dominican journal

I got up later than usual this morning so Martin and Sophie left without me and I called a taxi. But as I was walking out of the door the new babysitter (who I’ve never met before) stopped me and asked me for my number “just in case something happened during the day”. I gave it to her without really thinking twice.

Later on I got a missed call at school. Again, didn’t think anything of it. Then I got a message from the same number telling me, and I quote/translate: “I like you a lot and I want to be with you”. This time I thought it must be someone at school who somehow got my number and wanted to take the piss. So I asked around to see if anyone knew the number, but to no avail.

Later in the afternoon I got another missed call. This time I called the number back and guess who it was. Yes, the bleeding babysitter!

The conversation went something like this:

Babysitter: Hello
Me: Hello. Who’s speaking?
Babysitter: It’s Sophie’s babysitter. How’s it going?
Me: Fine thanks. How are you?
Babysitter: Good! Did you get my message?
Me: Hmm, that was you?
Babysitter: Yes! So did you read it?
Me: Yes I did.
Babysitter: And?
Me: Well… hmm… I’m not sure what to say.
Babysitter: Ok. So, what are you doing?
Me: Eating at the moment.
Babysitter: Ok, is Sophie around?
Me: Yes. Would like to talk to her?
Babysitter: No. So, tell me something…
Me: Hmm, just finshed work and having dinner. What about you?
Babysitter: Oh, I’m at home. So, tell me something…
Me: Well, look, I’m not sure what to say. I don’t even know your name.
Babysitter: I’m [insert name here, I've forgotten it] Your name’s Daniel, right?
Me: Yes, it is.
Babysitter: So what’s up?
Me: Look, can we carry this conversation on by message? I don’t have much credit left.
Babysitter: Sure, no problem. Take care. Bye!
Me: Ok, bye.

And that was it… As I write this I’ve just received two more messages from her telling me that in her eyes I’m a very special person and then another one asking why I’m not replying.

I’ve never met this girl in my life and I’m not the least bit attracted to her and yet she’s calling me as if I was the love of her life. And, surprise surprise, she just called me again.

If anyone has any friendly advice on how I can let her down easily, I’d be very grateful. I thought of telling her I already have a girlfriend or that it’s not worth starting a relationship because I’m leaving in a month but who’s to say she’ll stop calling if I tell her that? I could be brutally honest of course but again, that might not work.

I’m sure most of you are rolling around on the floor in fits of hysteria asking yourselves how bad can it be. But seriously, it’s more annoying than funny not least because I have no idea how to let someone down easily in Spanish! Oh God, she’s calling again…