CHAPTER THREE

“No way!” Zafeera looked at Suhaira with her jaw wide open. “Out of all the people in the world he is your new client!” Her brow furrowed. “Do you think it’s just a coincidence that David came to your firm or was it planned?”

 Suhaira stared at her. “That never occurred to me! What would he want with me after all this time? No, it has to be a coincidence.”

For a moment, Suhaira considered the possibility. Maybe he was hoping he could mess up my life once again. Because he sure as hell isn’t interested in me; He proved that three years back. No way am I going to let him destroy me again. 

“So how does he look?”

“Actually he looks really good,” Suhaira admitted reluctantly, embarrassed that she had even paid attention.

“Better looking than Jack?” she asked slyly. Zafeera had been raving about Jack ever since she had caught a glimpse of him once at her office and was convinced Suhaira needed to stop being so cautious about relationships. She had been urging Suhaira to mingle and date for the longest time.

“Zafeera, Jack is great. But this competition is really spoiling things. Only one of us can stay on the job. So it’s either I lose him or I lose my job!” 

“Why are you assuming you have to lose him? This competition is not your fault; I’m sure he knows that!”

“But he could lose his job!”

“How’s he taking it?”

“He’s acting as if everything is normal. In fact, he doesn’t act as if he’s concerned about it at all!”

Zafeera shook her head. “I think you are being paranoid, Suhaira,” she said, “He’s probably mature enough to differentiate between the two and not let this competition affect your relationship.” 

“Yes, but …” Suhaira looked at her friend. She thought about mentioning that he had presented ideas that were similar to hers, but knew Zafeera would again brush it off as paranoia. Even she was quite sure it was some peculiar coincidence. This competition has really put me on edge, Suhaira thought, I’m seeing shapes and shadows everywhere.

“You always think the worst of people, you should give him a chance,” Zafeera said as she got up and walked over to Suhaira’s cupboard. 

“You have absolutely nothing to wear to this launch,” she stated, “I am going to fix you up with my ‘dress lady’.”

“Zafeera, you know I’m not a dress-up kind of person. You will not get me into one of your fancy dresses!”

“That’s your problem, Suhaira! You hide your beauty in all those trousers and shapeless tops. My ‘dress lady’ will have to transform you.” 

“Who is your ‘dress lady’ anyway?” Suhaira asked. Despite the fact that publicly, Zafeera was usually attired in a black buibui, she was obsessed with high fashion and in the privacy of her home, was always sporting the latest trends. Which was why Suhaira knew she could trust Zafeera when it came to matters of style. She trusted Zafeera would ensure she looked decent yet stylish.

“Wait and see. I will make sure that you look stunning!” Zafeera winked, as she left. 

****

Late that evening, Suhaira’s cell phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number. “Who could be calling me at this time?” she wondered aloud as she reached for the phone.

“Hello Suhaira, it’s David.” He didn’t need to identify himself. She could recognise his voice from a single syllable. 

“Err ... hi,” Suhaira couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice.

“Suhaira, I think that you and I need to talk.”

“What about? If it is regarding Bazaar Abodes we told you that you would have a written update on Friday.”

“It’s not about that, it’s about us.”

“Us? I wasn’t aware that there even was an ‘us’.”

He sighed, “I don’t like the way we left things. I think we need to sort everything out.”

There was a time, three years ago, when Suhaira had fantasized about him calling her and about them having this exact conversation. But that was then, this was now.

“Sorry David, I have moved on with my life.”

“I know that you have, but let’s just have a drink together.”

Suhaira hesitated. This was her chance to show him how well she had managed without him. And he is my client after all.

“Come on Suhaira, it’s just one drink!”

“Ok fine. Tomorrow after work at Hurricanes.”

“Great, see you then,” David sounded relieved. 

It took Suhaira a long time to fall asleep that night; she tossed and turned with the same question going through her mind. What was David going to say to her? 

Another thought crept into her mind. Would it look like she was seeing David to further her career? Especially when she and Jack were competing for the same client? Should I meet David and use the meeting to gain an advantage and clinch the deal? Is it even right? She shook her head fiercely. I want to do this on my own. I will win this contract and keep my job through my own initiative and hard work. 

How weird is this, she thought, I’m competing with my potential boyfriend for a contract with my old boyfriend. 

She could lose her job on top of losing Jack. And once again, it would all be because of David. She decided to stay entirely professional to handle this situation. 

***

The next morning at the office, Suhaira was glued to her desk. She thumped and pounded at her keyboard, barely bothering to glance up. It was nearly lunchtime when she finally realized something strange. Where was Jack? He wasn’t in yet, though they had so much work to do on Bazaar Abodes.

She rummaged through all the notes she had so diligently collected over the past year and put them together in a spreadsheet. As she read down the list, she smiled; there were enough clients here to buy up most of Bazaar Abodes easily. Looks like I did the right thing in saving these records. Maybe it will pay off now. 

Jack breezed in after lunch, smelling faintly of alcohol. “Where have you been?” Suhaira couldn’t stop herself from asking. She wondered if he had been out with another girl. She couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous.

“Ah ha, just cultivating some new clients,” he winked at her, “What have you been up to?”

“Some of us have to work for a living.” She winked back at him but he did not smile. Jack had just inadvertently reminded her, that dates and drinks or not, they were now competitors. 

Just before five, Suhaira surreptitiously made her way to the Ladies to change. She went into one of the stalls and swapped her creased office blouse with a silky orange top. She completed the look with a pair of chunky silver earrings with a matching necklace.

When she came out of the stall, she applied a fresh coat of her new lipstick and a flick of mascara. She looked at herself in the mirror, straightened her shoulders and practiced her smile. I’m now ready to meet David. She wondered why she was making so much of an effort for a man who now meant nothing to her. After all, she had nothing to prove to him. And she certainly didn’t want him to get the wrong impression. Still, it doesn’t hurt to look your best for your client. Who happens to be your ex. Show him what he let go.

Satisfied that she looked good, Suhaira exited the building, before remembering that she had left her cell phone charging at her desk. Shoot. She walked back to her kiosk in a rush. Most of the staff had already left for the day but Jack was standing at her desk. Suhaira felt her pulse quicken. Was he looking for her? To ask her out again? I can’t say no to Jack again, but I’ve promised David ... She sighed. If it came to a choice between the two, well, David would just have to wait. She put on her nicest smile as she approached him.

“Hi Jack,” she said, coming up from behind. He started in surprise at the sound of her voice.

“What are you still doing here Suhaira? I thought you had already left!”

“Well obviously I am still here. What are you doing at my desk?”

“Ahh … you had left your computer on and I was just shutting it down for you.”

Suhaira furrowed her brow. She was quite sure she had shut down the computer. But maybe in the excitement of getting ready to meet David, I might have forgotten.  

“Oh, thanks,” she said.

“Anytime, sweetheart,” he replied, “You know how Mr Vance gets about computers left on. Him and his electricity bills …”

Suhaira rolled her eyes. Their boss had strict rules about leaving lights and appliances on. She felt grateful to Jack; if Mr Vance had caught her, there would have been a long lecture involved. No doubt, he might have even fired her then and there.

“Thanks, Jack!” she smiled. Here I am rushing off to meet David, and here Jack is watching my back. He’s really such a dear. 

“No worries. You look amazing!” 

“Flattery!” she laughed, pleased that he had noticed.

“If I wasn’t rushing off for my friend’s stag party, I would have been the lucky man,” he sighed regretfully, “But, before I go …” He stepped closer and gave her a lingering kiss that left her wistful that he was busy. Another quick peck on her cheek and he was gone, with a ‘later, princess’ that warmed her heart. Despite this, Suhaira couldn’t suppress the relief she felt that he had not asked her out. She would not have passed up a date with him again, but she was curious to meet David and put the ghosts to rest. 

Hurricanes was already buzzing with the after work crowd when she arrived there a few minutes after six. Suhaira scanned the room but there was no sign of David. She bit her lip as she looked for somewhere to sit. Is he going to stand me up? She wondered if this was another one of David’s cruel jokes on her and regretted ever agreeing to this meeting. Just as she was considering stalking out, she felt a touch on her shoulder.

“Hi Suhaira, my apologies, the traffic is horrendous today.” 

She exhaled the breath that she wasn’t even aware she had been holding. Though furious at his tardiness, Suhaira could not help but notice how good his navy blue shirt looked against his cocoa brown skin.

“Hi David, good to see you,” she said, reaching up to give him a double peck on the cheek. Cool and sophisticated: that was just the image she wanted to portray. But when she was close enough to smell his familiar aftershave, her stomach lurched a little. Damn. I can’t believe he still smells the same. And I can’t believe it still has the same effect on me. Just seeing him again had unlocked so many familiar emotions in her.

“Let’s find a quiet place to sit.” He led her through the tables, his hand burning an imprint into the small of her back. 

“Well,” he began, when they were perched around a minute table, “you look so …” But he didn’t get a chance to complete his thought as there was suddenly a waiter thrusting a notepad in their faces.

“One Tusker and one Bitter Lemon,” he told the waiter, his eyes still locked on hers. 

Bitter Lemon! Does this man think that I still drink the same soda that I used to three years ago? Does he think I’m a child?

“Actually, I will have a glass of dry white wine,” Suhaira said sharply, glaring at him. David laughed.

“Get her a glass of your best wine then,” he smiled at her, “So Suhaira, tell me what else has changed with you, besides your choice in drinks.”

“Everything,” she said, “Nothing is the same anymore, David.” 

“How are your Mum and Grace? Has she finished school yet?”

Suhaira couldn’t believe the guy; the last time she had seen him, he had wrenched her heart apart and now he was making small talk. Did he have absolutely no shame? Or was he so callous that he actually thought he could brush the past away and continue as if what he had done to her was of no importance?

“What is the point of this meeting David? I’m sure you didn’t call me here just to talk about my family?” 

“Suhaira, I miss you. We had a good thing going.”

Her mouth gaped open; it took a few seconds before she remembered to shut it. Did he just say that? The David she had known would have never spoken so frankly. Who was this stranger in front of her?

Suhaira just couldn’t seem to find a sassy comeback. Her mouth went dry. Hadn’t she come here to show him how she was so over him? Where was her sophisticated repartee when she needed it most? 

“We did. Until you ruined it,” she snapped. 

 “Ruined it? I’m sure by now you realise you really overreacted back then,” David replied.

What? She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Overreacted?” she screeched, “I caught you sleeping with another girl! How was I supposed to react?”

David shook his head. “Correction. You didn’t ‘catch me’ doing anything, you walked into the room, made your own assumptions and didn’t give me a chance to explain.”

“Oh I’m sorry. I must have caught you before you could do anything meaningful with that girl who was in your bed!” she glared at him.

“Suhaira, stop it. It was nothing like what you’re thinking.”

“You don’t know what I’m thinking, David,” she snapped, just as their drinks arrived.

“Let me explain. She was one of my cousins visiting from the States. She was just staying in my room.”

Her jaw dropped. “Do you really expect me to believe that?” She was furious that he thought she was so foolish she would actually believe that cheap lie. “Seriously David, of all the things you could say, this has to be the lamest …” 

“Lame or not, it’s the truth,” he shrugged.

Suhaira rolled her eyes. “So why didn’t you just tell me that back then?” 

David looked directly at her. “Because you never gave me a chance. I tried to call you so many times. I even came over to your house.”

She was silent as she remembered how she had stubbornly refused to speak to or see David. But of course, she thought defensively, he had not been particularly persuasive either. After a few days, he had not persisted and had disappeared from her life altogether.  

“Well, can you blame me? Besides, two phone calls, one house call and you gave up? You didn’t really try to explain either. If I meant a lot to you, you would have found a way to tell me the truth!” 

“Yeah, well I thought you would have more faith in me than that, Suhaira!” he retorted.

“It’s not my fault, David. You didn’t get in touch with me for a week after coming home. Your sister told me you had brought home a new girlfriend. I walked into your room, and look, there was a girl in your bed. So what did you expect me to do?”

David shrugged. “Trust me, perhaps?”

“You expect me to believe that, that was all there was to it?”

“Yes, that’s all it was Suhaira. I can’t force you to believe me, but maybe this should convince you.” Without another word, he rolled back the sleeve of his navy-blue shirt, revealing something Suhaira had not noticed before. A watch. She reeled in shock. It was the same watch she had bought him. The welcome-home gift.

Suhaira’s first reaction was still scepticism. Maybe he had kept it in some cupboard and had taken it out just for the day, to try and fool her. But as she looked closer, she saw it bore unmistakable signs of being worn. But that means … 

“I didn’t cheat on you, Suhaira,” he said quietly. The earnestness in his eyes made her defences melt. For the first time, she considered the possibility that he might be telling the truth. 

“Do you know how much anguish I felt?” Suhaira said, her voice shaking, “How many sleepless nights and tears this incident caused? How much heartache I endured?” 

“It was not any better for me,” he said, in a low voice, “I wish you had picked up my calls.”

“I wish you had called me sooner. I waited a week after you came but you didn’t call,” Suhaira replied quietly. 

“I’m sorry, David. I trusted you above everything, and waited for you for years. When I saw you and that girl, my trust was broken. And things can never be the same again between us.”

“Don’t say that, Suhaira.” 

Just then, Suhaira’s cell phone rang. It was Grace, sounding worried and wanting to know how soon Suhaira could get home as their mother was feeling unwell.

“How're you today,” Suhaira assured her sister, shocked to see that it had been over an hour in the Inn.

“I have to go, David. Right away,” she said reluctantly. 

There was still so much to say and to understand. She wanted to deal with this new information. Most importantly, she wanted to find out what he had been up to over the past three years. 

“Suhaira … look we’ve both made mistakes, but we had something special. Why don’t we start again?”

Suhaira was shocked by his plain speaking. She felt an assortment of emotions run through her. Doubt, anxiety, hope and euphoria all rolled in one heady mix. She didn’t know he meant that they should make peace and stay friends or whether he wanted to rekindle their romance. And what about Jack? Things weren’t serious on that front yet, but she was sure being with David would not help her relationship with Jack.

“I would love to see you again. We still have so much to talk about. Are you free on Sunday afternoon?” David interrupted her thoughts.

She wasn’t keen on agreeing to see him again, but their conversation wasn’t done yet. She still wanted to find out whether there was any truth in David’s story, but with her mum needing her, everything else was secondary. 

“Please Suhaira. Give me one chance to clear myself in your eyes. For old times’ sake.” 

“Fine,” she said coolly, nodding as she stood up. 

 “Excellent. Can I pick you up around two?”

He stood up and kissed her cheek. “How are you getting home? Can I find you a cab? Or can I ask the driver to drop you somewhere now?”

“No thanks, I’m fine. Bye” 

“See you, Suhaira,” he said, giving her a hug. She broke away quickly; the feel of his stubble against her neck evoked memories that were destabilizing her. 

She needed some space to think; she couldn’t believe that David wanted her back in his life. Just like that. All those years of wondering where he was and what he was doing and now, here he was, in the realm of her world today. Wanting to become part of her life once again. She had thought that she was completely over him, but seeing him again had stirred deeply buried emotions. 

She thought of some of the happy times they had shared together. She remembered how he had opted not to attend a distant relative’s wedding, choosing instead to be with her for her birthday. How he had made her heart sing with the silly poems he composed to woo her. She couldn’t stop the smile that came to her face. 

Suhaira was boarding her dala-dala when her phone beeped. It was a text message from David: ‘Really looking forward to Sunday’. 

Suhaira smiled. David was really coming on strong. Maybe his eagerness to meet her was a sign that he was single? Maybe. But a warning bell sounded off in her mind. David is old news, Suhaira, she told herself sternly, thinking of him will only open up old wounds. We’re finished and I only agreed to see him so that I can get closure.

She wanted to talk to Zafeera and share this piece of news with her. She wanted to know what her friend thought of this whole affair, but for now, her mother was priority. A conversation with Zafeera could never be hurried.

As the dala-dala zoomed past the Kikuyu road roundabout, Suhaira felt more confused than ever. Her job was at risk, her mum was ill and she had just agreed to meet David again. And what about Jack?