Purple Romance

Ad-Din pulled over in front of Maria's apartment and turned facing her in the front seat. Maria blushed and looked down shyly like a kid and said 'why do you keep looking at me like that?'

'I really want to take you to my house, but I know is not the right time yet. I will be rushing you and that might scare you'.

Maria blushed and smiled 'I should go inside before Kobby comes down'

'Kobby, your brother who is not blood related to you?' Ad-Din said and added 'he is also my doctor'.

'Are you…sick?' Maria asked cautiously and studied him for any subtle change.

'Later, let's take it slowly. I will tell you everything that happened in the last 8 years, okay?' Ad-Din brushed and tussled Maria's hair gently as he spoke and smile. His smile hid a hint of melancholy to it and Maria could feel it even though he didn't say anything.

'Right, let's take it slowly. You don't have to tell me now. You can tell me when you are comfortable enough to talk about it'.

'Go inside, sleep tight and dream about me' Ad-Din said and Maria nodded her head. She turned to open the door and he spoke 'are you not going to say anything to me? Like giving me a kiss?' Ad-Din said and Maria frowned and looked at him.

'Who was it that said he was going to seduce me? Do you think I am that easy to seduce? You want to kiss already? Let me tell you, I am not an easy woman'.

'Says the one who kissed and clung unto me last night'. Ad-Din said cockily and Maria glared at him and chuckled sarcastically.

'I was drunk. Can't you differentiate between a drunk mistake? I was simply drunk. I am not that kind of woman who cling unto men'.

'Yes, sure. You sure are one hell of a tough woman. Now hurry inside before I change my mind and send you to my house'. Ad-Din's voice turned serious suddenly as he looked at her.

'Huh' Maria looked at him and blinked her eyes twice.

'If you don't want to go with me to my house, then you should go inside right now' Ad-Din said and Maria immediately opened the door and got down. She ran away quickly as if on fire and Ad-Din laughed. He watched her as she got inside her apartment before he drove away.

Maria got into the hall and saw Kobby sitting in the hall. He gave her a knowing look and smirked.

'What are you still doing at this time? Are you not going to sleep?' Maria asked and looked at him. She sat on the couch next to him.

'I was waiting for a certain someone who was busy with her love life with her boss. Have you two already progressed that fast?' Kobby asked and turned to look at her.

'Well, it isn't really a progress. We just decided to take things slow. He is the one who is chasing me. I still haven't given him my answer yet'.

'I see. Anyways, congratulations on your progress. Is good to see you smile genuinely again, Maria Portia Lee'.

'I know, right? I feel good. This time around, no matter what happens, I'm going to hold unto Ad-Din. I won't allow anyone or anything make us go apart' Maria said seriously. 'I realised, I didn't actually work hard back then that's why we had to be apart'.

'Things were different back then, too. You two were young and a lot of things were against you. Now that you have been given a second chance, I sincerely hope you find the courage to fight for the things you want, Portia. I am saying this as your doctor, friend and brother'. Kobby said.

Maria smiled and leaned on his shoulder saying 'right, you are the one who cares about me the most. That being said, you work with pretty female nurses and doctors every day at the hospital. Haven't anyone caught your eyes?'

'Why? Do you want to throw away this brother now that you have gotten a boyfriend? Well, that's the reality of the world. You can't wait to throw me into the arms of a woman so that I won't interfere with your love life, right?' Kobby said and Maria looked at him guiltily.

'You know that's not what I mean?' Maria said.

'I know; I was just messing with you' Kobby said.

'So, is there someone who has caught your fancy at the hospital lately? Tell me, this big sis will make sure she becomes yours'. Maria knocked his shoulder as she spoke.

'No. don't worry about me. Just concentrate on your new found love and enjoy the most of it. I was waiting for you because I was worried but it seems I don't have to worry about you now. You have someone for that.

Make sure you sleep early, goodnight'. Kobby said and stood up to go to his room.

Maria smiled and took her bag going to her own room too.

...…..

Ad-Din arrived home and went to his closer. He picked several outfits checking them out. He wanted to choose the one that will make him stand out. He threw out a few outfits before settling on a white suit and pants. He remembered Maria telling him 8 years ago that she loved men in white suits. It brought out their masculinity and made them stand out. He wanted to make her drool over him.

After checking and been satisfied with his choice, he hanged them on the closet and turned about to out and saw Calia standing at the door of his bedroom. He was so startled by her sudden appearance that he took two steps backwards and mentioned her name.

'Ca…Calia?' Ad-Din looked at his wrist watch 'what are you doing here? Is so late?'

Calia who looked tired and stressed out walked to the bed and dropped a few outfits on to the bed. She had carried them from her quarters.

'What are those? Are they not your clothes?' Ad-Din asked and she sat on the bed and pointed at the outfits.

'Big brother, which one should I wear?'

'Huh? Why are you suddenly asking me about what you will wear?' Ad-Din asked and walked closer to her.

'I have a date very soon and I need your opinion. I really want to stand out so that the moment he sees me; he will not want to take his eyes off me. I want to be the only woman he will want to look at'.

'A date? You? Who is this man you are going out with?' Ad-Din asked.

'Oops, did I not tell you? The man happened to be single? That doctor? Dr. Brian' Calia said shyly.

'Dr. Brian? You mean you are going on a date with Dr. Brian? Since when have you started seeing him?'

'Well, by coincidence. I guess we are meant to be after all'. Calia said and smiled.

'Coincidence my foot, don't I know the kind of person you are? Tell me, have you been stalking him at the hospital?'

What stalking? Am I that kind of person. Ad, you are putting me into a bad mood'.

'Sorry, I was just shocked. So tell me, how did you end up making him want to go on a date with you? No matter how I look at it, you two are like polar opposites'.

'Opposites attract, haven't you heard? Anyways, he told me himself that he didn't have a wife. His wife passed away and the one I thought was his wife turned out to be his sister'.

'Calia, do you know how this sister is? Have you met her before?' Ad-Din asked.

'No, why? Do you know her? Is she going to be against me being with Dr. Brian?' Calia asked 'is she in love with my man?'

'Calm down, is nothing like that. Is just that, you know this sister we are talking about'.

'I know her? How? Is she popular?'

'No, is Miss Lee. Dr. Brian's sister is Maria Portia Lee'. Ad-Din said and looked at Calia.

'Maria Portia Lee, the one we both know?' Calia asked.

'Yes, and we both were mistaken about their relationship. I thought Maria was married to him because of his daughter but it turns out they are not. They don't have their kind of relationship. We just misunderstood them'

'Wow, wow, wow. SO, let me get this straight. Miss Lee and Dr. Brian are related and we thought they were married? But, it turns out they were just linked together because of the child?'

'Yes, the child is Dr. Brian and his deceased wife's daughter who also happens to be Maria's best friend. They have been living together for 8 years now. There is nothing between them. Dr. Brian told me all this himself and Maria confirmed it'.

'Whoa. This is big news. Who could have thought something like this could happen? Wait, so, does it mean, you are going to go after Miss Lee again? I mean now that you know the truth?' Calia asked.

'En, I have already started'.

'Wowww, that's my brother. Then, let's cheer each other on. Let's fight for our happiness. Here, tell me, which one should I pick. I want to totally charm him when we meet'.

'Let's see'. Ad-Din picked the five outfits Calia brought and examined them as they chatted.