Because I didn’t write about it when it happened, I can’t now remember when it did. Could have been a Friday though, I think, which might make the actual date 26 January 2007. Most likely not the week before.

Anyway, Romeo’s love had previously told me she loved me. I love you is not a phrase that scares me, as I’m not scared of commitment. However, her timing was terrible. As our relationship became a little more known, rumours started going around about both of us and it had put a little bit of pressure on us (maybe me only) and we quibbled every now and again, mainly because of doubt and mistrust from both sides.

It was during one of these little spats that she said it. I had, for a reason I cannot explain, a suspicion that she had cheated on me. I confronted her about it and she turned around and said those words. It was the first time she said them, but then she said “and how can I cheat on you if I love you”. It didn’t put my mind at ease and I withdrew from her a little. I have to confess that I had in t back of my mind the two other occasions she had cheated on boyfriends.

The next few days we didn’t see each other and had a few unpleasant exchanges - a terminology I use because it wasn’t arguments, it was really just unpleasant exchanges. Our friendship’s dynamics had changed, so after we spoke on the phone I brought up a topic which had frequently repeated throughout our relationship - let’s be friends again. So I said it, and that’s the way it was.

At first for a few days after, we carried on like we did before - still joked and laughed together on SMS, but then when she wanted to come over to my place and I said no, she possibly got shocked. I felt bad afterward and invited her to a coffee which she declined. She did however text me an hour or so later to say she was having coffee, possibly a ploy to make me jealous. I didn’t ask with whom. The next day I was having coffee with The Journo and she phoned to invite me but said I was already there. She phoned back minutes later to continue a chat, but I said I couldn’t have a long chat cause I was having coffee with a friend. Without me saying anything else she understood.

My coffee was short and after that I went home. She had text me from Shenanigans to ask stupid things like “when is flirting not flirting”. I gave her my definition. In a fun way, you’re making someone think they’re going to get something they’re not really going to. So, she replied and asked if that means kissing and touching is not flirting, and I replied that according to my definition it isn’t. She said something like “oh, then this guy is definitely not flirting”. For a moment, and a moment only, I was jealous - but I realised that it is exactly was she was trying to do. The thread died after that and so has our friendship – perhaps just temporarily.

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