Chapter 60

"Aiden, are you all right?" Asked Samantha who had repeatedly tried to interrupt Aiden's reverie. 

"I'm sorry, what were you talking about?" Aiden's confused face made Samantha even more annoyed. She felt as if she was being ignored, something that almost never happened in her life. 

Samantha was silent for a few moments, trying to calm herself down, which was increasingly shaken by her growing love for the man sitting in front of her. 

"I understand, you're confused. But, ignoring the person you're talking to is very impolite, Aiden!" 

"You're right, I'm sorry. Like I said, I'm in an uncompromising mood. Sorry for upsetting you!" 

"Do you think sorry is enough? Before, no man has ever ignored me, let alone thought of someone else when I'm with me and it seems, you've wasted that opportunity!" 

"I don't understand, even though there is a woman as beautiful as you in front of my eyes right now. Maybe I'm just a stupid guy who doesn't realize how lucky I am." 

"So, why did you waste that opportunity to continue to mourn a woman who doesn't respect your feelings at all?" 

"You're right, I was just trying to get over it." 

"It seems you really like her? You make me jealous. Who is that woman?" 

"Do I have to tell you?" 

"Yes, because I insisted!" 

"You probably wouldn't guess, but she really-" 

"Nina?" 

"What?" 

"Is that woman is Nina?" She asked. Her eyes stared intently, trying to show her power. Samantha is not the type of woman who wants to compete with ordinary women, even too ordinary like Nina. Because she knew, the levels were much different. 

"Yes!" Aiden who heard the name that was very annoying to him, was forced to bring back the disappointment that he had worked so hard to suppress. 

Silence came after Samantha realized, Aiden really liked that girl. He couldn't hide it and everything was clear from the look in his eyes which showed that he was disappointed, very disappointed. 

"I don't know, what exactly do you see in that girl. I think, she is very far from the type that might interest you." 

"I don't know why either, it's just, I feel very comfortable around her." 

"Comfortable? What comfort are you looking for in a relationship?" 

"Yes, how could I possibly spend time with someone who makes me nervous all the time?" 

"In my opinion, in general, people will fall in love with someone who makes them feel nervous and fluttering. If you feel comfortable, I think that kind of relationship is nothing more than a normal friendship relationship." 

Yes, maybe Samantha was right. Aiden can't even tell how it feels when he really falls in love. He has never had a special friend, let alone a close friend. So far, his relationships with other people have only been about professionalism in the campus world and his work. Such a close bond, he doesn't know how it feels. Except when he was a child who didn't really understand the meaning of a bond. 

"She's a strange girl, careless and also very troublesome. But for some reason, she can make me be myself. I don't need to pretend when I'm by her side. It feels very comfortable, like a home that makes me always want to go home," he said with a small smile that makes it look very sincere. 

Samantha hated this so much, how could she lose before she even started the battle? Samantha thinks her toughest opponent is Emily who she knows is Aiden's ex-girlfriend. But in reality, her toughest opponent is just an ordinary student who works part time at a cafe. 

"I understand. Feelings are indeed something we can't predict how it will end. Today you may love her so much, but who knows what will happen tomorrow? So, you don't need to be too disappointed with that rejection. Because I'm sure, in a while again you will fall in love with a woman who deserves your love!" Samantha said while touching his hand. 

Aiden doesn't know if feelings can change that easily? He avoided physical contact for 26 years until he finally gave his first experience to a woman he thought loved him. 

The happiness, sensations and everything he felt at that time will only make it harder for him to forget Nina. What's more, if Nina continues to work in her apartment for the next year, is it possible that that love could just disappear? 

"You don't need to be too hasty, I will accompany you. Take it easy, okay?" Samantha smiled gently. Her touch turned into a tight grip that signaled that she was the right person more than anyone. 

"I hope so."


*** 

Drrrnggg...drrrrnggg... 

Aiden's phone rang, the name of the person who was the most annoying to him at the moment appeared on the screen. 

"What did she call me? Did she regret it and withdraw her words?" He thought. 

"What?" He asked sarcastically, although his little heart still hoped for a miracle of love. 

"Where are you?" 

"On the way, what's going on?" 

"You eat out, don't you? Because I cooked dinner for you!" 

"Hah? She must want to apologize and regret for rejecting me!" He thought. 

"I'm not hungry!" 

"Why is that? Later when I want to go home, you insist on making food first." 

"You eat it, I don't want it!" He said who acted like a child who was cranky because his request was not obeyed. 

"He can be cranky too, huh? You bastard!" Nina thought who could not stop thinking with Aiden's childish attitude. 

"Well, if you don't want it, I'll just take it home. Even though I cook it with love-" 

"What? Who said you can take it home? Wait there, I'm about to get there!" 

Nina held back her laughter, to her this was really funny. If Aiden were in front of her at this moment, her face would be flushed red with embarrassment. 

"Okay, I'll wait!" 

Full of love? Two words that made Aiden's mood change instantly. Maybe it's true, that Nina also has the same feelings, it's just that she doesn't want to admit it. Somehow that made he feel excited. 

When the door to his apartment opened, Aiden who was excited at first, suddenly calmed down when faced with Nina. The awkwardness reappeared, if now they were lovers. Maybe he would just hug her and give her lots of love. 

"Where's the food?" He asked was back on cool mode. 

"Didn't you say you weren't hungry? Why did you suddenly change?" 

"Yeah, b-because I'm suddenly hungry, what can I do?" 

"You're lying, just say you're actually hungry, but pretend to refuse. You suck!" 

"Okay, where's the food?" 

"At the dinner table, come on!" Nina said while walking to guide Aiden to the dining table. 

On the table, served a plate of rice, a bowl of brown meat. Aiden frowned, sure the food he saw was food he had never eaten before. 

"What's this?" 

"Rice and beef caldereta!" 

"Beef caldereta? Why is it black like this? do you want to poison me?" 

"Don't talk nonsense! You have to try it first, then you can comment!" 

"Yes, alright!" He said resignedly as he sat down casually. 

Nina took a place on Aiden's right side with the aim of seeing his reaction to tasting her favorite food which made her homesick. 

Aiden who was nervous, picked up a piece of meat with a fork, the confused look in his eyes made Nina want to laugh. He put the piece of meat in his mouth and let the taste of the spices fill his mouth. 

"Delicious."


***