Reo and Me

Thirty One

Aisha's POV

Sameer dropped me home, after holding hands the entire way. I was still not entirely sure how I felt for him, but everytime I was with him I felt a certain warmth, a significant comfort. I could be with him all day and not be bored.

I had a small smile on my face as I unlocked my door and got in. The sensor lights lit up quickly as I took off my shoes and slipped into my fuzzy slippers. Putting my handbag away, I moved towards the kitchen to grab myself a bottle of water.

The night was still swirling inside me- I had mixed emotions. One small part of me was starting to like Sameer back and even thought that I could pull this off with him. He was changing and would be a very good husband, I could tell.

But still a larger part of me had Reo in my mind. Sameer was amazing no doubt but with Reo it felt like I lived in a fairytale. Every kiss from him would awaken the buterflies inside me and it was almost as if everything else around us lit up. This is as cliche as it could get; but that's just the way I felt with Reo.

I decided to push this out of my head and focused on the ball 2 days from now. Every year the hospital held an annual charity ball all the supports from which went towards their hospice.

I was still undecided about what to wear and I had to look good. Sameer was a very respected doctor at his hospital and it was my first appearance with him as his to-be-wife. The phrase still scared me but I was taking it one step at a time.

My phone buzzed with a notification. I put the bottle down on the counter and grabbed it. It was already 2:30 in the morning. I unlocked the phone and saw an Instagram notification.
'reo_2687 tagged you in their story.'

The phone remained frozen in my hand. Reo had tagged me in a story. I couldn't blink; for a moment I almost forgot how to breathe. My heart throbbed in my throat, a wave of nausea hitting me. These were my typical symptoms of being nervous.

I couldn't bring myself to open the notification. I switched my phone off and plugged it into charge, just to procrastinate looking at the message. Instead, I tried to forget and moved about my night routine.

I went to bed at around three thirty, thankful that tomorrow wasn't an early start. I wasn't supposed to be in the office until 11 so I had plenty of time. Lying in my bed, I stared at my charging phone. Curiosity and nervousness both were gnawing at me. It was a matter of time to see which one dominated. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm my mind.

I decided to deal with this like a responsible adult and decided to open the notification. It had been months since I'd last heard from him. My fingers were trembling as I turned my phone on and it glowed in the dark room.

I opened Instagram only to see no new notifications. The tag had been deleted. I was disappointed- but more of dying of curiosity. What was it that he deleted it soon after?
I fell back into bed and pulled the covers over me. I guess we'll never know.

-----

Next morning

My alarm rang, waking me up at 9:30. It was an overcast morning, typical for London. But today it looked like it was actually going to rain. I had to pick my car up today so I decided to take the tube. It had been a long time since I had used the London Underground so I was excited.

Last night washed over me. Impromptu date with Sameer and that notification from Reo. The two men fought wildly in my head everytime and not too surprisingly Reo won.

I started getting ready for work, settling for fitted black trousers and a simple blue blouse. I put my black blazer and slipped into my black work heels. It was my usual comfortable look and I rarely dressed up for work.

I had a morning message from Sameer as usual, asking if I'd slept fine. He sent one everyday without fail. But none from Reo. Was he drunk last night? Questions roamed inside my mind.

I took the Tube as decided, munching on a granola bar. I reached work at 5 minutes to 11 and rushed to my cabin. My work bestie was busy in her work conference at Barcelona, the lucky woman.

I got to work easily, realising why I loved what I did. Finance had always been my thing and dealing in risk management was totally my element. Plus it paid well. I had a notification from Sameer.

'Don't want to rush you Aisha but the ball has been preponed to tonight. Free to attend?'

My eyes widened. Tonight? I wasn't busy, but I had no preparation done either. Thankfully due to my late stay last night I wasn't overwhelmed with work today and could fortunately go gown hunting as well as attend the ball today.

'Kinda rushed, not going to lie. I'll see you tonight.' I replied.
Almost immediately my phone rang again.
'I'll pick you up at 8?'

'Done. See you :)'

Our conversation ended there. I looked at my watch. 2:46 PM. I had just enough time- getting ready wouldn't be that tough, it was the gown hunting which I needed to do. I shut my laptop and stuffed it in my handbag. My supervisor wasn't in so I left. He didn't want me to come in to work today but I insisted on a late start.

Now, time to tackle the ultimate women question- What do I wear?