Shimmers & Shrouds (Abstruse) (3 page)

Time to bid farewell. I turned to him glumly; He was like… checking the place out. I bet he had never been to any apartment before. Do they even need to visit someone with such a small house? No way. These high profile people made friends with the people who could live up to their expectations. For example, throwing expensive parties, party all night etc etc..

“It’s a nice place to stay.” He smiled. That SMILE WAS BRIGHTER THAN THE FLUORESCENT LAMP that was fixed right above his head. I was dazzled and took literally more than a minute to compose my face expression to say just one word. “Thank you.”

We stood there like statues for another few seconds, but when he didn’t say anything, I decided to toss a very important question and made sure to start it with a really formal note.

“Mr. Albert.” I started, but stopped on my tracks soon. I realized that his eyes had widened… at my address?

“Whoa, when did you start calling me THAT?” He asked, horrified.

What? Was he expecting me to talk to him like a neighbor next door who had been living here since a long time and had great relations with me ever since? No… I’m not doing that.

“Sir, I don’t think you should be treating me like I’m your friend.” Because this is making me sick. I just can’t bear the fact of you getting comfortable with me when I know what social status you have. “I just wanted to thank you for today and the happiness you dawned on those kids. Also, I won’t be running around the world screaming that I met you.”

“Why?” he asked me, shocked again. “I would want you to tell people that I met you. I mean…” He scratched his head in utter confusion. Thank god. I wasn’t the only one with a messed up mind here. All this while, I didn’t miss to notice how adorably cute he looked while scratching his head, and younger too, like he was just twenty one instead of twenty nine. “That would be a plus point for my image since it needs a push.”

I would have started to think of him as someone who only cared about his status and pride if I hadn’t seen him playing with the kids today, or the hurt expression on his face when he told me that he wants me tell about him. He was certainly lying, for some good reason, and I found myself extremely curious to know what the big secret really was.

“Are you sure?” I asked one more time to confirm if he knew what he said and really meant it.

He took a long breath and closed his eyes. “Do you think it’s a good idea?”

“No. Actually I would have helped if I were British.”

“I know that. Your accent is very different.” He still hadn’t opened his eyes.

“So I cannot really risk all of this just to give your image a little push.” I smiled apologetically. He was able to understand everything right? Because I felt like I was talking to a rock and not the richest man and the sexiest guy ever.

“I do.” He sighed and opened his eyes. Only this time, a genuine smile accompanied the warm gaze. I hoped I didn’t look breathless.”So, you have your answer then. Don’t say anything. I trust you on this.”

“Thank you.” I felt my heartbeat rising. Oh Christ! Why was I not having a good feeling about this rapid lub dub?

“Anything else, Miss Viera?”

Ah yes… I knew that the entire idea that had been in my mind all this time was as stupid as I was but I opted to say it out.
"Wanna come in?" I chose to look at his shoes rather than the face. I was really scared.
"No... I mean― I would just― you know." He tried an unsuccessful attempt to explain. Okay. So we were same on some terms.
"You're sure? The day isn't over yet... it is still August 2..My birthday is going to last a couple of hours more and ―you can stay if you want to."
That sounded convincing because I could see the possibilities of him nodding in a yes.
"But it is just a one bedroom apartment. You wouldn't mind the size right?" I added.
 “I've lived in bunkers that were much smaller than this apartment during deployments. It surely is a big place for me.  I assure you." He ―was charismatic. I hoped I wouldn’t sound like an idiot next time.

He indicated
his driver to go home or take rounds. I didn't know what it was and I didn’t dare ask him.
 Sometimes I couldn't help but notice how accurate my timing was. Until yesterday my entire house looked like it had been shaken badly by an earthquake and then a couple of King Kong apes might have had entered after that to redecorate my home. The dresses were on floor, the kitchen was the messiest place. Shoes were on the bed and my beddings were on couch and the couch was near the door blocking its path to open itself in a full swing, of course. But thanks to Summer; she was a god sent angel.
Yes I admit that she was terribly moved to see my house like that and I knew I had nothing to offer her so I left her alone and went to get some edibles. When I came back, I was stunned to see the entire house. The beddings, couch, shoes, socks, and dresses, all were in the places where they should be and this was why my apartment looked like a movie set today. I was sure he was impressed. I will have to give Summer a better share of treat for this tomorrow.
"Grab a seat and be cozy." I tried to sound nice, and it felt like I was convincing a homeless guy and not someone who had the money to buy twenty thousand houses like mine!
"You watch movies? I have some dvd’s down there, the second shelf. You can check out. I'll go change."
"Thanks." He smiled and started hunting..
I smiled and headed for the kitchen. Once I was sure he wouldn’t come to notice my actions, I started exhausting myself out by jogging and exercising. This was supposed to calm down the adrenaline rush. When this didn’t help, I covered my mouth and gave out a meek shriek at the realization of him being here. He was REALLY here. Could it be that my luck was THIS good?

if there was something left, just in case if he was hungry. There were bell peppers, tomatoes, oregano, tofu and noodles. Enough stuff. I giggled. I quickly changed into white camisole and light brown Short pants and combed my hair. He was still struggling with the movie cds when I returned, and perhaps sensed somehow that I was in the same room.
"All are horrors movies!" His expressions were disappointing. "You don't watch romantic movies? Or comedy?"
“Umm..I love horror movies."

He looked at me in disbelief.
"I've met girls who only like romantic stuff."
"All the girls in this world are not the same. You don't know all of them."
"You are different." He left the cds where they were.
"That's because, you've never been out of your friend circle." I knelt and started arranging the cd's back in the shelf. Guilt must have hit him, I was not sure because I did not look at him but he joined in soon after.
"I ― don't understand." he paused. I checked for the movies that had very little horrific stuff and separated them from the rest.
"Can't you see. All the girls you've dated till now are either from the glamour world or from the ultra rich families who can pay for the astronomical bills in the night clubs. In one single night." I emphasized on the last three words. After arranging the cd's back in their place I kept aside a few just in case if he wanted to watch a little ‘out of the league’ stuff.
"I spend four hundred fifty pounds in a mouth, or even less. That's where the difference lies." I sighed and jumped on my bed to put my head back recalling every word I spoke till now and closed my eyes slowly.
"No one's gonna believe that you were with me over here." I muttered. It was just a whisper but I was saddened by the truth in my own words.
"You're right." I heard his voice; he too had his head back on the couch where he was sitting now.
"I haven't met girls who would look so beautiful without the makeup."

My eyes flew open. D
id my heart stop for a second or was I imagining things?
My stomach squirmed. I just hoped my face wouldn't show him signs that I was an idiot.
"I'll go get something for you to eat."

I acted like I hadn’t listened to his comment. I started to move out but
he signaled me to stop. I couldn't move an inch further.
"I'm not hungry." He smiled. "Why don't you wear the birthday dress? I really hope it looks good on you." He added. Orpheus Albert was asking me something. How could I deny it? Wait.. oh my god, how was I going to do it?
 

I brushed my hair after changing into the blue dress that he’d brought for me as a birthday gift. My long hair did not look good with the beautiful fancy clothing . H
owever, I gave up on the idea of braiding it; that would look even more stupid.
With all the courage I could gather, I stepped into the room where he was sitting in his usual place, with head titled back, eyes closed, and fingers interlocked.

I chose to attract his attention by clearing my throat. (Adressing him by his name was something I couldn’t do unless I was forced to.) M
y heart was pounding the entire time.
He opened his eyes and jumped from the couch in the same. His actions startled me but I tried to manage not to scream in horror. He looked at me from head to toe and back again with his mouth open, as if he were stunned.
"This is better than I thought." He seemed to appreciate himself.  Blood boiled under my skin. Not a single compliment?
I wanted to run back and change; in fact I would have if I were not struck by his mesmerising charm.
"I was thinking if we can forget for sometime who we actually are and enjoy each other's company." The suggestion was good. Noble even.
"Sounds fair enough." I walked towards him, and sat right next to him on the couch.
He glared at me. Either he didn't like me sitting this close or he was making me aware of my boundaries.
"What?"I glared back."You said we should forget who we are, you want me to hypnotize you so you can recall it back?" I swear that sounded like a five year old kid was speaking.
He laughed loud, louder than I thought that sophisticated people did. Embarrassment washed over my face.
"I don't think hypnotizing would be needed, you're eyes are hypnotic enough to do that job." He chuckled once again.
Blood flushed under my pale yellow skin, my eyes grew wider. Was he….hitting on me?
"Wow, that's the biggest pair of eyes I've seen yet, you have a comparatively large iris." He studied my eyes, I looked away. Oh, I wasn’t even prepared for this encounter.
"My mom says I'm easy to read, this is the only drawback." I shrugged my shoulders and looked at him, just to see whether he was paying attention. And he was.
"Your mother has a sixth sense?" He giggled. Humor at the expense of my mother… wasn't funny at all.
"No, she has common sense. You sure lack that one!"
"Whoa." He looked kind of blown away with the sarcasm in my voice. "Now THAT needs a truck full of guts." He used his finger to make me heed every word.
"I have a lifetime supply." I flaunted, tossing my hair.
"I appreciate the source you've got." He sounded sincere enough. "By the way who do you like? Mom or dad?"

Our topic of conversation changed again.
"I look like my dad. But I'm fair because of my mom." I informed. "And you look pretty much like your mom."

His face expressions rapidally changed. He looked appalled,
like I was speaking something offensive, knowing I wasn't allowed to.
"Okay what are the identical features?" He looked rather amused.
I'd never imagined him sitting this close. He looked a lot hunky in the pictures, but in reality, he was the hunkiest, loveliest and someone like the princes in fairytales if they had existed for real.
"Your nose, your forehead, the lips." I paused. “Your eyes are―" Before I could finish, I felt him fidgeting. I understood that I was closer to him than I should be.
"I'll go change." I stood up to leave .Every topic that we had talked on till now grew awkward in the end, that was inevitable. I felt uneasy to even stand in front of him now.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."  He sensed the seriousness in the air, and got up too.
"No it's fine, for a moment it had drained out of my mind that I'm just an ordinary girl. People like us have our limitations, we can't be anywhere near you guys, I’m sorry." I felt some wetness on my cheeks. I couldn't believe I was crying. I immediately wiped the tears off before he could see them.
"That-was-not-what I meant." he staggered.