Swapping Places Chapter 14

Shoutouts to MsLyricwriter, Shereen, Nii,  Korkor Tee, Grace, Mimi,  Mandy and you who are about to read this episode. Thanks for staying tuned and I hope you enjoy it. Don’t forget to share your thoughts. Can I count on you to do that? I know I can. Thanks! 

Read Chapter 13 here. 

                                   *

Great! I’d love to meet for dinner, hun.

Daphne replied Kobby’s message during breakfast. She glanced at Delphine. She hadn’t spoken to her since their last faceoff. She smiled mischievously. She knew what to do to get her way.

“What is it, Panyin?” Doreen asked her daughter, seeing her smile.

“What is what, mum?”

“That smile, I know it very well. It only appears when you’re thinking naughty.”

“Oh mum, I’m a good girl now.”

“Yeah right.”

Kobby replied with time and venue. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman got up from the table after eating and Delphine stood to clear the table. Daphne waited for her to leave and then swapped their phones. Their phones were identical and Del wouldn’t notice till she screen came alive. And since she was angry with her, they wouldn’t be in the same car; she was sure of it.

When their father asked who would join him, Daphne expected Delphine to say she would but she didn’t.

“I will,” she said. “I’ve a few things to do on the route.”

“Bye,” she said. Delphine didn’t reply.

                                  *

Delphine remembered the mail her boss had sent her the day before. She took out her phone to read it again. She swiped the screen and blinked. This wasn’t her phone. She opened the mail to be sure. She almost swore. Daphne had taken her phone. She called her phone. Daphne picked up almost immediately.

“How is it that you’re calling me with my number?” Daphne asked innocently.

“Because it’s my phone you’re holding. Why did you take it, Daph?”

“Oh is it? Why do you make it sound like it’s intentional? I’m sorry about the mix up. I hope you can manage without your phone for today.”

“How can I? I need it to work!”

“You have a laptop, Del. No need to overreact. Don’t worry, I won’t mess with your important contacts and please don’t mess with mine.” Delphine sighed.

“I’m truly sorry, Del. If a call comes through, I’ll direct it to you; I promise.”

“Can’t you come over to my office so we can swap back?”

“Um…I won’t be coming your area. If I can, I will. But in case I’m not able to, could you please manage mine? The day will soon end anyways.” Delphine was silent. She must be fuming, Daphne thought.

“I guess I don’t have a choice,” Delphine said and hung up. Daph stared at the phone and blinked.

Del with an attitude. Must be a must watch reality show, she thought with a sneer.

 

“Daph took your phone?” Doreen asked Del.

“Yeah. Something tells me it was intentional.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know…Daph loves to play games, remember?”

“Well, don’t get angry. It’s still morning or else you’ll have a bad day. Just let it go, okay?”

“Yes mum.”

                                    *

After finishing her morning gig, Daphne called up Tash to have lunch together. She held Del’s phone idly in a taxi. She unlocked the screen and scanned her apps. She opened her gallery and chuckled at the goofy photos she had taken of them.

She thought of calling Delphine to find out how she was holding up but she froze when she saw Kobby’s name on her call log. 11:25pm last night? How was that possible? He didn’t call her last night. Or maybe it was by accident. Oh no, it wasn’t. They spoke for almost three minutes. Discussing what?

Were they dating behind her back? And she thought she was being smart by tricking her sister into meeting Kobby that evening. How long has this been going on? She hastily tapped on the WhatsApp icon. It had an AppLocker on it. Really, since when? Did she have something to hide? She tried a pattern she remembered Del using sometime back but it failed. The camera flashed. Daphne startled.

What was that?! Her panic rose when an email alert popped on the screen with the subject, ‘Someone just tried to access…”

“Oh no, if Del sees this, I’m dead,” Daphne said and tried opening her inbox so she could delete it but it was locked as well. Oops. She had to mend things before they got ugly. She quickly sent her a text.

Hey…why not meet up at Cozy XYZ after work? Would love to make up. Love you!

She sighed.

                                  *

Delphine returned to her desk and saw the text message from Daphne. She quickly typed ‘Ok’ as a reply. She noticed a new email alert on her laptop. She opened it and almost screamed. Daphne attempted opening her messages? Why was she snooping? She glared at a photo of her sister in the email. Maybe she should just stand her up. That would teach her a lesson, right?

                                *

Kobby glanced at it once more before closing the box. He was super nervous. If he managed to go through it, there was no going back. He took his phone and texted, ‘Can’t wait to see you tonight.’

Delphine raised a brow when she read the message. Oh, they have a date? Interesting. Daphne thought she was smart to take her phone, huh? Well, two can play the game.

Counting down the hours… she replied and smiled.

Kobby smiled when he read her text. He was ready to do this. What about Delphine? She didn’t want anything to do with him so he was sure whatever he felt for her would eventually burn out. But what if it didn’t?

                                     *

Tasha watched Daphne playing with the straw in her cocktail as she sucked on hers.

“Are you alright, baby girl?”

“Yeah…just wondering if what I’ve done is a good idea or if I’ve just shot myself in the foot.”

“What do you mean?”

“It seems Kobby kind of likes my sister too…”

“Why am I not surprised? She looks just like you and she has the good girl demeanor. Who wouldn’t fall for her? I just hope you don’t leave them together too much.”

“Huh…we are supposed to meet today but Del unknowingly would meet him. Now I feel it was a stupid idea.”

“It’s not too late to correct it. You know Del has always had an eye for your guys,” Tasha said. Daphne raised a brow, drawing puzzled lines on her forehead.

“Come on, don’t look at me like it’s news. She always managed to sway the heads of the guys interested in you towards her. She…” Tasha stopped herself when she noticed Daphne glaring at her.

“Enough! I won’t have you badmouthing my sister. And this is on me. I pushed her into it.”

“That’s what she makes you think so you’d blame yourself for the outcome. It has always been her plan: play the innocent disinterested girl who slowly steals the male attention and then blames you for making her do it. Classic Del,” Tasha said, rolling her eyes. Daphne sucked on the straw. The cocktail was tasteless on her tongue.

“Great! You just turned my taste buds sour.”

“It’s not too late, Daph. Stop this date from happening and you could very well still keep your boyfriend.” Daphne checked her watch and sighed.

“I have a client to get to,” she said and took out her purse.

“Don’t worry about it; I’ll handle it,” Tasha said, waving it away.

“Are you sure? We could split it.”

“Nope; not today. Hurry up and go get your man.” Daphne got up.

“Thanks, darling.” She kissed her cheek and walked away.

                                   *

Almost there…on your way? Delphine texted. She wondered why Daph would want to meet and talk outside home. If this was an attempt to coax her into ‘undercover’ dating her boyfriend, then it would be futile. She wasn’t going to do it ever again. And even if it were to happen, it will backfire because Kobby would recognize her at first glance.

 

Daphne unlocked her sister’s phone when it beeped. It was a message from Seth. She smiled. So her trick worked after all. If Delphine was entertaining cute messages from him, then she must have taken a liking to him as well. She felt proud of herself. She replied the message and he sent another message almost instantly. Oh, she missed chatting with Seth.

 

Delphine stood in front of Cozy XYZ and looked around. Was she supposed to go inside and wait for her or were they going to air their dirty laundry on the city streets for people to snap and Facebook live? She was hungry and it was late. Maybe she should go inside. The phone in her hand rang. It was Kobby. Should she answer or leave it? She stared at it as it rang. She took a deep breath and answered it.

“Hey.”

“Hey…I was beginning to think your phone has been snatched or something. Are you on your way cause I’m almost there.”

“Um…yeah, almost there too. Can’t wait to see your handsome face,” Del said in a typical Daph-excited voice. Kobby chuckled.

“Can’t wait to see you too, my love. See you soon.”

“Bye,” Del said and ended the call. How was Daph going to meet Kobby if she was supposed to meet her? Did she forget about her date with him? She decided to call her. She felt a tap on her shoulder as she waited for Daph to pick up. She turned and her eyes widened.

“What are you doing waiting outside? When did you get here? I was under the impression that you were on your way. I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go inside, shall we?” Kobby said. Delphine blinked.

Daphne answered the call. “Yeah, Del?” Delphine distractedly canceled the call. Daphne stared at the phone.

“Um…” Kobby was leading her into the restaurant by the hand. Was this Daphne’s plan all along? Kobby, sensing her hesitation stopped and looked at her.

“Is something wrong? You don’t like this place? We could try another place.”

“Oh no, this place is perfect. It’s just that…”

“Yeah, I forgot.” He drew her closer and kissed her softly on the lips. He touched her face.

“Hi pretty.” He looked into her eyes. Was that their new greeting ritual? He led her inside and pulled a chair for her to sit. Should she tell him she wasn’t the one he thought she was and that his real girlfriend was on her way? She looked at her phone. No call or message from Daphne.

Daphne wanted her to do this, right? Well, she might as well to prove to her she could play her without any hitch and move on with her life. She smiled at Kobby. It was show time.

 

Daphne got out of the cab and looked around. Del should have arrived already. She called her number. Her eyes darted to the restaurant and she saw them. She swallowed and canceled the call.

Delphine saw the call coming through but it cut before she could pick it up. She looked out of the window but saw people passing by. Where was Daphne? Was she here? Has she seen her? Should she call her back?

“Is everything all right?” Kobby asked.

“Yeah; my sister tried to call.”

“Del? Are you going to call back?”

“I’ll just send her a message. I’ll call her later.”

 

Daphne sat in the taxi she had just stopped. Her phone beeped.

Sorry…were you supposed to meet Kobby here too? He mistook me for you as usual and I’ve decided to play along. That’s what you wanted, right? Soon, you’ll get your proof.

Daphne stared out of the window. Yeah, she will.

 

Kobby took Del’s hand in his.

“You said you wanted me to prove how much I loved you. I’ve been thinking of the right way to do so and I’ve come up with something. I just hope you’re not a screamer.”

“Well, it depends on what you came up with, Kobby.”

“I do love you very much and it is my heart desire to spend the rest of my life with you, love. From the first day I set my eyes on you, I sensed that I’ve met a very special lady and getting to know you has confirmed that to me. You have a good heart and an incredible sense of humor. We still have a long way to go but I want to go on this journey with you if you will let me.”

“Of course I’d love to go on this journey with you, Kobby. I remember you approaching me the first time as if it were yesterday. I’m glad our paths crossed that day. I hope we can put every misunderstanding behind us and move forward,” Del said.

“Okay…Close your eyes for a second.”

“Why?”

“Just do it, please.” Delphine closed her eyes.

“Now open them.” She opened them and blinked at the open box.

Oh no. She shouldn’t be the one here that evening. She shouldn’t steal this moment from Daphne.

“Kobby, I’m…”

“Will you marry me?” She looked into his eyes. Couldn’t he tell she wasn’t Daphne? Was he that excited about this that it blinded him? Or did he know and yet went ahead anyway waiting for her reaction? But she was Daphne right now. What would Daphne do?

 

© Josephine Amoako 2017

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