Chapter 2 THE APPROACH

A MONTH BEFORE THE MEETING AND THE MISSING.

I walked into the lecture room with my headphones on. 'I'm Alive' by Celine Dion blasted in my ears.

'What an irony!' My appearance stated otherwise. I'm looking like a grim reaper,

dressed in all black and looking pale.

My appearance doesn't matter to me and it's not like anyone notices me enough to look and judge it.

I looked around the class. Students form cliques, gisting, talking and doing all sorts of things among themselves. I don't belong to anyone, I'm a loner, always moving and doing things alone. No one has ever acknowledged me or maybe I'm the one who doesn't acknowledge them.

I spotted and walked to my usual spot in any class, 'the back'. I found myself a seat, brought out books and patiently waited for the lecturer.

I was so engrossed and lost in the music when someone tapped my desk....

Well, I wouldn't know if she didn't remove my headset.

I looked up and saw Brelany, the only friend I had, looking at me with an expression I couldn't read.

"What?" I asked.

"I was looking for you, I told you to at least wait for me so we can come to class together, but here you are, sitting 'already' for it," She said dramatically.

"You were taking forever, and time was almost gone," I replied.

"Coming from someone who left one hour before class," She countered then continued,

".. I came inside the room, and voila! You were already gone, I tried calling your line, but it wasn't going through.." She stopped midway and gave me a knowing look,

".. wait, give me your phone." She demanded.

Before I could stretch my hand to give her, she collected the phone from me and checked it.

"Your phone is on offline mode again! Really, c'mon girl," She looked at me.

Not that I have anybody to call me, so why keep my line available? The only time you can get through to me is when I leave offline mode to browse the internet for more songs to keep me going, and after that, I'm on ghost mode. Even during that period, no single call or text messages.. well, I do have text messages though, and that's from MTN.

"I... I just...I didn't.." I stuttered.

"This is not my first time telling you to stop doing that.." She pointed out.

"The lecturer is not here yet, I don't think he will come," I said, checking my wristwatch to divert the topic.

"Oh! Crap, thirty minutes had gone already, let's go," She sounded surprised as she checked her wristwatch too.

I stood up, packed my books and headed out of the class "Railah, wait for me," Brelany called after me. She caught up with me and we headed out of the building together.

As we were about to leave the building, 'HE' walked up to us.

"Hi ladies," He greeted. I didn't even bother to wait, but Brelany pulled me back.

"Hello, how can I help you?" She replied with a smiling face.

"I hope I'm not keeping you guys waiting?" He asked, his attention focusing on me.

The way he was looking at me made me start questioning my appearance, something I had never done before.

'Do I look like a ghost? Is there something on my face?' I asked myself.

The way he stared at me could drill a hole in my face, my cheeks were already on fire.

'Can please you stop staring at me,' I pleaded in silence.

"Can I have a minute with your friend?" He asked.

'You could have just asked instead of looking at me like a freaking ghost' My subconscious popped in angrily.

"Can you wait for me outside?? I'll be with you shortly" Brelany pleaded. I was about to leave,

"Not you," He clarified looking at Brelany,

"But your friend." His attention was focused back at me.

"Oh..." Brelany said in disappointment,

"I'll wait for you outside" Faced down, she left. It was so clear she was disappointed as her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

Now, alone with him, "DREVY ANDREWS". Wondering how I know his name? He is popular.

I do see him every day, not that I pay attention to him that much, but there are some people you will know without having a personal relationship with them. It might just be someone you see daily, someone like this guy in front of me.

"You are Railah right?" He asked. Sure, but he asked anyway.

"Yes, I am" I replied...

'How did he know my name?' I was battling with inner thoughts.

"Someone recommended you to me" He replied to my inner curiosity.

'LIE from a pit of HELL!!!!!' My subconscious fired at him... Too bad he can't hear her.

I told you, I'm someone who loves to be alone. The only companion I have is 'Myself, Music, Food and I', funny right?

I built a wall around me that no one can penetrate or gain access to, well.. that is if anyone had ever tried to do that. I'm just this girl who is never noticed anywhere, so it's funny how someone recommended me to him... what an irony!

I had no friends or foes. Brelany was the only friend who stood at the gate of the wall built around me, wishing to know what stood at the other side of the gate, but she was not willing to knock, not to talk of gaining access to it.

'Who could it be?' I asked myself.

It's not Brelany because of the scene of disappointment and embarrassment that unfolded before my eyes.

"I need your help and I don't know if you can or will be willing to help me," He said.

'What is he saying? I should be the last, not even on the list of people who can help him, I don't even know him, and neither did he know me, so why would he come to me for help? I don't even know what it could be but I'm not the one he wants, maybe he got the wrong girl... But, come to think of it, I'm the only Railah so ...."

His phone rang which interrupted my thoughts. He brought it out of his pocket and looked at his phone's screen,

"Sorry, I have to go now. We will talk better next time" He looked back at me.

I watched him walk away, his gait striding perfectly. I put my headphones on, and 'Burn the Pages' by Sia boomed in my ear.

I went outside and saw Brelany waiting for me patiently. She saw me and grinned, her eyes twitching funnily.

"Tell me everything." She ordered, dragging me in the direction of our hostel.