Let's play House

4. In which our souls collided

Don’t allow your mind to tell your heart what to do. The mind gives up easily. Paolo Coelho

Soulmates! My mother would sneer at the mention of the word. She would call me out for my naivety in believing in such nonsense. She would tell me to get my nose off those brain-damaging romance novels and smell the coffee. I would smell the coffee pretending not to understand her metaphor. After I'd smile and say, it smells good.

I know she secretly smiled.

Then she would start talking about things that do not exist, like love at first sight, a match made in heaven...

"Nothing comes easy if it does. It won't last" She would remind me.

I would stare at her then wondering.
What would my parents be, without each other?

I had countlessly imagined my mother in all kinds of situations from being married to a short, tall, poor, middle-class to a wealthy man with different kinds of characters and personalities. In the end, I found each one of those companionship lacking.

I had also tried to imagine my father married to a cherry face woman, but one that could drain his bank account with a single smile. I had also loved the fantasy of him married to a woman he could control and 'puppet with', compared to my strong-willed mother. Who is disgusted by meaningless things and jest?

The problem is I couldn't picture one without the other. Their marriage was like a solved puzzle. Every single tiny bit of each of them was like a piece that fit and completed each other. They were perfect. That is what I wanted. They were soulmates.

* * * * * * * * *
Turn down for what?
Turn down for what?

Fire up that loud
Another round of shots.....

DJ Snake's song blasted through the speakers. The song had this trembling effect, it shook the ground like an earthquake.

I stared at the drink in my hand I was yet to taste it. I didn't want to make a fool of myself, so I waited until the bartender had his back on me.

I had pondered wondering how it would taste. I remembered the bitter disgusting taste of my father's whiskey when we stole it with my cousins.

I placed the rim of the glass on my lips cautiously with no expectation of liking it. There was a salty taste as I swallowed the first sip.

Not bad...

I then took a mouthful of gulp. Turning back to the crowd trying to spot Lydia or any of my roommates.

I didn't see any of them but glad that I had more time with the mysterious and interesting bartender.

Like a fool, I stared at him as he mixed his drink, serving other people.

I never experienced these kinds of emotions before. I just wanted to stare at him yet left my stomach feeling full.

It wasn't how I imagined when I met the one I would feel.

A paper was placed before me amid my daydream.

Maybe his name and number.

It was my Margarita bill.

I thought the drinks were in the house.

"You got to be kidding me," I murmured to myself.

"Excuse me," He heard me.

I smiled innocently at him while he just stared back not amused.

"I thought the drinks were free?" I sweetly said.

"Yes, those that come with a red cup or the small white ones" His deep voice made my knees weak.

"Then, I would like to transfer my drink to the red plastic cups" I replied mischievously.

"Very funny," His tone had no trace of humor. "...but, you still have to pay for it" He spoke particularly.

What aloof!

Given another day I would have painfully reached inside my purse, refusing to cry. Continuously patting myself, I would murmur, ′Stay strong Prudence, things are to be used, and money is a thing. Then I would part with such an amount of money.

However, right now I was enjoying bantering with the good-looking bartender.

"Then at least you should have kept a poster somewhere here"... I pointed above his head. He was tall something I liked. ".....stating NO FREE DRINKS that way you would not be dealing with a penniless girl " I carried forth.

He chuckled and I had to stop myself from being swoon. His voice was like it was induced with chloroform.

"You don't look like a penniless girl" he spoke eyeing my dress.

Again bless you mum for your better fashion taste than mine.

A couple walked behind me, they were laughing at their jokes. The girl pushed the boy playfully and he ended up knocking me. Making my drink spill all over my dress.

"Water with ice cubes and a slice of lemon" A girl ordered robbing his attention from me.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and on impulse, I swiveled my head back. I met a  red-eyed Lydia. Behind her was Natalie.

"We need to leave" Natalie spoke.

"Why, what's wrong?" I asked disappointed.

I looked around trying to spot her boyfriend but he wasn't there.

"Harriet is not feeling well," Lydia said.

I looked over to where Harriet stood. She looked pale and very sick. I even noticed that she found it difficult to stand. This didn't look good.

"We need to take her to the hospital" I suggested.

When she heard my idea, her head snapped at me. With strong resignation, she said No. She said she just needed to rest and she would be okay.

" You need a doctor" I insisted, Lydia and Natalie, seconding my opinion.

"I'm a doctor" she spoke vigorously again. I had to wonder where she found the strength.

"You are a medical student, not a doctor." I corrected her.

"I still am a doctor." She was adamant.

I looked over where the bartender was serving. He lifted his head on cue and I blushed when our eyes met.

"Pru..." Natalie came closer to me, "Do you have any idea who that is?" She asked.

I shook my head, "But I want to find out." I stated.

"Look at you, who knew beyond that innocent face you had it in you." She found pleasure in torturing me.

"Stop it." I felt embarrassed that I couldn't hide that I was taken by that mysterious guy. "Who is he?" I was curious, momentarily forgetting about Harriet.

"He is so popular and part of the student council." She stated and I felt the little hope I had in him disappear.

"What is his name?" I asked.

"Leo Perez," Natalie answered.