Fool's Paradise

Chapter Twelve

In Alexandria, later in the afternoon, Maureen Mukasa found Cassandra Kamani seated alone in their room. “What’s your problem?” Maureen wanted to know.
“Nothing.”
“So, why the long face?”
“I’m fine.”
“Right, and I’m Mother Theresa. Hey, this’ Maureen your talking to. I know your moods and this’ not one of your good ones. So, what’s bothering you?”
“Why can’t guys stick to one girl? Why must they be greedy?”
“Okay, from your outburst, I guess you’re having problems with Kamal?”
“It’s all those girls that are all over him! Why does he pay attention to them? He must be having a thing with one of them.” Maureen sighed, “Oh boy. Cassandra, Kamal’s one of the best-looking guys in the school. Girls have been chasing him long before you two started going out together. He’s constantly rejected them because he’s always been into you. So why would he start having a fling with any of them now that he’s with you?
“Maybe he’s tired of me.”
“Girl, you must be losing your mind! Everybody except you knows that the boy is mad about you. Stop trippin’ and get a hold of yourself, damn!”
“Okay, no need to get so hot and bothered.”
“Then stop giving me a reason to. Now get off your backside and let’s go have some fun.”
Cassandra got off her bed and followed Maureen out the door. She was determined to immerse herself in whatever Maureen had planned but she still couldn’t shake off the feeling of uneasiness.

♣ ♣ ♣

Later still, during games hour, Anthony caught up with James. “Hey, James, what’s up? Ready for some fun?”
“What kind of fun?”
“Maureen Mukasa was so impressed by your performance that she’s invited you to her room tonight for more of the same.”
“Tell her thanks but no thanks.” Anthony was puzzled, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Looking relieved Anthony said, “Good then its all systems go. I hope you remembered to use protection the last time, we don’t want you making babies.”
“Protection?”
“Oh, man, James, what planet are you from? I’m talking about condoms!”
“Oh, that…Well, to be honest everything was so new to me and rather overwhelming, I didn’t think of condoms.” Anthony gave an exaggerated sigh and said, “Well, Maureen should have known better. Oh, well, now that you’re aware just make sure you bring some along the next time.”
“Anthony, I don’t think you’re getting me. There won’t be a next time.”
“There must be something wrong with you to turn down such an offer.”
James was irritated, “You’re damn right that something’s wrong, but it’s not with me. It’s with you!”
“Hey, that’s no way to talk to a friend.”
“Sometimes I wonder if you really are my friend.”
“Now what’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that friends take other friends’ feelings into consideration. It means that I’m tired of you pushing me into your adventures.”
“It’s because I’m trying to keep you from being a sissy!”
“Did it ever occur to you that I just might like being a “sissy” as you call it? Let me tell you something, I came to school to study, whatever pleasures are to be had are secondary. I want good grades and I will have whatever kind of fun you might want me to have when I’m good and ready! And if you really are my friend then you will respect that.”
“To hell with you then, I don’t need this bullshit.”
“I knew this’ how it would be,” James shouted after Anthony as he stormed off, then added to himself, “that’s why I was afraid to let you know how I really felt.”

♣ ♣ ♣

As games hour was winding up, Cassandra Kamani found Kamal Latif at the swimming pool surrounded by a bevy of beauties. In tones that suddenly turned the atmosphere into arctic conditions she said, “I need to talk to you, Kamal.” Seemingly oblivious to the tension emanating from Cassandra, Kamal good-naturedly excused himself from the girls and followed Cassandra to where she stood. “Hey, beautiful, what’s up?”
“I want to know what you’re doing with those girls.”
“We’re just hanging out. Why?”
“Lately, you’ve been ‘just hanging out’ with quite a few girls.”
“Is there something you’re trying to tell me?”
“As a matter of fact, yes; I’m tired of you making a fool of me.”
“I’m doing that how?”
“By cheating on me!”
“For the last time, Cassandra, I’m not cheating on you! How many times do I have to tell you that? You’re the only one for me.”
“Then stop hanging out with those girls. I will not stand for it!” Cassandra spun on her heel and stormed off, leaving Kamal feeling as if he’d just been run over by a steamroller.
Maureen Mukasa caught up with Cassandra by the basketball courts. “I couldn’t help overhearing that little conversation you had just now with Kamal.”
“Oh, so you’ve become an eavesdropper now?”
“Well, the way you were screaming at the guy, I’m sure the whole school couldn’t help but eavesdrop. Girl, what is your problem?”
“Why don’t you mind your own business?”
“You forget; you are my business.”
“Let me relieve you of that responsibility…back off!”
“Stop railroading Kamal or you will lose him. How do you like that for a parting remark?” Maureen sneered as she turned and walked back to the swimming pool, leaving Cassandra seething.

Kamal immediately sought Maureen out as she entered the pool area. “Maureen, I’m confused. What the hell is going on with Cassandra? Why does she constantly accuse me of cheating on her when I’m not? We both agreed that there would be no sex involved in our relationship, it’s purely emotional and mental.”
“Maybe that’s the problem. She agreed to one thing and wants another – we girls can be like that sometimes – and so because she’s thinking about it, she thinks that you are too and with all these girls running after you, she thinks you must be having sex with them.”
“I swear, Maureen, I’m not having sex with anyone!”
“More is the pity,” Maureen muttered to herself.
“What was that?”
“Oh, nothing, just thinking out loud. Look, try and convince her that there’s no one else and that she’s the only one for you.”
“I’ve been doing that repeatedly that I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, and frankly speaking, I’m getting sick of it. I can’t be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t trust me. It’s really bugging me.”
“Kamal, I can’t tell you what to do, but maybe give it another shot and see how things go.”
“I’ll give it my best shot.”