Checklists.

She lived her life in check-lists. Check lists that had things completely controlled by destiny and check lists that money could tick. The check lists rarely left any space for impulses. In fact that's probably why she relied so much on them - to control her impulses.

Destiny had checked an item on one of her lists - of finding a well-paying job and a beautiful one bedroom apartment well within her budget. It was now time to make that call which had been on her list for the last 2 years. She had known him for 3 years and liked him from day 1. She mustered the courage to tell him that - twice. And both the times he hugged her and apologized for not feeling the same way. They moved on in life being good friends. Not those extremely close ones, but bankable friends when they wanted to talk in riddles.

She picked up the phone and he answered in less than 3 rings.

Her: "Hey! wassup?"

Him: "Girl! U tell me... how's the house hunting goin on?"

Her: "I finally found the kinda house I wanted. Not great, not bad. You remember the promise right?"

Him: "Sorry?"

Her: "I'm booking your flight tickets for Friday evening. You will help me set this house up right?"

Him: "Of course! I know you suck at all this. And girl, whats with you booking tickets? I can do that little bit to see you after what seems forever!"

Her: "I book or you book - I want to see you tomorrow before dinner time. Is that a deal?"

Him: "I am already looking for tix on MakeMyTrip. You hang up now. Will tell you the timings later."

She hung up, smiling to herself. So what if they weren't a couple. She wanted things in her house to echo his voice and presence. Unconditional love is what it is - she thought. She made a few more check-lists of what they'd go out buying.

She received him at the airport the next day at 7:30 PM. As they took the cab towards her unfurnished, barely liveable aparment, she gave him a small gift wrapped packet.

Him: "What's this?"

Her: "A gift. "

Him: "Offo! I know. But what's in it?"

Her: "Open no, idiot! It's a small bible. I wanted to give you something you believe in. I always carry a Hanuman Chalisa in my bag and it helps me all the time. Thought I'd draw a parallel and give you a Bible. It's a lovely book anyway. "

Him: "You know, you have your unique ways."

And he throws a bright smile towards her and they share a long gaze. She knows how it means nothing to him. But she enjoys the gaze anyway.

They reach her apartment and all he can say is - "Let's go get dinner." They go to a not-so-fancy restaurant to eat and catch a drink. She likes talking to him 2 drinks down - not very guarded but knowing what she is saying. They discuss books, movies, pubs, latest vacations and personal lives. Personal lives of course in riddles. They never spoke about it directly. They had no idea about who the other person was dating or any of those. They liked that comfort of being able to say just enough to get an opinion but not have their life opened like a tabloid.

They got home and with no TV to give them company, crashed on the floor with folded woolen wear for pillows. Alarm was set for 7:00 am so that they could finish breakfast and head out to buy stuff. They woke up a little before the alarm buzzed, had some coffee out of her little electric kettle, took a shower and headed.

They were out all day buying things from her checklist - 2 single beds, mattresses, pillows, curtains, a study table, 2 chairs, a long stool, clothes line, cook-ware, utensils, wine glasses, wall clock, side lamps, ash-tray, a small fridge. Everything to be delivered after 7 PM at the house. They grabbed a sandwich for breakfast and struggled through the day buying things. He was there to help her buy things that went well with the rest of the house and made the house definer her. She had no sense of aesthetics and he was as fine as an artist can get - just the right sizes, shapes and colors of everything.

They got home at a little before 7, tired as hell but excited to have all the hundred things delivered. Pizza was ordered at 9 and the house was starting to look a little like home by 11. At 11 her feet gave up and they decided to crash on the new mattresses of which even the plastic covers had not been removed.

Somewhere in the middle of the night she heard something being dragged in the room. Too tired to even open her eyes, she assumed he was making his way to the kitchen or the loo. After some time had passed, she could feel a light hand on her. She woke up with a startle and saw him lying next to her. He had dragged his mattress all the way to where she was. She smiled to herself and could see him smile in the darkness illuminated by a faint street light. They lay there for 10 minutes, not saying a thing and enjoying being so close to each other. He finally lifted his head and came close to her.

Her: "I want to tell you something. "

Him: "Anything. Say it."

Her: "A few months ago, I was in a similar situation with a guy I really liked. I gave in that night only to have him say the next morning that it was a mistake. I can never get that thing out of my head. You know how I've felt for you in the last 3 years, but I want you to go back to bed right now. Think over it. If you think it is a mistake, then good that is averted. But if you are convinced this is right, then I won't stop you tomorrow."

Him: "You know I've had the most respect for you among all the women I've known. I will wait for a day or a month - whatever you want me to wait for. "

He then pecked her on her forehead, said goodnight and they both slept.

The next morning was not what one would predict it to be. They did not have any ice between them. They were fully in terms with what had happened the previous night. And it was this comfort that made their relationship so special. They spent time until lunch sorting out the stuff and changing arrangements a zillion times to make the house look better.

They paused for lunch at about 2. The thing from last night had been playing on her mind all day - after all he had been in her thoughts despite the many men that came by and went in the 3 years. And as if he had read her mind, he said:

"I've been thinking about last night."

Her: "Me too. "

Him: "And I am so glad you said what you did. On second thoughts, it might have been a mistake putting us both and our friendship in a sticky situation."

He then walked up to her, gave her a tight hug and smiled his deadliest smile - the one that nabbed her 3 years ago. She smiled back and let out a long sigh. Before she knew it was evening and her house looked like a dream - with lovely faint orange lamps and beautiful curtains, it seemed like the coziest place in the world to be at. And before she knew it was time for him to take a flight back.

She dropped him at the airport and thanked him for the lovely time. She got home and took out her long checklists. She found the one labeled 'HOME' and checked the last box - Have D set up the house for me.

She took out another checklist labeled 'PERSONAL' and checked the 2nd box on it - Put your foot down. She kept looking at the last box in the list which said - Start afresh.

She couldn't help but wonder how all the men in her life had been so painfully predictable. She looked at her beautiful house and savoured it.

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Author's note: Inspired by many fellow bloggers who've been churning out stories. Please suggest a better title. I know it is painfully long, but I can't help but be elaborate! :D