Rita’s POV
My hands trembled as I managed to slide to the receiver.
“Hello Zane, I…I.. I am…so..sorry. I… I… forgot to reach out to you after the shower and that’s so..so bad of me” I apologized, stuttering without hearing from him first.
“No honey, I am the one who is sorry. I slept off not quite long, and I'm still very much sleepy. I don't know how to let you know that I don't think we can chat tonight. I'm very sorry for ruining our plans” He said.
“Oh!” I mouthed, relieved.
“I’m sorry” He repeated.
“Err.. No problem. It’s actually fine. I feel tired and not in the mood to talk at length too. I also didn't know how to tell you especially after what I have done lately!” Lies and more lies!
“Good night to you and sweet dreams” I wished.
“Sweet dreams” He repeated and hung up the call.
I took a deep breathe in and exhaled them all out, feeling completely relieved now. I picked up my phone and switched it off instantly to avoid any more calls that could make me panic.
I practiced a smile on my face to brighten up my mood before I returned to the restaurant.
“It was Evelyn not my boyfriend” I told Finn as I took my seat.
Our meals have already been served.
“Oh Evelyn, your best friend” He muttered, dropping his phone into his pocket.
“So let’s eat. I was waiting for you” He uncovered the meal in front of him and I did the same.
“Oh wow! Yummy and appetizing!” I commented as the aroma filled the air.
I drew out the cutleries then began to eat etiquettely.
“Tell me about your boyfriend” Finn suddenly inquired.
“What?” I almost exclaimed but covered my mouth, so the food won't fall off.
I never expected such a question from him. I chewed completely what was in my mouth before I spoke.
“It’s shocking of you to suddenly ask after my boyfriend”
“Well I asked, I wanna know. You don't wanna tell me?”
I shook my head a little; “The only people I talk to about my relationship are Janet, Evelyn and Adam” I told him.
“I thought we’re close enough too” He said.
Hmm, I hesitated whether or not to tell him.
“We are bosom friends now, we see each other almost everyday, and there’s no day we don't have an in-depth conversation. I know your parents, we’ve spent so much time together, we’ve eaten together, we have even slept together.. I.. I mean slept on the same bed, we shared a duvet… “ I interrupted him.
“Alright, alright. I'm aware we are very very close” I interrupted him.
“And look, we are having a date. Yet you think we are not close enough for you to disclose your semi-private life with me?” He added.
“Fine! I will tell you about my boyfriend. Happy now?” I said and he smiled.
I stopped eating, so I won't choke; “My boyfriend, Zane is the sweetest. He is super super nice and really funny” I began to describe him, blushing a little. “Zane is the best thing that have happened to me, I love him so much. He gives me his listening ears each and every time so we basically communicate all the time. He is everything to me” I paused and sipped from the milky smoothie.
“So Zane has everything you want in a man?” He asked.
“If that’s what my description divulged, then yes! Zane is just perfect” I nodded slowly.
“Perfect? You mean he has no flaws?”
“Flaws?” I muttered, then it dawned on me that I didn’t mention somethings.
“I told you there are ups and downs in a relationship and a relationship will never work out if downside is not urgently attended to”
“Are you a counselor or something?” I inquired peering into his eyes. “Why do you seem to be interested in my relationship?” I asked.
“Uhn… why else? Obviously, I wanna know the kind of man that stole you from me” He answered and I chuckled.
I dropped my cutleres.
“I’m not supposed to tell you all this Finn” I sighed then continue anyways, I seemed free around him.
“Honestly, there are no ups and downs in my relationship whatsoever because Zane and I seldoms quarrel”
“Wow” He remarked.
“But…”
“A whole lot of things are omitted in our relationship which makes it boring” I finally admitted that I was having a boring relationship with Zane.
“For instance, Zane is the one I would love to have this date with not you”
Finn giggled; “Maybe you should see me as Zane then. You have had more encounters with me and none with him. Remember, we have also kissed” He recalled.
“Oh please Finn, this should be the very last time you remind me that we actually kissed” I warned.
“Allow me to teach you how you'll know if the kiss meant something to you or not. You’d feel Goosebumps! slight inner shivers! “ He said.
I remembered I felt shivers running down my spine yet I didn't take it seriously, I was still a first timer.
I stared into his flicking eyes while he spoke, Oh lately, I have begun to notice how very handsome Finn is, especially when he smiles. Meanwhile, I have always been the one refraining myself from gazing at him intently. I think I have been the one holding back not to fall in love with him because I have a boyfriend and drooling over Finn was more like I was cheating on Zane.
I broke the long stare while he was still speaking,
Awkwardly, I picked up my cutleries and continued eating, rushing my meal because I suddenly became uncomfortable.
“Easy, easy” He said.
“I need to get back home because it's getting late and there’s work tomorrow” I avoided looking at him.
“I have work to do tomorrow too” He said. “ So c’mon, take it easy”
I began to eat my meal slowly, not because he cautioned me but because I realised that I was embarrassing myself in front of him and others.
He stood up and leaned forward,
I shut my eyes, thinking he wanted to kiss me since that was the topic we have just finished discussing and he had admitted that it meant everything to him.
I didn't feel his mushy lips on mine but I felt a tissue in his finger, wiping off something from the side of my lower lips. It made my heart flutter.
“Th… Thank you” I stammered.
The rest of the night was a blur. We continued to eat in silence as the tension thickening with each passing moment.
Even when he drove me back home, I found myself lost in my thoughts.
A tiny voice inside me whispered, reminding me that what I was feeling was just infatuation.
****
To Be Continued