Imaginary Boyfriend

Chapter 4: The Date

So, the date didn’t go exactly as I planned...

~*~*~

                “Do you really have to go out tonight?” asked Sam sulkily as I waited for Raj. I checked the clock again and sighed. He was 15 minutes late! What happened?

                “Yes,” I replied sharply. “We can always do movie night some other time, Sammy!”

                “Don’t call me that.”

                I snorted. “Sorry.”

                Another fifteen minutes passed and I became more worried and impatient.

                “What if something’s happened to him?” I screeched, pacing down the corridor and clutching my phone to my ear. He still wasn’t picking up!

                “Relax,” said Sam, yawning. “He might’ve just forgotten.”

                I shook my head. “No, he was really nice! He wouldn’t just stand me up.”

                “You’ve known the guy for five minutes, Kat.”

                Another five minutes...

                “Yes!” I cried as my phone vibrated. Raj was calling. “Hello?”

                “Hey,” Raj replied in his deep manly voice. “Sorry I’m so late. Can you come outside? I’ve got the car parked.”

                “Outside?” I asked in a clipped voice. “But –“

                “Thanks, you’re a doll.”

                He disconnected.

                Sam looked up at me. “Well? Why was he late?”

                I exhaled sharply. “He didn’t say. He just told me to go down to his car.”

                “What?” said Sam, raising an eyebrow. “No, no, no. If he wants to go out with you, he’ll come up to the door and knock like everyone else.”

                I completely agreed but then I heard Raj starting to honk his horn. I was fuming, but decided to let it go. So what, if he made a bad impression? He seemed pretty nice before. And I don’t know the facts, do I? Maybe it was an emergency, and that’s why he’s late. Perhaps he’ll tell me in the car, feeling it’s better to tell me face-to-face.

                Ignoring Sam’s constant insults to Raj, I hugged him goodbye and left the apartment. As I walked down the steps I could still hear him honking his horn and grit my teeth in anger.

                But I still give him a chance.

                “Hey gorgeous,” Raj greeted me, leaning on the car. As I approached, he opened the door and held it open for me.

                “Thanks,” I said, beaming. “You’re such a gentlemen.”

                He stepped over to his side of the car, got in, and drove. Silence filled the car as I waited for him to explain his lateness. When he didn’t tell me, I decided to ask.

                “So why were you so late?” I asked, trying to act casual.

                “Oh,” said Raj vaguely. “I was helping my little sister with her homework and I just didn’t realise the time. I’m sorry.”