Fiction: When a first date turns sour

No matter how long you’ve been around, every time you go out with a new person on a first date (especially those you really like) you can’t help being a little nervous. There are many things that can go wrong on a date. “I never anticipated this to happen to me! It was the most awful thing that has ever happened to me,” Caroline narrates what happened to her. I will never forget the humiliation suffered when my date failed to foot the bill. I don’t normally go on dates without enough cash. But that very evening I was in a flammable mood that I didn’t mind a little risk. Ronnie the gorgeous hunk was on my case for so long and I was dying to share some quality and quiet time with him too. Though I didn’t expect to have much fun that evening because it was our first date, we didn’t know each other well; I never anticipated what the evening had in store for me. When he suggested we meet at a luxurious joint I automatically assumed he was teeming with cash. So I was comfortable. He was noticeably happy to see me. We ate, drank, talked and laughed. In fact I was having so much fun than I expected. All was well until when the bill was brought. He took one look at it and he turned pale! At first I thought it was allergic reaction. He started fidgeting, excused himself to go to the gents repetitively. “Are you alright?” I asked. He nodded. After some minutes of silence I heard a minuscule voice whispering to me. At first I thought it was coming from the next table. ”Sweetheart, can you lend me some money?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “What? What are you talking about?” I furiously inquired. “Well, the bill is bigger than I expected,” he said coyly. “I do not have money on me,” I hissed! I was so heated I could turn car alarms on! Now the waiters had started eyeing us suspiciously. “Matter of fact, I’m leaving,” I stomped. Seeing me standing, the huge security guy zeroed in. “Excuse me miss, I politely demand you clear the bill before you leave.” “But…,” I stammered looking in my date’s direction. He seemed be praying for the ground to swallow him. Seeing that he was not going to be of help, I turned to the security guy. “Can I talk to the manager please?” (Sure I can handle this I coached my self) Heads were now turning. “Sorry m’am but he is off duty.” It’s then a mean-looking lady came roaring, “We’re tired of you city swindlers! If you can’t settle the bill, please, follow me.” I obeyed, thinking to myself I can make her understand, maybe I’ll leave her with my passport then go home and bring money. All this long my date was sweating, his head cast down. The lady led us to the kitchen where I was asked to choose between peeling a heap of Irish potatoes or washing a mountain of plates. “You will only leave when you’re done with your task,” she slammed the door and left us to sort ourselves out. I learnt my lesson the hard way. Now even if Mr. Bill Gates asked me out on a date I make sure my wallet is happy before I say yes. Ends