Annoying Neighbor (2)

The smile on her face widened after reading the beautifully crafted card.

There are languages of flowers as well as the languages of plants. There are some hidden meaning in flowers. Just like in flowers language white lillies  symbolise chastity and virtue and innocence, Anemone means helpless love.

As a plant lover herself Lina was well aware of the meaning of cactus.

Cactus represents endurance and unconditional love.

By gifting a cactus to someone you are paying respect for all the hard works the person had gone through to establish himself he is today. It means standing tall in all the harsh conditions.

Generally, a cactus is given to one whom you have known for years or you have witnessed the struggle he did or to the person you cherish and showing your unconditional love and support.

'The new neighbor was completely strange one. There was no way he had known her for long or anything. Why would he give her a Cactus?' Lina was in deep thought.

Although she was happy seeing the gift. After coming back to C-country it was the first time she met someone who was fond of cactuses. Of course other than her father.

Lina missed her cactus garden back in home in the states. 'Thank God! Dad takes care of them!'

But it was not the cactus that made her uncomfortable. It was the printed letter.

Lina wondered why would the completely stranger who she was yet to meet be curious about her name?

It made her measurable.

Avelina Ray Park, changed her name into Lina after shifting to C-country.

Lina ( 李娜) , was a short form of (Авели́на ) Avelina, which was also her nickname.

李娜 (Li Na) was one of the commonest name among the country. So, Lina thought it would be helpful to blend with people. There was other reasons also.

After relocating, she wanted to get rid of her past. Changing her name in documents was another step in the process. Maybe she really wanted to get rid of every little thing that reminded her of the worst nightmaes.

Lina loved cactus. There was no way she was gonna deny the gift.

Lina placed the whole glass box set carefully on the tea table in her balcony and spent few more times admiring the beauty of the plant.

The cactus was a rare one. It was of Escobaria type. This type was generally found in Mexico and Cuba. It was very hard to find and then too hqere in C-country.

Nanxian had 2 of this type in his collection. He bought them in exchange for huge amount of money.

Lina gasped realising the price of the gift. Whoever this new neighbor was he was not simple at all. Having this kind of rare plants in his collection and he even gave her this as apology gift. That only means this person doesn't care about money at all.

"Then why did he shift here in such shabby rental apartment building?"

Lina made a mental note to keep distance with this new person.

It was past 9 in the morning already. The Sun was shining brightly.

Lina had classes after lunch. She had much time to chores today.

So Lina decided to make herself a delicious breakfast after so many days. It was not everyday you got time for yourself. And another thing Lina just loved cooking. But her kitchen used to remain untouchedo thanks to her tight schedules of medical school.

After some time heavenly aroma of foods began to spread all around the apartment. Lina considered food as some sacred part of worshipping as it brings happiness and peace to mind and heart and none the less to the stomach.For her cooking was not just cooking, it was an art , a procedure of paying respect to heaven.

Lina made some lasagna dipped in thick layer of cheese and hand made tomato soup.

Just looking at the dishes made her hungry enough that Lina digged in immediately.

But suddenly she thought of last night's dinner and brought takeout boxes. Lina divided the food into two parts and filled the boxes up with the lasagne, extra cheese, sauce and chilly powder.

She searched for her sticky note pad and wrote down something in it. Without realising, Lina was smiling more than usual.

She took the box and opened the door and went to the next door where this new neighbor of her was staying.

Lina was about to ring the bell when something came to her mind. She deliberately put the boxes down just in front of the door and attached the note above it.

After making them safe and sound she rang the bell repeatedly and turned to leave.

After completing the deeds Lina hurriedly entered her room and closed it.

She returned to enjoy her magnificent creation that was lying on the dining table.

"Ah! God "

Lina moaned inhaling the smell. Food could really take her to another dimension of the world.

On the other hand a certain someone who was busy in shower came running to respond to the bell draping. The man was drapped in a bathrobe which was revealing his strong chest wall. Water dripping from his brunette hair made his striking appearance a little bit more sexy.

The man was surprised to find none in front of the door.

Few minutes ago he ordered takeout and went to bath. The food delivery services generally takes 20- 30 minutes to reach. So when the doorbell rang just after he entered the washroom, the man hurriedly walked out thinking it might be the delivery guy.

But there was none in front of the door.

Feeling suspicious he looked around the passage and found an adorable bento box with a note beneath him. The note was girly enough to brew up his interest.

The person bent over to pick it up. His other hand was busy in drying the water droplets of his hair.

He entered the room closing the door. The towel in his had remained over the broad shoulder of the man. The man began reading the paper after placing the boxes on the kitchen counter.

" Dear Mr. Neighbor,

Hello there! My 'not-so annoying' neighbor.

First of all, As I don't know your name or whereabouts yet I'm gonna address you by it until we met properly.

Welcome to the neighborhood.

I must say, I enjoyed yesterday's apology meal as well as today's surprise gift.

I appreciate your marvellous choice of gift. Though I was unable to prepare anything for your welcome, I thought of sharing something that I made with you.

I know it's not upto mark but still I Hope you will enjoy it.

To be honest, I was irritated to some point yesterday but it was alright , I can understand, as you are new here and all. Hope you can adjust here well.

If you need anything just ring my bell without any second thought. Make yourself home.

And to say none could possibly resist your sincere apology and your choice of the gifts. Anyway, thank you for the gift। I really liked it.

As for my name , I think we need to be introduced and you need to be in my good book before learning abit me. So..

And I would love to meet you. Welcome once again.

- sincerely,

Lina Park.

Your neighbor next door. "

The man was grinning ear to ear after reading it.

"How could you possibly resist cactus Avelinka?" He muttered.

He walked to the kitchen counter and opened the bento box.

The first thing he did after opening the box, he inhaled the smell of the foods as if his life was depending on it.

"Oh man! This is so good."

"This is insane.!!"

" Food made of her hand..!! Am I still alive ..!!!"

The man was literally dancing in his bathrobe.

It was too good to be true scene for him.

'How can I be so damn lucky' he muttered eating the cheese filled lasagna.