Please Break My Heart – Episode 11

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By Tomi Adesina

“Fond memories, right?” Dare asked Toni as we ate. She gave a sheepish smile. I flashed at her in annoyance. How could they be talking of fond memories when I had no idea of what their discussion was about. Toni would not bulge.

                                “Except, that we are replacing a face here,” she replied.

                                “For our sakes, I wouldn’t call it replacing, more of changing.” He said.

                ‘How is replacing different from changing?’ I thought. My salad was going cold as I drummed my fork effortlessly on the plate. It was not responsible for any of my problems yet I could genuinely dish my anger out on the plate.

                                “I hope you don’t feel lost, we were just catching up on old memories.” Dare said, as if he had read my thoughts. I scoffed. ‘Why were they acting as though they did not work in the same office, or as if they were just meeting for the first time?’ I had no idea of what they were discussing and what they should have done was to save their discussion for later, maybe in the car when I could distract myself with my Blackberry. Reaching for my phone now will seem inappropriate; it is called lunch, not talk time!

                                “Not lost!” I replied, almost too sharply. Toni immediately cleared her throat to cover up what could have been likened to a ‘jealous housewife reaction’ if noticed by other customers. “I meant, I am not lost, something caught my throat,” I lied.

                                “Sorry about that. You have barely touched your salad, do you want to re-order?” Dare asked.

                If Salad could be cold on my tongue, I wondered what wouldn’t be at this junction. “No, thank you.” I replied.

                                “Toni and I used to frequent this place with Reina when she still worked with us.” He said, sipping his wine. “She loves very classy environments, I won’t be surprised to find her here,” he added. I remained mute. “Are you sure you don’t want to re-order?” he asked, staring at me.

                I smiled as I swallowed some salad. That felt like a bitter pill to swallow. “I am fine, you see.” Who was I trying to convince? I guess more of myself. I snapped out of my thoughts and sipped my wine. “When is my first practice session?” I asked.

                                “You are quite eager about getting into our playground.” He replied. “It will take a while, after the annual meeting this Friday, we will look into the date.” That meant good news for me. “Do you guys mind visiting the park with me?” he asked.

                ‘Now he feels like running and he needs company,’ I thought. I looked at Toni, who had no objection as she flashed a smile. “It’s okay by me.” The rest of the lunch was a bit quiet, except for the occasional, ‘hope you aren’t offended with my presence?’ question asked by Dare. I remained mute. I did not give any answer to Dare’s questions. A smile was enough.

                We strolled into the central park. I walked by Toni’s side putting her in the middle, I did not want to walk beside Dare. “I will just sit over there while you get on tracks.” I said, approaching a bench.

“Who said anything about me running?” he asked.

                I shrugged. “You don’t have to.”

                                “I brought us here to see you run,” he replied, staring at me.

                                “Yeah…right!” I drew a dry hiss and sat on a bench. Dare left with Toni. ‘Who does he think he is’ I asked myself. ‘This isn’t the office and he can’t be dishing out orders to me. If he misses Reina so much, he could send for her to amuse him by running round the park, but certainly not me!’ I said aloud.

                Dare returned with Toni and some clothes. “Here you go dear, just change in the bathroom over there,” he said, pointing at the bathroom on the far left. “Hurry, those ladies are waiting for you,” he waved at some ladies who waved back.

“You can’t be serious.” I replied.

                                “It’s just for the fun,” Toni said.

                                “Fun? I think you should enter for the contest Toni.” I replied, standing up. “I am sorry that you both wasted your time going to get me clothes, but I am not interested in a race”

                Dare sighed. “It’s fine Darlene. I was just pulling your legs anyways,” he replied.

                                “Thanks for the scare.” I replied, clutching my bag to my arm.

                                “You are such a chicken Darlene,” Toni said. “I can’t believe that you are scared of the crowd here,” she added quickly.

                I scoffed. “I am only being cautious, not scared” I replied. “Well, I suppose we are done here.”

                                “Apparently, since you refused to partake in a challenge, we have nothing else to do here; we will be heading back to the office.” He replied. “I will go and get the car.” He added and left.

                I flashed at Toni in annoyance. “What were you thinking?” I asked.

                                “It’s not that much of a big deal Darlene; we just wanted you to compete with the other women in the race. I felt that you will do well in the race.” She replied, smiling.

                                “Really? And you didn’t figure that you would fare better in the race? If Dare wants amusement, there are better ways to get it, not through me!” I replied.

                Toni shook her head. “It’s all over now, you can calm down. You look worked up. I think you were more scared of not impressing Dare than not getting on the tracks.” She added with a smile.

                                “Come on Toni, I have no reason to impress him.” I replied, with my eyebrows raised. “Here comes Dare.” I said, as I sighted him. “Shall we?”

                The journey to the office continued with Dare and Toni chattering about high school days, especially the Prom event, with Dare likening himself to a Prince on that night. I forced myself to listen to my I-Pod as I struggled with making selections from Owl City to Adele, they would play low, and I was still interested in listening to Dare and Toni. I was the first to hop out of the car when we arrived at the office.

                                “Darlene, a postman came here looking for you at lunch.” My secretary said, as I approached her. “He left this note for you.” She stretched out a paper to me.

                                “Thanks Bola.” I replied, and walked into my office.

                I opened the note slowly. “Let’s see who we have here.”  I raced to the address. It came from Bahamas. “Jake is such a kid. What happened to emails?” I said aloud. Since it was from Jake, I could read it on my way home. I folded it and dropped it in my bag. I turned on my laptop and started reading law tips. I had to prepare for my practise session. I called an Events House to book a meeting with them after work; Dora’s coming out party had to be planned. I would have had Jake plan it if he was available, but due to his absence, I had to plan it.

                I was glad when the clock struck 5pm. I had to catch the bus at Broad Street. I hurried to the elevator.

                                “Darlene, can you spare a minute?” Dare said as he stuck his head out of his door.

                ‘You have to be kidding me,’ I thought. “Yes Boss.” I replied and left for his office.

                                “Sorry to delay you but I need you to take a look at a few files for me.”

                I placed my bag on a seat. “Where are the files?”

                                “I am sorry I lied, I need to talk to you.” He said, looking worried.

___

“Is there a problem?” I asked, taking my seat.

                Dare sighed. “I need a favour from you.” He said. “I won’t like you to refuse me this one”

                                “It depends on what you want from me.”

                He cleared his throat. “I want you to go out with me tonight, I am meeting up with some friends tonight, and I want you to accompany me.”

                I let out a horrid laugh. “Dare, what do take me for?” I asked.

                                “I don’t understand your question.”

                I sighed. “You entered me for a competition unannounced earlier today, and now you want me to accompany you to see your friends. Don’t you think you are taking me for granted?”

                                “Do you feel offended by my actions?”

                                “Of course!”

                He shook his head. “It was not my intention.” He replied. “You may leave.”

                I stood up and reached from the door. “What do you want from me?” I asked.

                                “Your friendship.” He replied.

                I smiled. “You have it.” I opened the door.

                                “Will you go out with me tonight? To a movie? I will cancel with my friends.” He asked.

                                “Why will you cancel with your friends for me?”

                He stood up and approached me. “They have been friends forever, they will understand. So, will you?”

                                “Okay.”

                                “I will pick you by 7.”

                                “See you later,” I replied, and left.

                What was I thinking? Agreeing to go to the movies with Dare on a Monday night implied lateness to work on Tuesday. I joined the bus and left for home. I had to cancel my apartment earlier scheduled with the Events House. I was lost in thoughts on the bus that I did not hear a man calling at me to move to the next seat.

                                “I am so sorry.” I said as I moved over to the next seat. He took his seat and smiled at me.

                                “Darlene, right?”

                I stared at him and then realised that it was Daniel from my driving school. “Oh, how are you Daniel?”

                                “Why did you stand me up?”

                I bit my lips. “What a nice way to respond to a greeting. Anyways, I was busy.”

                                “But we agreed on going out.”

                I smiled. “I never agreed. I was wise enough not to give any concrete answer on that, you assumed.”

                                “Whatever, it’s in the past now.” He replied, with a smile. “Can we hang out this weekend?”

                I rolled my eyeballs. “Unfortunately, I am busy at work this weekend.” I then paused and realised the need to put Daniel in his place. “And just so we are clear, you are my teacher and I do not appreciate your unnecessary warming up to me.”

                He inhaled deeply. “Fine by me, I will stick to my role henceforth.”

                                “Thank you.” I said carelessly.

                Daniel said nothing to me as the journey continued. I could guess that he could not wait for the bus to stop. We dropped off at our stop. Daniel maintained a courteous approach and let me off the bus first.

                                “Have a good night.” He said, walking away.

                                “You too.” I called back.

Dora stood up as soon as I walked in. “I have been waiting for you forever.”

                                “Hi. How was your day?” she asked, holding out a muffin. “I baked it for you.”

                I collected it and took a bite. “This is good. Are there anymore?” I asked, taking my seat.

                                “Yes, I had the luxury of baking some after work today.”

                I smiled. “Thanks Dora.”

                                “I got some news for you. I spoke with a detective earlier in the day, and he said that if we can give concrete information on Paul, they would get to work as soon as possible.”

                I sighed. “Thanks for everything Dora, I am very grateful.”

                                “What are sisters for? I will do anything to help you. If you can drop the details with me before going to work tomorrow, I will stop at the Police Station.”

                                “Thanks Dora.” I replied and left for my room.

                I flung my closet open and started my search for a dress to wear out with Dare. I choose a polka dotted short gown and hurried into the bathroom. i hoped that Dare would make it for 7 sharp, as I have not been a fan of late nights. I applied my lip-gloss coolly as I checked my wristwatch for what I hoped would be the last time.

                                “Knock knock,” Dora said as she walked in.

                                “Hi” I replied adjusting my powder.

                                “There is a guy named Dare here for you.” She cleared her throat. “You look good sis.” She added.

                I smiled. “Thanks Dora. Tell Dad that I might be in a bit late tonight.” I said, grabbing my purse.

                                “I sure will.” She replied with a grin.

                I hurried downstairs to meet Dare.

                                “You look hot.” He said, staring at me.

                I looked at myself with a grimace. ‘What was ‘hot’ about the appearance?’ I thought. I smiled politely. “Thank you.”

                                “Shall we?” he asked.

                                “Yes Please.” I replied, leading the way.

                Dare started the engine. “Where do you want to go?”

                                “You are the one taking me out, so I am with you.”

                                “What do you say we drive into the night till we have nowhere else to go in Lagos?”

                I popped my eyeballs. “That sounds adventurous, but I say NO! It’s ridiculous, especially on a Monday night, more of irresponsible.”

                                “I am the boss, remember?” he said, smiling. “I call the shots at Ade-Cole, so if we are drooling into the night, no one can bother us, if you want to.”

                I smiled. “I will pass on your offer. Make another choice, there are lots of places to go to on a Monday night, maybe we see a movie.”

                                “Alright, we are off to the movies.”

                I left to get some pop corn and drinks as Dare joined the queue to get us tickets.

                                “I got us tickets to see The Hunger games” Dare said approaching.

                                “Sounds like fun.”

                                “It would be fun, haven’t you seen the adverts? It is awesome! The movie is a complete sell out, I was lucky to grab these tickets.” He said, flashing the tickets in my face.

                                “Let’s go then.”

                After two hours, we were through with the movie.

                                “Thanks Dare, I wasn’t disappointed.”

                He smiled. “You are welcome.” He took a quick glance at his wristwatch. “We have to get to the town square before it is 10.” He said.

                                “Why?”

                                “At around that time, there is always a street dance at that end, and the kids are totally awesome, you need to see it.”

“Okay.” I replied, dumbly.

                                “We are going to run because Cars can’t go through this route,” he said. Dare grabbed my hand and before I could say Jack Robinson, we were already running. A teeming crowd running from the east and west joined us. It seemed as though everyone knew that it was time to run towards the town square.

                Dare was all jumpy as he grooved to the music as the dance competition went on. He was lost in the dance competition that he did not see me wander off into the streets. I wanted to get a drink badly as my throat was all-dry. CLOSED tags were on almost all stores in the street. I was in dire need of a drink and it looked almost impossible to get any. The road was dark and lonely ahead, so I decided to turn back. I was grabbed at the arm. I yelled.

                                “Why are you making so much noise?”

                I turned round as I released myself. “Why are you stalking me Daniel?” I asked.

                                “I was just fortunate to be in the environment and I saw you leaving the dance ground so I thought that I should follow you.” He replied. “Why were you wandering?”

                I looked at him carefully. “I don’t like you being everywhere around me.”

                                “This is Lagos. It is a free City, I can be anywhere I choose to be.” He replied.

                Daniel scared me. It was dark and lonely and I felt that I was standing before a nightmare. “I’ll just go back to the ground.” I replied.

                He held me back. “Wait!” He held my hand so tightly that it hurt.

                                “Leave me alone Daniel.”

                                “Why?”

                                “The lady told you to leave her alone.” A voice said from the dark.

                The scene terrified me the more. The next thing I heard was a blow landing heavily on Daniel. He crashed to the ground.

                                “Are you alright Darlene?”

                                “Yes I am.” I replied, with my voice all shaky.

                                “Why did you leave the town square? It is not safe for you to be wandering all by yourself.” He then turned to Daniel. “Who is this riff-raff?”

                I sighed. Daniel was struggling to get up from the ground. He must have felt a serious impact from the blow Daniel gave him. “He is my teacher from a driving school.”

                                “This is no teacher.” Dare replied, kicking Daniel hard in the belly.

                                “Please Dare, let him be. I am fine now, let’s just go.” I begged.

                Dare was more interested in Daniel than in my plea as he struck him hard to the ground.

                                “Hold it up there! This is the Police, your hands right behind your head.”

…to be continued