Chapter Thirty Six
It’s Not Personal
Links to previous chapters: Ch1 Ch2 Ch3 Ch4 Ch5 Ch6 Ch7 Ch8 Ch9 Ch10 Ch11 Ch12 Ch13 Ch14 Ch15 Ch16 Ch17 Ch18 Ch19 Ch20 Ch21 Ch22 Ch23 Ch24 Ch25 Ch26 Ch27 Ch28 Ch29 Ch30 Ch31 Ch32 Ch33 Ch34 Ch35
“It’s nothing personal, Sarika. You’re a lovely girl, a fascinating woman, but I’m in love with someone else. Well, at least, I’m attracted to someone else.”
“So, we can’t go out again?”
“We can be friends of course! If you’ll let me be a friend. We can go out as friends, but not with benefits! I’m sorry. I should have told you earlier that I was interested in someone.”
“You find me unattractive? Do I repulse you? Have I offended you?”
“No no of course not. You’re beautiful. I really enjoyed the concert. Let’s leave it at that.”
“Someone else! Who is she? Do I know her… Or him?”
“I’m not saying. She doesn’t know how I feel, and I don’t know if she sees me as a potential date, or if she even likes me!”
“How can she not like you, Richard? What’s not to like?”
“That’s good of you to say so, Sarika. She has a lot on her mind lately and I’ve been a bit of a confidante, but I’m not sure that she sees me as more than that.”
“That’ll teach you to be a rescuer! You should stick to chiropractics. At least you’re dealing with their physical problems and not their emotional ones.”
“You’d be surprised! It’s all connected. Mind, body and spirit.”
“She’s not a client surely!?”
“No, no, I met her locally. I’m not saying any more than that, at least until I suss out whether she wants to go out with me.”
“Okay Richard, buy me another mocktail and then you can drop me off at the Victory Cafe. I’ll pop in to see Michelle before her shift ends. It’s better if she has someone to walk home with. She’s a bit shaky after the incident last week as you know. As am I! It’s not every day that someone tries to run you over in the street! Do you want to come with me?”
“Uhhh, no. I’d better not thanks. I don’t want to intrude. I know she’s your bestie.”
“Richard, you’ve gone as red as a beetroot!”
“Sarika, it’s nothing.”
“Richard, I’m having an intuitive moment here! It wouldn’t be Michelle that you’re all stirred up about, would it?”
“Sarika! Don’t ask me that!”
“Oh Richard! Yes, it is! It is! Now you’re even redder!”
“You may laugh, Sarika, but it’s all too serious for me! Please don’t say anything to her. She’s got enough on her plate at the moment, without me adding to her worries!”
“Well, you never know, she may welcome a bit of romance in her life. You are a bit of looker! There’s a superman behind those Clark Kent glasses! She might at least settle for being friends with benefits. I know I would!”
“I want more than that Sarika. I think she is amazing.”
“She’s quite a character Richard. I’m glad you’re not just after her body. That’s happened to her before. That being said, I’m disappointed that you’re not after mine.”
“Ha ha, go to confession woman!”
“Can’t. Hindu religion doesn’t cover that. But I must admit, my father would be horrified that I’m breaking with family tradition and not intending to save myself for an arranged marriage.”
“On your knees before Shiva then?”
“I think it’s Kali who’ll be more inclined to be interested in my love life. After all she is the goddess of time, doomsday and death so she’s likely to have a sense of humour.”
“No wonder Michelle chose you for a best friend!”
“It will be very difficult to refrain from discussing you with Michelle, Richard.”
“Please don’t. What will you accept as a bribe.”
“It’s okay. I won’t ask for what I really want! Seriously though, I promise to keep quiet until you give me permission. But don’t make me wait too long! I’ll always have Michelle’s best interests at heart. If you hurt her, I’ll set Lord Ganesha on to you. Then you will have to avoid visiting zoos with elephants in them, for eternity.”
“Okay, it’s a deal. Let’s go, we don’t want to miss the end of Michelle’s shift.”