Natasha still smells Alex. She wishes she had never attempted this move on him. Tears run down her cheek. It is the first time a man ever rejects her. She spends days cooped up in her bedroom, without eating. She baths and creeps back in her bed. She is hurt and ashamed.
“Natty,” Tariro calls out. “Let’s go for a movie or something,” she nags.
Natasha’s face is in sorrow. She covers her head with the blankets. Tariro decides to go alone or take a walk instead. She wants Natasha to be with her like the old days.
While on the way, she meets Alex, who is standing with two guys, next to a Mercedes Benz. He is dressed well, Tariro can see why her friend, Natasha was rejected by him.
“Hey, do you remember me?” He asks.
Tariro looks at his body, he is handsome and dresses very well.
“Oh, no. I don’t. You are Alex?” she asks smiling.
“Yeah, yeah,” he replies. Alex is feeling goose bumps in his tummy. She looks like she is the one. This is who he wants, not Natasha.
“Oh,” they both say.
“You can speak,” he says sincerely.
“What are you doing today?” she asks.
“I was just hanging with my friends,” he answers.
“Why don’t we go for a movie?” he smiles.
Tariro agrees, she senses that she is beginning to have feelings for him. She nods, hoping it won’t backfire. He drives her to the cinema, they agreed to watch comedy. They watch ‘3 Idiots’, which is a Bollywood movie. They laugh throughout the movie and have awkward moments when their heads hit each other. Alex kisses Tariro, and she quickly pushes him.
“I am sorry but I like you… I mean I love you,” he says then kisses her again.
At night Tariro keeps tossing and turning in her bed, still thinking about the kiss. Natasha will never forgive her, she thinks. She feels she loves Alex or maybe it’s because she hasn’t dated for long. She has been lonely. She finally closes her eyes to sleep, maybe she will know what she really wants tomorrow.
The beeping on her phone wakes her up. It’s Alex. She smiles and opens the messages.
Morning.
I really meant what I said.
I don’t love your friend, she tricked me when I was drunk. I thought she wanted us to be friends. I really love you. Give me a chance.
GUD night.
Tariro finally falls asleep.
Natasha decides not to cry anymore but move forward. One day someone will like her.
The next day Tariro has a very happy face. Natasha can see that Tariro is all dressed up in her uniform. She changed overnight and accepted that Alex is not into her.
“You are happy today,” she says.
“Well, it’s just today,” she smiles.
“I am off to work. Let’s go,” Natasha says carrying her bag.
“OK girl,” Tariro looks at her.
Natasha walks to her work looking down with thoughts, thinking about her future. A car screeches at the entrance, it looks similar to Alex’s car. She looks up and sees him wearing a suit with glasses.
“Hey,” he says trying to hide his hand.
Natasha smiles and enters the clinic. Alex follows her. She didn’t see that he was right behind her but she looks back and sees him holding flowers. Maybe he wants to apologise for what he said, she thinks.
“These are for Tari,” he says, as if he is reading her thoughts.
“Oh OK. I will give them to her,” she says sadly.
She takes the roses and walks away. Alex feels guilty and pulls her hand.
“Natty, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you but I thought we are just friends.” he says.
“I know it was a one-night stand. I am sorry for taking advantage of you,” she answers.
“Friends?” he asks.
She smiles and walks away. Alex can feel how Natasha feels. Loving someone who doesn’t love you sucks but he hopes that he didn’t destroy her self-esteem. Natasha goes to her post and sits down. She has to accept that Alex and Tariro love each other now.
Tariro comes holding a takeaway coffee. She smiles until she sees the roses. Natasha looks up, wearing gloves and smiles.
“These are for you friend,” she says.
“I am sorry, I should have told you about…” she says shivering.
“Tari, I am over it,” Natasha says, handing her the flowers.
“Serious?” she asks.
“Yes,” she smiles.
“If you are not comfortable, I can move out,” Tariro says.
“I made a mistake. I should have not slept with him without his agreement. I must not behave like that ever again,” she hugs Tariro.
“You will find your man, just wait,” she consoles her
***
Tell us: Have you ever made the first move? How did it go?