“Thanks for meeting me,” Darain said to Carina. “I’m sorry I couldn’t meet you on Friday as we had arranged but something came up at the office that I had to take care of.”
“No worries. It wasn’t a wasted trip on Friday. I got to meet your brother. He’s one gorgeous and sexy guy. When you called to say that you couldn’t make it, he and I went for a drink.”
“He told me about that and also that you and he went for dinner and dancing last night.”
“Yes. We had a great time.”
“Are you and he going to see each other on a regular basis?”
“Yes. Do you have a problem with that?”
“Of course not. Why would I?”
“Good because he’s a big boy who doesn’t need anyone’s permission to date whomever he wants and the same goes for me.”
“It had occurred to me to introduce you to him but I just didn’t get around to it.”
“No. You had more things on your mind–Sarika in particular.”
“Yes. After seeing her again at her sister’s house when we were both invited for dinner, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her.”
“You mentioned that you and she spent the evening together at a dinner party and that you and she recently had lunch together.”
“Yes, we did but as long as her boyfriend is in the picture, I don’t think my chances with her will ever improve.”
“Well, your chances have improved. I found out from a friend of a friend that Sarika’s boyfriend dumped her. Apparently, he has fallen hard for his aunt’s friend and neighbor, a Kenyan woman. And he has asked her to marry him.”
Darain stared at her. “He asked this other woman to marry him?”
“Yes.”
“But how long have they known each other?”
“For less than a year.”
“And he and Sarika had been dating for more than four years. I can’t imagine how devastated she must have been when she found out that the boyfriend who wasn’t ready to get married had proposed to another woman.”
“Yes, that’s rough. I think the boyfriend should have had the decency to end the relationship a long time ago instead of dragging it on for such a long time. It wasn’t fair to her. Oh, well, she’s better of without him.”
“I have to approach this with caution. I don’t want her to think that I’m taking advantage of her.”
“Maybe you should give her space and time and then, just be a friend, nothing more. It may take time but if she’s the right woman for you, it will work out. Just be patient. Don’t push or rush her. The last thing you want is a woman on the rebound.”
“I’ll play it your way. Thanks, Carina. To show my appreciation, may I take you for a bite to eat?”
“Sure. I’m in the mood for Caribbean food.”
“I know just the place.” He took her to Calabash Restaurant.
Notes to Women 