Arya stared at the mirror. She had tried to keep things as simple as possible. Her outfit consisted of a pair of straight cut jeans. Black knee-length shirt with a grey hoodie that she loved and wore always. Despite her misgivings, she had decided to dab on a small amount of perfume "Desert Rose". She checked herself in the mirror again making sure her hijab and outfit is okay. She had refused to wear make-up in a bid to "test" her date. She was genetically blessed with a baby face with soft rounded features, her height of 140cm made people often mistake her to be younger than her actual age.
She exhaled a sigh. "Some people may be beautiful, but confidence is what makes you hot" she muttered to herself. This was finally and officially her first date in 24 years. Gone are the days of having crushes and one-sided loves and waiting for them to make the first move. Today she was finally going to discover what dating is finally like.
*Internal scream intensifies*
"What if he doesn't like me? What if I am too awkward? What if he turns out to be a catfish? or worse?!?!" The 'What if' snakes were hissing in her head. It didn't help that her stomach felt like a pit full of butterflies at the same time. Her heart pounded heavily. Slowly inhaling and exhaling she decided to spritz a bit more of "Desert Rose" onto herself. The smell of roses in an after rain wafted immediately calming her nerves. She locked eyes with her reflection again and smiled, pointing a finger gun at herself and went to grab her bag.
"Hey where are you going?" Zeynn asked. "Out with a friend" Arya replied trying to resist a grin. "Oh really? Are you sure its not a date?" she teased. Arya quickly slipped on her shoes and grinning replied "Just going out with a friend thats all". "Don't come home too late. Contact me for anything. Also take care of yourself, there is a lot of weirdos out there. Love you!" Zeynn hollered. "Okay, me too!" Arya answered locking the front door behind her.
The evening air is crisp and cool. Arya walked briskly excited at the prospect of what the evening awaited her. She tried to not be to hasty lest she trip over her shoes again. She imagined herself as an adventurer set on a quest into the great unknown. Epic music playing in the back of her mind. She flagged a bus and hopped onto it. Her phone beeped.
"Hey dear you there yet?"
"No, I just left. Why are you calling me dear I am not an animal"
"I meant it as a term of endearment"
"I know, just kidding"
Arya grinned. She knew it was a lame joke but she didn't care. She was someone who loved jokes and comedy. Using it as a balm to numb the pain of emotional neglect and abuse that had fostered in her heart for years. Its one of the things he would have to be used to if they were ever going on any other dates. Still it nerved her to think if her date might think her silly. The bus pulled up to the side of the road and the passengers all alighted. Arya walked further down to the sandwich shop. She took out her phone and texted him that she had arrived. Her phone ding-ed a reply informing her 'He' had arrived too. She looked up and saw him.
Aized was about two heads taller than her. Dark hair and sunken dark eyes with a hint of gentleness in it. His face angular, bearded yet somewhat maintaining a hint of boyishness despite being 27 years of age. Arya's heart fluttered at the sight of his smile. "Hello, you're Arya right?" he asked. "Shall we?"