17 THE LADY WITH SCENT

We were wandering in the streets when I saw a perfume shop.

“Nova.” I yelled with excitement. He looked at me with open mouth as if I startled him. I pointed toward the shop with a smile plastered on my face. He smiled at me and we entered the shop.

There was collection of different fragrances at the place. I was checking every piece of scent with a sense of curiosity and joy. I smell and tell Nova about the contents. He was quite impressed that how I know so much about perfumes.

“How do you know so much about perfumes...?” he asked me as I smelt a new sample. I smiled at him and put the sample back at its place taking another one.

“It was lime with musk.” He holds my arm and I giggled.

“Tell me...?” he asked again.

“Well you are not the only one who has secrets.” I said winking at him. He smiled at me.

“I’m going to check something for a friend. His birthday is coming soon.” He said leaving my arm.

“okay.” I said smiling at him.

“Don’t go anywhere.” He said leaving me with my journey of scents.

I was still busy in checking scents but I was unable to find what I was searching for. After few moments a female staff came to me with a polite smile. “Are you up to something specific Miss...?” she asked me. I looked at her and nodded.

“Come this way please.” And she led me to the main counter in a room with a huge display of “PRECIOUS SCENTS”. My eyes grew bigger as I saw that collection. It was the rare collection of scents about which I read in the magazine once that Zoe gave me. The staff tells me to wait for some moments while she went behind the counter and dialled a number on the phone.

“Wow.” I said with excitement. “THE PRECIOUS SCENT COLLECTION.”

“Yes. And I’m impressed.” Said a female voice. I turned to see who it was. She was a lady in her early forties, slender body, good posture, fair skin, round face with blunt features yet her smile was pretty.

“I’m sorry.” I said with confused look on my face. She held her hand out toward me and we shake hand.

“I’m sorry do I know you...?” I asked her.

“No miss. But I would like to know more about you.” She said moving toward the counter and unlocking the collection door and taking out a bottle of sample and put it on the top of counter glass. I was still confused.

“I’m Alinor Hollis. And I’m the owner of this shop.” Saying this she nodded toward that female staff and she went out leaving us alone.

“Oh. I’m sorry. It’s a pleasure to meet you miss.” I bowed to her with respect. “I’m Licia.” I said with a bright smile.

“Licia.” She said with her soft voice. “Very pretty name besides you are also very pretty lady.” She added as I blushed.

“Thank you.” I said smiling at her.

She moved behind me and moved behind the counter and sit on the small steel stool.

“Please Licia Have a seat. By the way can I call you by your name...?” she said asking me.

“Yes sure miss.” I said sitting on another stool across the counter. She pushed the bottle of precious scent toward me lightly. “I’m quite impressed with your knowledge about perfumes and scents.”

“Thank you.” I said.

“Can you tell me about this scent...?” she asked me pointing toward the bottle.

“I will try.” I said opening the bottle of scent. I smell it with closed my eyes in order to fell and detect the ingredients. I smelled it again as I get lost in the scent. Miss Alinor was watching me with her observing grey eyes.

“It’s fruity and floral.” I said opening my eyes.

“and.” She said with a wide smile encouraging me.

“A perfect heated blend of honeyed peach and freesia.” I said the bottle and putting it back on the counter glass. She raised her eyebrows in joy.

“With a very little tint of wild mint.” I add my final ingredient. She clapped her hands in amazements. “Oh my dear lord. I’m really impressed with your skills Licia.” She said with after laughing for a while. I was still smiling and was feeling proud on myself.

“Thank you Miss.” I said.

“Nobody was able to identify ingredients of my precious scents over past fifteen years. But you, my dear Licia, did it in one go. I’m really amazed.”

I was speechless with what to reply so I nodded, I don’t know for what but I simply nodded to her statement. She then get up from her stool and moved out of the counter and sat next to me on a stool. I moved in her direction to face her.

“This is my very personal and vintage collection of scents that I have prepared fifteen years ago. All these scents have different ideas and shades.” She said looking at her grand precious collection. I nodded to her. Then she turned to me and looked at me with a soft gaze.

“I know. Every scent is a blend of some untold feeling and emotion that is related to those past moments those were precious to you once.” I said looking at her. She nodded in a yes. She was about to say something when a male staff came in and whispered her something in her ear.

“Tell them I will be there in five minutes. And send Vie her to Me.” she said to the male staff. He nodded in a yes and left the room.

“It’s okay I can ...”I was about to complete my sentence when she cut me off.

“No. I want to talk to you more. Besides my staff told me that you were looking for something specific...?” she asked me.

“Yes. I was looking for something specific for my brother. I want to gift him something.” I said looking at floor with a faint and hesitant smile.

“Oh. Is that so.” She said. And a female staff came to her...”madam, you asked for me...?”

“Yes. Can you please show autumn collection to this pretty lady...? I have meeting to go.” She said to her looking at her. The female staff looked at me and nodded in a yes. She left us and went out after saying “please wait here miss.” to me. I nodded at her.

“I wanted to talk to you more.” She said with a sad expression. “Do you have a cell number...?” she asked me with bright eyes. “Or I should give you mine.” She added to her statement. My eyes grew bigger with surprise. I said nothing.

“Do you use cell of your own...?” she asked me again. I nodded in yes.

“Fantastic.” She said with a look of relief. “Give me your cell number so that we can talk later.” I nodded and took out my diary and pen from my small bag. I scribble my cell number on a page with my name and tore it and gave it to her. She looked at the paper with a smile and folds it in half and put it in the pocket of her blue blazer.

“At what time should I call you...? She asked me.

“a-anytime miss. I’m always free after school.” I said with a smile.

“Oh. High school...?” she questioned.

“Yes miss. Last year.” I replied.

“nice.” She said still looking at me as I put my diary and pen back in my bag.

The female staff came inside with brown box with golden border lining and put that on the counter. She them turned to her Boss and whispered something in her ear. “okay.” Her boss said.

“It was nice meeting you Licia.” She said getting up from her stool. I stood up from my stool in farewell. “For me too miss it was a pleasure to meet you.” I said with a smile. She then whispered something in ear of female staff and looked at me and smiled. “See you dear. Take care.” She said patting my shoulder and moving out of the room.

I was still looking at the door from which she vanished. The female staff was busy in opening the box and taking out the samples behind my back.

“Miss here, have a look at these...these are our autumn collection that will be released next month.” She said pointing at small glass bottles.

“Really...?” I looked at her with surprise.

“Yes miss.” She replied with blunt look on her face.

“If this is not released then why are showing this o me...?” I asked her looking at small bottles.

“Because my Boss said so. You must be someone close to her. But I have never seen you before.” She said with a suspicious look.

“Oh. No. We just met today.” I said to her.

“hm. Strange.” She said opening bottle for me as I looked at her.

“She barely talks to anybody and let anyone close to her and her perfumes.” She added.

I smelled them and selected one of them. “This one please.” I said looking at her, “musk, moose with rose and lime.” I added as she looked at me with a smile on her face.

“What do you like about it...? You describe it very easily.” She asked me.

“I like its texture and feeling Vie.” I replied smiling back at her.

“You know my name...?” she surprised at my mention of her name.

“Your Boss asked for you to that male staff. And your name tag is on your uniform.” I said chuckling. She looked at her employ name tag and looked at me with a faint smile.

“But why are so surprised...? I asked her as she was putting bottles back in the brown box.

“Because people find it strange.” She replied.

“Why?” I questioned her. She shrugged in a big no.

“Whatever. I found it very cute and simple. Vie. I like it.” I said throwing my grand smile at her.

“Thank you.” She smiled back and locked the box.

“Is that it that you need miss...?” she asked me.

“Yes. And please call me Licia.” I tell her. She nodded in a yes.

“Okay then. This way Licia.” And she led to out of the room to the billing counter. “Can you gift wrap this...?” I asked her. “I know already.” She said moving behind the billing counter. She handed me the bill for payment while wrapping the box of bottle. I took out my savings and pay the bill.

“Suddenly someone grab my hand. I got startled.

“Here you are. I was looking for you in the whole place. Where were you...?” he was Nova with a worried look on his face as if he had almost lost me.

“I’m sorry. I was around here with something.” I said as he put his hand on my mouth to stop me from speaking more.

“Listen to me. Next time if you want to go around at least tell me. okay.” He said. I nodded. And I smiled from behind his hand on my mouth. He took his hand off my mouth and smiled at me.

“Did you get for your friend...?” I asked him. He nodded in a yes.

“Here it is.” Vie said putting a paper bag on the counter. I took it and thanked her. “What is this...?” Nova asked me looking at the paper bag as I looked at Vie. I try to hide it behind me as Vie spoke up.

“Something about females only.” She said looking at me and turning her gaze toward him. He looked at her and turned to me. “Oh. Okay.” Saying this, his face got red.

“let’s go then.” He said holding my hand.

“sure.” I said smiling at Vie as she winked at me with a bright smile.

And we moved toward the exit door. We were about to leave when i heard Vie calling from behind.

“Licia!” she was yelling from behind the counter. I turned toward her still holding Nova’s hand.

“Wait.” She yelled and came toward us with a small white packet. Nova took my paper bag in his hand letting go of my hand.

“Here. My boss told me to give you this.” And she handed me that packet.

“What is this...?” i asked her looking at the packet.

“It’s a gift from boss.” She said looking at me.

“What? No I can’t take this. I said giving it back to her.

“You can’t refuse to this. She will be sad.” She said putting that packet in my hands back. I was out of words and looked at Nova who was standing there with no idea what was going on.

“What’s going on...?” he finally said looking at me. “I will tell you later.” I said to him turning my gaze to Vie. “Thank you.” I said to Vie taking my paper bag from Nova and putting white packet in it. She smiled at me.

“Shall we get going now...?” nova asked me. I nodded still looking at Vie. He holds my hand as we walk out of store. I heard Vie saying “visit soon” from behind. I looked behind and waved at her. She waved back and moved to her desk.

“What was all this...?” Nova asked me.

“It’s a long story.” I said still thinking about the lady of scents.

“Do you want to go anywhere else here...?” he asked me taking paper bag from my hands and putting all on his shoulder holding in other hand.

“What time is this...?” I asked him.” still holding my hand, he turned his wrist to check the time.

“It’s ten.” He said looking at me.

“What?” I yelled. He laughed at me for yelling like this.

“Let’s go home then. I’m tired.” I said letting out a sigh. He looked at me and nodded. We made our way toward the parking lot. At the entrance we stopped.

“Give me that receipt.” He asked me letting go of my hand.

“Which receipt...?” I asked him struggling with my tiredness.

“The parking receipt. That you took from me saying I might lose it.” He said sarcastically.

“Oh. Okay.” I said opening my bag and taking out the receipt and handing it to him. He started to move toward the office and I stopped him.

“Give me bags.” I said as he moved back and handed bags to me. I stood there for some moments as he came back.

“Come on let’s go.” He said taking bags in his hands and holding my hand. I was yawning with sleepy eyes. We kept moving and reached the car. He unlocked the car and opened the door for me. I seated myself as he pen the rare door and put all bags on the seat. Then he moved toward the driver seat from behind. He opened the door and sat in the driver seat. He looked at me with a soft smile.

“Put on seat belt.” He said putting on his seat belt. I did as directed and lean on the seat. He started the car and we moved out of the parking lot on our way to home. The roads were still busy with traffic. I looked out of window at the roads with lights. My eyes were closely and I don’t know when I drifted to sleep when Nova put music to a soft piano tune.

Suddenly I heard Nova saying something. I opened my eyes and rubbing them I looked at him smiling at me.

“Wake up sis. We are home.” He said putting off his seat belt. I looked around and yes it was home.

“I slept the whole way...?” I asked him. And he nodded with a little laugh.

“Ahhh. We were supposed to take some groceries too.” I said bumping my head on dash board.

“I took them already.” He said.

“really.” I said looking at him. He shrugged. “You took a nice nap.” He said pointing at my seat belt to take that off. I giggled and put off my seat belt. We both then get out of the car and he took out all the bags. I helped him with groceries and he asked me to get inside while he parks the car. I nodded and opened the main door of house and put all bags on the sofa in living room. Then I went to kitchen and drink a glass of water. Suddenly I saw an envelope on the fridge. I took the envelope and read it.

“Licia V. Chohen.” And I gulped with fear. I heard Nova closing the main door. I hurried to the living room and slide the envelope into my paper bag with gift from Nova. He smiled looking at me and I smiled back at him.

“Going to sleep...?” he asked me.

“no.” I replied looking at my bags. “You...?” I asked him looking at him. He denied. He took the bag of groceries and moved to kitchen.

“Go and change then.” I heard him saying from kitchen.

“okay.” I replied and move upstairs with my bags. I opened my door and put my bags on my bad. I took out my phone and checked it. It was dead. I let out a disappointing sigh and put it on charging. Then I took out my gifts and looked at them I smiled at them and put them in my cupboard saying “I will open you all tomorrow.” Then I made my way to bathroom and took a quick shower. I changed to my pyjamas and opened the door of bathroom. Nova was sitting on my bed already changed showered and changed in comfy clothes. He looked at me as I opened the door.

“You startled me.” I said to him with a faint smile.

“Oh. I’m sorry.” He said getting up from my bed.

“Do you need anything...?” I asked him moving toward my dressing table.

“Hmm. No. Actually yes.” He said as I looked at him from mirror of dressing table.

“What?” I said with a confused look. He looked at me through the mirror as I was applying moisturiser on my hands.

“Actually I wanted to ask you something.” He said.

“Okay. Go on.” I said turning back to him and looking at his eyes.

“I. I ah...” he was hesitating in saying. He looked away from me toward floor when I moved toward him.

“What is it Nova...?” I asked him putting my hand on his shoulder. He looked at me. He was taller than me so I had to look up in his eyes.

“Will you sleep downstairs...with Me.” he said in a quick response. I take my hand off this shoulder. “I means not with me. I mean with me but not with me. Ahhh.” He got irritated. “I mean we can sleep on different beds but together...downstairs. Do you get what I want to say...?” he said with an innocent face. I looked at him and burst into laughter.

He looked at me in embarrassment and looked at me and smiled. I collected myself and looked at him and nodded in a yes.

“But there is only one bed in your room.” I said taking my blanket and pillow in my hands.

“I have already done arrangements.” He holds my hand and led me downstairs in the living room. He had moved furniture away and arranged two mattresses side by side in front of TV. I looked at him with amazement as he smiled at me. He moved to the mattresses and picks a bed sheet.

“I need your help.” He said to me. I put my blanket and pillow on sofa and helped him in spreading the sheet and covering the pillow. Then he put his pillow and blanket on one mattress and mine on other right next to his.

“wow.” I said sitting on the mattress.

He laughed at my action and moved to kitchen and brought hot chocolate for both of us. I took my cup and smiled eye to eye to him. He patted my head as I sipped from my mug. Then he put on TV to some English movie and turned the volume to low. We were able to hear the character but enough to speak to each other.

He was laughing at the stupidity of movie character and I was smiling at him. Suddenly I moved a bit closer to min and rested my head on his shoulder. He looked at my face and smiled.

“Thank you Nova. For everything.” I said to him. He patted my head without replying. “I’m really lucky to have you.” I added.

“We both are lucky to have each other.” He said.

Then I take my head off his shoulder and looked at him. He was smiling at me with his eyes. He always seems very strong and tough to me. But today I saw his most caring and soft part. He was as fragile as a flower. He needed care and love just like me. I pecked his cheek and sipped my hot chocolate. After we finish our drinks we watched a little movie and laughed on the movie characters. Then I tell him about that scent lady. He said that is should be careful around strangers.

“I have lived my life as stranger in my own house.” I said to him. At my comment his smile went away. I looked at him. He was looking at floor with a hard look.

“But not anymore.” I said gaining his gaze on me. “And I will tell you if something went wrong. You are always there for me. Right...?” I said smiling at him.

“Yes. Always.” He said smiling at me.

Then we again watch some TV shows and had some general talk about school and future plans, sharing stories of school. We were laughing at each other about stories.

And I don’t know when I fell asleep. Nova looked at me and put pillow under my head. He adjusted the temperature of the AC and covered me with my blanket. Then he put TV off and dimmed the light of living room sulking to sleep.