365 days of cage

My alarm went of at 6:00 am, I didn’t sleep all night due to excitement and nervousness both. Exactly one month ago I got my results from the Pratt Institute,Brooklyn,New York. Albeit they only take international applicants but my grades and resume are really good. Therefore, I got a scholarship and was relieved as my financial condition wasn’t really good and I couldn’t have afforded the expenses and college fees without this aid. However, I had been saving some money from the last three years from some events, part-time work and pocket money. I was able to save around sixty thousand rupees which won’t be mush in US dollars but it would still help me with few expenses. Luckily, all the huge expenses from flight ticket to college fees and books would be taken care of. 

My happiness knew no bounds when I finally got in,I have always dreamt of becoming a Fashion Designer. Staying in Mumbai, I also thought of applying here, but I couldn’t have explored myself staying here. My parents aren’t doing very well. My dad is a cancer patient and mom is a professor at a government college. So, I decided last year to apply in the universities in the US. However, I didn’t anticipate that I’d get in THE PRATT INSTITUTE. Honestly, I had never been a scholar student, in fact I never liked studying. But seeing my family’s grim condition I decided to work hard and get out of here. So, I can fend for myself and my family. And also, I had always taken interest in fashion and styling. Whatever be the occasion I would always take care of the kind of clothes and the right kind of accessories with them. I was all about fashion and that’s what drove me to work hard and get into one of the best institutes. I was happy that I got the Brooklyn campus, it’s the most crowded and being that I could easily get some job there.

I am a free bird today because finally my day has arrived. I’ll be off to New York today.It’ll be a 21 hours flight and I can’t wait to swiftly hop on the plane and walk into one of the best institutes of design.

My parents and I are going to miss each other,this room this house will haunt me but nothing compares to what I am going to have next. I had already packed all my stuff, checked my passport, boarding pass and ticket a hundred times. After taking a shower I got dressed in my favourite navy-blue skirt and white-tank top and a black jacket. I kept my hair straight and wore a very light make-up. I decided to go as casual by pairing my look with white sneakers.

Downstairs my breakfast was ready and my mother was all dramatic, while my father was swelling with pride. We had our meal and left for the airport. Driving through the streets of Mumbai for the last time made me quite emotional, I was going to miss the vibe of the city but I guess not more would change as NEW YORK is even more crowded. At the airport I didn’t have to go through much trouble as my flight was in time.After biding-adieu to my parents and Mumbai I was ready for this new chapter of my life.

 
VINNI ARORA!  The receptionist called my name for the paperwork. After landing in New York exactly after 21hours of an anxious flight, I was not even tired. My heart was doing summersaults and I had butterflies in my stomach all ready to fly.

Yes, I was finally here, the New York city. God! I couldn’t believe I was standing in the city of life, the most populous city of America. I couldn’t wait to just go on a quick tour of my city of dreams. Ever since I was a kid, I would watch all the movies and shows showcasing New York, in fact my own room was adorned with all such stuff. However, after my father had to suffer losses in his business our upper-class lifestyle in Bandra was over in a New York minute. However, I was here now and I am going to start afresh.

From the airport I went to the campus for getting into my hostel. I was happy with my room. It was bigger than my own in Mumbai. After we shifted from a 4 BHK villa  “Malhaar” in Bandra to a small flat in Andheri west, my queen size bedroom was transformed into a single bed compact one. Yes, it took me some time to adjust for I was habitual of living a queen size life. Suddenly after then I had to adapt the new mediocre lifestyle. And to be honest it wasn’t that bad, because it taught me how to live with less, earning me an added benefit to reside in New York.

So, here I was at the Pratt Institute. Oh my god! I couldn’t put into words what I felt standing in front of the rock -solid building. It was almost as if I had Hogwarts before me. It is a 25-acre wide campus, with a variety of tree encompassing it. I was grinning widely at the thought of even standing there let alone living there. As I was walking to explore more of my new college, I was getting more excited. Being the Brooklyn campus, it was crowded with students all around. Everyone was in their own world minding their own business. Treading through the entrance into a grand hallway of yellow and grey walls with white and black furniture. I was ready to make this place my own.

Waiting in the reception for my turn for getting my admission formalities done. And then I was called.

“Hey, Vinnie, how are you?” Pamela asked.

“I’ am good, but quite nervous. It’s my first time in NEW YORK and I’m just trying to settle in”.

“No, problem dear, you’ll be just fine. With all the hustle bustle, it might look a little daunting but you’ll shine out. Anyways may I have your admission papers and your copy of the passport and two formal passport size photos, please?”

“Thanks a lot. And yeah sure. Here you go!” I handed her my file and waited for her to complete the formalities. While she was doing her work, I tried to look around and take in the surroundings. The campus is exquisite and so New York style. It instantly gives you the adrenaline rush to dive straight into some amazing work.

As I was walking around, I heard loud cheering coming from round the corner of the hall. I turned around and saw a group of boys coming in their basketball attire-----maybe after a match or something because everyone started clapping and cheering.

There were four boys in red boxers and sandos. Tall built, muscular physique and stern attitude. Judging from the way the crowd became so alert, they must be important.

I was a bit taken aback by their intimidating personalities even from a distance. I was standing there like an idiot gazing at the guys, and also curious as to why people around were showing them so much respect. Like they were some powerful gang who must be feared. In my hunk watching moment I almost forgot that I was standing in the middle of the hallway, restricting their path.

As I came out of my gaze, I noticed that the guys were standing right infront of me, asking me to get the fuck away, from their daunting eyes. But something inside of me was so curious I just stood there. Or maybe I was trying to be stubborn because no one can ask me to get aside like that. Everyone in the hall was eying me, astonished at my audacity or stupidity.

“Hey you? You want something?” One of the boys asked mockingly.

“Seems like you’re a new-bee.” Another of the Alpha pack spoke

 “Am! Well, I…. I… I am, yes”, I was dumbfounded, I couldn’t speak.

“Oh! Man, she is stammering now. God! You have a bad habit of getting stuck, don’t ya?, like your stuck in our path”. They laughed at my dumbness except one, who was constantly gazing at me, with a smug grin. I don’t know but I couldn’t let this ruin my whole day. So, I summoned some of my strength and finally spoke…

“Yes, I am new here and I was just getting done with some paperwork”. I spoke.

The boy who mocked me first gave out a loud chuckle, he had green eyes and an uneasy vibe to himself.

“Looks like we have someone all the way from INDIA…umm, interesting, it’d be fun to dribble you since you would obviously intrude.”

“Hahaha…Kai! You piece of…”, the guy with green eyes was Kai, who just mocked me again. I mean how dare he!

“Well technically you’re in my path, as I was here for my work. You can just go your own way. I wouldn’t intrude”, I said standing my ground.

“Woah! Man! Ms. India has a mouth I see. I would love to have a one-on-one match with your mouth, baby girl.” The guy who kept staring me this whole time said, and I was dumbstruck with this kind of offensive statement.

I was feeling weak in my knees. I had never felt so anxious around anyone.

Everyone was intently watching us debating. The guy who just spoke to me came closer to me a little, hovering me like a devil and looked me into the eye,

 “And FYI sweetie, we don’t get in your way, you clear way for us, now back the fuck off, for you don’t want us actually getting in your way”. He was emasculating. I was very scared with his breath on my lips as he was so close but still, I couldn’t take my eyes away as he was that mesmerising.

Why was I not able to say anything?

“I…I…I will”, that’s all I could say.

“Well, it’s okay baby girl, we seem to have that kind of effect, don’t we?”. The guys chuckled and groaned behind him.

“I am not your baby girl, okay?” I said shakingly

“Yeah, you won’t be able to resist being one, if I even bring a finger close to your skin…...baby. gurl!” He smugly said, caging me with his broad shoulders and tall height. All the other guys started laughing like a beast except him.

His eyes were stark black and his looks were enough to send someone straight to grave. The way he was trying to scare me was actually making my stomach flutter and my thighs were throbbing.

Which was unusual.

I have never felt this way. His breath was so fresh and cool on my lips but were swift enough to send shivers to my spine.

I finally summoned some strength and spoke---------------

“I’d never want you anywhere near me” I looked him in the eyes, losing my breath.

Looking at him I noticed a look of surprise, he wasn’t expecting that, but he still very calmly raised his hand and brought it near my face.

So close….

I was shocked at his sudden movement. But at the same time, I was electrified, a chill ran down my spine. He didn’t even touch me still my body was reacting this way.

“Your body obviously don’t mean that, I can have it whenever I want, but naaah!

you don’t deserve my time…”

All the boys were now growling and I couldn’t contain my anger and embarrassment. I felt like crying, I have never felt so weak in my life. I tried to say something but then they just waved me off walking into me and I reluctantly stepped aside as they almost crashed into me.

 I lost all my power, it was as though I was having a slight asthma attack, panting heavily I watched them walking upstairs.