Broken Birds

Four

Well, unfortunately for me my boss canceled the meeting and moved it up to tomorrow morning.
Ma was happy but I wasn't, it wasn't good news for me.

I've always been someone who does things on time and without delay so the fact that he had to move up the date makes me feel slightly incompetent.

Although he did give me a warning.
I really don't feel like going on a stupid date but anyway I ended up at home. I took my bath and wore the Kaftan like I promised my mother. I need to get a girl, whether I'm sincerely inlove doesn't matter to me. I'll just get one for show, so Ma will get off my case.

Before Fatima arrived I continued my work on my tablet. The only that remained is the finishing touches anyway.

I ordered coffee as usual.
Our table was in a corner, almost covered completely by an arc covered with so many flowers. I like privacy so I paid more for it.

I take a deep breath.
My phone starts ringing, an unknown number so I didn't bother picking it up.
It rung a few more times and I mean like 10 times before I finally picked up.

"Hello?"
"Aryan, it's Fatima"

"Oh. Fatima, how're you? I'm still waiting or did you call to tell me you're unavailable?" I ask feeling excited. Might be the only good thing that happens to me today.

She chuckles "Actually no, I'm outside"
"Oh" I frown "Are you unsure about where our table is located?"

She chuckles "No actually I was hoping you'd be a gentleman and pay for my Uber"
"What?" I ask in shock.

"Yes, I've been outside for the past 15mins"
"Oh. Ahh—okay. Uhh—I'll be right there"
She ends the call.
Why don't I ever go on dates with normal girls?

"Thank you. You're a gentleman just like your mom said" she says as I pull out her chair.
"Thank you. I'm guessing she's told you everything about me"

I say sitting across her.
"Yeah. She told me you make seven figures. That's impressive especially in this economy. You work in tech, right?"

I huff but nod.
"That's awe inspiring, you must be smart"
I almost laugh. There's no one who hasn't said that, I was hoping for new words.

"So I'm told"
She chuckles "So you're told? By who or what? Your bank account?" She laughs at her joke.

I smile.
"Why don't we order?"
She smiles "Yes please, I'm famished".

I ordered just a cocktail as I wasn't particularly hungry, in fact all I was hungry for was a proper conversation. I can't deny that a part of me was praying this girl was different from the others but here I am again, another 'unforgettable' date.
Anyway my date ordered food about 4 times. The first was the starter which she ate a fruit bowl, a small chops tower and I think the smallest pieces of suya on a metal stick. Then she moved to her main course, some kind of pale looking pasta and dry chicken, coconut rice paired with two cups of mojito 'For better digestion' or so she said. Then it was the appetizer, cheese cake, chocolate cake and macaroons paired with a milkshake.

And now as we are rounding up she orders three shawarma and curly fries.
What is she? A glutton?

"This was actually really fun. Let's do it again"
I smile in response.
"Anyway, my mother told me you got your brother his job?"

I nod.
"That's great because I've been looking for a job.
Maybe it's my luck we were hooked up, you know?" She says laughing. She literally laughs at everything but she does have a perfect set of teeth, maybe why she likes laughing.

"You want me to get you a job at the company I work?"
She nods "Your mother also told me your boss treats you like you're his son".

'Your mother'
'Your mother'
'Your mother'
My mother is the reason none of these dates ever work out. None of them have ever asked me anything related to me, they don't care to know me.