“Hey, do you want to meet my cousin?”
“No,” Aiko said flatly. She was too busy to fall in love. That and her last boyfriend was a cheating bastard. She didn’t have the strength, patience nor the heart to fall in love again. She buried herself in her latest project, turning away from G.
“Come on, it’s not like you’re going to date,” He said in a cajoling tone.
Aiko frowned and looked him in the eye. “Why do I have to meet him?”
“Because, you’re pretty and single and well… you need a boyfriend, frankly,” he said. “You’re going to be an old spinster if you don’t stop that.”
“I’m ready to be an old spinster,” Aiko stuck her tongue out at him and then grinned.
“Just once, if you don’t click and then you’ve got a new friend,” he said as he turned to tend to his girlfriend who happens to be my best friend.
“I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this,” Aiko shook her head and then sighed.
“Great, Dinner. Friday Night. We’ll pick you up,” He grinned with his perfect pearly whites. Aiko wanted to smack him.
But honestly, AIko was envious of her best friend. Nie had the cutest, tallest and most charming boyfriend in the world and he’s totally head over heels in love with her. Is there anything else she can ask for?
Meanwhile, she has gone through plenty relationships. Many of them failed before they even started. The last time she fell in love, her boyfriend had cheated on her with her boss. So, it was not surprising that she was a cynic when it came to love. In fact she had sworn off love. She wanted to swat cupid away and never fall in love again. Period.
Unless some boy comes into her life and set off fireworks when they meet, then she’ll believe in love again.
But it was Friday night, she put her final layer of mascara on and surveyed herself in the mirror. Dress was just enough to show off her voluptuous curves, it wasn’t too dressy nor too underdressed. Her hair was slick had shone from hairshine and conditioner. She smelled of perfume and she had on her lucky bracelet.
And she said it wasn’t a date.
At 7:45 PM, she ran out of her apartment to meet G and Nie in his battered old red civic. She smiled at them as she reached for the door, but it magically opened. She peered in and her “date” was there. She slipped in and closed the door and then there was awkward silence.
“Hi,” she managed to say as she studied his features. He was cute, lean, with a serious face. Not bad, not bad at all.
He smiled back a little and then said. “Hi, I’m G’s cousin. My name is Iggy.” He offered his hand.
“Aiko,” She offered blushing a little as she reached out to shake his hand. His voice isn’t squeaky. He’s not gay.
“Pleasure,” He grinned as he let go of her hand. Their eyes met for a brief moment and she gasped. Her heart did a little flip.
Aiko, what’s wrong with you? She scolded herself. She distracted herself from his hazel eyes by asking him questions. “So, Iggy, what do you do?”
“I’m an Architect,” He smiled. “Actually, I finished pre-law but my heart was really set in architecture. “ he admitted with a boyish grin. “I heard you’re an HR?”
“Yes,” she nodded as she avoided the teasing stare of G. “I am. Though, I would rather be a writer.”
“What’s stopping you?” Iggy asked her as they cruised the night streets.
“I can’t write. At least not for an audience, most of my writing I do on my own or for a select few,” she admitted.
“I should read your stuff, then maybe I can tell you if it’s good or bad. I’ll be objective about it. Though, G showed be your blogs. I read some of it. You have a talent for it. You should pursue writing,” he nodded and met her eye again.
This time her heart did a somersault. He read my blogs and liked it. she nodded. Her last boyfriend thought blogging was a waste of time.
“You’re smart, you have an opinion. I like that,” he continued. “I agree with you on some points in your blog about the President. He really could use a brain.”
“Really?” she smiled even more. For the third time, their eyes met. Her heart did cartwheels. She scolded herself. She didn’t understand why she was so attracted to him.
1. He wasn’t really her type.
2. Maybe he’s just impressing her.
3. … she’s out of excuses.
Alright, so there is initial attraction. She has a crush. Means nothing. She has a crush on Yamashita Tomohisa and Brad Pitt. Doesn’t mean she’ll fall in love with him, right? At least, that’s what she wanted to believe.
As the night deepened, they talked about everything. Presidents, Past relationships, hobbies and work. She ranted about the office, he told her about his troubles with clients. She was surprised how easy it was to open up to him and talk to him. It was different, it didn’t scare her and she liked it that way. It was comfortable, like talking to a friend – a very good friend. Maybe it would stay that way.
They exchanged numbers and agreed to see each other again. It was so natural that she forgot that Nie and G were watching them as they said good night.
“Good night Iggy. Thanks for the company. Text me when you get home?” Aiko looked again to his eyes and her heart did a swan dive.
“Good night, Aiko,” he smiled and took her hand . “I’ll see you again. Definitely.” He raised her hands to his lips and brushed it ever so slightly. “Thanks for the time.” He whispered.
As he did that, Aiko’s heart leapt. Fireworks had gone off in her heart. Her head was saying STOP. Her heart was rushing on. She watched them drive off before she turned, wide eyed to enter her apartment.
Hoshit. Here we go again, AIko said to herself as she climbed up the steps to her apartment and smiled. G, you are going to get it from me.
Cupid Files 