I lie in bed, staring blankly at the white ceiling above me, the AC wisping at my face. My phone rings suddenly, jolting me into consciousness. Hastily I wipe away the salty residue from my face in hapless pursuit of my cell phone buried somewhere beneath the covers.

“Hi!” My greeting, though flustered, hasn’t managed to conceal my enthusiasm.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“Nothing… just staring at a white rabbit lost in a snowstorm.”

“Lol, what? We don't have snow. Um, anyway sorry about earlier, I didn’t see your messages.” I just know he is lying and frankly it’s disparaging.

“How could you not see my messages?” I sit up and toss the pillows nearby, sending the innocent bystanders tumbling to the edge of the bed. “You were typing a message to me when I sent them. I sent three consecutive messages and you read them all then stopped typing. You never came offline. You’re still online right now.”

Somehow my sheets seemed to sense my frustration and tangled themselves around my feet to help keep my sanity.

While freeing myself from the bedding of spaghetti and meatballs, I hear a faint female giggle in the background.

“Who is that?" I demand. "Greg, where are you?”

“I’m home.” He responds nonchalantly.

“She’s home with you?”

“No! He chides me in sheer horror. “Why would you think that?”

I say nothing because to me it’s quite obvious. There is silence on his end as well.

“Well?” I coax and he finally gives in.

“I’m talking to her on Skype.”

Just then the female voice in the background interrupts us yet again. “ Hey, I’m back! Who is that on the phone?”

There is silence on his end once more, and then click! Did he just hang up on me? I try calling him back but all the calls go directly to his voicemail. He turned it off. I throw my phone on the bed and flop myself in as well, stifling my frustration in the rubble.

About an hour later a message comes in on my phone. A quick glance at the screen sends me back into the covers. Another apology. I don’t even bother to read it through. Instead I hit the call button but the rings go unanswered yet again.

I am tired of this. I begin dictating an extremely verbose message then suddenly opt to clear all text. Nope! I’ve poured my soul out enough to him. Let’s be direct. These five words are all I need. I type them in and hit send:

I will tell her everything!

His reply comes within a few seconds.

Busy now. Will call back in five minutes.

The first two minutes feel like forever so I decide I’ll just make my bed to pass the time. Slowly two minutes turn into ten and an hour meets me polishing appliances in the kitchen. I have managed to change the bedspreads, clean the entire bedroom and now I am in the kitchen polishing every surface in sight. I look at my phone screen on the nearby counter for what, the ninetieth time. He must take me for a fool. Plan B - Begrudgingly I type another message:

Just to confirm: this is her phone no. right: 555-0145?

My phone lights up with his call but I don’t answer. By the second call, I am lost in the rhythmic ebb and flow of the glowing screen until finally it stops. This is a daring move on my part but I must not overplay my hand. I answer on the third ring and as predicted he plays the sympathy card.

“Maya I can’t do this right now. I have work to do, the project analysis is still incomplete.”

“I don’t care!” I shout into the phone. But then I pause and take a deep breath. “Actually, it’s fine. You have your analysis to complete. No problem. I understand. I always understand. I just hope she understands when I explain everything to her.”

“Fine! I’ll come over.”

I hang up in a fit of glee. It worked. He’s coming over! We haven’t spent much time together since we got back from Paris. The past month has only been about her. I think this is just what we need to get us back on track. I’m finishing up my spur-of-the-moment spring cleaning when my phone rings again. He’s here already?

“I’m coming!” I sing out into the phone but the voice on the other end cuts me just as I’m rushing to open the front door.

“Hey, where did you leave old faithful? It’s not in the lab. I even checked in the administrative office; can’t seem to find it anywhere.”

I had borrowed an old laptop specimen from a colleague for my demo today. I look across to the kitchen and there it is, sitting on the table. "I brought it home with me?!" Oh crap. Did I say that out loud?

“WHAT?!”

I did! My eyes shut tightly and my face seeks refuge in my one free hand while the other pulls the phone away from my ear.

“See, this is why I hesitated to lend it but you begged me. My entire lesson hinges on that. What am I supposed to do now?”

“Listen, this isn’t a problem. I can get it to you in time.”

“Really, because I need it in like twenty minutes.”

“I’ll be there in fifteen.” that's if I get a taxi. I discreetly omit the last detail. He will go ballistic. I have to get to school, now! Rush hour has already subsided so I should be fine.

Hurriedly I pull my stuff together, phone, wallet, keys, ID badge, tossing them into the nearest handbag, grab the computer bag and umbrella on the table and rush out the door.

On my way I try and fail three times to reach Greg on the phone to tell him change of plans. He must be on the other line or still driving. This is not going to go well.

My colleague calls me again and I explain that I’m just a few minutes away. He says he can stall for another five minutes and I tell him that’s all I need. When I hang up, however, two missed calls from Greg appear on my screen. Oh great! How did I not hear the call waiting beeps? The phone buzzes again.

I take a deep breath and slide the green receiver graphic across my screen.

“Hi Greg!” I whisper innocently.

“I’ve been standing outside for five minutes now. Why haven’t you opened the door, and why aren’t you answering your phone?”

I couldn’t resist highlighting the sweet irony.

“Now you know how I feel when I call and you don’t answer.”

“Maya this isn’t funny, open the door!” His tone is elevated but I know how to get out of this one.

“You are so going to laugh when you hear this.”

“Oh God!”

“What?”

“Nothing! It’s just… whenever you say that, it’s always some nonsense that you have done and it is never funny.”

“No! When has that ever happened?”

“Last night… last week… and the week before tha…!”

“Ok ok I’ll tell you. Just promise me you won’t be mad.”

“What did you do?”

“I didn’t actually.”

“What?”

“Just promise me.”

“You know I can never be mad at you.”

My heart croons. See how easily he disarms me. Now what was I going to say? Focus Maya! Oh yes.

“I’m in school.”

“What? You’re not home?” He’s mad.

“Listen, I didn’t return some equipment that a colleague of mine lent me and apparently he needs to use it in a lesson tonight so I’m just dropping it off. You promised me you wouldn’t get mad.” I pout.

“I’m not mad, I’m just… disappointed.” I don’t know why and how he does that but every time he says he’s disappointed in me I feel bad.

“You said you wanted to talk and I rushed all the way over here… and now you’re not home?”

“I’m right at school... Just fifteen minutes away, dropping off the laptop and coming right back there… now.”

“No. Stay there! I’ll come to you.” And he hangs up.

I sigh. At least he’s still meeting with me. I was hoping this would all end tonight, but things don’t seem to be going my way tonight.

As I enter the class my phone erupts, disturbing the cloak of silence that had previously enveloped the room. I was taking no chances so after the missed calls, I’d put my ringtone on its highest volume. All eyes are on me.

“I’m sorry” I mouth as I fish the phone out of my handbag. “Hey! Where are you?” I whisper into the phone. In the quirkiest form of multitasking, I manage to drop off the laptop and wave quickly at my colleague before I take my leave, all while nudging the phone on my shoulder close to my ear.

As I’m circumventing the corridor, I see Greg emerging through the entrance, lost in his phone call.

“I see you.” We both blurt out as our eyes meet and I can’t help but giggle. He smiles too and we both hang up.

He’s wearing khakis and that long-sleeved navy Puma sweat shirt that he wore the first time I met him. That was the best hug ever and he often muses at the fact that I had the audacity to tell him so at the very moment of the embrace. What he fails to realise is that I had no idea I said that out loud. As always his sleeves are folded just at the cuff of his elbow, revealing taut veins escaping the thick blue fabric, in search of ample nourishment to supply thriving biceps. I couldn’t resist. I just rush into his arms, sending him back a step or two.

His arms engulf me and I had to confess. “Still the best hug ever.” He tightens  his embrace at my comment and we stay like that for a while.

“I miss this.” He whispers but I relent.

“If that were true I would see you more.”

When we separate, his face is serious again. He nods in the direction of a nearby bench and I grimace, following in protest.

“I don’t want to discuss this here.”

“You only have yourself to blame for that. I came to you remember? You weren’t home.” His snide remark tells me that I am in for an uphill battle this evening.

I can see he’s not going to play fair either. Sitting in the middle of the bench, he’s clearing the very small space he left out to ensure I sit dangerously close to him when I arrive. I need to level the field; perhaps playing on home turf will help.

“Can’t you just take me home now?”

“Ok but I can’t come in so we will have to discuss this on the way back.”

“What? Nooo!”

“I can’t stay. I told you I don’t have much time. You of all persons should understand that. You know how much work I have to do.”

“Fine!” I submit and slump on the bench next to him, dropping my bag between us for some separation. He distracts me too easily and I need to keep focused on my planned course of action.

“I can’t do this anymore.” I belt out. Very deliberately, he lifts my bag from between us, puts it to rest on the other side of the bench before returning his attention to me.

“Good evening!” He whispers and I return his blush.

“Good evening!” His hair falls unruly over his face and into his eyes. “When was the last time you cut your hair?”

A gentle smile disturbs his symmetrical features. “You know when… and why?”

I lift my hands and he leans forward allowing me to run my fingers through the bushy coif and tame the wandering strands.

“You looked very handsome that day.” I look away in an attempt to hide my indignation.

“All thanks to you.” He endorses proudly and tips my chin up to look up at him. I try being evasive but he is persistent. “Just that day though? Why won’t you look at me? eMms, are you crying?”

Just then someone calls out to him from across the hall. Crap it’s one of her friends. Making use of both thumbs on either side of my face, he soothes over my tears.

“I’ll be right back.” he smiles sweetly, then he’s up from his seat and striding over to lend her MY warm embrace.

“Hey! Haven’t seen you in a while.” They separate but she holds him at arm’s length, surveying him.

“I know right. I was out of the country for a little bit. Work, projects, you know how it is.”

“Ah, that’s great. Business is picking up.”

“Yup. We just got a major contract recently.”

“Good to hear. So what are you doing up on this side? Did you go check my girl?” He nods. She peers just beyond him, stealing a glance at me and I lower my gaze.

“Great! I’m glad you’re back in her life. She really needs someone right now.” she looks down as she says it. When her eyes return to his, he is shifting away from her. “You are back together, aren’t you?”

“Well…” He flinches and shrugs his shoulders. “We’re taking it one step at a time.”

I clear my throat loudly and when he turns I’m on my feet with my bag over my shoulder and ready to leave.

“Well I’ve gotta go. I have some stuff to take care of. Was nice seeing you again.”

“Yea. Same here.”

They embrace again and she sends a final warning glance my way before she leaves. This time I return a stern glare.

“So much for limited time.” I shrug and as I’m walking towards the exit he reaches for my arm.

“No, don’t!” I pull away. “I heard what you said. You’re telling people that you’re going back to be with her? What are you doing? You can’t have us both.”

“I know. That’s not what I’m doing.”

“Do you regret everything that’s happened between us?”

“No! How could you even think that?”

“Well then what is the problem? Why do I have to share you Greg?”

“I… I just need more time… one more week.”

“A week? It’s already been a month. Look, I’m not doing this anymore. Either you tell her, or I will.”

“Why can’t you just trust me? I know what I’m doing.”

“You see that’s the thing. I don’t think you do.” And I storm off.

The drizzle is slight but it’s becoming more menacing. He walks past me, not making eye contact.

“Come! I’ll drop you home.”

“No thanks.” My recoil is instant, “I’ve got an umbrella.” I had anticipated his offer but it brings with it no gain as two minutes later, his white CRV pulls up in front of me. I’m nonplussed, but eventually hop into the front seat of the car.

The radio must have been on for the entire journey home but I hadn’t notice until he switched it off when we arrived. As soon as he stops the car, I just open the door and jump out. I was not in the mood for any more apologies or pleas for more time. I don’t even look back or say goodbye. As I am sifting through my bag for my keys, my phone rings aloud. I answer without checking the screen. “I didn’t forget anything in your car this time so you can relax.”

“Hello?” a female voice counters into my ear.

“Who is this?” I pull the phone away from my face, look at the screen and roll my eyes. Oh crap!

“So it was you? And he told me he went to the supermarket with his mom.”

“How did you get this number?” probably the same way I got hers, but she ignores my question and instead continues her tirade.

“Why won’t you leave us alone? He doesn’t want to be with you. ”

“Really? So then why did he just meet me and lie to you about it?”

“I…I don’t know but you need to stop calling him. He probably just pities you.”

“Me? You think he feels sorry for me? I bet he told you he couldn’t come see you today which was why you two were on Skype earlier, yet he came down to see me simply because I asked him to.” There is daft silence on the other end and I feel bad. “Listen, you should really talk to him about this.” And I hang up the phone and call him.

“Your girlfriend just called me.”

“What! How did she get your number?”

“Probably from your phone... I don’t know.”

“What did you tell her?”

“Me? She was the one who called me saying I should leave you alone and that you pity me. Well, I’m almost certain she’s crying now so expect a call soon.”

“Oh god what did you do?”

“Why do you sound more concerned about her well-being than you do mine? Don’t worry. I didn’t do anything… yet.” And I hang up on him too.