Chapter Ten
It had been two days since Mike and I had met or spoken to each other. We saw each other in the hallways sometimes, whenever I went out for another period or lunch, but we never spoke. Well, I did not let him. Everytime we saw each other on the corner of the hallways or in the canteen, he always tried to make a move and walk over to meet me in person, but I always denied him that. Because Shirley was always with me. I could not risk it.
When, for the first time I denied him quietly, with a single shake of my head outside my class, he had frowned, seemingly confused. But he had stayed put, and did not try to come closer. That night I had to explain it to him on the phone, that I wanted him to not approach me when I was with Shirley. I vaguely told him that Shirley did not know, and didn't know that both of us were going on a date. Shirley would not find out any time sooner. But, maybe now she would.
Today was Sunday, and I was going on a date with Mike. He had booked two seats in a theatre for a movie where we would meet and hang out. Last time, when Shirley returned from her orphanage, she had asked me about everything. Guilty, I told her everything that happened between me and that secret someone, aka Mike, in the playground. I told her about my interaction with Mike but kept the details as vague as possible. I was careful not to reveal any detail that could hint, it was Mike that I was going out with.
At last, Shirley had just asked me where we were going for a date and I had told her the truth that we were going for a movie. She also asked me which one, when I told her that we were going to watch The Notebook, she raised her eyebrows before just shrugging like it was nothing. At last, she just told me that she would help me prepare for my date before falling on her bed and sleeping like dead.
I was glad that she did not ask for too much detail that night and nor did she probe me for anything more, and just fell asleep. I got a feeling that she held herself back only because I asked her not to ask about the guy name I was going on a date with. She understood that I wanted it to be left alone and so she left it alone. It was feeling great and guilty at the same time. Not that I could take it back, and not that I would. Even though I felt guilty. I would not change my decision.
Anyway, I woke up early today. Well, truth to be told I did not sleep properly in the first place. My mind was running up with all different possibilities and scenarios. It was busy conjuring up all the things that might or might not happen on the date. Nonetheless, I forced myself to take a few hours of sleep even if it was not deep.
Shirley had to go to work today. Her shift started at Seven AM but she called her manager and told her that she would be late by an hour or so. Like Shirley promised me, she was going to prepare me for my date. She was going to choose a dress and do my makeup and all. For some reason, her manager agreed without a fuss and Shirley explained to me that she would make up for this hour late at night.
The movie started at Ten AM and Mike was going to pick me up at Eight - Thirty AM. So, I have two hour to prepare myself and get ready. It felt unreal that I, I mean - I, Viri, was going on a date. When have I thought or possibly imagined that was going to happen. It seemed so unreal that I almost thought it was a dream.
"Shirley?" I asked from where I was sitting, on a dressing chair. Shirley was humming to herself while kneading up my hair in a neat ponytail.
"Yeah?" Shirley responded. Her hands are busy with my hair. Comb and hairspray among all the products lying on the bed beside us. The fresh air made its way inside through the window.
"Am I really preparing for a date or did I just imagine it all?" I asked, genuinely worried that I was imagining it all. There was a possibility. After all, sometimes I could not differ from a reality to a dream. Maybe that's what was happening. I was imagining it all.
"Obviously." Replied Shirley. I jolted in my seat and glanced up to see Shirley's expression to determine if she was telling me the truth or not. Shirley took a look on my face and let out a breathy laugh through her teeth. I was still confused if she was making fun of me or if it was happening for real.
"Of course, it's a dream. You are going on an imaginary date with an imaginary guy, a guy's name that you refused to tell me. And most certainly, you are imagining my hand in your hair right now." She told me, her tone heavy but flat. When I continued to look at her in disbelief, Shirley rolled her eyes as if she could not believe me.
Pressing her arms on my shoulders, she gave me a firm squeeze. "Chill. It is happening in real life. You are going on a date." Shirley told me, resuming her work on my hair. I heaved out a big sigh of relief. Not sure if I should trust her at this moment.
"You did tell me about a guy you met at lunch, whose name is synonymous, by the way, who asked you for a date and you said yes. So, yes, you are going on a date. Don't worry. You are not imagining it." She reassured me and I felt a sense of relief rush through my veins.
Tucking the last pin into my hair, she pinned my ponytail into place before coming to stand in front of my face. Examining her handiwork, she nodded her head as if affirming herself that she did good work. "Humm ... good. Now to your make up." She said before turning around and picking up her massive make up box and opening it. I grabbed her hand, stopping her.
"Don't put too much makeup on, okay?" I told her. Shirley flicked my head and shook her head with a smirk. "Don't worry, I won't turn you into a clown." She said and I relaxed. Then continued to add, "Because you already are one, without any make up." She told me and I playfully swatted her knee. She chuckled. Shirley loved to get a reaction out of me. Always making comments that make me angry or embarrassed.
"I'm just gonna apply some foundation, maskara and lip gloss, alright." She said, as she picked up foundation and mixed some sort of cream to turn it into my skin tone, before she started applying it on my face. Making four points on my face, she started spreading it, applying it all over my face. Avoiding my lips and eyebrows. When done, she moved on with maskara.
"Close your eyes." She instructed me and I did as she asked me to do. I felt something wet touch my eyelash. "Viri, keep your phone fully charged and on sound mode all the time. Make sure all the emergency numbers, along with mine, are on the speed dial." I tried to speak but she tried to stop me from speaking or opening my eyes. I felt her continue her work, felt every stroke of something wet mascara.
"I would ask you to tell me the name of the guy but I know you would not tell me. Even if I insist." She said and a pang of guilt along with a feeling hit me in a sudden rush. I wanted nothing else, more than to tell her who my date was but there was too much to risk, if she did not take it well. And I knew she wouldn't. Least would be the consequences of me losing my only chance of going out with Mike and living only one time, but more than that, I might lose Shirley's trust or maybe our friendship. I just could not let it happen.
Why was this so complicated?
"And that's alright, as long as you are happy. But, just for safety, send me your location and keep 'track your device location' on. Do not take a drink from him if it is not made in front of him. Nor take any unsealed bottled drink. If you ever feel uncomfortable or feel like he is of any threat then don't hesitate to ask for help from the police or anyone in a fight. Or else just call me." She cautioned me. At this moment, I really did see her as my older sister.
She never - ever held me back from living my life. In fact, she encouraged me. Shirley was the one who always thought that I should not hold myself back because of my family. She wanted me to explore life but she wanted me to do it with caution. She had seen life way better than me and therefore could guide me through it. It was the reason that I felt guilty for ever lying to the only person who wanted to see me be happy.
Only my chance of happiness came with the condition of betraying her. I did not think that betraying would be the right word to use. But it felt like it. The one and only guy she warned me about, was the one that I wanted to go out with. I would have left him for another guy, if there were one. Or I would have left him if I knew that in future I could date guys and live like a free individual, which was not the case in my life.
As soon as I completed my studies, I was going to go back home. Where I will be married to a guy I've never met before. And that guy could be older than my father or disabled from neck down or woman beater or even a rap ... he could be anything and I would have to accept it without a hint of frown on my face. It won't be my choice. My father would choose any guy who might not demand much dowry and would help him with some money, and then I would be his. No questions asked. As soon as I leave this school, my life will not remain mine. I would not make a single life choice of mine. I won't have a say in any of the matters. I would just simply be expected to accept it and live along with it.
It was the sole reason that I needed to live my life now when I have it. Like Shirley tried to explain it to me before. And how I just understood it only on the night when she forced me to go to Mike's party. Thus, now, I did not have any other option except grab the opportunity that was in front of me, in the name of Mike or wait for an anonymous guy who might someday take interest in me so that I could for once experience a date. Because, I only have the present. My past and future have been booked since even before I was born.
"But, I might not come there faster so just ask for help from people around you." Shirley continued to give me advice. I tried to keep up with them because she was right. It was some valuable advice.
"Avoid going into secluded places with him, even if he begs you to. If you feel, and I mean just as much as feel, that something is wrong, your guts tell you that you should leave then listen to it. And just leave. Always pay attention to your surroundings." She told me. It was hard to keep track of this much information. Plus, now I was starting to get scared. She was making it seem like the person I was going out might attack me the moment he saw me or at least, they had ulterior motives behind their every move.
"You know, you are not helping. That is too much for me to keep in my mind. How am I supposed to keep track of everything and still enjoy the date?" I asked her, Feeling her finish applying mascara on both of my eyes.
"I know that's a lot to remember. But, better safe than sorry. I've heard and seen things way worse than you could imagine for girls, so just stay safe." She told me, while blowing on my eyes to dry the maskara. After a few seconds, I opened my eyes.
"However, if it is too much to keep track of all the things that I just told you then please just remember to listen to gut feeling and stay aware of your surroundings. And most of all, promise me ..." She stopped in her work, and looked me dead in the eye.
"What?" I asked her, my all attention to her.
"Promise me, no matter how charming or good or trustworthy the guy you are going out with seems to be, you won't trust him blindly. No. Matter. What." She punctuated every single syllable, sounding so serious that it scared me for a second. Shirely was not at all a serious type of girl. Only when it was needed her to be serious. Even though I knew that Shirley was protective of me normally, this was way too serious for her too. Shirley really and I mean really meant what she said. She wanted me to REALLY promise her that I would not put myself in danger by any means. Especially by trusting a stranger.
A stranger being Mike.
I did not know what was her beef with him or what happened among them to behave like this, but it must be serious. Shirley was a well liked girl among girls and guys equally. She kept me away from guys because she knew that I get too uncomfortable sometimes, not knowing what to say or how to behave, but once in a while she tries to push me past my comfort zone and talk to them. However, it never worked out. She was an all rounder and everybody liked her. Well, at least, she likes everyone except for very few. Like Mike. And she always has a very strong reason to do so.
In the last few days, I wondered what that reason was. I thought about asking her the reason then stopped myself from doing so. It will draw her attention to Mike and she might wonder why I was curious to know about it. And I wanted to avoid doing that as much as possible. Or else, she might get suspicious.
Shirley was waiting for my answer, so I nodded my head. "Yes, I promise, I would not trust him blindly." I reassured her. Because she was right. No matter who, one should always be aware of a person they just met. Even if he was as handsome as Mike.
"Good." Shirley gave me a relieved smile. Picking up a rosy pink lip gloss, she applied it on my lips before she sprayed me down on a very heavenly scent perfume. I had already changed into my dress before I was done. Shirley had picked a very simple and yet elegant knee length, blue half sleeve dress. It was paired with a black jacket that complimented my dress. One took a look at both of them together on my body and anybody could guess that I was going for a date or for a special event.
My phone buzzed and it was a text from Mike. Telling me that he was heading here to pick me up. It was also time for Shirley to leave, or else she would get super late. I glanced to find Shirley already picking up her purse to leave.
"Already picked up my que to leave." She told me, her eyes darting to my phone then she winked at me. My cheeks felt warm. I saw Shirley smirk. Heading my way, she handed me a hundred dollar bill that I tried to deny but she shut me off. "I'm not hearing any other word from you. Take the money." She said, stuffing it into my purse even with my protest for her to do so. I frowned, crossing my arms around my chest.
"Or else, how will my buttercup have a good time on her cute little date?" Pinching my cheeks, she commented. And before I could say anything, she headed for the door. Opening it, she blew me a flying kiss before closing the door grinning and disappearing from my sight.
I was going on a date.