4

Tamara stopped cold for a moment. Did he just say that he wanted to meet her? She didn’t know how to feel about that except that she was flattered.

“What?” she said, pretending not to hear what he had just said. It was her way of stalling her response.

“You heard me, Tamara.” He answered. “But I’ll say it again. I Dedan Anderson, I am interested in meeting you, Miss Tamara Gray.”

She marveled that he remembered her surname even though she had only mentioned it once. She did feel good about that. 

 “So what do you say to that?” he asked jolting her out of her thoughts.

Honestly, she wanted to see him too but she was afraid because of her fiance. Would it be bad to meet him? After all, she knew that they would only meet and see each other physically and that would be it.

“What do you say, Tamara?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“Why? You told me you’re not seeing anyone if I remember correctly.”

Tamara could not respond as she contemplated her answer. She had lied. Should she just tell him the truth now? Maybe she should. But then, if she did, he probably would back off and she was still so curious about him.

“Do you have a boyfriend, Tamara? You can tell me the truth.”

Tamara found herself shaking her head. “I don’t,” she responded. “I’m single.”

There was a brief silence at the other end and again, she could not help but wonder about what was going through his mind.

“So would you meet me then?”

“Maybe.” She responded, her voice dropping a notch because of the guilt she was feeling.

“Maybe?” he commented. “Come on, you can give me something more concrete.”

“Okay. I’ll meet you,” she assured him.

“Thanks. I will be honored. Dinner at Gardens. I’ll say, tomorrow at 6:00 pm. Would that be fine?”

Tamara thought about it. Tomorrow was a Friday. Dedan was usually late on Fridays. She would just tell him she would be seeing a movie by 6:00 pm. It was a perfect excuse.

“It’s fine.” She responded.

“Great. It’s a date then.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Would you like me to come and pick you up?”

Tamara’s eyes widened with panic at the idea. “No. I’ll drive.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am. Thanks for offering.”

“Don’t mention. See you tomorrow.”

“See you.”

He ended the call and she exhaled deeply. God, what was she doing? How powerful curiosity could be? And now, from speaking on the phone, it was getting physical. Well, she would not worry too much. After all, they were only going to meet and not date each other.

***

The next morning, Tamara was locked in an embrace with her fiance in the living room as he was about to leave for work.

“I’ll miss you.” He said.

“Me too.” She responded before they disengaged.

“Stay well. I’ll call during the day.”

“Okay. Um, I’ll be seeing a movie by 6:00 pm.”

“Really? Which one?”

“I didn’t check. I just want to kill boredom.” She said smoothly.

“Aww, my baby. You know I hate doing this to you right?”

“Not to worry. You’ll make it up to me right?”

“Sure. In fact, why don’t I close early and join you for the movie?”

Tamara panicked. “Oh no, don’t worry. It’s okay. I’ll be fine.” She forced a smile.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah sure, baby.”

“Hmm. Okay.” He said and kissed her forehead. “Stay well. Don’t do anything you won’t be able to tell me.”

She giggled. “I won’t”

He smiled at her. “See you later, babe.”

She saw him off to the door and he let himself out. Then she shut the door and leaned against it with a sigh of guilt. She knew it was not too late to stop what she was doing. She knew that she was not sleeping with the guy but still, it felt wrong.

***

Hours Later

Curiosity killed the cat. It was the sole thought on her mind as she waited nervously for her blind date inside the VIP section of the upscale restaurant.

She was here because curiosity had overcome her. Finally, she was going to meet her virtual Dedan in the flesh. She only hoped that the saying curiosity killed the cat would not apply to her at the end of the day.

She was seated inside one of the plush private sections reserved for two and a glance at her wristwatch told her that a couple of minutes had flown by since her arrival there at about 6:00 pm that evening.

On the ornate table was open bottled water and she had her glass half full with its contents, sipping on the water as she waited uneasily. Putting the glass down, her eyes caught her reflection on the mirrored divider beside her.

She was a picture of nerves but she guessed she was the only one who could tell. Outwardly, she was a beautiful young woman looking bold in her little peach dress and simple white pearl jewelry, her legs encased in black pumps with mid heels.

Her caramel-colored hair neatly framed her face, emphasizing her oval-shaped face and big long-lashed eyes, the color of sapphire. Her eye makeup was of the smokey fashion but her lips were shiny with colorless lip-gloss. She would have worn red lipstick but she hated the stain it left on glass cups. It could be so messy and she was not ready to bother with wiping her lips or the stain with a serviette or something.

On the table was her white envelope purse with thin silver chain hands and lying beside it was her phone.

Tamara’s phone screen lighted up with a chat message and she pressed her lips together, nervous as she noticed the sender’s name, Dedan. His profile picture showed a formally dressed handsome guy standing relaxed with his back against a glass door.

Picking up her phone from the table, she opened the chat application and her eyes took in his message with anxiety:

Tell me again that you do not have a boyfriend.

Why was he demanding that assurance again? She wondered. She had already told him several times that she was not in a relationship. Maybe he was the suspicious kind of man.

Tamara quickly typed her response:

I already told you.

Response from him came immediately after:

Tell me again

Tamara took a deep breath to calm her nerves before responding:

I do not have a boyfriend. Besides, this is not a date.

Is that what you have chosen to believe?

The question unsettled her because it challenged her conscience.

We agreed that this is just to see each other physically for the first time.

True but after today, would you come on a second date with me?

Tamara thought about it but not for long. If he was interesting physically as he was virtually then she knew that she wouldn’t be able to resist another date with him.

Maybe, she typed into the message box and hit the send button.

So you agree that this first one is a date?

This guy was just so smart and intriguing. It was why she was so drawn to him and was looking forward to meeting him. Besides, his profile picture showed that he was also attractive. Tamara could not help but think that she was blessed with attracting good-looking men. She typed her response:

I guess

Do you like me?

I like your virtual personality.

A laughing smiley appeared as his next message, making her smile.

That is a good one.

Thanks. I guess you should be here already?

The waiting was killing her.

I am closer than you think. I just have a burning desire to chat with you briefly.

Tamara found that intriguing. This guy was just too much. He was unpredictable and it made him enigmatic, igniting her curiosity to meet and know him.

Okay

Thanks. I love that you like my “virtual personality” because I like yours too.

Thanks.

You’re at the table I reserved?

Yes.

Great. What are you wearing?

A peach dress.

I find that charming.

Thanks

I have to ask you one question before I get in there.

Okay. What?

Why did you always turn down my request for a video call?

I already told you.

Tell me again.

Because I wasn’t comfortable doing that with a total stranger.

One more thing, Tamara

Okay

Do you have a boyfriend?

Tamara sighed. It was that question again but somehow, she guessed that it was the last time he would ask her that before he finally revealed himself.

No

He did not respond for a few seconds and she could not help but start wondering about what he was thinking.

Are you there?

It pleases me that you do not have one

Tamara found it embarrassing as she could not stop herself from blushing.

Okay

See you in seconds

His message thrilled her. At last, she was going to set her eyes on him. She placed her phone on the table and heard confident steps approaching her direction until the steps came to a standstill at the entrance to her section.

As she waited for her blind date, Tamara did not know that she had been shutting her eyes with anticipation until she heard the door swinging open. 

 She opened her eyes in time to see her date and the sight of him seemed to freeze time.