My Perfect Stranger

CHAPTER 3

Sometimes it is going to rain. People said bring the umbrella just in case, but lets get hit by the rain so we know how it feels.

I don’t know what I am doing. I am thinking too much. God gave this brain but maybe I have been misusing it. Just a few weeks ago I have set a wall in within myself not to let it go again. I am not sure this time. I am not sure what I am feeling. This is the risk that I am taking, giving an opportunity to myself to be hurt again. He is staring at me and I don’t know and I wonder what he is thinking. I don’t know what I am thinking. No matter how many friends I have, no matter how million times I am trying to talk my heart out, how many times I am denying everything, the truth is what I am facing. The stupidest confession I have to make is that I don’t know what I am going through right now and this shouldn’t be complicated. I can’t tell.

“People used to tell me meeting a girl on the internet is the craziest thing to do because most of them are just screwed up and desperate,” he said. Great, now I am desperate! He must be kidding me. I didn’t look for him, he came to me. How come I am the desperate one?

“But you’re different,” he added. Ok, let’s drop that desperate case. “What makes me different than anyone else?” I asked staring straight at him.

“You make me feel happy. There is one thing that I wanted to do,”

“What?”

“Let’s sneak out tomorrow night,” he smiled and looking straight at me and giving me this uncomfortable feeling.

“Why and How?” I am not scared but confused.

“Tonight there’ll be a function at my house where my brother’s fiancée bringing her whole family for dinner. They’re getting married next year in February, 3 months to go. Before I forgot, I want you to be one of the flower girls,”

“What? Are you out of mind? Go and ask all the young girls in your family, I am a big girl and a stranger to your family and what were you thinking? Sneak out?”

“No, you don’t understand, I just want to be away. It is not my wedding and I don’t feel like being there and you are going to be one of the flower girl. That’s final. We’re sneaking out tonight; I need you to come to my house around 9. My room is facing the front and I get out from my window, go through the roof and we’re good to go,”

He is officially announced crazy and before I even get a chance to nag, he added;

“I don’t want you to say anything, just do this for me one time,”

I am officially out of my mind too. Control freak, I am not going to be one of the flower girl and that is final. I can’t believe that I am doing this, I am staying at my parents tonight and I am sneaking out using my dad’s car. Someone is going to pronounce me officially dead by morning. It is going to take me around 20 minutes. While on the road, I am not sure which turn to take, is it the first or the second? Damn it. Why the hell did I tell him I know the way since this is actually my first ever time driving to his house. Great. So Great, I have to call him. He didn’t pick up. Why on earth am I doing this? Me, driving to a man’s house. That is so against my morality. I sent him a text message;

Where are you?? I don’t know the road…Me!

Ok, I need to calm. If I am lost, I am going to cry and if I am stood up, I will not ever going to forgive him and definitely I am going to cry. Suddenly, my phone ring but the number is unrecognizable. “Hello?” I said.

“Hi is that Diana? This is Hadi, Omar’s brother,”

“Oh…Hi, where is he?” I am confused.

“He is taking his bath, he asked me to call you to give the direction, may I know where are you now?”

He sounds convincing and Omar better be dead once I reach there, why he is not ready? Has he forgotten about the ‘sneak out’ plan? He is the one who planned it and does this make me sounds desperate. He is driving me crazy.

“I am reaching Selayang now, I am passing the Petronas gas station just about now,” I said then he quickly reply,

“Ok, take the second left turn. Remember, the second one not the first,”

I am focusing so hard just to make sure I really can see the road, I am having this difficulty all along driving at night because of astigmatism.

“Ok, I can see the second turn,”

I think I am right but I guess I doesn’t sound convincing.

“Alright, stay calm if you can see a roundabout in front of you, you are absolutely right,” what is he, psychic?

“I don’t see a roundabout!” I screamed, I guess I am panicking.

“Relax, you will see it, once you’re there take 3 o’clock,” he sounds like he is chewing something.

“Ok, I am taking 3 o’clock, then what?” I feel a little bit confident now.

“Just drive straight ahead until you see the huge billboard and take the immediate left turn. It is a new road and on the road you will see this one tall building which is a condominium. Right in front of it, there is housing area and our house is facing it. Should be alright and you’ll be here in no time,” he said.

“Ok, bye,”

I hope I can remember what he said and my brain is repeating each word he said.

As I reached the road of his housing area, I saw some few kids running and teasing each other. One of the houses was so bright and there are few cars park in front of it so I guess that must be his house, it wasn’t so big but the design was like a small palace. I was amazed for awhile. Then I saw a guy smoking a cigarette standing besides the small swing where there sit a small young girl. He is tall just like Omar but I couldn’t see much of his face, he directed me to park my car by the road. I was dumbfounded for awhile wondering if I should get out of the car. I am not ready to meet these people and I don’t think I want to. But that is what I did, but I am not going inside to meet the whole family. I smile at the guy,

“So you’re Diana?” he asked,

“Yah, and you’re Hadi?” I asked then I turn to look at the small girl.

“Yup, nice to meet you and this is our little sister, Aleeya,” he said and gave me a warm smile, they look so different than the girl.

“Where is he?” I asked but before he managed to answer me I saw Omar walk out of the house and he didn’t come out from the window like he planned. So much of the word ‘Sneak out’.

“Hi, sorry I am late, let’s come inside and meet the family,”

I stared straight at him, what the hell is he trying to do.

“No, I believe we should get going now,” I said firmly.

He smile and paused for a few second and said,

“Ok, maybe next time. Let’s get going but just let me go inside and take my wallet,” before he turn I said, “Don’t try to do anything funny,” I warned.

I was so nervous but he didn’t do anything stupid.

We were quiet during the journey and we went to his favorite place. Once we have placed the order, I look straight at him and ask,

“What were you doing when I called you?”

He then gave me that innocent smile,

“To tell you the truth, after I came back from office my mom asked me to go to the shop and buy some stuff. Then I got so tired so I took a nap and I over slept. I just got up when you called. I know I need get ready so I asked Hadi to help me to call you back,” he explained.

I just kept quiet.

“I am sorry,” he said.

“You used the front door. I thought you should be going out through the window and you even asked me to come inside and meet “the family”. What are you trying to do?” I said looking straight at him. Seriously I cannot imagine whatever in his head.

“Nothing, when I was in the shower. My mom sent the maid to call me to go down and meet everybody. So that is what I did and yes I planned to sneak out but I had to change the plan. Of course then they all knew I am going out so they ask with whom…with you. When I met you outside I thought you might want to come in and meet everybody. But I can see you’re suddenly so serious,”

I am blank for a while he seems to have explanation on everything he did.

“It is not that I don’t like surprises, but I just want us to get things slower. I may not be the type of girl who every guy wants to bring home and show his mama. I am touched you thought of that, you’re the first. We just started to get to know each other,” I am trying to say something right.

“Ok, I understand. Again…you amazed me. You’re one of a kind. Every girl I met can’t wait for me to bring her to my mother,”

Then our food arrived. Seriously, are there girls like that? Or am I being naïve.

“So that little girl is your sister huh? She doesn’t have you or your brother’s look at all” I said. He smiles.

“She is our adopted sister. My mom took her from this family who couldn’t afford to take care of her. It’s a good thing because my parents don’t have a daughter, atleast there will be someone to take care of her and accompany her when we’re not around,” he explained. Well, I am surprised and again I have no idea how to response to this. “My mom wants to see you,” He simply said.

I didn’t say yes to the idea of seeing his mom. I used to want to meet my boyfriend’s family but I don’t think that is a good idea now. I know I am not supposed to be superstitious but I think its bad luck. I prefer things to go slowly and we can take our time on things so that we give our brain to think and our heart to analyze. I am at work and it seems I can start focusing on the job recently. Everything is according on plan and on time. My boss start to smile at me again, he never actually voice up his concern on my performance but I can definitely sees it from the pressure he put on me before this. It is time to concentrate on my diet too. Going out with Omar giving me a hard time on the subject, we went out to eat late dinner often enough. I never worry about that until this morning where I think my jeans is a little bit tight. Ouch! I am going to the gym this weekend. After lunch, my phone started to ring and it is him as I looked at the caller ID. So I waited for awhile before picking it up and said, “Hey you,” there is one big smile on my face as I have this thought that he must have been thinking about me. “Hi, how’s your day?” he asked.

“Great, although there’s nothing much actually,”

“Good, mine is quite boring. I almost went to sleep on my desk a few times. We’re still waiting for new project to be approved. Anyway, I need to discuss with you on something,”

“Oh, what is it? You want to discuss it over the phone?” My heart is pumping like crazy. What could this be.

“I want you to meet my mom,”

“What? I thought we have done with this discussion,”

“I am not pressuring you something but it is my mom,”

“What is it with your mom?” I just don’t understand him.

“You know how mom is like. She wants to sees you. No matter what excuses I gave, she still wants what she wants and she wants to see you,”

“Omar, you should be on my side! I have told you that I am not ready. We’re so new at this and I am still in the period of getting to know you,” he is pressuring me.

“Every girl would want this, why won’t you?”

“I am not every girl, I can’t do it and I don’t want to do it. Please understand,” I am so disappointed. There was a quite moment for awhile.

“Ok, ok, I am not going to pressure you on this. I’ll let her know that you have made your mind,”

“Tell her, I’ll see her when the time is right,”

I need to go for a shopping again, I don’t have anything particular to buy. Maybe I can just buy anything that is nice and of course I need to set a limit to myself or I’ll regret it later on. Wait I never actually regret with all the stuff I bought, it is destined to be mine maybe I will just feel a little bit guilty. I can’t stop thinking of him, is this mean I am missing him? Oh god I just wish that I will never have to go through this. Yes, I am thinking of him at every opportunity minutes that I have but that does not mean that I am crazy over him. Not yet. I think. Then I heard the sound of my SMS ringtones;

Let’s go and watch movie tomorrow, your stranger

I am quite surprise, never come to my mind that this is actually the first time he is asking me for a movie.

When? Where? What movie to watch? Your victim

There are not many interesting movie to watch this month so let him decide. By the way he is the one who is asking, I’ll choose next time.

Anything, you choose, :) Omar

Great.

Then, we just watch whatever movie that is available for 2! ^^ D

I am not sure what to wear and I am not sure why do I care so much. Maybe I should wear that long khakis skirt together with the T-shirt. Then I should let down my hair that will create that simple and descent looks. I have no idea why do I want to look descent since all the while a little bit sexy touch works on me. Well, I do not want to look like I put so much effort and just a little different maybe he’ll be impressed but believe it or not I practiced on what to wear for the date the night before. He’ll never know. Then my phone started to beep. Why is he calling me? I mean it is only 9.00pm. I mean he usually call me around midnight. Don’t tell me he is cancelling the date, it will ruin everything!

“Hey batman, what are you doing so early calling me up”

“Hi D, well…can’t I?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, my car broke down,”

“Oh my god! Where are you?”

“Don’t worry, the car is actually at our condo. Which is actually right across the street,”

“What happened?”

“I suspected the battery, but still we need to check it tomorrow night. Razlan is coming over to help out,”

“So is this mean that we’re cancelling our plan?”

“No…I want to go. But I couldn’t pick you up. Do you mind?”

“No, it’s ok. I can come and pick you up,”

“My girl,”

“Ok, see you tomorrow? Around 1pm?”

“See you.”

Of course I don’t mind. So the date is on.

As usual, I am checking myself again in the mirror. I think I look ok. As I drive to his house I was listening to a song called “Sometimes” by Britney Spears. It really suites the mood. Then I arrived the road to his house and I suppose I don’t need to drive in that I can just wait at the corner for him to come by. Then I saw standing right in front of his house looking at me with his hand on his waist. What on earth is he doing standing there? He should waste no time. The he starts waving his hand asking me to drive my car to the spot he’s standing. Damn, he is a very lazy guy. Why can’t he walk less than 20 steps? (Considering he has a very long leg). So I drove to some where near his neighbor’s house and he shook his head which means no. He pointed to the spot his standing which is actually right in front of his house. Oh my god! What the hell is he trying to do? But so I did. I think I know what he’s trying to do. From inside the car I look at him, he is standing outside obviously. Then I made the face and pointed him to get in the car now and don’t waste more time and no more games. He smile and asked we to wind down the window.

“My mom wants to see you,”

“See I can practically guess this is what you’re trying to do playing games with me. You know that I clearly said that I am not ready to meet your parents and by culture you should meet mine than only go to yours. No!”

“Come on D, give it a break. My mom is not easy to give in, if she wants something there is no turning back. I beg you please make an exception this time,”

“Well, lucky you! I am another woman in your life who is not easy to give in too. You know that I never done this before. I never went to see any guy’s parent before my entire life. I have said it and I am not saying it again. The answer is no,”

Then he made that disappointed face. At that particular point, I came to my soft spot in the heart where I think I am being to harsh on him. As I a watch he walks to the house

“Omar wait,”

I think he already expecting it.

“This will be the last time you do this to me, swear I’ll make you pay for it afterwards,”