On my break, I resumed my chat with Tiki.

Tell me, Tiki, did you really love me? What happened to us?

Aaaa, Achie, can we please not talk about that please.

Oh, sorry, but why?

I don’t feel comfortable talking about it. Tell me, am I rough?

Yes you are. You’ve been so rough, tough and sometimes I feel like I never understood you

kkkk. Seriously?

Yes, but you’re still handsome though.

Kkkk, you made me remember what happened today.

What?

Some coloured girls, when they saw me, started to shout I am handsome blah blah and even whistled. I ran away.

Kkkkk, but you are handsome.

Really?

Yes, Tiki.

Every girl I dated said that I am tough and rough, but I don’t see it.

The phone rang in the office, and I had to answer it. It was a client who wanted a party for 100 people. I jotted down the details. Honestly, I got jealous when he spoke about his girlfriend and the coloured girls who wanted him, so I was relieved for the distraction. It seemed half of me wanted him, but he was a forbidden. I wanted to plan my future, not date small boys. I didn’t like to be called Sugar Mama. My phone beeped as I was still thinking about Tiki. It was Dale calling.

“Baby, do you have plans for today?” he asked.

“No, what do you have in mind?” I asked patiently.

“Can we have dinner at your place?” he asked.

I agreed to have dinner with him.

Coming from work exhausted me but I prepared chicken stew, rice and salad. Tiki texted me.

What’s for dinner?

Let me take pictures.

I sent the pictures which took a long time to download. I didn’t want Dale to find me texting my ex. What would he think? The pictures were seen by Tiki.

You’re still a great cook.

Yes, I am. I bake too.

Wow, Miss Chef. Remember when you made me sleep with hunger.

The day I put a lot of salt.

Kkkk that day was so funny.

Yea, hey, I have to go.

Good night then.

Dale entered and I put the phone away quickly. Dale kept staring at me.

“What are you hiding?” he asked and held me in his arms.

Luckily, I removed WhatsApp from the screen. He took my phone and put it on the table.

“Tonight is our time. Let’s eat, baby,” he said quietly.

He pulled a chair for me to sit and sat next to me. I was shivering and sighed. I didn’t want him to know that I loved Tiki more than him. It would break his heart.

Dale slept by my side after dinner. I woke up to wipe the chats I had with Tiki. Dale couldn’t know I had been speaking with him. I watched Dale sleep. He snored, but not loudly. My phone beeped. It was Tiki again.

So, are you sleeping now?

Oh yes, my boyfriend beside me. Talk tomorrow.

Good night.

I viewed again his profile picture and my phone beeped.

What are you still doing on WhatsApp?

OK, I am going. Good night.

I closed the App and put the phone down on the table. I left it on the bed facing up. There were my thoughts again. Tiki sounded jealous. Is he OK that I am dating? I lay in bed wondering. The night was long. I don’t know how I slept, but I remembered that I missed Tiki. That thought made me think of dumping Dale.

***

Tell us what you think: Is it considered cheating when you keep a secret texting relationship from your lover?