I tried so hard to stop her that fateful night ~ I know I did, but I couldn’t!   Now I sit alone, confined to a world of darkness, wondering how I got into this mess.  I should never have allowed myself to get so involved with her.  I still remember how it all began.

     It was at my friend’s place.  The occasion,  a New Year’s celebration party.  Everyone was drunk that night, dancing and making merry.  Everyone that is, except her.  I accidentally stumbled against the chair where she sat, blank-faced.  My cocktail drink spilt all over her dress.  I was about to apologise but she just stood up and left without a word.  Sounds ordinary enough, I agree, but there was something magnetic about her that appealed to me.  It wasn’t her Caribbean complexion or even her model’s physique.  I can’t put it into words, but I wanted to find out more her.  Anyway, as she left, I noticed her hair was tightly pulled back and ended in a knot.

     I didn’t see her again until several days later.  This time at a Cafe’ House.  By chance, I was passing by when I saw her sitting in solitude, sipping coffee.  I entered and joined her at the table, eager to talk.

     ‘Look, er…I’m sorry about the other night.  Can I buy you another drink or something to eat?’

     She appeared very tense at my presence but managed a nod of disapproval.

     ‘Then at least allow me the privilege of paying for yours.’  I placed some change on the table and introduced myself.

     ‘My name is Roger Willis, what’s yours?  She stood up, like before and left abruptly.  I hesitated, wondering what I had done wrong, then decided to follow her, but she vanished once again.