The naughty neighbour

3

A few days later, I was doing some gardening, when some cold water fell upon me, drenching me in the process. I gasped, shocked and looked up. It was Callum.

'What the hell was that for, you bastard?' I cried in fury.

'For calling me rude, arrogant, a prick and now a bastard.'

'Have you been listening to my conversations? Seriously. Grow up.' I was so angry.

'Well, it was hard not to. You call me rude and then you don't let me into your house.'

'Well, I can't.'

'Why not?'

'Because I am not allowed to let strangers into my house and my parents will kill me. Its a culture thing.' I reiterated.

'Oh.' He said. But I realised his eyes were not on my face but trained somewhere else, on my chest. I looked down and realised that my black bra was now exposed, thanks to my white top sticking to my body like glue.

'Enjoying the view.' I snapped as I covered myself and returned to my house. Luckily, mum was out shopping with my brother and my sister was locked inside her room.

'Very. Oh and thanks for calling me hot.' He shouted after me. I could hear the teasing in his voice. I just hoped my sister had her earphones plugged in, unable to hear our unsuitable exchange.

*********

Things didn't change. A few days later, he chucked mud on me as I was feeding the fish in the pond, and the next time it had been water balloons, sand and all sorts of things. I didn't avenge myself, because I was a mature adult, unlike him. I liked gardening and often spent time, in the picturesque garden I had designed myself. I had wanted to start a garden designing business, but Mum insisted that I get a university degree first and so I was.

But Callum's antics made me feel like I was being barred from my own garden. What was worst was the fact that I returned from uni a few days later to see him drinking water in my kitchen?

'What the hell are you doing here?' I said as I walked in. He continued drinking, ignoring me, water dripped on his already wet chest. I tried not to look distracted by the nice sized biceps, exposed by his sleeveless black best top. He adjusted his cap, which was on backwards.

'Oh, hey sis. He's playing football with me.' My brother walked in, with a huge smile picking up a bottle of orange juice from the fridge. Callum put the glass down.

'He's got no one to play with, so I thought I'd make the lad happy.' He winked at me, following my brother out into the garden again. Seriously, a 21-year-old guy was playing with a 10-year-old boy? But I couldn't help but think how sweet he was being. I sighed and went upstairs to put my bag away. I decided to go downstairs to make myself some lunch.

As the pasta cooked, I looked out the window and into the garden watching the boys play. It was cute and crazy watching them playing. Soon, they wandered in and I began replying to my whatsapp texts and scrolling down Instagram. I knew I had to ask whether they wanted some of the pasta, out of hospitality.

'Something smells good.' The voice said behind. I spun round in shock and bumped into his stone hard chest. I moved away and put a safe distance between us.

'Would you like some pasta?' I asked reluctantly, trying to dismiss the fact that I had felt his warm hard skin and smelt his amazing cologne which had a hint of sweat. I silently hoped that he said no. But he smiled and nodded instead.

'Adnan, you want some?'

'Yeah.' I got out an extra two bowls and handed it to them, and they started chomping it down greedily. God, they were hungry. Surprisingly, my brother finished faster than both of us and disappeared upstairs.

'This is really good.'

'Thanks.' I replied, cautiously eating. I didn't want to show him that I was a messy eater. I finished eating quickly and went to the sink to wash up.

'DO you want more?'

'No thanks. That was plenty.' He flashed a smile and came close and put his arm around me to put the bowl and empty glass down. He then rested both his hands on the counter, trapping me in between them. 'Do you want some help?'

I could feel his breath clearly a part of my neck. He wasn't touching me -but I wanted him to. If I leant a bit back, I would feel him. I cleared my throat.

'No thank you, you can leave now.' I quickly said.

'You don't have a boyfriend do you?'

'Nope and I don't plan to.'

'Independent woman, I like it.'

'No, I mean I won't have a boyfriend. I'll have a husband.'

'Oh,' I heard the surprise in his voice. 'So you've never been kissed?'

'That's none of your business.' He moved away, and leaned his back against the counter, folding his arms and looking directly at me.

'I'm right, aren't I?' He smirked. I ignored him.

'Since you seem so reluctant to leave, you can do your bit.' I said, chucking him a towel. I got the sponge and begun cleaning the table, they had just eaten on and then brushed the floor. He still hadn't finished.

'Wow, that was 3 bowls, 3 spoons and 3 glasses, and you're still not done. Give them here. You're free to go.'

'Ok, but you'll have to get the towel first.' He held up the towel, revelling in the fact that he was taller than me. I could have got out other towels but that one was already damp.

'Stop messing about, you ass. Give it to me.' He teased me as he continuously moved the towel out of my reach until suddenly I was trapped in his arms. Our faces were so close to each other, I could see the small specks of black in his green iris. I gulped, mistakenly looking at his lips. Suddenly, his face moved closer, leaning a little right and he brushed his lips against mine. I stared, frozen not in horror as I would have liked but in amazement.

'Close your eyes,' he ordered and I obeyed. No, push him away, a part of me whispered but it felt so good. I pressed my lips a little harder, feeling it against his. All of a sudden, I heard the front door open, and we sprung apart. I exhaled deeply. Shit, I wiped my lip but he looked normal, except for his

'Hi Mum,' I smiled as she walked in. She looked at me and then at Callum.

'Hi.' She looked at Callum suspiciously. 'Who is this?' I could see anger and suspicion rising in my mums eyes.

'Um this is Callum from next door, the new neighbours.'

'Nice to meet you Ma'am.' He smiled, awkwardly. My mum titled her head, as if asking what the fuck he was doing here?

'Um, he was playing football with Adnan and he was just about to leave.'

'Thanks for the pasta. See you around.' He said getting the cue that it was time for him to go. The door shut and mum folded her arms.

'What?'

'You know what?'

'Look, I came home from Uni and Adnan was playing football with him. I thought you let him in. I couldn't kick him out.'

'and then?'

'I made myself lunch, gave some to Adnan. I had to give him some as well.'

'Rebecca...' Mum said in an exasperated voice. I knew what was coming. Be careful of men and lardi da di da. I switched off as she contained. I mentally sighed in relief that she hadn't caught us...kissing. Damn, I had just my first kiss with the annoying but hot naught neighbour. I wasn't complaining because it felt incredible, but just as soon, the guilt wavered in.

'Rebecca! Are you listening?'

'Mum, I get it. PLease just trust me a little. Ok.' I felt even more guilty asking her to trust me when I had betrayed it. But never again. I would never abuse her trust again. I decided that I would stay clear from Callum,by every means possible.