The Perfect Pair

Chapter Four

Meeting Aiden,at first was completely an official affair.He handled the foreign relations department of the same company that she worked in.It was during one of her presentation day that her boss had introduced them.

After that once or twice they met unofficially at coffee shops but to discuss complete business.A while later they became friends and couple of months later he finally wooed her into a relationship.

He was an easy going guy and joked at almost everything that they talked about,at times it was annoying but at times she adored him for that.He never failed to light up any moment.She could never stay angry with him for more than 10 mins or so he would say something so funny that she would end up laughing her heart out.

It was on valentine’s night after dinner,when she asked to drop by to see his place.He instantly replied,”Why?”

“What do you mean by ‘why’? because I simply want to…why?is there a problem?” She questioned straight barefacedly.

“Ummm…Okay!” and he held her by her hand and they both walked up to his apartment.

As soon as he had unlocked the expression on her face changed,it went from being happy to shocked.

“OMG! Aiden this is complete mess!”

He dropped the keys at nearby table and replied,”Make yourself comfortable.It was you who wanted to gladly come by”

“Now I see,this is why you always avoided whenever I asked about coming down to your place” she said mockingly.

“Look at that,the couch is chocked by all your clothes over it..How do you even walk about in here?” she questioned picking up a sock from the floor.

“I manage” he laughed back at her question.

“This weekend you are giving me the keys,I will clean this mess up and make some room for fresh air..”she ordered.

“Okay! I will be there if you need any help” he obliged.

“No need,I know you well enough.You are simply going to joke and laugh and create nuisance instead of being any help.Stay out with Paul or any other friend of yours.”

“Fine!” he mocked

“Good!” she smiled back.

The following weekend as planned,she switched on ‘CLEAN AIDEN’S APARTMENT’ mode and got down to work.

She washed,dusted,aired and settled neatly the entire apartment each room one by one.How did the time pass,she had no knowledge of it and it was past 6 when she finally had finished almost  cleaning.

She pressed the coffee machine button and relaxed on the couch when she suddenly noticed a briefcase under the cupboard.She picked it up and turned it over.A thick layer of dust settled on it made it seemly to be an old one.

She cleaned it and opened.There were some old files and oddly tucked under it a purple shoe.She looked at it questionably and a little surprised too.It was one of hers.But how did it land up here? She had never worn them except for once.

She picked up the shoe and tucked it in her handbag,then went back to get her cup and relaxed on the couch.

It was past eight,when the doorbell rang.It was a tiring day and without notice she had dozed off.She rose up and opened the door and greeted,”Hii baby!”

“Heyy Love!” he reciprocated hugging her.

“My! My! is this my place”,he joked.

“Ta-Da”,she spoke excitingly.

They both freshened up and ordered home delivery and soon after sat down to eat.

She didn't want to ask straight forward.There is no harm in playing around a little,she thought.

“Baby,you know what…I found a woman’s shoe,today!” she said.

“Sangi,stealing neighbor's shoes! Bad manners..”,he replied.

“Be serious!” she warned,”I found it in one of your old briefcase,that to a single one”.

“Hey! Hey! Don’t look at me,I’m straight baby!” he spoke raising his hands a little.

“Forget it!” she turned away.

“Okay! Okay! I’m sorry…” he apologized,”Oh! That!... It’s a funny as well as weird story.”

“Tell me all about it” she was all ears.

“When I was in NY,posted at home branch,I had a meeting at the city hall,there I found it.”

“Whose does it belong to?” she questioned curving her brow.

“It belongs to Cinderella”,he laughed.

“Cinderella?”

“Yes,or so it seemed.I was walking up the stairs when this woman rushed out in super hurry.Just like Cinderella out of her fairy tale and funnily she wore a white gown even.”

“Did you see her face?” She questioned again.

“Nope! All I saw was how mercilessly she closed the door over her beautiful dress and you wouldn't believe she left one of her shoe at the stairs and that’s when I picked it up”,he paused,”And funnily I did once look at my watch to see if it was just past 12.”

“So,why did you keep the shoe,anyway?”

“I don’t know,it’s weird that I even had it.Maybe,it was so amusing to see someone run out just like that made me keep it” he spoke with slight confession in his voice.

“Maybe, you fell in love with the woman?” she murmured out loud enough to be heard.

“What?” he said,looking surprised.

“Yeah,like first sight! kind”

“Of course, not!”

“It wouldn't be wrong even if you would”

“Aah! Now maybe,who knows? Maybe at that moment I did! But you see,everything that’s suppose to happen sometimes doesn't happen,isn't it?”

“Hmmm…now I’m a little jealous” she laughed.

“Naah!.... so,where is it now?”

“I threw it.What’s the use of keeping it,anyway” she said.

“Yeah,right! Come,let me drop you home” he stood up.

While she glanced at the shoe in her handbag for once and closed the clasp.