Kiss your frogs - a modern fairytale

A special invitation

*Aiden*

I pick up my phone looking at it, then I look at Daniel “Should I just call her ? Or is it better to... text her or something ?”

“Hmm good question actually, calling is always more personal ... but it could scare her more than a text”. He bites his lip.

“I should call, that seems most ... serious and most sincere”. I nod to myself, and look at the number. “Okay, here we go”.

Daniel smiles softly. “Just breathe Aiden ... you want me to leave ?”

“No it’s fine, just stay”. I don't know, for some reason I feel better with him here.

I tap my foot impatiently, as I hear the phone ringing. What if she doesn't pick up, it’s a strange number calling after all. Maybe she is like me, I don't pick up unless I know who is calling. Then there is a click and a soft voice. “Qui ?”

“Uhm. Hi ... it’s me.. I mean, is this Lenka ?” Dammit Aiden, why are you stumbling over words like this ?

“Yeah ... this is Lenka”. Her voice is smooth and warm, sending little chills up my spine. “Who am I talking to ?”

Daniel is watching me curiously and I try to sound calm and collected. “Uhm this is Aiden ... they guy from the plaza earlier. Sorry I scared you ... but uhm you forgot your drawings”.

“You got them ? You ... have my drawings ?” She sounds so relieved that I feel my fears melt away and a smile spreads on my face.

“Yeah, I have them right here ... safe and sound”. Daniel gives me a thumbs up. “I hope it’s okay I opened the folder. I was looking for a name or something, so I could get it back to you ... you are an amazing artist”.

There is silence on the other end, and I fear I have scared her away. But then her soft voice finally sounds. “Thank you sir, it’s kind of you ... also helping me get them back”.

“Please call me Aiden ... and I was thinking that maybe, we could meet somewhere ... get a cup of coffee or something and I can give it back to you”. I am biting my finger nervously.

“Oh I don’t want to be a bother, you don’t have to do that ...”. She is clearly backing off and I start to panic a bit, looking desperately at Daniel who makes an ‘I-don’t-know’ motion with his hands.

“It’s no bother ... no problem”. I hurriedly say. “Just a friendly coffee date”.

Even before I said it I know I messed up. Her voice instantly getting timid, scared. “No ... no ... no reason for that ... just leave it in the reception.. I’ll pick it up later ... bye”.

I look at Daniel, then lowers the phone. “She ... hung up”.

“Hmm ... what did she say ?” He is tapping a finger to his lower lip.

I throw my phone on the couch. “f**k ... f*****g s**t ... sorry. She said not to bother and just leave it in the reception”.

“So we need a plan b then”. Daniel mumbles mostly to himself.

“She made it pretty clear that she doesn't want to go out with me”. I slump down on the couch, rubbing my hands over my face. “Apparently she doesn’t feel.. what it is I feel”.

Daniel snaps his fingers. “Don’t give up.. I am pretty sure that’s not the problem. I think she is overwhelmed .. shy ... scared. We just need to make her relax ... see that you are genuine”.

“I think you are right.. but how to do that ? What would make her ...”. I am absentmindedly flipping through her drawings, then a stroke of genius hits me. “I think I have an idea”.

“What ?” Daniel looks at me and I hold up a drawing. He smiles and nods slowly. “That is perfect Aiden ... she can’t say no to him”.

*Lenka*

Three hours later I walk into the hotel reception, looking around. But of course he is not standing ready to ambush me. It might seem weird that I panic like that ... but I don’t know, it’s too much, it scares the crap out of me. What does this all mean ? I have been dreaming about this man like forever, what if ... what if I am only going to get let down and disappointed ? What if all my dreams will be crushed ? This is why I am so scared.

I walk up to the reception, smiling at the woman standing there. “Hi I am Lenka ... I think someone left a portfolio for me here ?”

Her smile widens. “Sure honey, just a minute and I’ll get it for you, just wait right here”.

She disappears out back and I lean on the counter waiting. I am starting to wonder again if I did the wrong thing. If I should have swallowed the fear and said yes to the coffee date. I blow out a breath ... it’s so me to panic and do the wrong thing ... Now my fear has probably cost me any chance to get to know this man, my possible soulmate.

“Here you go sweetie”. I almost jump when the woman pops up behind me. I had been so deep in my own thoughts that I hadn’t heard her return.

I take the folder from her. “Thank you so much”.

I turn to walk out, seeing that someone dressed as Donkey has just shuffled into the lobby. It’s a little weird, I mean the characters don’t normally come into the hotel. But to be honest Donkey is my absolute favorite and I can’t help smiling.

Walking closer to get to the door I see that Donkey holds out a blue plush flower with a smiling face on it. He makes a motion for me to come over, then shyly hide his eyes under his hand.

I walk over and he holds out the flower, bashfully looking down, shuffling his feet. I take the flower. “Hi Donkey”.

He makes some motions with his hands, pointing at me, then the flower ... and making what looks like a heart with his hands. The woman standing there to guide him around and help smiles. “He says the flower is for the prettiest lady around”.

“Aww thanks Donkey”. I reach out, padding his muzzle softly. “That was so sweet of you ... and I love blue flowers”.

When I am about to walk away he holds up his hand, signalling for me to wait. Then he points at me, then walks on the spot, points outside and then points to himself.

The woman smiles and says. “He is asking if you want to go out with him ?”

“Oh”. This is definitely new and very sweet. “And when would this date be then ?”

Donkey is doing a whole little dance making a lot of hand gestures and I can’t help giggling, he looks so funny and cute.

“He is saying tonight at seven ... at the Princess restaurent ... if it fits you”. The woman says with another warm smile.

I always wanted to go to that restaurant, but it is pretty expensive and going alone seems so ... weird. “You know what ? I would love to ... so how do I find you there ?”

He pulls out in the donkey costume and I wonder if he will come dressed like that, but the woman quickly says. “He is telling you to look for Donkey ... and you will know”.

“That’s a date then”. I can’t help feeling the butterflies flutter in my stomach, I haven’t been on a date in like … forever.

Donkey grabs my hand and kisses it, then he makes a little happy dance and ends with hiding his face like he is blushing.

“See you tonight”. I smile and wave as I walk out, getting a big wave and some kisses blown my way in return.