The week had been very busy for Raina. She had started her understudy lessons. She had thought it will be a walk through the park but it had been very involving. She had enjoyed it nonetheless. Every evening she had to practice the new types of stitching she had learned or re-do a design so she got how it was done. She had not even had time to go out with her friends. Thankfully, today was her last day for the week and weekends were excluded. Helen had praised her though for her fine stitches and good colour sense. Raina had bloomed at the praise.
Leroy had texted her on her way back that he had an assignment for her and that she should hurry home. She read the message once again and sighed. She sincerely hoped he didn't want her to help him cook for one of his girlfriends. Often when he sent text messages like that, it meant he needed help with a girl.
She was almost home now and was dreading the assignment Leroy had for her. She dropped her stuff in the hall and went up to look for her parents. She found her mother packing clothes into a suitcase.
'Mum, what's wrong? Are you and dad going somewhere?'
'Yes, dear. We have to go to the village this weekend. It is an emergency. We will be leaving soon. I called Leroy to inform him.'
'I hope no one is ill. Where is daddy?'
'I don't think so. I was just informed by one of my cousins that there is an emergency family meeting, that's why. As for your dad, he said he was going to check on something behind the house. We are trying to leave by 4pm so we will get there before 8pm.'
'Alright. Is there anything I can do to help?'
'Don't worry dear. I am sure you are exhausted. Just get something to eat. We will let you know when we are about to set off.'
Raina went to her room to change her clothes. She prayed and hoped that no one was about to die. By the time she was done eating, her parents were ready and about to leave the house. Raina said her goodbyes and watched them leave the house. She had wanted to spend time talking to her mother to ask her about starting her dress store when she was done understudying Helen, They were due for fabric shopping this weekend. Raina could only guess that her mum had forgotten about that. There will always be more time.
She sat in front of the television and started to browse through the channels. She settled on an entertainment show and was lost in it when Leroy arrived home. Leroy quickly put his briefcase down and loosened his tie.
'Hey Rain, guess it's just you and me tonight.'
'Yup. Brother -sister night. Any outings today?'
'Not at all. I had a busy day. I am tired. I need a huge favour from you.'
'Yes, what's that? I saw your message but you didn't follow it up with anything.'
'I need you to go and sleep over at Darryl's place tonight. I am inviting Nadia over and I want us to have some privacy. Please, please, my favourite sister in the whole wide world.'
'Oh, stop it! I am your only sister, remember? But Nadia? Wait! Is that not Darryl's cousin? Do you like her? What I mean to ask is: do you seriously like her?'
'Are you agreeing to my request or not?'
'If you tell me, I will accept. I just need to know.'
'Yes, I do. I wish I didn't but I really do have feelings for her. And I know you have heard me say this on several occasions but she is it for me. Sad thing about all this is she has a boyfriend.'
'Wow, this is surprising. Don't worry I will go to his house. Let me go and pack a few of my things. What time does she arrive though?'
'She will get here at 7.30pm. I have to just prepare rice and fry some kelewele. I already informed mum so she has prepared the stew and cut the plantain for me.'
'No wonder you didn't ask me to do anything. You are prepared then. I am going to take my stuff and get going.'
'Don't worry, I have called Darryl. He is on his way here. He will be arriving in the next 5 mins.'
Raina just looked at Leroy and shook her head. She then rushed upstairs to shower and get her stuff ready.
The next time she arrived downstairs she found Darryl sitting down in the hall.
'Hello, how are you doing. Your brother says he has a date so he needs you out of the way.'
'Yup, that's a very simple way of putting it.'
'Have you gotten all of your things?'
'Yes please.'
'Shall we? Leroy is in the kitchen. You can inform him. I am going to start the car.'
Darryl left with her bag while she went to inform her brother she was leaving.
Raina found Leroy busy in the kitchen. He had rolled his sleeves to his forearms. It was almost comical but endearing at the same time.
'Leroy I am leaving. Have fun. I hope your date goes well as planned.'
Raina and Darryl soon arrived at Darryl's residence. Raina was surprised he lived all alone. It seemed too big for one bachelor. Darryl ushered Raina inside and showed her to a bedroom so she could make herself comfortable.
'Won't you give me a tour of your house? You know the ins and out of my home. I have never been here before.'
Darryl showed Raina around. She figured he had been able to buy it from his acting payments. However, he answered in the negative.
'The house was actually my mother's. She willed it to me when she died.'
'Sorry to hear about that. You two must have been very close.'
'Yes, we were. I miss her dearly. I was always a mummy's boy. Now come on, what shall I offer you?'
'I have already eaten so I guess we can watch a movie together. You can pick the movie.'
'Don't complain about my movie choice then. Let me make some popcorn so we can relax and watch the movie.'
Darryl turned on the television for her then went to make the popcorn. He was back in 20 minutes with a large bowl of popcorn big enough for a group of 5. He then started playing the movie: 'Fracture'. It was an old movie. Raina raised her eyebrows at the title but he only said, 'Relax, you will enjoy it.'
The movie was interesting to watch and Raina thoroughly enjoyed herself and told Darryl so.'That was a great movie choice.'
'I am an actor. You should expect only the best when it comes to cinema.'
Raina yawned loudly.
'You must be tired. Come on, let’s go to bed.'
'Are you feeling sleepy too? No, but I need rest as well. Come on, let's go.'
Darryl pulled Raina to her feet and steadied her when she swayed gently. Raina reached out to hold his arms. She looked up to see his face and realized he was also looking at her. All through the night, she had tried to be cool and nonchalant. The resolve was threatening to fail. She wished he would kiss her. She willed it with all her might. However, the universe failed to listen.
'You are dead on your feet. You need to go to bed Rain. Come on.’
Raina allowed herself to feel disappointed only when she was lying in bed. She wished Darryl could feel her emotions. Maybe, then, he will start giving her the attention she needed and stop treating her like a child.