JUST ONE DATE

"Lest I forget, it's three months already. Why ain't you saying anything about our deal?" Tracy asked her friend as they walked out from a supermarket.

"What deal, remind me please." Tessy asked, truly confused.

"Urgh! You're so dull. So you already have forgotten out plan B?

Source

"Oh, that! Well...," she began smiling widely.

"See how you're blushing. Don't bother telling. I can tell you're a finished woman," Tracy teased.

"Frankly I can't believe that I've fallen for this guy. After our first date, i cpyldnt even be bothered about going out with John. He does all the right things and is just too good that I fear that it's all an act."

"Relax. You worry too much. I think he's genuine.."

All right, let me take you back.

............................................................

Tessy and Tracy sat facing each other at Lakewood Cafe. Their spot overlooked the parking lot of the restaurant. Both girls had a ritual of going on a bestie-date -as they called it, to a new spot, once every month.

They sat sipping their mango juice from an expensive looking glassware. Lakewood Cafe was the newest, most talked about spot in the city and they did not hesitate to come see for themselves what the hype was about. Indeed, the atmosphere of the place wowed them. From the smart security men to the prim waiters/waitresses. Just outside the main building of the Cafe, small huts were constructed. Inside the main building, the seats were made of leather and were of the semi-circle shape. The tables were made of mahogany which shone from proper management. The walls were painted white and the interior was decorated with different shades of beige.

"Would it be too early if I said that I've found my favourite spot in this city?" Tessy smiling, asked her friend.

Tracy laughed, "..it wouldn't. The place is so beautiful. The only thing left before I score this place a 100/10 is the food. I would refrain from giving my final verdict until I've has a taste of their meals"

"You should give them their flowers already. I'm confident that the food would be greattt."

"You shouldn't conclude. It's not all about outward aesthetician. Remember our experience at ...." Tracy was saying but her friend cut in.

"No, no, no, don't go there. That was terrible. But this, this will be different, I bet you.' Tessy said, conviction clear in her voice.

"Of course, this will be different," a male voice said and they both looked up to see a brown-skinned man with complementary blue eyes staring down at them.

............................................................

"We beg your pardon, who are you!? Tessy, who was the speaker of the duo asked.

"Pardon my manners, ladies. My name is Keon. I'd been watching you both from there" he pointed to another table just at their righthand side ".. and I found you both interesting."

"Okay, thank you. So what now?" Tracy asked.

"I'm sorry but I mean no harm." Looking directly at Tessy, he said, "you haven't said anything since I got here. Did i do something wrong?"

"Yes, yes you have. Rudely interrupting us and trying to make small talk is," Tessy fired.

He was taken aback."Jeez! She's a fiery one" he said when he gained his composure and let out a laugh to which Tracy joined.

"Is she always like this? I mean, this angry and violent?" the question was posed to Tacy but he kept his gaze fixed on Tessy.

Tessy glowered at him.

"Don't call her that. She's nothing like that. She doesn't just want you here. You're interrupting our fun," Tracy said calmly.

"Oh my! My apologies. I'm usually not like this. I just wanted her number. May I have your number please, angry miss?" he asked in playful mockery.

"I'm never giving you my number. Just leave here at once," Tessy bellowed.

Okay then, I'll just hang around here. I'm not leaving without your number," Keon said and took a seat in the space beside Tracy.

Tessy cast him a mean look. Tracy tried to stiffen her laughter as she looked between the both of them.

Finally, after what seemed like a long time, and when it was obvious to Tracy that her friend would not give out her number and Keon too, was not ready to move an inch, she offered him her number. He grudgingly accepted and tswaggered away.

...........................................................

Once he was out of earshot, Tracy asked her friend why she had reacted that way.

"I know his type. I know guys like him. Besides, I was not interested in talking to him. Gosh! He makes me angry." she sniffs.

"But he was harmless. I thought he was funny and cute, too. Did you even take a good look at him? You both would make a pretty couple," Tesssy said, laughing really hard.

"Hey! What!?? Okay, that's it," Tessy said wearing a frown. "Enough about that guy. He's gone now. Can we just enjoy our date or we should call it a day?"

"Sure. Sorry, ma. Whatever you wish, mummy," Tracy said in mock respect and they burst into laughter.

............................................................

A week later,Tessy is cooking and Tracy is out in the living room watching a music video on TV, in Tracy's house, and Tessy's phone rings.

Tracy calls out to her friend "Is that not your call. Why are you not taking it?

"I don't know. It's that guy from Lakewood Cafe, he's been runging my phone nonstop. I've told him I'm not interested in going out with him but he wouldn't listen," Tessy blurts.

"Girl, it's been four years already. I thought you said you were past that breakup. What's the matter? Why wouldn't you talk to other guys?" Tracy yelled from the kitchen.

"Yes, it's in the past now. But that doesn't mean I should set myself up for another heartbreak. I can't deal."

"Who says that this guy is like your ex? All he wants is one date. Just one. Is it so difficult?" Tracy asks her friend, worry written on her face.

"It is. It is beca....Hold on a minute, don't tell me you were the one that gave him my number," Tessy turned away from the TV and was looking in the direction of the kitchen as it dawned on her.

"I am. I gave him your number," Tracy, who had come to lean by the kitchen door said.

"Wh..." Tessy started to sat.

"I apologize for that but I was only looking out for you. You need to give love a chance. Give this guy a chance. Or give John, the techie, a chance. You need to be loved."

............................................................

"I am loved. My family loves me. I love me, and, you love me, too....or, don't you love me?" Tessy asked in a mellow tone.

Tracy walks over and sits beside her friend and then takes her hand in hers.

"Of course I love you. And you know the kind of love that I'm talking about. Okay, you know what, let's make a plan. You go out with this guy on just one date and if you think you can stand him, then get into a relationship."

"This doesn't make sense to me

"Relax and let me finishing explaining. So, the plan is, you'll go out with both guys at the same time. You will like them equally. If at the end of the day, you fall in love with either of them, then you call it quits with the other," Tracy smiled like someone who had given a genius answer.

"And what' happens if neither one works?," Tessy looked at her friend expectantly.

"Uhm...well...you know what, let's just be positive. I guarantee that one will," she winked.

"You're silly." Tessy chuckled.

"Now tell me you'll go through with this. Pleaseeeee," Tracy drew out the word and made a puppy face.

"All right. I will try," Tessy hesitantly replied and rolled her eyes.

"That's my girl," Tracy enveloped her friend in a hug, and as if suddenly remembering something, she quickly drew back and screamed as she got up from her seat, "my food!!."