Reo and Me

Twenty Eight

Aisha's POV

Two Weeks Later

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the two dresses hanging beside it. Both were Indian, one bright red in the colour and the other a milder lemon yellow.

I was going to Tokyo again this year but my stay was going to be very short. I had almost crossed all things off my checklist except for a few.

In an hour, I was going to be formally meeting Sameer and his family. Mom had extended her stay and Dad had flown in too. Sameer's family was here as well. It had been almost three weeks since my breakup with Reo.

I wanted to meet Sameer and try to take my mind off a certain Japanese man. I decided on the milder yellow. I slipped into the outfit, my hair and makeup still remaining.

I decided to tie my hair in a ponytail, except for a few odd curls, framing my face. I did some makeup- eyeliner, mascara, lipstick and eye pencil. I put on a little bigger than normal earrings.

I had just finished when someone knocked on my door.

"Come in." I said.

Mom came in, a small box in her hand. "Aisha. You look so beautiful." She said, pulling me into a hug.

I smiled. "What's in the box mom?" I asked, peeking at it curiously.

"It's the bracelet I wore when I first went to see your dad." She opened the box, revealing a glimmering crystal bracelet.

"I want you to wear it, if you want to, that is." She said.

I couldn't shake the feeling off that I was wearing it for the wrong person. The correct person was a few thousand km away.

"I'll wear it mom. It's gorgeous." I said, as mom slipped it on. It was shining.

————

We had taken the decision to meet at a common place rather than at my place, which was what was done traditionally. My home has no space anyways.

We had chosen an upscale Indian restaurant which had separate rooms for larger parties. Apparently Sameer and his family were already present. I couldn't believe this.

I had brought myself to block all social platforms of Reo- from his number to his Instagram ID. Sometimes I would be tempted to unblock him and see what he'd been up to. But I knew it was reckless.

The host opened the door as my parents went in first. "It's just a meeting." I whispered, exhaling. I brought a smile on my face as I followed them in.

Sameer was touching my parents' feet but then he looked up at me. I knew he was in awe- I didn't know I was looking that good.

I ignored him and went to his parents, who seemed as ecstatic as my parents. I bowed down and touched their feet as they said the mandatory blessing.

Sometimes I thought these blessings had been said so many times they were now just reduced to words. My family sat across his.

"It's so good to have another match between two families. My sister in law has been raving about what a good daughter in law Naina is." His dad beamed.

"Yes, we have raised our girls that way. How is Naina's pregnancy coming along?" Mom asked. Naina was already at the end of her first trimester and the doctor would tell her the gender soon.

I couldn't wait to become an aunt!

Our parents talked for some more time before they came to the actual topic. "We already love Aisha- we just agreed to the meeting to be formal." Sameer's mom smiled at me warmly.

I smiled back. "We also really like Sameer. Only the kids have to agree and if they do we'll set a date for the engagement soon." Mom replied. Dad was looking at me.

He knew about the entire Reo fiasco and had been really worried about me since then. "Why don't you both take a stroll and decided while we order desert?" His dad guffawed.

I got up and Sameer followed. He started speaking the moment we were out of earshot. "You look gorgeous." He said.

"Thank you." I said.

"I thought you were dating Reo. Why suddenly this?" He asked but it wasn't a taunt- it was a genuine question.

"We fought and broke up." I said. I had made progress- I wouldn't burst out crying everytime I mentioned us. Now I'd just have tears in my eyes.

"I'm sorry. Aisha, I want you to know something. I really like you and you know that. I just don't want you rushing into this just because you're heartbroken. Don't say yes until you're absolutely sure." He said kindly.

His kindness was bringing me even closer to tears. He was being so nice. "I want this Sameer. And I'm not saying this because I'm heartbroken and want an escape. You're really nice. Plus we'll still have time after the engagement." I said. I really hoped I wasn't making a rash decision.

"Well, if you want it then I guess it's a yes from me too." He smiled and we stopped. He held my hands.

"I'll try not to make you cry, Aisha. I'll be a better boyfriend/fiancée this time." He grinned. I smiled back but somehow I knew that Sameer saw the smile not reach my eyes.