The weather reflected my mood. It was gloomy, raining almost all the time, the bus took to reach the destination. I met the guy with whom I negotiated my new house. I have only seen pictures because I couldn't come from London over here to see them. Now standing near the house, the little white house I have a feeling that I am going to love this and it will become my sanctuary in no time.

Shaking my hands with him I took the house keys that he handed me over. Congratulating me, he gave me the legal papers of the ownership of the house. There were still a few paper works left to do. But now I own a house, my house. I held the key with both my hands and kissed it feeling content. For once something I can call mine.

With a loud thud, the young conductor dropped my baggage. He was cute, umm ya cute and sweet, with blue eyes, dirty blonde hair and a lovely boyish grin. The moment I entered the bus, he was trying to impress me with small talk. I immediately liked the guy because of his friendly nature. He was calm, collected and hard-working what I gathered. But at the same time, he was a flirt. It was his part-time job, mainly he was a law student. Once a week he took this job to earn extra money for fun.

"Erm, so here you are pretty girl", he said rubbing his palm.

"Kate...call me Kate", I looked at him shyly.

"Do you want me to help you with your luggage?"

"Umm, no I think I am fine and it is not that I have too much luggage", I pointed towards my only 28-inch suitcase.

"I don't mind picking up 28inch and 60inch simultaneously you know?" he gestured towards me and winked.

I tried to hide my smile but failed miserably. No one has ever sweet-talked with me. At my London, high school guys were more into girls who were beautiful, thin, and rich and not a girl like me, plain, short, dull straight-haired and more importantly who dresses horribly. I am not into fashion. I like wearing comfortable clothes and my favourite converse that belonged to me since I turned a teen.

Dareen, the conductor was handsome and getting his attention, felt awkward. With his looks and charm he can get any girl, even standing beside me right now I can see how many girls are going gaga over him. "ooh he is so hot", "#######, is my number handsome boy, why don't you call me tonight", "trust me I am far better than that limp, try me Reen" few hot girls slurred past us.

He nodded his head looking down where the tip of our shoes was almost touching and with a jolt I realized we are standing close. I took a few steps back and almost tumbled over with the suitcase.

"Careful", he shouted but the inevitable had already happened. My butt was plastered on the ground. And I fell in an awkward position. Two legs rested on the top of the suitcase, head on the ground level and my top rode up exposing my not so trimmed abs.

Embarrassed, I pulled down my top to cover myself. Dareen helped me to get up and steady myself. The moment I straighten I knew I have sprained my back.

"Thanks" I mumbled.

"Are you okay? Let me get the luggage inside".

"No Dareen, I am fine trust me", I told him. "And I think you should go. I have held you up for quite some time now".

I saw his hands approach towards my cheek and I pulled back surprised. Seeing my reaction he retreated his hand and pointed towards my cheek, "you have soil on your soft cheeks".

The soil was forgotten immediately. Now, why does his word creeping me out? Till now it was fine, but now I think he is being over-friendly. I mean come on I have just met him, how can he use that kind of adjective you know soft cheeks and all. I roll my eyes.

"Dareen, thank you so much for your help, I appreciate it. I think I should go inside my house and settle down and arrange things".

"Sure pretty girl, see you around. Aah do you have any contact number, and would you like to share it with me?", his words drop in octave making it sound sexier.

Danger Alert my mind said. I bit my lips because I was sceptical about sharing my number with a stranger. So I lied, "No I mean yes I do have a number but I am going to change it soon once the talk time is over", I smiled at him the smile that hardly reached my eyes.

"Okey, happy settling Katie", he tried to touch my cheeks again

But I stepped back making it very clear this time that I don't like to be touched. "Kate, it's Kate".

"But I like Katie", he winked and walked away.

I don't like this, not at all. I don't like people calling me Katie but Kate unless I am close to the person. And Dareen sounded like a big-time flirt. I was angry with myself and was regretting our small talks with him on the bus. He must have got the wrong signals.

I huffed and picked up my case and walked towards my house. I took time to admire it from a distance. It was full white with a brown roof. There was a tiny space for gardening, which was intended and covered with mud. The step connecting to the plinth was made up of woods. I reached in front of the door and inserted the key to unlock the door.

**

After almost three tiring hours I was almost settled in my new house. I listed out the things that needed to be done and I intended to do it before my school starts on Monday, which means I have almost three days to shop and fix things.

The entrance opens into a hallway. It was small compared to the house in London. It was compact with an attached kitchen. There was an island connecting the hall and the kitchen, which serves as a dining space and preparation counter. To the right is my bedroom with an attached bath.

The most pressing need currently was groceries. I packed some loaves of bread on my way to the village and tea bags for an emergency but I forgot to buy some sugar. And as I was feeling lethargic I had to do something about it. My body was craving glucose. I peeped outside the window thinking what to do. I glanced at my watch and realized it was too last to visit a grocery store if the village had any.

How about taking help from the neighbour? I debated on the fact of remembering my experience a few hours back with Dareen. What if my neighbour is a guy who turns out to be as flirt as Dareen? The last thing I wanted was a crazy, creepy, stalker as a neighbour. And what if it's a girl, who can turn out to be just like me, simple, private and not so complicated?

Hmm, well I have to get out of my fear with guys anyways, I can live with it for my entire life. No matter how much positive I tried to remain but my negative mind gave away. I took a bowl and a knife along with me as I decided to visit my first neighbour asking for some sugar. I took the knife in my right hand and held the bowl with my left. If it's a guy who tries to act smart I can injure him with the knife and if it's a girl I can simply act as if I was working in the kitchen. Hmm, that's the best thing to do. Hmm, good thinking.

I stood in front of my neighbour's house and debated what to do. Finally gathering enough courage I rang the bell. I stood outside for a minute or two, but nobody opened the door. Was anybody inside at all? Well, the lights are on, I am sure someone is there. I glanced back to see the other house and debated whether to walk there. It was a bit far off probably 5 mins walk and after 3 hours of labouring inside my house I didn't have any energy left to walk.

With a sigh, I pushed the bell button once again and then turned to admire my house. The moment I heard the click I was about to turn, but something happened. I was flat on my back in seconds. My knees are locked with something...legs I realised. My hands are pinned above my head in a wise grip and two golden-brown held mine. I was stunned momentarily. Panicked as well. But I was unable to form any words.

"Who the hell are you? And what the f*ck are you doing in front of my house carrying that weapon Jeez?"