Meeting Again - 47 Shopping

“Tanya…stop pulling me already. Where are we going anyway?” I asked Tanya as we walked through the Cunningham road.

“I am going to Bouquet mall there, it has all the premium and luxury brands. I wanna get a footwear and some nice one piece” she said, pulling me by the arm

“Luxury? Do you seriously want to spend your money on such expensive clothes and shoes?” I asked feeling it to be such a waste

“I am still young and a girl. I am earning to fulfill my desires. This is the age for me afterall. I should worry about my expenses when I get old”

“Sure sure!”

I and Tanya were in Cunningham Road. It was a street that was strictly for walking and was filled with malls, pubs, restaurants, clothing store etc. Since I got a day off, I wanted to go buy some stuff for Twen. Tanya called at my place suddenly in the morning and invited herself in.

As we were walking through, I saw a large store for kids. I wanted to get Twen some nice running shoes and a new bag. I stopped in front of the store pulling Tanya to a halt too. I peeked in to see if they sell bags and shoes. It seemed like they do.

“Ugh leave it to you and all you can see is kid store!! Honestly buy something for yourself too. You are only 25!”

I laughed at her complaining. “Well I am not hunting for boyfriends that I have to dress myself up. I am fine with minimalistic things but it is Twen’s growing years. Every few months I have to get new clothes for him as the old ones are quickly becoming small. And I want to present him a running shoe”

“Tony you too have needs. Being Twen’s mum, it is not surprising that you always keep his needs and wants first but what about you? You can’t be planning to stay single till death?”

“I am too busy to go on blind dates and…” I looked at her cross face and said smiling, “I am bonded. No one would be interested”

“Thats what you think” she murmured under her breath.

We went to the kid store and I got Twen some running shoes, a backpack and a set of clothes. The rate at which Twen is growing, I had to take oversized clothes. Then, I followed Tanya to Bouquet mall where she got herself several things. I just couldn’t keep count. She forced me to get some new jeans and T-shirt too. What a nagging mom!!

“I always wanted to eat in Deliziosa restuarant. It is the best Italian restuarant. It is just round the corner” Tanya said squinting at the stores on both side of the road.

“Deliziosa is not here” I laughed, “It is owned by my friend’s father. And you have to go to the end of the lane”

Tanya turned to me with wide eyes, “How come you have contact with someone so well-to-do? You are full of surprises”

“Haaa! It’s a long story. I owe him a lot” I said, sighing internally

“Well can we get free treat? Since it’s your friend’s restuarant!” Tanya asked excitedly

“That’s not happening” I laughed.

We reached Deliziosa restuarant after fifteen minutes walk. The restuarant was more luxurious than I thought. The first storey in itself looked like a five star restuarant. And in the floor above I could see small wooden cubicles of several sizes. I remember Fred telling me that the idea of cubicle was his. I really wanted to go up and check but we already book a table for two. In the gate itself we were welcomed by a petite woman in her late twenties with neatly tied bun and pretty smile. She was very courteous and extremely well trained. She was the one who did our booking and guide us to our seat. The high level of service and the extravagant and exotic ambience was very infectious. I couldn’t stop myself feeling comfortable. I saw Tanya awestruck. She kept chirping like a very excited little kid. I smiled widely. I never got the opportunity to be a brother to my little siblings. Dad didn’t want me anywhere near them. But now that I am with Tanya and seeing her being all spoiled and nagging, I feel like she somehow filled that gap for me.

“You know what am thinking?” Tanya suddenly asked with a naughty smile

“What?” I asked narrowing my eye

“This could be a educational trip for us. We could compare it to the quality, taste, quantity, price, hygiene of our hotel food. And if it is superior, we could try to implement it in our menu as well”

I didn’t think about it but it did sounded like a good idea, “Wow Tanya, since when did you became so involved with work?”

“Now now, I can’t allow such a thing can I?” came a familiar booming voice from behind us. I immediately turned to see Fred standing behind with a wide smile.

“Fred?” I said, standing up and instantly got swepped off the floor by Fred’s bear hug, taking my breath away.

“You should have told that your coming here” he said, dangling me in his arms like a rag doll

“Let him go. Don’t be all touchy with him” came another familiar dignified voice which at the moment sounded pissed

“CEO?” came Tanya’s voice followed by a creak of chair moving back and a hesitant greeting, “Goo-good afternoon, sir!”

Fred let me free. I breathed out heavily. That was one tight hug. He almost choked me to death. I turned to see Robbie beside Fred with a face that clearly said I-will-cut-your-hand-off-if-you-don’t-leave. I stared agape. What were this two doing here?

“What you, old man! You don’t need to be so uptight” Fred rolled his eyes

“Am just being protective. You were choking him!” said Robbie, glaring, then turned to Tanya and said in a mild but firm voice, “Relax! We are not in work place”

Tanya nodded stiffly. Her expression was very robotic. The aura of two such high class people was very strong. It was enough to make her sweat. But since I was familiar with both of them, it was not such a big deal for me.

“What are you both doing here?” I asked looking at both of them

Fred laughed awkwardly scratching his head, “Aahhh you see..”

“Why don’t we seat somewhere and then talk” Robbie suggested interrupting

“Yeaaahh that would be great” Fred boomed, looking slightly relaxed, “Pablo” he called

A tall fellow with a very feminine structure came running, “Yes sir” he said with a deeply sincere voice

“Prepare a cubicle for four” he ordered.