A girl with many assets

A kind girl with assets but not many friends, who understands but never, explains. Meet a hardworking boy with big dreams and many friends.

The beginning

She left her house with a big suitcase, to discover something that remains unearthed in the city where she was born did half of her studies but didn’t belong.

One day at the stand came across two boys wearing caps and loose clothes traveling with big bags. One of them asked her for the time. He seemed known but she wasn’t able to register him. When she told him the time he kept on looking and said, “Fairly Good-Bye”.

(We took the same bus for some days but she enters and exits before us)

One day at The Tea Café

She was enjoying her masala tea, came across us again. He went close to her and asked, “All the tables are occupied may we sit here”.

The girl looked around and said “All right”.

The familiar one looking into her laptop said, “Looks like you are shopping for jewelry”.

The girl (who was busy scrolling up and down) smiled and said, “No I am not shopping, I am checking my designs”.

The boy said, “Have you tried your jewelry”?

The girl mentioned, “Yes”.

The boy asked, “How did they look at you”?

The girl gave him a strange look and asked politely, “Do I know you”?

The boy said, “You seem new here. I am Arlo and he is my friend Leo” and claimed she thinks like that because he is a famous boy.

A smiling girl introduced herself as Celeste and said, “I am a jewelry designer. I have just moved to the town. My family moved to the Ornate when I was 12” and asked us what we do for our living?

Arlo amusingly peeped into her laptop and said, “I didn’t study much so I don’t have a desk job. But I work hard to fulfill my dreams and I am very close to achieving my favorite one”.

Listening to such optimism Celeste said, “Wonderful”.

And I said, “Hi, I am Leo and I am a fitness expert. You can contact me for any advice”.

She smilingly said, “Wonderful, sure I will” and took my card.

After some chit-chat, we all took the bus and went home. Arlo kept on talking but Celeste remained quiet as a good listener. Before her stop Arlo said, “Can’t believe a girl can remain quiet for so long. All my girlfriends are so talkative”.

Celeste smiled and waved us.

Urbs is a small town and meeting people is not a coincidence here. The small town gave them many occasions to meet each other. And passing smiles and waving became part of their everyday routine. I am usually around Arlo and can savor their bond growing.

Chapter 1

They meet again at The Tea café



This time Arlo was already in the café. Celeste didn’t notice him and sat at the other table. He waited for her to notice him but all in vain so; he stood up and sat next to her, asked permission to try a cookie from her plate. While talking he asked, “Urbs is a nice city why you moved to Ornate”.

Celeste said, “It is a long story but to summarize for better education and opportunities”.

Arlo hiding his confused looks said, “Fairly good”.

Celeste trying to concentrate on her designs told Arlo in her sweetest voice “Please don’t take me wrong but you can enjoy your tea and cookies while I finish my work”.

Arlo smilingly said “fairly good” and ordered his beverage.

While leaving Arlo paid for both and said “You can have the pleasure next time and asked for her phone to call and find his phone which he has forgotten on his previous table”.

(When Arlo told me about their meeting I was shocked to hear anything like this. Arlo has never approached a girl like this. Usually, girls fall for him. But I was happy to see him happy)

For some days, they didn’t meet. And this is how they met...

At night she heard some noise in her house. When she checked, found two men trying to rob. She called Police and hid in the almirah.

Arlo received a call from his cop friend Alex saying they have received a complaint of robbery from Celeste’s residence. Worried Arlo went to her house to check and called her on his way but her phone went unanswered.

Arlo found a window of her house open. So he jumped inside, robbers attacked him and gave him a cut on his forehead. Police reached her house and caught the robbers and found Arlo bleeding and Celeste fainted in her cupboard.

Both got hospitalized, Arlo got discharged with bandages on his face and a letter of appreciation from the cops.

 I told her about Arlo. When she called him he said, “I am in pain. I look like half face. What has happened, I wanted to save you but what has happened to me”?

Listening to this Celeste got upset. She took all the blame on herself and called the doctor to get his marks fixed.

When Arlo's anesthesia effect reduced he realized his mistake and called her but her phone was unreachable as she went to her hometown. After trying for two days we finally visited her office to check if everything is fine.

When they met after days, Celeste said I am sorry I never wanted you to be hurt. Let me make it up to you.

Amazed Arlo opened his arm and said, “Anytime”.

To which she laughed and said, “Not like this”.

Arlo in a serious tone said, “Fairly good, I know not so soon we don’t know each other that well”. He added, “Cop Alex called me and warned me not to enter till the time police reach your house. But I couldn’t wait. So it is my fault, and let me make it up to you”.

On which she said, “Not so soon we don’t know each other that well”.

Both feature-headed hugged, busted out in laugher making me wonder what happened to them.

Chapter 2

To surprise her Arlo invited her to watch the football match, happening in the town. He gave me the responsibility to pick her up.

The next evening when we reached the stadium, she asked me, “Where is Arlo”?

I pointed at the player in the field. She was surprised to see him in the field. She knew he plays but for Urbs (Team of the town) she didn’t know. He was equally happy and showed his fondness towards her by clicking his eyes.

She smiled and her smile was one of the best ones I have seen in my life.

During the match, one of Arlo’s friends said, “He looks horrible”. Making Celesta felt very bad.

She Congratulated Arlo on winning the match and said, “I have to leave it is getting late”.

Arlo in his bewitched tone said, “Remember! You have to make it up to me”.

The bewitched girl went close to him and said, “Sorry”, and left. Leaving behind ‘Zapped Arlo’ to understand, some said and unsaid words.

And that gave me butterflies.

The next day Arlo was discussed everywhere in schools, parks, malls, the newspapers, and even at her office. People were talking about Arlo’s performance and the mark, making Celesta feel sadder.

(Nobody talked about his bravery. All discussed his looks)

By reading and answering questions about his mark agitated Arlo to his extremes. Some said it has made him look more handsome and some said he look feral. One day, he called Celesta and said, “Thank you for making me popular”.

I told him, “You know who’s at fault it is.” But agitated Arlo didn’t give me ears. (This time he took Celeste for granted. The polite girl kept quiet)

That day, Arlo’s doctor called him to visit the hospital.

When we reach the hospital surgeon told him to book an appointment to remove the scar.

On which Arlo said, “He didn’t ask for surgery and have important matches coming soon”. The Doctor called Celeste and said, “She wants your surgery to be done very soon”.

Celeste told Arlo, “It is becoming difficult for me. So please get it fixed. She also said, “Please don’t make me famous, delete and block my number after your surgery”.

Arlo understood her pain and his flaws. He told me, “How I can behave so badly. Would I ever be able to prove my worth to her”?

When we left the hospital, Arlo tried to talk but she kept quiet and in herself. We went for a drink. Even at the café, she kept mum.

Later Arlo visited her to concede.

Chapter 3

The next day, I saw her sitting in the park, she looked apathetic. I called Arlo. I asked her, “What happen”?

She got a call. While she was talking Arlo reached and asked her, listening to his voice, her father told her to pass on the phone to Arlo.

He told Arlo, “Please drop my daughter home and stay with her till the time I reach. And please don’t let her fall asleep. Be a Gentleman”.

Arlo said, “Don’t worry sir, I’ll take care”.

Arlo took her hand and we went to the cafe.

Somehow she builds up her courage and said, “I lost my only friend Joy. I came to Urbs just to meet her”.

Arlo told her to wash her face.

Arlo said, “What happens to your eyes? Why are they green now”?

She looked at him and hugged him.

(They are two weird people I have met).

Holding Arlo’s shirt, calmly said, “Joy was hospitalized for the past 4 months. I wanted her to move to Emir with me. But she died in the hospital today.”

Soon her father came and told her to leave Arlo’s t-shirt. Her father thanked him for staying.

Chapter 4

(Days passed Arlo went to another city for practice and was announced as the new captain. Celeste came back but maintained distance)

One day Leo meets Celeste. She looked strained and weak.

She asked, “Hey how are you and?”

I knew she wanted to know about Arlo I said, “I am fine and Arlo is good rather great. I tried calling you but you didn’t reply.”

I told her Arlo is coming back after his training. So we are planning a surprise party for him.

Celeste asked, “Great is it his birthday?”

I told her that Arlo is the new captain of our team and is now part of the state team, Ironclad.

She said, “I am sorry but I can’t get over it. I miss her”.

I said, “I am sorry for your loss but you have to stop being so complex. Learn to enjoy life. This is for Arlo. ”

Her father standing next to us said, “She will come”.

She called me before the party to get Arlo’s address to send him a bouquet of flowers.

I told her Arlo doesn’t like flowers. On which she said, “I have already ordered them. No problems I will get it delivered to your place. I can’t break the shopkeeper’s heart”.

I am unable to understand this girl. I am amazed how Arlo understands her that well.

Chapter 5

I invited Celeste's parents to the party.

The place was empty when Celeste and her parents reached. Soon the place became crowded with unknown faces, smoke, and loud music. They felt left out as they were unfamiliar with all.

At the party, I introduced Arlo’s parents to her parents. After some brief discussion, she asked his father, “Do I know you, you sound familiar”.

He lovingly said, “Yes ‘Cell’ me and my wife both were your teachers in the Urbs School. Mr. and Mrs. Russo hope you remember us”.

Mr. Russo mentioned how happy, outspoken, and confident a girl she was. One of her classmates sitting next to them mentioned that she use to be admired by teachers and students because of her innovative ways.

Her father said, “Now she is a different girl, doesn’t talk much and doesn’t ask questions, keeps things to her. She is an adult”.

 Mrs. Russo said, “But her mesmerizing smile and bright green eyes are still the same.”

Before I could know her more, Arlo enters the scene. He was amazed to see everyone and was gobsmacked to see Celeste.

Arlo was excited can’t believe Celeste will come. He can’t stop himself and grabbed Celeste's hand and asked her to dance.

Arlo said, “Do I know you Girl”?

Wondering Celeste said, “Congratulations” and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me that you are Carlos Russo”?

He said, “I wanted you to find it out”.

Their bond was seen can be felt. It was in the eyes and in the smile.

Everyone was happily drinking and dancing.

Chapter 6

To spoil their dance Arlo’s ex-girlfriend Minnie made fun of her ideology towards education and sports when they were kids. The jealous girl said, “Do you remember telling Carlos about not studying and getting punished for getting fewer marks. Now, who will ask about marks on the field”?

Another arrogantly said, “But most are asking about the mark on his face? And did anybody asked your marks except your Boss”?

Upset Arlo stopped those girls by saying, “Mind, you tone girls”.

Celeste touched her scar, and asked, “Do you like it”?

Captain and a very intelligent man Arlo said, “I can’t rue it now”.

Celeste smiled but didn’t reply, thinking what kind of boy he is.

One not knowing who she is called her a Gold Digger.

Which made her really upset; she went to her parents and told them to leave. Worried Mr. Bianchi grabbed his daughter's hand and took her out.  Mr. and Mrs. Russo also looked worried.

I heard her saying, “Let’s go. People are still the same don’t want to grow and love to upbraid people”.

On which her father said, “It is wrong not to listen and not to speak when required”.

He added, “Explaining and expressing work together. Be yourself”.

Arlo told me what happened.

Arlo’s stopped Celeste to discuss.

She smilingly asked, “You told them, please tell them they can never take a piece of my mind. Tell them I have never said sports isn’t important even that time I have said that correct knowledge of everything is a must that includes sports. I think you want to revenge me”?

It was an intense moment.

Arlo said, “I am not revenging you, and tell me what I can do to prove myself”.

Celeste said, “Just concentrate on your game”.

Unbelievable, what kind of person she is?

Soon they left.

Arlo was annoyed with his friends for ruining the party. He felt dejected, he turned the music off. Went to those mean girls and said, “She isn’t a gold digger and she isn’t running behind her boss, she runs her own business. 175 employees work for her. And all that is because of her education”.

He also told them the truth about his injury and its mark. He said, “We were together but now I guess it's over and because of you.”

He told me to take care of things and went away with his parents.

Chapter 7

(It was a big day for me. I was appointed as the official fitness coach for ‘Urbs’)

I was shocked to see Celeste wandering at the food stall at the big stadium. She asked a server, “Why everything is so expensive here”?

So to surprise her I told the manager to treat her as my special guest and give everything complimentary. He did it as I told him to do.

Celeste's expressions were beautiful; I recorded them from a corner. The gracious girl gave them some money as gratitude and asked them to wish for ‘Urbs’ victory.

After the match she was leaving I asked her to meet Arlo. She said, "Arlo wanted me to watch the match. So I did it”.

She smiled and said, “I ate free food after a long time so absurd Cell is talking”. She added, “Arlo must be surrounded by people who didn’t like me much. So I will call him later”.

(After some days Arlo left for his games. He played amazingly and made our city proud and helped the team Ironclad to reach the Finals)

Chapter 8

At the ending ceremony of the semifinals, Arlo told the commentator, “I am in love with my scar it proves my worth. If I am worthy enough then I want the creator to visit me in the finals”.

I understood his statement when I saw her at the stadium for the final match wearing Arlo’s jersey. She looked super excited to see his goals but she left early. I was annoyed but I realized that he hid it to avoid more troubles in his life. Now I was jealous and happy for my friend.

Arlo’s team Ironclad did it in the finals they beat 2 Times winners Team Emir. Arlo was declared player of the series.

As the special guest Princess of Emir, Princess Eleanor Celestine was invited. When Arlo was invited to the podium his eyes popped out and the Princess can’t stop smiling.

Arlo asked her, “Why didn’t you tell me”?

She said, “I wanted you to find out”.

He said, “Can I”?

She hugged him and said, “You can have the pleasure this time”.

Commentator asked him, “How it feels to win and get a hug from the Princess”.

He said, “I have proved my worth”.

I think this is for everyone who didn’t like them to be connected. One who thought she was a gold digger. For those who thought she runs behind her boss. For me who surprised the Princess by paying for her meal?

Her nobility touched mine and many other hearts.