Reo and Me

Twenty Four

Aisha's POV

My phone dinged with a message. It was from mom.

Landed. Will go to immigration soon.

I Locked my phone and put it back into my pocket. I was just about to leave and had put a light cardigan around me that the doorbell rang. I opened the door and Sameer stood in front of me, holding a bouquet of pink roses.

"Long time no talk Aisha." Sameer grinned. I smiled back.

"Good to see you too Sameer." I took the bouquet away and placed it on the table beside the door. "You going somewhere?" He asked looking at my dressed form.

"Yes- mom's flying in from India for a some days. I was just on my way to pick her up." I said.

"Can I come along?" Sameer asked. I didn't see any objection. "She would love if you came too. Let's go." I grabbed the car and apartment keys, locking the door behind me.

We sat in my car and I drove to the airport to wait at the Arrivals gate. I parked my car and both of us got out, walking to the gate.

"How's life going?" He asked, hands in pockets.

"Good- busy with work. What about you? Finally dating someone?" I asked.

"Life's hectic so I haven't even found the time to go drinking. I have an off tomorrow so I thought I'd visit you today. I didn't like how things were last time you saw me." He said, as we finally stood at the gate.

I looked at the door, as people started pouring out.

"I wanted to keep this for later, but would you mind giving us another try Aisha?" Sameer asked, eyes filled with hope. I didn't know how to turn him down.

"Will we still be friends if I told you the truth?" I said hesitantly. Mom still wasn't out.

"Of course." He grabbed my hand. I smiled slowly. "I am actually seeing someone at the moment." I said, not divulging further details until he asked.

"Who is it?" He let go of my hand.

"Reo. The man you met when you came by last time." I said.

"You both were dating when I came over?" He asked, the hope in his eyes long gone.

"No! We just started two months ago when he came over. If I remember correctly, it was a day after you left." I lied- I remembered crystal clear when we had started dating. It was on the same day when Sameer had come over.

"I-" Sameer started but I cut him off.

"Mom! She's here!" I said excitedly, hoping I hadn't broken too much of his heart. My mom walked towards me, dragging a big suitcase behind her and a huge smile on her face.

"Aisha!" She hugged me tightly for a good few minutes.

"Mom." I couldn't help but smile. It felt so good to see her after such a long time.

"Even sameer's here mom." I told her. She looked at him and smiled too. "Sameer. How are you?" She said, as he bent down to touch her feet.

"I'm good aunty. I hope everyone back there is fine too?" He said politely, getting her suitcase. "I'll take it!" I rushed but the way he looked at me made me stop.

"Yes yes everyone is fine. But you look fit." Mom and Sameer continued in conversation. I wasn't sure if I liked how they were bonding.

Later when we reached home and had dinner with none other than Sameer, me and mom lay on bed, chatting.

"Sameer is a nice boy Aisha." She commented. I knew where this conversation was going. Just out of respect, I decided to hear her out.

"And you both look so good together. I was thinking maybe I would talk about this with your dad and fix a match with him?" Mom was treading carefully.

I sighed. "Mom, I'm not looking for marriage right now." I said. "Besides," I took a pause. Should I tell her about Reo?

"What?" Mom asked.

"I am dating someone at the moment." I said casually.

"What!" She said upright. I did too, looking at her directly. "He's really nice mom." I pleaded.

"What's his name? Which part of India is he from? What about his parents? How long has this been going on for?" She started with her onslaught of questions.

"Well," I was stalling, "His name is Reo Kawaguchi." I said silently. I felt scared.

"Kawaguchi- JAPANESE?" She almost yelled.

"Mom calm down. Yes, he is Japanese. His dad passed away shortly after he was born and he lives with his mom and uncle." I said, telling her whatever bits Reo had told me about his life.

"How long?" Mom asked.

"Two months now. I really like him Ma. I think you should try talking-"

"Aisha. No. I don't approve of this. If he was Indian then I would have considered. But Japanese? Completely different cultures? No." Mom firmly shook her head.

"Mom please-" I tried to plead.

"No means no Aisha. I'm telling your father about this and we're setting a formal meeting between you and Sameer. It's time you got married." Mom said finally.

"Mom. I'm not the 12 year old you used to control. I'm 30 for god's sake! I know what's good for me and what's not. Me and Reo are in an amazing place right now." I exhaled loudly.

"Aisha. I mean this for your good. Do you think you would be able to live with a man who is so different from you? Will his family accept you? Have you thought about all this?" Mom asked considerately.

I thought about it. "We haven't mom. We're not even thinking about marriage or settlement right now. But I would really appreciate it if you could just talk to him once. If you don't like him then MAYBE you could arrange that meeting with Sameer's family." I sighed in the end. Mom thought about it.

"Okay. Let's have a video call with your dad too and let's see what he thinks about all this nonsense." Mom said, as she got up to depart to her room.

I shook my head. Reo, please convince my mom.