When I return home, I see Poppy lounging on the couch watching re-runs of Friends With Benefits.

Yes, I live with my sister. Just the two of us in this small tiny apartment. It's kind of mind-boggling how I've managed to not kick her out since we're complete polar opposites.

"How did the blind date go?" she asked, her eyes still fixed on the telly.

"Horrible," I groan. "I had to pay for the food. I think I just spent my monthly rent."

"What?" Poppy finally looks up. "How the hell did that happen?"

"The girl ordered an expensive meal and the guy refused to pay," I moan. "I've a feeling the girl just wanted to fleece my money."

"Woah. Woah. Woah. Hang on." Poppy looks aghasted. "The guy refused to pay? What a jerk!"

"It's that Sam Patterson guy," I mutter.

"That hottie?" Poppy widens her eyes. "I thought he was the type to pay just to get into any woman's pants."

"Poppy!" I exclaim. "I don't really blame him actually. If you'd seen the girl..." I trail off, shaking my head in disbelief.

"Still, what a jerk."

"Whatever."

I'm just about to head upstairs when Poppy calls out, "I forgot to tell you. Dave called today."

"Dave?" I exclaim excitedly. "When did he call?"

Dave's my boyfriend. I've been dating him for 2 years now but we're currently doing a long-distance relationship because he's based in another city but our love's still going strong.

"I don't know. 2pm perhaps?" Poppy frowns. "Don't disturb me. I can't hear the TV."

I roll my eyes and take out my phone. Scrolling down to Dave's number, I dial it and wait patiently as the ringtone rang.

"Hello?" A smooth, confident voice answers.

"Dave, is that you?" I say excitedly. "You haven't called me for days!"

"I know, babe," he says half-distractedly. "That's why I called you. You doing fine? The matchmaker business still on it?" He laughed.

"Yes, I'm still working as a matchmaker," I say a little defensively. We had a huge row about it before he left to work in the other city.

He insisted that it wasn't a "proper work" and he didn't want everyone else to know that his girlfriend was a "matchmaker" to which I retorted that if he truly loved me, he would just shut up and accept it.

It was a huge row, but we made up in the end. Maybe. It's still a touchy issue.

"I would have thought that the business would go long busted," Daves says, laughing again.

I bite my lips. Dave's a really successful consultant and that's why he's acting this way. But why does he have to insult my job? I love it. It's my passion.

"Well, so how's your week so far?" I ask hastily, eager to change the topic.

"Everything's fine. I snagged a big client," Dave answers. "You should have seen my boss' face when he heard that I got...."

I tune him out. I love Dave and all but the problem is, he gets a little boring when he talks about his work.

".....so will you be free?" he finally finishes.

"Free? When?" I ask.

"Laila, were you listening?" Oops, now he sounds annoyed.

"Yes, just that I forgot," I say slowly.

"My parents are coming over to New York in a couple of days and you've to meet them."

"WHAT?" I shout. Poppy looks up annoyed and I glare back at her until she turns back to the telly. "Why didn't you tell me earlier" I whisper harshly.

"I'm telling you now. Don't worry, I'm sure they will love you. They were all excited to meet you."

OKAY. THAT'S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY. No girlfriend's cool and relaxed about meeting her boyfriend's parents.

"Okay, fine. So I meet them for dinner and all?" I ask.

"You can bring them around the city to sight-see," Dave replies.

"Okay, okay." I can do just that.

"Laila? I have to go now, love."

"Bye Dave, love you too," I say.

He hangs up and I slap my forehead. What am I going to do about Dave's parents?