Reo and Me

Twenty Three

Aisha's POV

A week later

Me and Reo sat in my car, as I put it into ignition. Reo was leaving and I wasn't too happy about it. We had just been dating for like 5 days when he had to go back to Japan because work calls.

The rest of the week passed by cosily- mostly it was dinner followed by movies or plain talking. He had told me a lot about his life there but never about his family or why he was trying to steal.

I pushed it to the back of my mind and tried to focus on the fact that I wouldn't be seeing him again for 4-5 months. I just wished they would pass soon.

I drove to Heathrow, trying to take as much time as possible. "Aisha. I hate to say this but I'll miss my flight." Reo said, smiling.

"Then miss it." I said grumpily.

"Who's gonna do the work there then? Plus I have to go to come back, right?" He said, as if making a toddler understand quantum mechanics.

I didn't reply but navigated through the London traffic, wishing it would stop raining. The grey skies weren't helping my already dim mood. He stared out of the window.

"I'll miss Hyde Park." He commented. I moved my foot around. It had become way better than before, almost healed. "Me too." I replied, trying to blink back tears.

Fortunately, Reo didn't see me because he was too busy looking out at the views. We were just a few minutes away from the airport- another stoplight and then we'd be there.

I stopped at the signal, waiting for the people to pass. These few days had been very cherished for us. I knew that we would meet soon but there were still more than 100 days before we saw each other in person again.

The light turned green and I took a left to the parking area of the airport. I parked my car and stepped outside, shutting the door loudly behind me.

Reo opened the trunk to grab his stuff- his one suitcase and the large Hamley's bag he had. We didn't say anything till we reached the departures part.

"I'll miss you so much." He hugged me tightly, giving me a small kiss on the forehead. I tightened my grip around his waist. "I will too. Thanks for surprising me." I could feel my voice shaking.

"Aisha. Don't cry please. We'll meet soon and till then we have FaceTime." Reo grinned at me, caressing my cheek. I nodded but I couldn't stop the tears.

"Oh Aisha." He hugged me again, placing his chin on my head. He pulled my chin up after pulling away. He placed a small kiss, hands on either side of my face. My hands lay limp at my side, too sad to actually do anything.

"I have to go." He said, his eyes almost laced with tears. I nodded, scared if I said anything I would burst out crying.

He gave me one last smile before walking away into the gates. He didn't turn back again. I stood there until he was well into the terminal and out of sight. I would miss him a lot- our dinners and the movie nights almost everyday.

I walked back to my car, the picture of gloom. I sat in and held the steering wheel. It wasn't as if he was leaving forever but I cried, gripping the wheel.

— 2 months —

My mom was flying over for a few days. I had finally gotten a week off after going through work daily. I had gotten used to my life again, waking up, going to work and coming back to an empty home.

Me and Reo had been talking everyday, Skyping every alternate day. I missed him a lot but I knew that we were two grown adults who had priorities. It had already been two months since we had started dating, our two month anniversary just a few days ago.

Reo had Skyped me and showed me he was making the Indian recipe I had taught him for dinner. I could cry- it was a sweet gesture. I hadn't planned anything but I decided to send him a pair of cuff links because he was raving about a pair he had seen here but not bought.

I still hadn't told anyone about my relationship with Reo, apart from June and Naina.
I knew mom would freak and I didn't even what was up with Sameer nowadays. He wasn't texting or had dropped by since he saw Reo at my place. I had an inkling it had something to do with my new boyfriend.

Naina was almost a year into her marriage too. I called her the other day.

"Naina! Long time no talk." I smiled into the phone.

"I know Aisha. But I've been so busy with work and planning the first anniversary party that I haven't got the time to call mom, let alone you. How's life there?" She asked and I could hear some shuffling in the background.

"It's coming along- I made a boyfriend." I almost giggled.

"Ah, how I yearn for the single life again. Who's it?" She asked.

"Don't freak out."

"Okay I won't."

"His name is Reo Kawaguchi and he's Japanese. I met him last year in Japan."

There was silence on the other side. "Hello?" I asked hesitatingly.

"OH MY GOSH!" I could hear Naina squeal.

"Are you okay?" I asked concerned.

"You're dating a Japanese guy. Wow. I'm excited for you both. How long has it been?" She asked and I knew she was grinning.

"Almost 2 months." I replied, checking my nails out.

"And you're telling me now-" Suddenly I could hear someone throwing up.

"Naina? Is everything okay?" I frowned. There was silence for a few minutes before she came back on line.

"Sorry- I haven't been feeling too well lately." She said.

"You're lying, aren't you?" I wiggled mu brows.

"I'm not!" She said too defensively.

"You're pregnant." I stated. She didn't reply. I took that as a yes.

"How far along?" I asked simply.

"Around two months- I haven't started showing yet and I haven't even told Rohan yet. How did you know?" She asked amazed.

"I'm your sister- I just know." I said, placing a hand on my stomach. Suddenly I was wondering how mine and Reo's kids would look.

They would be half Japanese. Where would they live? Japan or London? Not India because even I haven't lived there since the past ten years!

"Aisha? Are you there?" Naina's voice cut through my thoughts.

"Yeah. Keep me updated, will you?"
We ended our call on that note- I would tell her everything about Reo will she would update me on her pregnancy.

I looked at the clock. Mom would be landing in about another hour. I decided to leave for the airport. I changed into my jeans and a white blouse.