“Hey, Rhea! It’s Theo” 

A message appeared on my DM list. My heart just stopped beating for a while. Like the universe knew what I wanted even though I didn’t know what I wanted. Yes, I wanted Theo to be with me.

I replied to him.

“Hi, Theo.” My hands were shaking while typing. I felt like I might die because my heart was beating in my ear.I have never felt like that in my life.Not in any exam.

“Nice to meet you,Rhea.You know that we have been assigned to the  same team.But we need one more member to complete our team. Do you have any friends or classmates who could join us?”

“Umm…no. I don’t have any but I could ask them if they are willing.” I said to Theo.

“Hold on…I think I have a friend of mine. He could join us. Let me ask him.” 

“Alright. Theo, we need a name for our team.Anything in our mind?”

I was getting relaxed as I made  myself composed and familiar with the situation.Most importantly, with him. With Theo.

“Don’t worry. We will decide there.” Theo said. 

“Yeah, sure. No worries.” I said.

“Rhea, we have our selection competition tomorrow. Get prepared. We have to make it to the final and win and I will meet you before the competition. Be around the auditorium at 10:30.” Theo texted me.

“ Yeah..I will try my best and see ya tomorrow.” Saying so, I waved goodbye for that day. As I could say he was so determined and serious about the competition. I didn’t know if I could keep a smile on his face or not.

I thought I was relaxed and getting comfortable with him. That’s right that I was starting  to feel comfortable with him but the thought of meeting him in person was infuriating. As if my heart just started to pump more blood to write something in there. But the invitation was tempting. To see him and not from afar but from near  that my eyes could find only him. Nothing else. 

To listen to his voice for the first time. Maybe hear my name softly from his mouth while he had the dazzling smile on his face that lit up his whole face like  a shining star.

I bet I couldn’t sleep well that night because of the joy of meeting him.

It was 9:30 the next day. The competition was at 11:00 am in the auditorium. I had a meetup with my teammate at 10:30 am. As the time was approaching, I felt like my heart was gonna explode. Like I was excited but also nervous.I didn’t know why I was feeling nervous. Was it because I was gonna meet someone new? He was not just a random someone. Theo was different.

It was 10:20. I was standing at the auditorium door. 

“Rhea?”

Suddenly,  I heard my name from a voice that I never heard before. Yet, it felt familiar somehow. Like I’ve known this voice a lifetime ago.I turned around.

“ Aren’t you Rhea?” 

The moment I turned around and looked, I knew it was him. Theo!

“Yeah.I’m Rhea. You must be Theo?” I asked.

I felt as if all of my nervousness went on vacation for a while. I didn’t even feel awkward, uncomfortable let alone nervous the moment he was near.

“Yeah, I am Theo.” He said with a smile. “And he is my friend Mark. He is gonna join us in our team.” 

Giving a greeting smile to Mark, I looked at him. Gosh, he was even more handsome from near. He was tall, probably around 5 '9 or 5' 11 as I was 5 '4 just up to his shoulder. He had brooded shoulders, tall neck with visible Adam apple, hair with buzzcut , structured jawline with a sharp nose and the glittering eyes that lit up every time the beautiful smile appeared. He had the calm confidence packed with quiet intensity in him. He was looking pretty charming in that white shirt tucked in grey trousers with red tie. 

I bet I started falling for him even more after meeting him.