I don't know what hit me, really. I was home, in my pyjamas all ready for bed, when I got the texts. One from the dearest asking me to meet him there, another from the roomie saying that his friend was dying to meet me.
What was I thinking?!?! YOLO, the road less taken, being spontaneous?
I had this feeling of anticipation at the start when I agreed to head out, the thrill of meeting this mysterious, handsome stranger I'm being set up with, but that was quickly killed by the taxi driver who hit on me. To be perfectly honest, it made me fear for my safety. Thank goodness I had my phone with me so that I could check on Google Maps to ensure that he was indeed taking me in the right direction.
When I finally arrived at my destination, I had no idea what to do. It was a new venue that I hadn't been before, and everyone I knew was already inside. Forced to wait in line outside, with my phone on flight mode to conserve battery, I was left with no weapons. I had no one to talk to, no screen to bury my face in, and sobriety to keep me well aware of my surroundings.
Just get me inside, I thought, wanting to get the night started and over with.
After probably a good three quarters of an hour since I got in the cab, I was finally in! But I had to navigate through yet another obstacle- locating them. I was lost even though it was a tiny venue- I did not see any familiar faces, and to top it all off, the stares I was getting made me feel like a food item on a menu.
When I finally spotted my roomie, I immediately gestured to the cloak room. Now that I knew where I'm going, I needed a few minutes' breather. I sauntered back to the table, telling myself that I could do this.
He is stunning.
Those eyes, the beautiful smile, the strong, taut arms.
I smiled. I didn't know what else to say. I turned to the dearest. And smiled again. Seeing him smile back did little to calm me down. Despite everything, why do I feel like the stranger had no interest in me whatsoever? What happened to 'dying to meet me'?
I resigned to the fact that the roomie was probably joking and cursed myself for looking like a desperate hoe. Next time, I will have to be more careful.
I got around to chatting with the stranger. He seemed nice, though a little disinterested. What is going on here? Who is the other stranger clinging to the dearest like an elastic band? Why did the roomie ask me out?
Despite wanting answers, I knew I wasn't getting any that night. It was crowded, the music was loud, and I was late. The dynamics of the group was already established and I was merely a newcomer who has to learn the ways and fit in.
Hell no!
I was indignant as I thought of that. I am no pushover. I will NOT be taken for granted. Leaving the stranger alone, I started chatting to the roomie instead. Perhaps it was this act of reciprocal lack of interest that sparked his curiosity. I was asked to head to bar with roomie. The three of us walked off, with me in the middle.
It took forever for him to get his drinks. By that time, the roomie had disappeared, and I had made the choice to stick to someone familiar rather than wander off looking for people. I've done that once tonight, I wasn't going to again. If roomie and the others wanted to know where I am, they can call me.
Left alone, the not-so-mysterious stranger turned to me. "I hear you've a bit of a reputation," he said, smirking.
"What?" I said, fixing him with what I hoped was a knowing but not-giving-anything-away smile.
"I've heard things about you."
It dawned on me that while he was a complete stranger to me, I wasn't to him- he already had a preconceived notion about who I am. There was only one way to deal with this. If he thinks of me that way, it's better to close myself off and be the seducer that he thinks I am. I gave him the flirtiest, most confident smile I could muster.
"And yet you're still here," the siren said.
The man shrugged, his intentions starting to show. "You're very cute," he said.
"So what are you gonna do about it?" the siren said, laughing.
The stranger moved slowly, first grabbing the siren's hair, then moved his hand to the back of the head, pulling the siren closer to him. Finally, he went in for the kiss.
Looks like this night is a success after all, the siren thought while kissing the stranger back.
