Reo and Me

Twenty

Aisha's POV

I reached the office just in time. I stopped on the way for my daily Starbucks dose and went upstairs, sipping on the hot coffee.

I walked inside, greeting June. "Good morning." I said chirpily.

"You look happy today. Anything's up?" She asked from her cubicle.

"Well," I said, stopping by her cubicle, "Reo surprised me yesterday by flying to London." I smiled.

"He flew to London all the way from the other end of the world just to see you?" June asked in disbelief.

"Apparently he did." I shrugged my shoulders.

"He's really into you Aisha." June smiled.

"I know." I walked into my cabin, settling down. I set the coffee on my table and cracked my knuckles. Let the work begin.

———

Three coffees and a gruelling ten hours later, I was dead tired. There was so much work to be done that I didn't even get to eat lunch. But I loved my job even if it tired the hell out of me.

I had just parked my car into the parking and was walking towards the elevator when I saw Sameer.

"Sameer! What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Aisha? I wanted to meet you but some dude opened the door-" I interrupted him. "He's a friend of mine from Japan." I said coolly.

"Still Aisha- is it okay that a guy is staying with you?" He asked.

"I don't have a problem with it and not does Reo. So." I shrugged. I had absolutely no problem with Reo- he was being a perfect gentleman.

"Aisha it's unsafe-" He started.

"It's okay Sameer. I know him. You shouldn't worry. Do you want to come up for tea?" I asked.

"I'll pass." He gave a short clipped reply before walking away.

I frowned- why was he being this way?

I went up to my floor and rang the doorbell. Reo opened the door, freshly showered. I couldn't swallow how good he looked. He had changed into a blue t shirt and black knee length shorts. He smelled amazing and water dripped from his hair.

"Hey Aisha. How was work?" He asked, letting me in. Looks he was unaware of my staring. I blinked, coming to my senses.

"Tiring. I'll quickly fix dinner if you'll wait." I put my briefcase down and moved to the kitchen.

"I already made dinner- I knew you would be tired so," he said opening the casserole kept on the table. It revealed chicken fried rice.

"I used your kitchen again, I really hope you don't mind." I couldn't reply. He had cooked and he was being so respectful about it.

"It's perfectly okay, Reo. I'll change and then we can sit down to dinner." I smiled and rushed to my room to change.

I changed into my white and blue pajamas and opened my hair, brushing and clipping the bangs away from my face.

I emerged out to see Reo watching TV. "Let's eat." I said, sitting down at the table. He nodded, turning the tv off and joining me.

"You know, I never eat dinner properly. Or any meals- most of the time I'm so rushed that I just grab a sandwich from the fridge for breakfast." I confessed.

"You'll fall sick. Don't do it." He looked at me, worry flashing in his eyes.

I looked at him and smiled. He was being so amazing.

"A man had come to meet you. He didn't seem too happy to see me." Reo said, casually.

"Yeah. That was Sameer- my friend and ex boyfriend from college." I added the ex part deliberately, just to fuel him up.

I could visibly see his fingers squeeze the fork before they came back to normal.

"I see." He replied.

"He's trying to make things like the past- dating and all." I bit my lip. I was making him jealous for no absolute reason.

"So will you?" Reo asked seriously.

"Will I what?" I asked, my heart beating rapidly.

"Go back to him." He said quietly.

I stayed silent for sometime. I didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry for crossing the limit. It's none of my business." Reo laughed bitterly.

"No. I won't." I finally said, almost in a whisper.

Reo continued eating. I followed suit. "Why would you not? He's good looking, successful and you go way back." Reo commented.

"He might be all of that but he's not a stranger who kissed me on our first meeting." I whispered, waiting for his reaction.

Reo put the fork down. "Is it okay if the stranger kisses you again?" He said looking at me.

I had just nodded when Reo leaned over the table, slowly moving his lips on mine. My eyes closed as I moved in sync- he tasted like rice and soy sauce but it was appetising.

His hand easily came around my neck, as mine lay at my sides. He pulled back, biting his lip. I opened my eyes. "That was out of the world amazing." I giggled.

"Glad you feel that way." Reo got up and I got up too. We came to the side of the table, facing each other. I looked up at his face as he leaned in again. Our lips moved together once again, igniting fireworks inside me. His hands tightened around my waist and mine played with the hair on the nape of his neck.

I pulled away, my arms still around his neck. We breathed loudly, our chests heaving. "I don't know what to say-" he shut me up by kissing me again.

"Stop ruining the moment." He laughed after he pulled away. I bit my lip and nodded, as we sat down to eat. "How long have we known each other Reo?" I asked out of nowhere.

"6-7 months I would say. Why?" He looked at me.

"Well," I dragged. I couldn't bring myself to say it. Wouldn't it sound too desperate?

You have to sit Aisha. You can do it. Just say it. You know he's into you.

"I was saying," I continued. He nodded.

"Do you like me?" I burst out.

Reo stared at me, unblinking.