Summer date 3

Please don’t tell me this guy has feelings for Betty. If he did it wouldn’t just be his leg that would be broken. I walked to my computer and continued my aunt’s work. She came up to me to see how far I had gotten. Then she started asking me about the reason Bet and I weren’t talking. I told her the whole story and she laughed. She felt we were being very childish. I hoped so too.

Just like magic Betty and I started talking again. She needed someone to tell about the concert and I seemed to be the only one she could rub it in nicely to. I listened to her eagerly as she told me her story. As she was talking all I could think about was Darren and why he liked her. Maybe I was a little envious of her. Betty and I had been tight since I can remember. She always made stupid decisions with boys but somehow the guys keep coming. There was one time where she cheated on this guy and dumped him. He came to me and told me to talk to her and that he was sorry. Sorry for what, catching her with another guy?! I was so furious. There was something about Darren I admired and didn’t want this temptress to play around with him too. “Do you think Darren likes you?” I asked out of the blue. She dropped her slice of pizza and turned to me. “Huh, where from that one too? I hope not.” She said and turned on the TV. I nodded and asked her to tell me more. She went on with her story like nothing ever happened. That was when I knew he didn’t have a chance.

The next day Betty convinced me to go out with her and Kenny. They were going to a party and Bet’s plan was for me to meet another ‘date’. I agreed not because of Darren’s condition but because he obviously liked Bet and not me. Not that it mattered but it was a bit annoying. I didn’t regret that. There were lots of interesting people at the party. The only odd thing was the excessive drinking. I mean excessive! I could tell Bet was tipsy when she started singing out loud. “Easy with the drinking, Bet.” I whispered to her. I wanted some fresh air so I went outside. The party was at Kenny’s friend, William’s house. I stood outside alone for about 5 minutes and turned around when I started feeling cold. “Hey.” I heard from behind me. It was Darren. “Hi, I didn’t know you would be here.” I said smiling. “Yea, decided to forget about the Doctor a bit. What are you doing outside?” He said and slowly moved to me. He had his clutch. “The chaos in there was a bit much so I just came for some air.” I teased. “Oh, don’t tell me they are doing the drink drill and playing truth or dare.” He replied. I paused. “How did you know?” I asked. He smiled. “William is my pal too.” He replied. I nodded.

 We went back inside and I went to get Darren a drink. When I got back I saw him chatting with Betty. She was giggling and holding his hand. I stopped and turned around. I put the drink back on the table and walked hurriedly to the bathroom. Kenny met me halfway. “Hey, Darren is here, you seen him?” He said. I nodded and walked off rudely. I wasn’t very happy at that very moment. I spent the last 30 minutes in the bathroom. Just sitting there, doing nothing. Then Betty called me. I ignored it. When I got out of the bathroom I looked around and didn’t find a familiar face. They were all gone! This was just perfect, first they bring me here, ignore me and leave without me. I was just about to explode when I opened the door and saw them all standing outside. “Hey I was calling you.” Bet said when she noticed me. “Are we leaving? Good.” I said. I couldn’t even fake a smile. “Hey, you ok?” Darren asked. “Do I look sick? I’m fine.” I said and walked to the car park. They just followed me. Betty ran after me. “Alima, what’s the matter. Did anyone say something to you?” She asked. I stopped and turned to her. “I want to go home. That’s all.” I shot at her. The car was so quiet on the way back. The trip back didn’t take very long. When we got to our destination I gave a quick wave and smile and rushed off. Betty whispered something to the boys and they left. She rushed after me again. 

“Ali, tell me what’s going on.” She said. I stopped when we got to the door. Betty had the keys. She looked at me one more time and opened the door. I got inside without saying a word. She caught my hand and said. “I know something is wrong. What is it?” I couldn’t take it anymore. “It’s you. You are just selfish!” I blurted out. Betty opened her mouth in shock. “You kept saying all those awful things about Darren and you were flirting with him at the party. Why are you like that?” I asked. She obviously didn’t see this coming. “My goodness Alima is that why you are acting like this? You are the very one who said I don’t treat him fairly so I was doing that for you and this is what I get?” She explained. I looked down. She was right I was acting a little too strange. Then she noticed, “Oh no, Alima you have fallen for him.” She whispered.

To be continued...

Summer date 2

Betty went on and on about Kenny now. She’s such a hypocrite, sometimes it hurts. I told her I was going with Darren for his physiotherapy session and asked if she wanted to come along. She just yelled “boring” and went to her room. I had to take two buses to get to Darren’s hospital. It was huge and was purely for physio stuff. He was sitting in the waiting room when I got here. “Hi, this place is huge. I got lost a couple of times.” I said sitting right next to him. “I didn’t think you would come. Thanks.” He said and I smiled. The nurse walked to him and helped him into the doctor’s room. I sat down waiting. Just then my phone rang. It was Kenny. “Oi you are missing out you know? The other day was wicked." He said. “Yea Ali told me all about it.” I confessed. “I got tickets for the Coldplay concert. You wanna come?” He asked. Wow I love Coldplay! “Sure, does Kenny know about it?” I asked unable to hide my excitement. You can’t blame me. I mean how many international shows had I even been to in Ghana? “No, he’s not a fan. He said he won’t go but I mean it could be just the three of us you know?” He added.

The door flung open and Kenny walked out with the nurse. “Let me get back to you ok? Later.” I said and hung up. Kenny was smiling when he looked at me. I put my phone in my bag and got up. “All done here.” He said. I smiled back and we walked out. “How are you getting back home?” I asked when we were outside. “Just the way I came. With a cab.” He said and in seconds a black cab parked in front of us. The nurse helped him in. “You might want to use the other door. I can’t really scoot over.” He teased. I giggled and went around. The nurse waved and we were off. “Ok so that was it? You were with the Doctor for just about five minutes.” I asked with interest. “Well I did my main session before you came but really it doesn’t take that long.” He explained. “So what would you like to have for lunch?” He asked.

At dinner that night my auntie was going on and on about work and how stressful it was. “Looks like I would have to bring some work home tomorrow night. Oh dear, I haven’t even finished today’s work.” She complained. “If it’s not too complicated I can help you with it.” I offered, putting a heap of mashed potatoes in my mouth. “Oh would you really?” She asked. I nodded to confirm and she seemed so relieved. Betty didn’t say a thing. She just kept on eating and typing on her Blackberry. Don’t get me wrong Betty is not a bad person, she is just vain to the highest degree. If she had a middle name it would be VANITY! 

After dinner when Aunt Bella was showing me how to do her data entry Betty got dressed up and walked into the hall. “Ok so I’m going out with Kenny I won’t be long.” She said. We both turned to look at her in her short denim skirt and black leather jacket. “Are you going in that?” Aunt Bella asked. “Is that my jacket?” I also asked. “Yes and yes. So see you later. Looks like he is downstairs.” She said heading for the door. “Bet, wait a minute. I don’t really know this Kenny boy and you going out this late with him?” Auntie asked sharply. “Aunt Bella I’m not a child you know? Ok fine here is his number and address.” Betty said and wrote it down on a sticky note. “There, now please don’t sleep too deep.” She said and rushed out before our Aunt could say another word. “Don’t worry she will be fine.” I reassured and we went back to doing her work.

My cousin came back from wherever she went at about 4am. I stayed up to wait for her. I dozed off several times watching TV. She woke up in the afternoon and walked to the hall where I was sitting. “How was your date?” I asked, behind the computer. “It was awesome. Guess what car Kenny drives?” She asked. She poured a glass of orange juice and came to sit close to me. “I wouldn’t know.” I replied. She took a sip and put the glass down. “A Daddy Range. my dear. We went to some really nice pub and had some drinks oh and he was teaching me how to play pool. You really missed a lot.” She said. “Well you didn’t invite me to come did you?” I asked still typing. “You would have suggested bringing Mr. No legs so I…” She started but I cut her short. “Betty, what is wrong with you? Stop acting like that. We didn’t come here to make fun of people!” I shot at her. She just looked at me and quietly stood up. “Wow, I can’t tell a joke anymore.” She muttered and walked off to her room. I took off my reading glasses and rubbed my eyes. I didn’t mean to shout at her but that joke wasn’t funny at all.

Betty refused to talk to me the whole day. I didn’t feel like apologizing to her either. The next day Kenny came over to our place. He spoke to Aunt Bella and apologized for not coming inside the other day. Aunt Bella seemed to like him. He had a way with women in general so I wasn’t surprised. Betty was so proud of herself. Like she brought a huge piece of diamond home! Mtcheeew. When Kenny was leaving he whispered to me. “Ey, are you coming with us to the show? I could ask D to join us if you like.” I smiled at him. “No it’s fine. I’m not really a fan of Coldplay.” I lied. He shook his head and got up to leave. Darren hadn’t called me since we last met. I was kind of hoping he would. Then it hit me. He was probably thinking I just went to the hospital with him to make up for what happened the last time with Bet. I grabbed my phone and called him.

Me: Hi, I haven’t heard from you in a bit. Where have you been hiding?

Darren: Hi Ali. Been around. The doctor said I shouldn’t move around too much. Ma leg seems to be getting worse.

Me: Oh that is bad. You should stay put then. So do you have someone you live with to take care of you?

Darren: No not really but I’m fine. I’m not in a wheel chair or anything. How’s Bet?

Me: She’s fine. She just stepped out with Kenny.

Darren: Yea? Ayt then. Ali, I have got to go now. I’ll give you a ring in a bit.

Me: Ok sure. Bye.

Please don’t tell me this guy has feelings for Betty. If he did it wouldn’t just be his leg that would be broken. 

To be continued...