Characters:
Jane & Anne – Priscilla's colleagues
Kimberley – Priscilla's girlfriend who committed suicide (storyteller)
Vanithy & Maurice – Priscilla's and Kimberley’s girlfriends
Umesh – Kimberley’s first boyfriend
Steve - Kimberley’s second boyfriend
Rose – Kimberley’s cousin
Rose stared at me open-mouthed. We both remained silent for a while after my story until she muttered incredulously,
'So they knew each other? But that's not a bad thing, is it?', she asked.
I looked at her. 'Of course it's a big deal! Don't you understand?!'
'Don't I understand what?'
'Steve sent him to me! On purpose! So he can use me.'
Rose frowned. 'Maybe that's not the case at all! Yes, Steve told him about you, but that doesn't necessarily mean Richmar has bad intentions towards you.'
I shook my head. 'No, no. I know. He sent him to me on purpose so Richmar could use me and then leave me. It was intentional.'
Rose sighed.
'Kimberley, you didn't even give the guy a chance to give an explanation. Why are you reacting so impulsively and angrily? It seems like you're angry at everything and everyone all the time.'
'Of course I'm angry! Look what Priscilla and Umesh did to me!'
'Yes, but that's already history. It's over. Not because they hurt you, it means everyone wants to hurt you. Maybe Richmar liked you even when you were involved with Steve and when he heard you were single, he approached you.'
'Oh yeah, then why didn't he tell me earlier that he knows Steve? Huh why?!'
Rose sighed again.
'When then? What if he had already told you? Would you have moved on with him then? Wouldn't you have cut him off immediately and snapped at him?'
I got angry and stood up. 'Listen girllll! You have no idea how I feel right now!'
Rose stood up too. 'Kimberley! Calm down. Don't make a scene here, please. Keep your head cool. There are people here.'
I looked around, took a deep breath in and out, then sat back down. Rose sat back down as well. We stayed quiet for a while. Then Rose said, 'Look, let's just wait and see. Maybe he's still alive.'
'Then he's going to come at me!'
'Then what do you want to do? If he's still alive, are you going to kill him after all?'
I looked angrily at Rose.
She turned her face away from me. Again there was silence for a while.
'You know what,' I said, 'we'll see what happens. Maybe he's alive, maybe he's dead. But what's certain is that he's a loafer.'
Rose said, 'Ok, yes he's a loafer. Kimberley, I still think you're too wrapped up in what has happened in the past. Have you thought about going to a psychologist for a talk? Maybe it would helppp....'
'What are you saying! Me? I need to see a psychologist?!'
I stood up again.
'Kimberley, please. Sit! And don't scream!'
'No! We don't have to talk anymore! You don't understand me anyway!', I yelled.
I opened my wallet and threw some banknotes on the table before walking away with my head held high.
The people around us had gone silent and all eyes were on me, but I didn't care.
...to be continued...
Thank you for reading.