Yes to Harry

chapter4

The next morning, Raina woke up feverish. She had taken the same aspirin as the previous night but it wasn't helpful. She picked up her phone and Boma came to mind, he would demand explanations she wasn't strong enough for, she thought. So, she dialed Valerie's instead.

A male's voice came on after the third ring.

“Hello stranger, the fellow said energetically..”would you mind calling back in ten, she's in the shower right now!

“Ummm..you must be Elvis right?” Raina managed to hide her surprise that Valerie would let a man take her call.

“Yes, that's right!”

“Great, tell her Ray called!”

“Sure do!”

Few minutes later her phone was ringing again.

“Hey babes!”

“Hi Val.. could you come over to mine, please?”

“Of course, on my way but promise you okay though sweetheart..you sound lifeless.”

“I'll be as soon as you get here”

“Give me 20 minutes max”. She killed the call.

Two and a half hours had gone by since Valerie's visit to Raina's.

“Hey, you are awake finally!”

“Thanks Val, no better time to have you back

True because you look like s**t. What happened?” Don't answer that.

“I canceled that date till next weekend but we are going to the movies you need out of this hell hole and you're telling me every single thing about that dickhead you're engaged to, every detail because, this, looks like all him.”

Valerie said flatly.

“I don't see what choice I have when you sound like that.” Raina replied.

“None..but, we need to change those.” Valerie was pointing at the messy sheets.

Raina sniggered embarrassedly, Valerie closed the space between them and placed the back of her hand on her forehead in the old-fashioned way checking her temperature.

“The fever is down, how do you feel princess? she asked in a concerned tone.

“Much better thanks to you Doc.”

That's what I like to hear, I'll fix you something while you return those calls. It's clear, someone badly wants to talk to you. She passed Raina her phone and disappeared into the kitchen.

Raina typed in her password and skimmed through her call logs, 11 missed calls, 6 came from Boma and the rest were from her mom and sister. She wasn't in the right frame of mind to speak with anyone, except her sister so she called her back.

Hey Joanna..I was sleeping when you called

You only take a siesta when you're ill, are you? Her 22 year old sister asked.

No, I'm not. I just had a headache. I'd take some painkillers.

Well you should see a doctor Raina, meanwhile are you and Sebastian okay? I thought I heard mum on the phone with him earlier. Joanna narrated.

Joanna I'm still your elder sister, I can handle myself and my man. Raina warned.

I trust you can, my bad, just looking out, be good. Love you and I do hope you visit soon.

Love you too, tell Mom I'll call her later okay bye.

Joanna hung up, she sighed, even her younger sister seemed to have a happier relationship than her with some guy she had seen for only 4 months now. She caught herself weighing her and her sister's love-life, it was ridiculous, so immediately shook off the thought and rolled out of the bed to join Valerie who just walked in with a steaming cup of coffee and a saucer of omelet with sauteed asparagus filling.

“You always know the right remedy” Raina teased, seizing the dish off Valerie's hands.

“Bon appetit, baby girl.” She laughed.

“Plus, I left something in your closet, have at it when you're better.”

“I'm better already.” Raina said brightening up.

When Valerie and Raina had left the apartment, her 10 gallon aquarium had been set up, the pet expert had suggested a new addition to give more color and activity to its look. Valerie had helped her make a choice. 6 Danios of 0.9 inch with 3 guppies of same length made Raina's aquarium totalling 9 in number at the time the set up was completed.

“Look at that, they're so cute! I should consider it! Valerie yelped in fascination.”

“It makes me feel alive already. A gift to me!”

“Indeed, it is. Ensure, you keep a close eye on our new housemates Ray!” Valerie took out her phone and flickered a shot of the super active creatures feeding on the flakes earlier sputtered in small amounts.

Raina thanked the expert and saw him to the door.

When Valerie and Raina arrived at the cinema that evening, Raina was in a much better mood, and her headache had faded completely. The crowd was expected, since, they were there to see a blockbuster movie that had just been released barely 48 hours ago, and had been talked about for a while on the internet. Though Raina knew close to nothing about trendy movies, but she had heard of it in passing from Helena and Tobias at work, and with Valerie around, her quiet life was definitely going to be rewritten.

Working into the admirable film cinema popularly known as the Showroom. Where most people stood around in groups, or pairs eager and restlessly talking about previous movies, spoilers etc. While some deliberated on trailers or posters.

The Showroom was unique in itself, it had an artistic feel, one that brought back the beauty of the oldies. Unlike most modern movie cinemas in NJ. Raina appreciated the serenity of the place, it prepped her for the occasion.

Heels and Hoodies was starting at Exactly 6: 00p.m And they had about 23 minutes to idle around.

“I should get us drinks Valerie said” and disappeared in a flash, returning with a drink and a gentleman smiling broadly beside her.

“Hey Cassidy, this is my best friend Ray” Valerie introduced, a light skin dude with quite hairy arms and a mohawk hair smiled at Raina, exposing an even lovelier face.

Hi Cassidy! Raina shot Valerie a don't-tell-me-you-just-met-him look, she smiled in response. He wore a free shirt that exposed a portion of his chest and his tattoo was easily noticeable in the well lit hall. When he smiled his dimples were pronounced he was a confident man of average height and had the body of a man who spent some time in the gym.

“Nice to meet you Ray..” said Cassidy

“It's Raina” she corrected politely

“Raina is a lovely name and you are flawlessly” gorgeous, he said grinning. “I know you know that but I can't help myself” he spoke smoothly.

“A compliment doesn't grow old, thank you” Valerie's throat clearing sound interrupted them, as intended.

“So Cassidy here was just telling me, he is a real estate merchant and also dabbles into software engineering and importation sometimes. I recall you mentioned looking for someone to help you secure a property, and also work you through the professional t's and c's needed for a commercial business space, so I figured perhaps he could be of help, right Cassidy?”

“Absolutely! I would love to assist, whatever you need.”

Uhmm..yeah, thanks Cassidy, but this is all in the cradle stage, so I guess too soon for now, but..

“But it's time for “heels and hoodies”, business later guys” Valerie interrupted

“Right!” they chorused

“As much as I'd love to stay I'm going to have to dip, you ladies have yourself a super night it was indeed nice meeting you both.”

“Oh! I thought you were here for the movie?”

“No..I was here to check out and I.T concern. Have fun.”

With that Cassidy walked away.

“You too..” Valerie responded, flashing him a cheesy smile. “Such a gentleman, he knows when not to impose”

Valerie caught Raina's questioning eyes and answered her unasked question.

“Yeah..I was trying to hook you up, but uh.. I think he's charming and I don't see you complaining.” Valerie shrugged defensively

“You are unbelievable Val, I was under the impression that it's supposed to be our night, just us!”

…and it is, so come on! Valerie pulled Raina's hand and they followed the small trail of people scheduled to fit into their movie room.

The 1 hour 43 minute movie, was starring the names of the main casts when they their seats in the dark hall but for the screen light, which grew fuller by the minute.

“So, baby girl, I'm all ears.” Valerie said after they had settled in.

Raina turned to her, partially surprised. “Aren't we going to watch this?”

“Multi-tasking, I'm sure you're familiar with the term more than anyone. Between, it's Sebastian isn't it? He's responsible for how I met you earlier, isn't he?”