Benita tried hard to keep her cool as she refilled her glass as she sat in the garden with her guest and client. Her worst fear had just been realised. She had thought she was prepared for this but hell no as the reality threw her off her balance. She looked at Object B as she sat sipping on her glass of drink. She could tell Object B was handling the situation very well, so she decided to probe further.
“And you didn’t do anything that could have forced such reaction from him?”
“None that I can remember. I remember he had called me up the night before, telling me he had a big surprise for me and specifically told me to be prepared, now I can tell it was actually a warning.”
“Did he show any sign of wanting out of the relationship prior to then?”
“No. He was as smooth and caring as ever. You would never have believed he was capable of hurting a fly. He had always been cool prior to that night. But now I have a feeling he’s got a problem with women.”
“Why did you say so?” Benita queried as she again took her a sip of her drink.
“He would never discuss his past dealings with women. He would always tell me, it was his past he didn’t want to be reminded of. I was blinded to reasoning then, but now it doesn’t add up. Getting over one’s past should start with being able to talk about it, shouldn’t it?”
“Yeah” Benita said amidst a sigh.
“Now I can look back and see that his smooth and near perfect demeanour was too good to be real. Mike’s definitely not safe to be loved. I know better now.”
“How does it feel with him now?”
“Hmm… he now belongs to my distant past in my head and mind. No regrets and funny enough, I feel no hate for him. I’ve only learnt to be more careful with my heart.”
“You’re doing really great. Maybe it time to mingle again.”
“Mingle? Hooking up with a man is the last thing on my mind now. I just want to concentrate on me for a little while. When it’s time, my heart would tell me.”
“And you didn’t do anything that could have forced such reaction from him?”
“None that I can remember. I remember he had called me up the night before, telling me he had a big surprise for me and specifically told me to be prepared, now I can tell it was actually a warning.”
“Did he show any sign of wanting out of the relationship prior to then?”
“No. He was as smooth and caring as ever. You would never have believed he was capable of hurting a fly. He had always been cool prior to that night. But now I have a feeling he’s got a problem with women.”
“Why did you say so?” Benita queried as she again took her a sip of her drink.
“He would never discuss his past dealings with women. He would always tell me, it was his past he didn’t want to be reminded of. I was blinded to reasoning then, but now it doesn’t add up. Getting over one’s past should start with being able to talk about it, shouldn’t it?”
“Yeah” Benita said amidst a sigh.
“Now I can look back and see that his smooth and near perfect demeanour was too good to be real. Mike’s definitely not safe to be loved. I know better now.”
“How does it feel with him now?”
“Hmm… he now belongs to my distant past in my head and mind. No regrets and funny enough, I feel no hate for him. I’ve only learnt to be more careful with my heart.”
“You’re doing really great. Maybe it time to mingle again.”
“Mingle? Hooking up with a man is the last thing on my mind now. I just want to concentrate on me for a little while. When it’s time, my heart would tell me.”
“Maybe I should ask you this.”
“What?”
“Hope you’re not afraid to love again because of this experience.”
“Afraid? No. I would just love to be more careful next time. This one sad experience shouldn’t be enough to make me feel there are no men who can be trusted with my heart out there. I know they exist and I will be willing to be taken by one of them but that’s got to wait till I’m ready again.”
“I must confess that you’re doing brilliantly. You’ve handled this with better inner strength than I believed was possible. You’re a strong woman.”
“Hmm… What can I do but be strong for myself.” She said as she raised her glass to drain the remainder of its content. And after she set the glass down, she said, “Now, there’s something I’ll like to know.”
“And what’s that?” Benita asked.
“I have a feeling there’s more to your questions today than an assessment session like you want me to believe.” She paused to see, if Benita would say anything and when she didn’t, she continued. “I didn’t miss the change in your countenance when I mentioned Mike’s name and showed you his picture. There was this look of surprise that flashed across your face. It could have lasted a fraction of a second but I noticed it. Is he someone you know?”
Benita looked on, a little longer than necessary, staring at the vibrant looking woman sitting across the table. She was happy that Harriet was now a distant contrast to the dispirited figure she was the first day she met her. Benita decided against telling her the real truth about their meeting that evening. There was no need confirming her suspicion. She wanted her to believe all her probing had been from a professional angle. So, as calmly as she could help it, she said, “No, I’ve never met any man in his build, except for that one night.”
“Alright, maybe I should get going now. I don’t want to run into traffic jam.”
“Ok. Just remember to always keep your spirit up. You’ll be fine for it in the end.”
“Thanks. I’ll try to always remember that.” Harriet said as she rose to her feet to leave.
Harriet took Benita’s outstretched arms and left afterwards. Benita remembered her choice of words for Mike as she watched her go. “He’s not safe to be loved.” Wasn’t that what she’d said?
She just couldn’t wait a minute longer. She picked up her phone and dialed Ifeoma’s number.
