𝘉𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘪𝘥𝘦 #1

3. Reminiscence

Neverita – Bad Bunny

My head felt like it was about to explode from the pain; the constant throbbing and pressure in my temples forced me to keep my eyes closed, barely breathing. The previous night's two painkillers hadn't helped much; I'd slept little and spent the entire morning in bed. The agony persisted. I admitted that the wine consumption might be the culprit. Vlad, Sveta, and I had drunk two and a half bottles – maybe more – during our movie night, filled with laughter, anecdotes, and memories. Our tradition of sharing joyful moments had caught up with me.

After they left, concerned Sveta and joking Vlad, I craved solitude.

Finally able to rise, I headed downstairs to the kitchen, gulping water repeatedly. Then, I took two more painkillers and put on some music before drawing a bath. For some reason, Muse's "Knights of Cydonia" was my go-to shower soundtrack, despite its intense rhythm and sound. I prepared the bath, adding salts and lighting incense, and slipped into the warm water, closing my eyes. The music and ritual washed away my pain, enveloping me in relaxation.

The sudden ringing of my phone jolted me awake, making me jump; my body felt stiff, but not enough to account for the wrinkles on my fingers and skin from being submerged in water for over an hour. I was disoriented, with lingering traces of a dream I couldn't quite recall, involving embracing someone with an unseen face amidst a crowd.

Fortunately, my headache had subsided.

My phone stopped ringing, and I frowned before stepping out of the tub. I put on my robe, dried my hands, and checked the screen to see a missed call from Bárbara, the girl I'd met at the bar. I chuckled, shaking my head, noticing she'd also sent a couple of messages before trying to call me. I replied to them while returning to my room and then opened the Tinder app. I needed to keep releasing energy and assure myself, perhaps as an excuse, that I wouldn't feel any more pain for the rest of the afternoon and night. As I swiped left and right through Tinder profiles, my best friend's message popped up on my screen, inviting me to a Vogue party the next day. And why not? It had been two weeks since I arrived, and I hadn't gone out since. I replied, accepting the invitation and casually asking about the dress code. She responded instantly with details.

Just then, Tinder alerted me to a match and a message. Leah bid me farewell, mentioning her upcoming date with Wade. I wished her luck before checking the Tinder notification: Jonathan, a professional wrestler, had matched with me. His profile showed a shoulder-length mane of hair, piercing blue eyes, and numerous tattoos visible in his potos. We exchanged greetings, and I responded, engaging in a conversation that started with basics. He sought something casual, just like me, but also enjoyed getting to know people before making plans.

As minutes passed and we replied intermittently, I moved around the house, draining the tub, dressing in a white tee and loose sweatpants, and heading to the kitchen to prepare a meal. Music still played from the living room speakers. Jonathan liked heavy rock, animals, and good food; Italian cuisine was his favorite. When he asked about my preferences, I mentioned never having tried Italian dishes beyond pizza and pasta. He invited me to dinner at a nearby restaurant the following Friday, which surprisingly wasn't far from my place, ensuring I could return home if I felt uneasy.

Perhaps tonight's plans weren't materializing, but Friday's prospect excited me. I sought a casual encounter, and this seemed perfect.

While chatting with Jonathan, Bárbara responded to my messages. It was still relatively early, so I invited her over to continue our conversation in person, without noise and screens between us. I shared my address and real-time location.