The moment I set my eyes on him, I knew I'd regret it. But what I didn't anticipate was the sneaky playboy named Rick, whose flirting, wild, presence threw my calculated perfect persona into disarray…
As I walked towards the restaurant, I tried to suppress the excitement I had been feeling since I called Dave this morning to remind him of our date.
Getting to the entrance, I started to feel nervous, I was sweating, and it was starting to ruin my perfect makeup which Kamala had helped me fix.
Today was supposed to be perfect. I was finally seeing my boyfriend after what seemed to be eternity, but in reality it was just months.
Dave got into college a couple of months ago and had to move two cities away from me. We relied on video calls, but it hasn't been enough. I wanted to see him again. So when he told me he was finally coming home, I eagerly asked that we go on a date, and he agreed. He was eager to see me too.
I had done nothing all day other than stare at my phone, waiting for my alarm clock to jerk me back from my thoughts. Kamala came over to the house and helped me dress up and even fix my makeup.
I wasn't a fan of makeup, but I would do anything just to look good for my boyfriend. I even broke my savings jar just so I could get a new dress, in his favorite color.
I wanted to be perfect for him, and I was, until a few minutes ago when I got nervous.
I couldn't let Dave see me that way, so I quickly dodged and went to the restroom through the back.
Tiny beads of sweat started to form on my temple as I grabbed my phone and called Kamala.
"Hey, Val, how's it going?" Kamala let out immediately she answered the call.
"It's really awful. My makeup is already melting off my face. And I'm so nervous. It feels like I'm just meeting him for the first time, and I'm scared of ruining things for us." I whined.
"Ohh Valerie, you shouldn't be nervous about meeting Dave. I mean, it's Dave. You guys have been together for over a year. He's not a stranger that you're just meeting. And you don't even have to be perfect. He's your boyfriend, he likes you the way you are." She countered.
"Are you sure?" I quizzed, pressing softly on my face as if to stop the makeup from falling off.
"Yes, so just relax. I will call to hear the full gist in the night." She chimed in and then hung up.
I opened my purse and took out my compact powder. I wanted to retouch my makeup, but I didn't even know what to do. I remembered Kamala pressing the powder foam on my cheeks, so I did that too.
I checked myself in the mirror one last time and a smile laced my cheeks as I slowly regained my confidence.
I found a table by the window, a perfect spot I knew Dave would like. He wasn't around yet, and I was happy because it gave me room to get myself fully back to order.
"What would you like to order, ma'am?" I looked up from my phone and found the waiter standing beside me.
"Ohh, I'm waiting for someone. We'll order when he's here. Thank you." I quickly replied.
"Uhm… we actually have a full house today, so if your date is not around, you'd have to step out till he's here, and we'd then find you two a new table." She countered.
I looked at my phone screen and then realized Dave had kept me waiting for over an hour.
"Give me five minutes, please. I'll leave if he's not here then." I pleaded.
She nodded politely and left, while I put a call through to Dave.
As soon as he answered the phone, I smiled brightly, my initial anger dissolving like salt in the water.
"Hey baby" I chimed in while I quickly looked around to see if he was close.
"Oh my… is something wrong?" I asked once. I heard him sigh heavily.
"No, it's nothing. You're just not going to like it." He finally replied.
"How would you know if you don't tell me? What is it?" I pressed further, and before he could refuse further, I added sharply, "I insist."
"Okay then. To start with, you're a beautiful, lovely and brilliant girl. And I don't think I say this often, but you're the best thing that has happened to me in a long time... But..."
My countenance immediately changed the moment Dave mentioned the last word. I've seen a lot of romantic movies to know what comes next when such phrases come up. It means only one thing. Breakup.
"Are you breaking up with me?" I asked.
"Valerie, I need to discover myself, and it doesn't feel right to do that with you since you're not willing to prove your love." He let out.
"What? What do you mean by willing to prove my love? You're breaking up with me because I wouldn't sleep with you?" I quizzed.
"Not really, but it's your choice and I can't force you to do anything you don't want to do. It's fine, Valerie. I wish you well."
What? This can't be real. He can't seriously be breaking up with me over this.
"But we are good, Dave. I love you and you love me. I know you want it but can you give me some more time. I just need to be sure it's what I want," I pleaded.
"Valerie, I didn't want to say this, but you've left me no choice. I am a guy and I have needs. I need a girl who wouldn't make me wait over flimsy excuses."
I couldn't even think of a suitable response. I just sat there while he hung up and the phone beeped in my ear.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and it took a lot of willpower not to burst out loudly. Dave was breaking up with me because I wouldn't sleep with him.
When we started, he was okay with me being a virgin and not ready to have sex but it hadn't been a month before he started asking that we get intimate.
I just wanted to wait for the right time, and though I was in love with Dave, he never felt like the one.
Just then, the waiter came back. She didn't need to tell me what she wanted. I knew I had to leave.
Disappointed, I stood up, grabbed my purse and turned to leave. I wasn't looking straight and then bumped into someone.
"What the h…" he went mute once he looked up and saw my face.
"Heyyy… beautiful," he chimed in while I rolled my eyes.
He licked his lips and that got me more irritated. I know his type. I've seen his type in movies, and real life in class. They flirt with every girl, and are always after only one thing.
Sex.
That's all they ever want.
I wasn't about to get myself into another mess after Dave. I crouched to pick my purse but he already grabbed it.
"Nah, you're not having it until you tell me your name." He said, holding the purse over his head and since he was way taller than me, I couldn't reach him.
"Why would I do that? I don't know your name either!" I slammed at him angrily.
"Rick. That's mine. Your turn now."
"I don't care, and I didn't ask you for it." I let out.
"Then you won't have this then. Maybe we will end up eating together and become more…"
"Ewww…" I was so disgusted, but he didn't seem bothered. He was even enjoying it. I needed a way to get my purse so I could leave.
I hadn't even dropped the thought when a girl walked up to him and hugged him from behind. He turned to her while I quickly snatched my purse and hurried out.
"At least, give me your number." He let out, but I didn't even stop to look. The nerve to even ask for my number when he had another girl in his face.
I was so happy when I got home and my parents weren't home. I was free to let out all the tears and cry my eyes out.
I kept scrolling through my gallery and the more I saw Dave's pictures, the more I cried.
He didn't even have the decency to tell me in person. He made me dress all up, and anticipated our date, while he knew what he was going to do all along. He didn't even think about calling me beforehand, he had to wait till I called an hour later to tell me.
I cried for a long time until I finally slept off.
I woke up to my mom's voice a few hours later.
"Valerie, our new neighbors are around. Dress up and come for dinner. They are joining us." She let out, while I just stared blankly at her.
She had told me the vacant house opposite us was finally off the market, and the neighors were moving in today.
"Mom, do I have to come? I'm a bit tired." I whined.
"It won't be long, and I want us to meet them together, especially you. You need to mix with other people other than Kamala and your parents!" She didn't wait for a response. She turned and then left while I stared blankly at the door.
I struggled out of bed, wiping off the tears that flooded my eyes again as I remembered Dave and I were no longer together.
I took a quick shower to hide my swollen cheeks and red eyes. I'd been able to hide it from my mom because of the dimly lit room. One glance at me at the table, and they would all start asking questions I don't have answers to.
I made my way to the living room, and right there was Rick, the same guy who I ran into at the restaurant, and tried to flirt with me. He's the neighbors' son.
I stood at a distance, completely dazed, watching as they all exchanged hugs. What in the name of a coincidence is this?