"He is not so bad, you know," Celia said at the end of her laughter.
Reyona, who was smiling at the antics of the old man among the women dancing in the square, nodded and said "You mean at flirting? Yes, he is certainly good at that." With soft laughter, she added, "At dancing? "Not bad" is an exaggeration. I can't believe I have never come across this place. Best way to relax. What dance do you think that is?"
They both looked over at the man as he pretended to miss his step and raised his hand for one of the women to help him up.
Celia laughed again and said "Oh, they know what he is doing. And they are allowing him. Oh, I wish life could be just that simple. The dance? I think salsa and a touch of their version of tango. I have never asked them. I enjoy it whenever I see them out here. They have gotten used to me, I would say" she beamed at Reyona as she added. "I could even say I am a part of the group at this point. Their silent admirer."
Reyona smiled and looked at the group again as they broke formation and tried to rally themselves up again. There was nothing but pleasure on their faces as they vied to teach the suspiciously clumsy old man how to take the steps. Seeing as most of them were almost young enough to be his daughters, Reyona supposed it was all harmless, and yes, they looked like they were all having a good time.
"Yes, wish life could be that simple always," she said with a sigh as she leaned back and looked into the beautiful tapestry of the white and blue sky brushed with a hint of the sun yet to show its brilliance.
Gone was her listlessness, and at the moment she was content to soak in the beauty of the surroundings and the faint laughter of the women enjoying the antics of the man who must have come with his daughter or wife.
True enough, they have not had much run after all. Celia had stopped as abruptly as she had started. She had suddenly stopped and bent over dramatically as she declared she never wanted to run again.
For a woman who had allegedly jogged from the distance of her home to Reyona's place, it was surprising that the little distance run was what had done her in.
When Reyona commented on it, she simply pointed excitedly toward the direction of the square and took off.
For someone who had complained of exhaustion, her walk was fast enough.
Reyona had forgotten her momentary suspicion as they emerged into the square and the dancers had waved at Celia, then they asked her who her friend was.
Reyona introduced herself and the women invited them to come and join them if they wished.
"We just might do that," Celia had replied. "But for now, we will sit here like two rusty bones and watch you masters do your magic."
The women had preened and laughed before they got back to their routine. Then the old man and a younger woman had arrived, and there had been laughs-upon-laughs since then.
Reyona was glad that the strained mood between her and Celia had finally ended when the latter had invited her and her family to brunch a day before her parents left Kayooma.
Half expecting that Maxwell would be there, Reyona had thought of declining it but Toria had accepted the invitation before she could say a thing. Reyona had to admit to herself that it was a good call after all.
It was such an enjoyable evening and her parents left with the praises of the hospitable and endearing Celia on their lips.
Since then, they had called each other a few times, but Reyona had not revisited the Jordans even though they were just a few distances apart.
She told herself it was because she was always busy whenever Celia dropped her not-so-subtle hint about asking her over.
As much as she wanted to believe that, she knew there was another reason.
If not because of that other reason too, she might just have become good friends with Celia.
Why not? The woman was certainly lovable.
Reyona had to deal with her share of snobbish society ladies, yet despite her status, Celia was anything but that.
It would have been an easy friendship if…
"I was not talking about him though."
Her thoughts interrupted, Reyona turned her head on the padded headrest of the bench they were seated on and squinted at Celia. "Uh?"
"Earlier? I wasn't talking about our Fred Astaire there. I am talking about Max."
"Ma…oh" Reyona's smile, at Celia's comparison of the old man and the most iconic male dancer in history, died as she realised what she was talking about. She sat up and her joy at the scene before her dimmed automatically.
"Yeah, I see that look. My God, I could almost believe you hate him!" Celia said emphatically. "Why?"
"I think the question is, why are we talking about this when we are supposed to be on a walk? I think we should go back now. Wait…" she turned towards Celia with her eyes narrowed.
"What? I don't like that look. What?" Celia asked immediately.
"You weren't really on a walk, were you? You were… that car! That was your husband's car. You really didn't jog from your estate, did you?"
Though her expression was sheepish for a moment, Celia simply put up a brave face and said "What is your point?"
"How long were you going to stay out there? Or were you going to come in eventually and talk to me about…"
"Maxwell. Good God, you can't even mention his name. Do you really hate him that much? And no, I am not admitting anything. I was taking a walk. That is it. Now, tell me why you hate Maxwell so much."