Out of World

In a peaceful and fruity aroma-filled environment in front of a huge and elegantly built university building named ‘Aarhus University ‘, from where loud murmurs of students calling out a particular name can be heard.

The buzzing sounds are detected from one of the classrooms based on the ground floor. Moving closer to the source, the name is heard loud and clear, the student’s cheery voices shouting out the name ‘August’ and then clapping sound can be heard in a loud tone.

Within the classroom, all students were sitting except one male student, who stood next to the teacher near the teacher’s desk, facing his classmates.

He stood still with his turquoise eyes looking dull and empty, and a tight smile plastered on his face.

The teacher standing beside him speaks in a prideful tone, “August, your academic score like always has been continuing to be at the top rank. Godt klaret! (Well done). Your dedication will surely lead you to become a professional psychologist. 

Now, dear students, you should also take inspiration from him and work hard and improve your academic scores. I am sure; all of you will be able to achieve good academic scores. Okay then, August, you can go back to your seat.”

August silently neared his seat and sat down, then the bell rang and the teacher took off from the class. Here, two guys hung around his seat and one of them speaks in a delightful tone, “August, you are a model student, every time you managed to score high and also somehow handle your musical amusement as well.

 No wonder, why most students especially are fascinated by your brain, beauty, and music. We are so lucky to have you as our friend.”

August utters with a hint of sarcasm in his tone, “Hmm. Correct, I should have chosen a few honest friends, who will not bathe me in a full bucket of butter. I feel sorry for myself. Don’t you think the same, Eric about this buttery guy?”

Eric playfully pushes Noah away from them and comments, “August, I think we should also exclude him from your musical live show. He will completely disrupt the melody of your event.”

Noah voices out with a conceited tone, “You can’t exclude me, after all, half of his fans will join in his musical live shows because of my popularity. I am quite famous for my charismatic talking style.”

From behind, a girl speaks out, “Noah, can you kindly rest your lips, your voice is pinching my ears.”

August and Eric chuckle, whereas Noah’s rosy face reddens and his baby blue eyes look here and there making sure that no one heard this comment.

August grins and talks to that girl in his chirpy tone, “ Liva !. Liva. Fantastisk, du er så god til at genkende stemmer.” (Amazing, you are so good at recognizing voices)

Liva talks back, “August, I just told the truth. It is my pleasure to destroy his misconception about himself and help him to identify the real him. You are the annoying, extravagant, and pretentious topper guy, Noah in my eyes.”

Noah defends, “Undskyld mig frøken Liva”. (Excuse me, Miss Liva) You have gravely mistaken my melodious voice for superficial. I am Noah, who is just as good at academics as August is”.

Liva chuckles at a low volume. Noah comments with a sweet tone, “Dear, I am a fan of your intelligent mind that’s why I won’t talk back. I am still a gentleman at heart at your service.”

Liva lowers her head hiding her smile and pretends to read a thick book and mutters in a low tone, “Such a cliché .”

Noah then directs his attention towards Eric and August, and says, “August, Why were you not smiling fully while the whole class was praising you. Remember, how happy will be your mom and dad.”

August’s lips curve in a content smile and the dullness in his turquoise fades and his eyes twinkle with joy at thinking about the image of his mom and dad smiling at him and pride reflecting from their posture.

Eric says, “Now the smile looks real on his face. August, I am curious and excited about the first new song that you are going to sing live through that popular musical app called Musehub. Noah told me that your audience numbers have increased up to 2000 on your account. Congrats.”

August speaks with a satisfied tone, “Yes, I am happy about that. But, we need to hurry up; we need to rush to the next class on the first floor. Fast! Let’s go.”

Eric stops in the middle of the stair and yells, “Noahh..,why are you walking like you are at a fashion show. Walk fast.”

After classes are over, the whole building buzzes with students’ murmurs, gossip, and footsteps.

August, Noah, and Eric descending the stairs at the same pace, suddenly one of their professors steps near them and declares, “ August, I, and most of the teachers await for tonight’s August musical performance.
Recently I joined your channel on Musehub app. Hope you don’t disappoint us.”

August replies in a polite tone, “No, sir, I wouldn’t dare to disappoint our teachers, especially you. I have heard how good knowledge you have about music. So, I hope you get to enjoy my song. Thank you for your wishes.”

They hit the road and reached far away from the university, throwing fits of laughter in the air.

Noah speaks in an amused tone, “August, you are quite daring. How boldly you indirectly joked about the professor’s not-so-good singing skills, which the whole class is aware of.”

August utters giggling in between, “I didn’t mean to. But sometimes, I feel my rebellious streak in me urging me to do daring things. I enjoyed the look of confusion on his face when I praised his singing skills.

Still, I feel little guilty about that.”

Eric talks, “I agree. The expression on his face was quite hilarious. I had to pinch hard myself so that I don’t give in to laughing. You put all of us in such critical and funny situations, August. You look so sophisticated and friendly but you are a notorious one.”

Noah comments, “Of course. August has it all. He have a fit medium-built body and handsome face, beautiful almond-shaped turquoise hue eyes, soft wavy light brown shade hair, and in addition an amazing brain as well.”

Eric speaks in a playful tone, “Who are you trying to sell our August?”.

Noah understands his hint and says, “It’s obvious. I am advertising my friend to the smartest and most sensible girl in the entertainment department. You know that girl with a melodious voice, who is also the first fan of his music account on Musehub. What’s her name, August?”

August speaks in a plain tone, “June, Her name is June. And Noah, I have no interest in her and I have flaws as well. Can’t you see these red and small blemishes on my cheeks; they are stuck to me since birth”.

Eric speaks, “So what, we all have flaws. But still, your flaw appears beautiful to the girls. I also desire to have a flaw like you. Still, I am not desperate like Noah.”

Noah replies “Don’t change the topic. August, hasn’t anyone special caught your attention in our university or outside the university?”

August utters, “NO. I just can’t seem to resonate and feel a spark with anyone till now. Who knows where she is or if she even exists or not.”

Eric jokes, “Noah, you are looking at the wrong sites. August’s muse would be out of this world. I mean it literally.”

All of them sync in laughter and then after a few moments,
August announces, “Enough about my muse. Let’s just focus on the present, which is tonight on my special musical life. We will meet there and then enjoy ourselves. Okay then bye..”

Noah stops him and asks him, “Why are you in a hurry? I have planned a tour of the amusement park, then a basketball match between us, and then depart to our respective homes.”

August’s face pales a tiny bit and speaks in a worried tone,“Did you forget what happened last time when we carelessly wander around till midnight for celebrating our good scores? We all three had to go through a 1-hour lecture on punctuality and responsible behavior from my mom. I don’t want to be late this time. She can’t tolerate lateness.”

Eric and Noah stutter at the same time and tells, “ ye- yes, you are right. I think you should reach home fast. We will wait for tonight’s event. Good luck.”

They land in their respective homes within a few minutes.

August appears in front of his house, which is a 2-room apartment, coated with a white and greyish color combination on the exterior side and baby blue and off-white color painted on the interior walls.

August glances towards the left direction, where various diverse flower and vegetable plant species spread over a limited zone.

He notices a particular flower in its bud form, his eyebrows squint and his eyes fixated on the flower.

He hears a sharp creak noise and whips his head straight.
His eyes widen and standing like a statue after seeing his mom observing him with her sharp blue eyes and worry creases upon her forehead with a frown on her
face.

August speaks in a hastened tone, “ Mom, Ididn’tdoanythingIamsorryifIamlate.Please do not cancel my tonight’s plan.”

Her frown curves into a smile and starts giggling, “ My dear Aus looks so scared like I am going burn you for being not at all late.”

She chuckles and continues, “Oops. I was just kidding with you. I know my son, he is super wise. But Aus, I didn’t get anything that you said. I just figured out your thought by your pale expression. 

Come inside, your dad has already awarded himself with 3 wounds on his legs due to roaming
around the house with a worried look on his face.”

Concern fills in his turquoise eyes and asks, “ Dad, He is always like this whenever he overthinks about something. Is he fine? His mom assures him and jokes, “ Don’t fret, he is a falling star, who crashes on house thrice a month and fulfills our wishes.”

August utters, “ Moom.., seriously, you are unbelievable.
You somehow find to lift the heavy mood into a light mood. However, Mom, when did you plant that strange flower over there?”, and he points his hand towards  that strange flower plant.

Mom diverts her attention in the pointed direction and a smile appears on her lips, “That flower, it recently rose into bud form although I have planted it quite a few months ago. This flower is named ‘Coreopsis’ and is also known as Full moon, these take a good amount of time to bloom in mid-summer time.”

Excitement fills in her voice as she speaks, “ Aus, do you know this flower means cheer and love? This flower reminds us to remain cheerful even when the situation is hard. Enough about flowers, let’s go inside, otherwise, your father will crash on the floor like the star he is.”

August grins and gives one glance towards that flower before heading inside the home. August notices his dad pacing here and there holding a book. His mom is gazing at dad with an adoring look on her face.

August clears his throat announcing his presence, his dad swings towards him and grasps his arms, and looks closely at his face with a focused stare, then his round agate blue eyes loosen into relaxed form, and embraces him and pat his back, “ Aus, I knew it, you would be the topper like always. I knew that you had great potential in the academic line. Thank God,
you are not indecisive, who chose carelessly any career.”

Hearing this, August’s eyes expression turns dull a little bit and sadness fills in his eyes for a sec, which goes unnoticed as his eyes again shone with affection.

August talks with an affectionate tone, “ Dad, I had to do my best for you, mom, and myself. At the same time, I also love my music as my only hobby and tonight is a special night for all of us. I am going to perform my first written song live on the Musehub app for more than 1000 people.”

His eyes twinkle with joy talking about music, which does not go unnoticed by his parents. He continues speaking with joy, “ You both will also join in tonight’s event, right?”

Mom mutters in a loud tone, “ Helt sikkert Aus (For sure,Aus). We wouldn’t miss it, right elskede (darling)?”

His Dad tells with his soft voice, “We will, my elskede (dear) Alma. I am eager to hear you sing your first song. It makes me happy.
Even so, I feel ‘Hygge'(the term Danish people use to express comfort) more when you study and dedicate yourself to your studies. And this music thing is more like your hobby, I know.” August mutters out ‘yes’ in a quiet-low tone.

Mom commands in a bossy tone, “Asger, Don’t spoil the fun with your boring study lecture. He is punctual, responsible, and playful like me, unlike you.”

She wraps her hand around his son’s left arm and drags him to the dining table and points towards his favorite dessert on a plate beside the meal.

He bumps her head lightly and speaks, “Mom, you know how to lit me up like-”, Mom interrupts him, “Like a disco light”. August laughs, “What? Disco light?, You are funny. I was going to say that you lit me up like a tube light”. Mom again interrupts him, “How unimaginative just like your
father.”

August speaks again, “Mom, I am also a funny person like you. By the way, you must attend my musical live show. You will, right?”

Mom replies, “ 100 % yes, now have your lunch.”