it a little bit too much. I guess, it can't be helped. Wherever I go, be it a government college or a private one, this test thing will always be the same.

My pen is not working. Sa I started going through things in my bag. But wait I can't find any pen in there. I don't have another pen with me. But I remember putting them in my bag yesterday night. Whatever, I'll write with my pencil.

“Umm hey, do you need a pen?”

Hearing that I looked up, it's that girl from before.

“I have extra pens. If you need you can borrow one”, she again said to me.

“Oh, okay then give me one. I'll return it later”, I said awkwardly.

Then she gave me a pen and smiled a little to me. I also tried to smile a little. I don't know if that smile of mine came out well.

Usually, I really do have extra stationary in my bag. Today was an exception. I think I have to thank her. I turned around at her to thank her. But she is already paying attention to the lecture and taking notes.

Well, I guess I'll thank her while returning her the pen. How do people talk to their new classmates so easily. I can't do that even with my old classmates. It's always so hard for me. I'm even overthinking about just thanking someone who is at my age. I seriously don't think I'll ever get better in coversations.

After the classes finished I gave her the pen back. I turned around to go outside the classroom. I don't think I can ever thank her without making things awkward.

Suddenly, a scene flashed by in my mind. In the morning of my first day at college my dad told me something.......

(2 days ago)

"Today is your first day at college?", dad asked me while having breakfast in the morning.

"Yes dad", I replied.

"Did the welcome ceremony went well?", dad asked.

" I don't know. I didn't go there", I said while eating.

He looked up at me and went back to eating again.

“Alia, college is not for just studying and learning discipline. There are a lot of other things you can learn there. For fully experiencing life you need to learn those staff”, dad said.

I wrinkled my eyebrows, what is he saying. I asked him, “Dad what are you talking about?”

He got up from the table after cleaning his lips. He has finished his breakfast. While wearing his coat he looked at me and said, “ Tell me the name of one of your friends”.

Hearing what he said I went quietand stayed sited on one of the chairs of the dining table. I couldn't say a word.

“ That's right, you can't tell me even one name. That's because you never had a friend. That's what I'm talking about. You are missing out a lot of experiences. And of course experience is the thing which will teach you a lot of things”, he said.

I wondered silently sitting there why would my strict and rational dad suddenly telling me something like making friends and whatsoever.

(Back to present)

Remembering what dad said I started to think if I should give it a try. After soaking my lips with my tongue I turned around facing that girl.

“Thanks for lending me your pen”, I said after struggling for sometime.

“Oh, you are welcome”, she said smiling.

What now? What to say after this? How do people make friends?

“I'm Sarah Ali”, she said.

My thoughts got cut off by her. So you have to introduce yourself after that. Okay let's do this.

“I'm Alia Khan”, I also introduced myself.

“Ok. So, Alia you are going home alone? Will you go by bus?”, Sarah asked me.

“No my dad's car will be here soon. I'll go by car”, I replied.

“Okay then, I'll have to go now. I'll go by bus. See you tomorrow”, she said.

“Okay, see you”, I also said goodbye to her.

She started walking fastly and almost ran to the area where the buses are parked. Maybe she was late and almost missed the bus.

I saw one of my dad's cars in the ng area and got into it. Our driver came to pick me up. I was leaning on my back sitting on the back seat of the car. I was thinking that, today I was able to talk to someone normally. I know the conversation was really small. And of course I didn't even talk in half of it. Even after that it was like really difficult for me.

Making friends, getting along well with people those things are new to me.

I took a deep breath and though, “I'm pretty bad at those new things. Dad was right. I need to learn those stuff.”