YOU REMIND ME OF SOMEONE
Viviana
In honour of surviving a bomb attack and having one of the most restful days of my existence , we decided to hang out before leaving the country. And by ‘we’ I mean myself - the very person who used to get dragged to go for such social events, who used to turn them down at the speed of light and choose to focus on things I would usually consider more important, such as bringing in more investors for Bianchi Corporations or learning the strengths and weaknesses of our competitors. That’s what near death experiences give you, it makes you see the world through a very very different lens. My best friend Rosalia, Massimo’s friends aal, who I have noticed has been taking more glances at Rosalia. More than should be considered normal and then, Massimo.
It was our last day in Japan before we returned to our country and went back to our boring and very busy lives.
Rosalia and I are both dressed in black dresses, ones that are some modest inches past our buttocks and we paired them with very high heels. Rosalia had been the one to shop for the clothes after I told her that I wanted this and I most definitely couldn’t argue.
What was that thing about living a little before you actually die again?! Yes, that’s what I’m going to do. I had my hair packed in a high ponytail and this made me look younger, while Rosalia had hers packed in to and braided, we looked very young. When Massimo gave me a call stating that he was at the front of the hotel, we dashed through the hallway, fixed ourselves in the elevator, rode down and almost crashed into people due to the kind of exciting adrenaline pumping in our blood.
Al who is the designated driver for the night, honked as we drew near. Massimo was already sitting at the back and that most definitely does not look strange at all. Because if you guy consider yourselves as mates then I don’t see a need for you to sit at the back like you own the vehicle or like you’re his boss. “Hi Barbie, come ride shot gun.” Al said to Rosalia. She rolled her eyes but she opened the door to the car and settled there. I plastered on a smile as I opened the car to the only available side of the car to sit. I was most definitely not expecting that Rosalia and I would be separated.
“Hi” I said to Massimo as I settled beside him. “Good to see alive and eager Viviana.”
“Yeah I know” I said glancing at my short gown that had grown shorter due to its length. There was no use adjusting it because I was very much aware and pleased with the length when I wore it. But I had no full inkling that almost the entire length of my legs would be in close display before Massimo’s eyes. The small purse I carried could not even cover much and I was grateful for the small short I was wearing underneath.
Rosalia’s fingers immediately found the bluetooth of the car which she connected to her phone and in no time, she had music playing in the car. Levitating by Dua Lipa began to play and contrary to my opinion of how composed and collected I can be, I began to sing.
We went through two more songs, from artistes I do not know but very certainly knew their songs - courtesy of Rosalia because she was always playing them in our home. When we arrived our destination, I was hyped to dance and shake my body.
If I had died, there would have been nothing much to me apart from the fact that I have a friend who loves me. The man who raised me doesn’t even know who I am and the last time I went to see him, he shouted at me and told the nurses never to allow me in.
We had shots of something bitter and definitely acidic because of how thoroughly harshed it burned our throats and stomach- I honestly hope it isn’t mildly diluted acid. But I didn’t care because soon enough, I had my arms wrapped around Rosalia’s neck and she had hers wrapped around mine as well.
We glided down on each other and once in a while I glanced towards the area where we had left the two men that had accomplished tonight. Rosalia had invited them to join us but they had waved us off and gone right ahead to settle down at a corner. Those that were close to that place had scattered on seeing them draw near, even though these people had no idea who they were, I think they felt what I feel sometimes, that aura and air of danger that just seemed to cloud and follow them wherever they go, whatever space they exist in.
As our danced progressed and more shots poured into ou stomachs, turning us happier and our insides lighter, many persons joined the dance on the wide dance floor and some men even offered to dance with us. Perhaps it was because of the number of shots I had had tonight but there was no need to be weary of this men. They did not ooze the kind of dangerous energy that Massimo and his friends possessed and so it was alright to have their hands on us. And they were respectful about it as well, their hands sticking to our waists and not straying to regions they were not permitted to.
But I don’t think Massimo and Al understood that because the very men who said no to dancing because they lack proper coordination for such activity, found their way to the dance floor and patted us away from the men, replacing them and taking their spaces.
Somehow I have run my fingers through the knot that held my ponytail. It had loosened and I had pulled my hair off and free, releasing it and causing it to cascade over my shoulders.
“You are done dancing Viviana. I believe your legs are tired and need utmost rest. Come let’s get you to sit” Massimo said, a firm but not unkind hand around my arm. I pulled my arm back and off him.
“No I want to dance more. It has been so long. And I.. and I feel so electric.” I replied.
“Whatever electricity that is was caused by the buzz from all you have been consuming. No more dance Viviana. Not any more.” He said, trying to grab my arm again. I immediately swatted it.
I recognize this particular behaviour in someone that used to act in a similar manner. “I know someone that used to act the way you are acting now Massimo. You remember that friend I told you about, that had the same scar as you- his name is Dante and though he was a very good friend, at times likes these, he could be a very big meathead.
You chased away those that willing wanted to dance with me, with your annoying presence and now you are asking me, commanding me to go sit when I clearly don’t want to. If you aren’t going to dance with me, jump off the next bridge you come across. Now excuse me while I go find a willing man.”
I said.
My hands were glued to my waist and my eyes to his face and I think I saw a twitch in his jaw. He definitely is angry.
Well, that makes the both of us.