By the end of the Friday night shift, Sahan was ready to drop. A mild night always meant more customers at the restaurant and this one had been no exception. On the other hand, the tips had been good. He had learned long ago that a sincere looking smile could earn him almost an hour’s wages in a few seconds. The leftover food had been divided up between the staff, so he had a nice bag of curry to take home. His bus was in a couple of minutes, so he grabbed his coat and ran out ahead of the other guys.
He left the restaurant through the back door and walked up the alleyway, the ‘ten-foot’ as the local guys called it, wanting nothing more than to go to bed.
‘Hey, Sahan.’ A shadow detached itself from the wall and Kemasiri stepped into the light. ‘Want a lift home? I’ve got the boss’s car parked around the corner.’
Sahan shook his head. Kemasiri made him uneasy, there was something about him that grated. He reminded himself that everyone was equal in this country and said politely, ‘No thanks. I’ll catch the bus. It drops me off very close to my house.’
Kemasiri fell into step beside him. ‘Why would you want to catch a bus when there’s a perfectly good lift available?’
‘Because… it’s late and I’m exhausted, okay. Maybe some other time.’ He glanced at his watch. Still on time for the bus.
‘Oh, I get it,’ said Kemasiri, sneering. ‘I bet you’re going to see a girl or something.’ He laughed, a dirty low chortle that set Sahan’s teeth on edge. ‘Don’t worry, son. I can keep a secret. I’ll drop you off.’
‘No.’ Again with the ‘son’. He would not rise to it. Kemasiri might get off on weird power games, but he, Sahan, was better than that.
‘Is she a white girl then? Someone you really want to keep secret from the family?’ Kemasiri pulled out a pack of cigarettes. ‘I see. I see. Can’t say I blame you. Must be very tempting being at university with all that…’ He paused to light his cigarette.
Sahan picked up speed, but Kemasiri caught up with him again.
‘White girls,’ Kemasiri said. ‘Very pretty. And very accommodating, yes?’
He thought of Tamsin. Nausea. He didn’t want to think about her. He most certainly didn’t want to talk to this creep.
‘We could go out one night, on the… what do they call it? On the pull?’ said Kemasiri, through a cloud of smoke.
His breath was shortened. He had to get away before he threw up. ‘No thanks.’
‘Maybe some other night, eh? We should stick together, us Sri Lankan men. You know, get to know each other. What do you say?’ He clapped Sahan on the shoulder.
The contact was too much. Sahan stopped and pushed the hand off. ‘Look. I am tired. I don’t want to chat. Leave. Me. Alone.’
Kemasiri recoiled as though Sahan had struck him. His expression changed. His eyes narrowed, making him look more like a rat than ever. ‘I see,’ he said. ‘Like that, is it? You think you’re too good to be friends with me too, fancy boy?’ He jabbed a finger at Sahan.
‘No. I—’
‘Just because you have a rich mummy and daddy?’ Kemasiri continued, his voice rising. ‘You think people like me who actually need to work for a living aren’t worth your notice?’
‘Look, I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m—’ Over the other man’s shoulder, he spotted his bus. ‘I’m sorry, Kemasiri. It’s been a long night. My bus is here.’
Kemasiri followed his gaze moved out of Sahan’s way. Relieved, Sahan strode past him and got on the bus. When he looked back, Kemasiri was still watching him. That guy really had a massive inferiority complex. Weirdo. Sahan shuddered and turned away.