Marie.
~
" .. you are a good dancer. "
" Thanks.. actually, my parents had high hopes for me making it as a dancer. "
He looked a little sad.
" Really? " I asked.
" No .. " He laughed.
I couldn't help but join him.
We were dancing alone as both our families were melting from the scene. I shared a quick smile with my friends who were watching us teary-eyed.
" Can I ask you something? "
I turned back, and since we were very close, I got dizzy again facing him.
" S-sure.. "
" What do you think about fast cars? "
The question surprised me, it wasn't a strange question, it's just that I searched him extensively, and it clearly said he is afraid of being behind a wheel..called amaxophobia.
" Umm.. yes. I mean, never driven one. "
I fumbled around, closed my eyes, thinking that's not what he asked dork!
He smiled, seemingly understood my meaning, and I saw the lights in the back burn brighter.. whoa, that is some effect.
" You will love it .. "
I don't know why, but I was positive I would.
This night turned out to be perfect.. the boy turned out to be more James Bond and less Beta-soy.
The rest of the worries I had slowly dripped away as I became very conscious of the fact that I had never been this close to a guy.
Then, I was pulled back to sureality by my sister in the most shocking way possible.
She took the hand of Asin's friend, Oliver Aster, his childhood buddy, and pulled him onto the dance floor.
From the looks, that was more than a little surprising for the both of us.
To the guys credit, he was smooth as he took the lead. Surprised Ayshe as well.
" Look at Mr Be carefully. "
" What? "
" He endlessly warned me about you all night.."
" As in? "
He pulled a little closer, and now there was not enough space between us to drop a pencil.
" How dangerous a situation this could turn into .. "
Damn he smelled good. I gulped ..
" Indeed .. "
He let his forehead rest on mine, and we enjoyed this beautiful, wonderful night.
——
Ayshe.
~
Look at this scene!
She had fallen hard in a space of an hour.
Felt a little sour see how easy and border line magical the atmosphere around them.
Like I'm losing my sister in an instant.
Even this song .. oh mother .. it was slow and somewhat seductive.
She laughed at something he said, and elders behind couldn't help but show their approval by clapping a little.
To their credit, they were so lost in each others eyes that they didn't notice a thing.
I got angry.. I didn't even know why.
I saw that guy with the glasses..he was his friend, in almost all his pictures.
He had a brother, but he was his true brother.
Before I knew what was happening, I was already in motion.
He didn't have a chance to evade me.
His hands were soft .. I thought maybe he stopped me by force, but he didn't.
He let me lead him onto the dance floor..
I sort of forgot how to dance and hopelessly lost what to do next.
Luckily, he knew.
He guided my arm on his shoulder, and we soon were dancing as my sister and new husband.
" You didn't think this through.. " He smiled.
" Well I .. I don't know what you mean. "
He raised an eyebrow.
" I apologise.. from my point of view, it looked like you might want to break the momentum they had .. and I just happened to appear. "
Hmm .. Good guess.
My silence was taken as admission.
He was tall and more solid than Jenk. But I had a kinda smart air around him..
" How's your friend feel about this sudden marriage? "
I wanted to see what could I get out of him.
He didn't answer immediately, but checked on the happy couple..
They looked similarly sickening as those couples in the movies.
They were uncomfortably close .. Marie looked delirious.
" .. He feels better about it now. "
I looked back at him and saw some of the feelings I had. A kindred spirit.
" What about you? Just childish jealousy or have other feelings about the situation? "
Despite the insult, I did find myself smiling.
" Relief.. "
" Hmm .. I see. " He smiled back.
We were dancing for a while when I realised my mother's schemes.
She put the hour long versions of the song on, and because the uploader wanted a clean job, they mixed it so well .. you didn't notice when they restarted.
I searched her out and .. she avoided my eyes.
Dear God mother.. they are getting married tomorrow this is so unnecessary.
But looking at my sister now..
Their foreheads touching. Eyes closed, probably didn't even notice they been dancing for over 8 minutes to the same song.
" You look happy as well. "
I looked back at Oliver and admitted defeat.
My anger was gone as quickly as it arrived.
" How can I not? Look at them .. " I turned back to him.
He almost said something but decided against it.
" How long do you think we are supposed to dance like this? " He asked instead.
I chuckled, wiping my eyes. " I really don't know.. "
" I say we dance until the soon to be married couple.. it would look weird if we kept going after them. "
Why? .. I almost asked but kept my lips pressed.
" Sure .. until they finish..
" Hey, Ayshe .. won't you join? "
I looked at the side, and the idiot couple was gone. They separated, and now Asin back at the table, and my sister calling out to me..
The music stopped, and I was hoping it stopped just now.. and not earlier.
Oliver smiled and let me go.
" Thank you for the dance .. it was super one note. " He nodded towards my mother.
" Super .. one note. Yes .. thank you. "
I quickly tore my face away and grabbed my sisters extended hand.
" You okay? "
I almost laughed since I never saw my big sister as red as she was now.
" Are you? "
She dismissed my question and pulled me towards the stairs.
——
Oliver.
~
I smelled myself.
Yep, it's her perfume, alright.
I avoided Asin eyes and took a sip of water.
" Did you just smell .. yourself? "
" What? .. no, no.. I thought I smelled something, but it was nothing. "
I realised I use hands to demonstrate much of what I said unnecessarily, so I put them under the table.
His smile spread.
" Hmm .. I see. "
He leaned away and looked up the stairs his bride disappeared to with her sister.
I was so relieved he stopped bombarding me with further questions. I almost forgot to give him the news.
I was about too but noticed my mother looking at me.
" What? "
" Nothing.. I just haven't seen you dance since you were a boy. " She looked nostalgic.
" Well, mother, as you saw, I was pulled against my will .. and if I'm being honest here.
" Hahaha.. "
Her face gradually distorted and burst out laughing, pointing beside me.
Akin was mimicking me.
" What? " He asked in an innocent tone.
My choice words had to wait since the sister returned.
For some reason, that girl kept looking at me.
Felt hot under the suit.
It was a hot night.
" Asin.. we need to talk. It can't wait. "
He nodded shortly, and we exused ourselves.
Walked straight outside the house.
" Where are you taking me? "
" Needed some air.. " I undid my tie.
" We were outside..in their garden. Oliver, are you okay? What happened? "
He stepped close so our voices won't get carried.
" Listen, the crew got into a little trouble..ended up in prison. "
" How? .. did someone attempt to attack them? "
I didn't even think of sabotage .. I have Leyla looking into it.
" Locals .. they use their right to keep them for 72 hours. "
He closed his eyes, massaging his eyebrow.
" I assume you already dealt with all of it? "
" You assume right. " I confirmed it.
He relaxed a little.
" It's fine as long as the crew comes out. Good idea having a second team .. "
" Thank you.. "
He said it's a waste of money, but now it all paid back 100 times.
We walked a little, enjoying the night silence.
The people previously celebrating all made their money and went home.
" Look at the moon, brother.. another one passed us by without seeing."
He remarked, reaching out towards it. He did that a lot.
I looked up as well and enjoyed its light.
We used to watch the crew of the Apollo landing at least a thousand times as kids.
We can get there, we said .. just need the right team.
We missed another one.. After all these years, we still reach for the unattainable.
" Next time? " I smiled.
" Next time.. "
We walked back and went straight to the final.
They put the rings on each others fingers, and it was done.
Tomorrow is the wedding race.. I mean wedding / race..looking at my brothers happy face .. I hope you can work some miracle tomorrow.
Let us reach straight for the moon, Asin.
——
Asin
~
I woke up feeling great.
On days when I race, sometimes I can't even sleep. Not now.
Soon enough, Oliver came over fully dressed coffee in hand.
" Ohh blessed brother.. hand one to me. "
" Get dressed first, we are already 3 hours behind, and that's assuming everything goes well without a hiccup. "
" Can you allow me 10 seconds.. before the nagging? I don't need a wife .. "
Despite my words, I did get dressed, and we were busy like never before.
" Alright.. now listen here. The wedding will conclude by 9 pm with dancing and food etc etc .. the race starts 11 pm as usual, I need you to sort that out and arrive on time. "
He paced back and forth while I got some caffeine.
" .. Is there anything else I missed? "
" Uhh no .. "
" X.. that was a trick question. I left 90% of our day out of purpose..
" Uh huh, I'm so smart with the mind games..uhh .. "
" .. Don't worry, I'm counting for all your shortcomings. Such as dress, flowers, some gifts to the family as custom also you need yo go to the barbershop and ..
Boy .. we were late.
After his insane rapid fire rant ended, we finally started the day.
With breakfast.
" .. you know no one would be able to tell we are in a hurry. " I said, trying out the cream cheese.
" Well .. most of the things we need to be in person, we use money as a substitute. " He said it between bites.
" The 2nd unit? " I asked.
" Coming in an hour. Leyla picking them up to avoid another round of troubles. "
My parents arrived late with my brother and wife in tow.
" Oh .. look at you. Already up and running. "
I accepted a kiss from my often overbearing mother as the others sat down.
" Mr Bille Jean King.. " Yary smiled at me.
I exchanged a look with Oliver, but he had no idea either.
" Yeah, okay .. I give. What was that? "
Zerile answered before he had a chance.
" He means Michael Jackson.. with the dancing. " She teased.
I looked around, seeing the same questioning expressions.
" You told me to dance with her! " I looked at Mother.
" I think I said .. go talk to her a little. Which you did .. " She smiled into her cup.
I ignored the table laughs and concentrated on my bagel.
" Stop embarrassing, my boy. He is about to be married today .. and tonight..
" Cough, cough.. "
" Take it easy .. "
I accepted Oliver offer of a napkin looking at me. My father bent over in half laughing.
That .. crossed my mind, but I was torn.
I had a contract up there inside my suitcase ready to break this girls heart.
But now I meet her ..
I peaked at Oliver, thinking he put a lot into this plan .. but it was all for my desire not to stay married.
Was it needed?
Can I actually .. fall for her like my father advised me?
I shook my head .. I don't know what I'm going to do.
I thought about last night .. she was beautiful and cute .. I don't know. We had a flow. I felt it.
What really surprised me was how Oliver allowed Ayshe to just lead him on the dance floor..
He had .. issues regarding that.
Yet he looked happy there for a second.. just before Marie called out to her sister.
He even got embarrassed and turned back into that awkward kid .. who stuck with me through all of it.
Maybe .. we can do what we always did.
Evolve together.