The extra-ordinary life

Chapter 17

They were about to enter her apartment when the neighbour's door opened.

Angelina turned back and saw it was aunt Olivia. "Hi!" Angelina greeted her.

"Hi! Oh wow, is this your boyfriend?"

Angelina knew aunt Olivia loved to gossip. So, she didn't want her to get the wrong idea. But before she could answer, Pete had already spoken,

" Hello, I am Pete. It's my pleasure to meet you."

Aunt Olivia showered a bunch of complements about what a beautiful match they were, and how handsome he was and bla bla bla increasing her worry exponentially with every complement.

Angelina released a long breath after entering her apartment. She stood infront of Pete and tilted her head back to stare at his face angrily.

Pete found the situation quite comical. Her head reached near his chest, she had both her hands on her waist and she was glaring at him. Little did she know that Pete wasn't intimidated by her threatening posture, because right now all he could think was how to suppress his urge to wrap her into a roll, carry her to the bed and snuggle to sleep.

Angelina seemed to sense something was off. "Why are you smiling?" Her cheeks puffed up. "Why did you not clear things with her? Now she would think I brought my boyfriend for sleepover!! What if my mother comes to know?"

It was almost as if on cue her phone rang , " baby shark do do do do"

"Hello" Angelina picked up the call.

"Do you consider me as your family anymore?" Mrs. Ray asked.

"What's wrong? What did I do?"

"Now I have to know about my future son-in-law from outsiders! Good! Very good!"

"What?? Ooooo, Aunt Olivia called you, didn't she?"

"Yes, I also know he is right now with you in your apartment."

"Maa, you got it wrong. I didn't bring my boyfriend home. It's Pete" Angelina tried to explain.

It took her a lot of effort to make her mom believe that she was still single.
She turned to face Pete " It's all because of you. You created all these misunderstandings outside."

Pete was sitting comfortably on her sofa. He said, " I thought you wanted me to act as your boyfriend."

Angelina sat next to him and said, finally cooling down "That was just for putting a show infront of Aaron."

"Ah! Your ex." Pete looked away.

Angelina stood up and entered the kitchen. "I only have noodles at home. And also don't expect something delicious, I suck at cooking."

Angelina had cooked a simple meal- noodles with shredded chicken and chicken broth soup with egg drops. She felt a little bit embarrassed thinking of all the delicious food Pete had cooked for all these days. She felt self conscious.

"Sorry, I already said I am not a good cook. Please bear with the food. Or else, I wouldn't know how to hide by embarrassment right now."

Pete looked up at her. Her head was slightly bowed down. Her lips took the shape of an unhappy curve.

He slowly spoke, "This is the most satisfying meal I had in many years."

Angelina's blue eyes met his eyes. She was not blinking. "Did you like it?" she asked meekly.

Pete kept his spoon down and said
" This is for the first time someone cooked for me in many years, and that too such a simple yet unforgettable meal."

Angelina's eyes sparkled. "I am taking it as a complement." she continued speaking after a brief pause, "umm.. who cooked meal for you before? I know Sam can't cook."

"David," Pete said while drinking the soup.

"Your friend?"

"Best friend" he said.

"Are you homosexual?" Angelina didn't know why she suddenly asked this question.

"Are you sure you want me to ask questions on this topic?" Pete had his evil smile plastered on his lips again.

"Umm.. just pretend you didn't hear anything."

After they had finished dinner, Pete insisted that he would do the dishes.
Angelina was sitting on the couch while observing the man busying himself in her kitchen. Her heart felt warm and fuzzy.

"No" Pete suddenly said while picking up his cellphone.

"What?" Angelina didn't know what he was talking about.

"I am not homosexual."

Angelina went till his car to bid him goodbye. "Thank you for helping me out today. Or else I really would have been humiliated."

"What's there to be humiliated about in being single?" Pete stood there opening his car door.

"Long story. I would tell you some other day. Go home now."

Pete entered his car and rolled down his window, "Angelina, just call me whenever you need help."

Angelina didn't reply. She stood there dazed. Her heart was in a mess. She knew deep in her heart, she was not the ideal candidate for being Pete's life-partner. But more the time she spent with Pete, more she was falling for him.

Life was sometimes so unfair. Why did it let her fall for Pete, when life has given her so many scars? She was unable to give the love Pete deserved. For the first time in her life, she wished she had a solution for her illness.