All Couples

As Tina got dressed for work, all he could think about was the argument with Jimmy the night before. They had been arguing in the street. As well as the embarrassment of airing their dirty laundry in public, as they say, there was the strain it was putting on their relationship.

She hadn’t heard from him since but she hoped they could move past it. Things hadn’t been great between them recently. Tina had been seeing Jimmy for coming up to eighteen months. Sure, they had their disagreements, but all couples did. They loved each other that was the main thing. Tina would do anything for Jimmy. He knew that. Yes, she told herself, as she left for the office, they would be fine. They would sort things out. They were Tina and Jimmy, of course they’d be okay.

Later that morning, Tina checked the time on her mobile phone. Ten thirty. The chocolate gift should have been delivered to his works by now. She could just see his face lighting up when she got them. She hoped the gift would cheer him up. It would remind him that she was thinking of him, of how much she valued what they had. 

By lunchtime, Tina had heard nothing from her boyfriend. When she tried dialling the number, Jimmy didn’t pick up. Tina told herself that there was a rational explanation for his not answering. Maybe he was in a meeting, or on a works phone call, or maybe he was out of the office and had left his mobile phone on his desk. To make sure, she called his office main phone number. They would be able to tell her where Jimmy was and if he was available. 

 ‘Hi, is Jimmy there please? It’s Tina, his girlfriend.’ She said.

‘One moment and I’ll check.’ said the receptionist. 

Tina waited, listening to the cheesy electronic hold music.

‘I’m afraid he’s out to lunch at the moment.’ The receptionist said a moment later.

‘No worries, can you tell him I called and that I’ll see him tonight?’ Tina replied.

The line went dead.

Tina swore under her breath. Was he avoiding her? Was he still annoyed with her? She tried texting his mobile phone number. Not delivered. Had Jimmy blocked her number or something? That was a bad sign. Admittedly they had been arguing a lot recently, but he owed it to her to at least speak to her. How were they to resolve things if he wouldn’t speak to her? Tina told herself to keep calm, to think positive. Love, she whispered to herself, would conquer all. 

By just after five o’clock that afternoon, Tina was standing in the rain, on the pavement outside the city-centre office where Jimmy worked. She would take him out for dinner that evening, to his favourite Indian restaurant. As Jimmy stepped out through the revolving doors, Tina waved.

‘Jimmy, love,’ she beamed. ‘Did you get the chocolates? Did you like them?’ She called.

Jimmy simply shook his head, and went to walk by her.

Tina’s heart sank. She really hoped this wasn’t the end, hoped that he wasn’t breaking up with her. She walked after him, trudging through the rain, calling out.

‘I’ve booked us a table for tonight, the Indian restaurant you like. My treat, of course.’ She called out after him.

Jimmy stopped and turned on his heels to face her. He marched towards her across the pavement. He glared at her, trembling with anger and frustration.

‘Stop this! This has to stop! Just leave me alone!’ He yelled, his outburst drawing glances from passers-by.’

‘I understand you’re annoyed. Sometimes when you’re in a relationship-’ Tina started.

‘We are not in a relationship! We are not together. Never have been. Following me around, calling and texting me, bombarding me with inappropriate gifts is not a relationship! How dare you phone my office calling yourself my girlfriend?’ Jimmy snapped.

‘But I love you.’ Tina insisted.

‘Love me? You don’t even know me!’

By the time Tina caught the bus home, she was in floods of tears. A guy took the seat beside her.

‘Are you okay, love?’ He asked.

‘I’ve just broken up with my boyfriend.’ Tina explained. 

‘Plenty more fish in the sea, eh?’ He said gently with a smile. ‘I’m sure you’ll meet someone else soon.’

Tina nodded, her eyes locked on his intently, it looked like she just had.

By Chris Platt

From: United Kingdom