Meet by Chance ( A Short Story)

Gemini Riker

On a cold winter Friday  evening in Berlin, Gemini left work with a group of girlfriends after a hard weeks work at Unilever where she signed up for a years contract.

Not used to the cold and feeling miserable, her new work friends talked her into going for a quick drink at the pub Axis at the  corner of the street.

Gemini,  being who she is, is not fond of participating in outlandish drinking spree's like her German collegues. After being away from her parents and sibling for a month already, She is feeling very homesick. The company of others she craved.

Entering the warm smoky pub make her eyes water and cough slightly but it was worth it not to be alone in her head.

Taking off her jacket as the furace was turned up high, Gemini noticed how busy the pub was and her friends, Silvia, Natasha and Nikita found them a corner booth to chill and chat. The waitress took their order and to Gemini alarm the girls had order her a beer and several shooters of Apple Sours.

Not being a natural party girl , Gem felt quite daunted by the prospect of consuming them and the effect that they will have on her.

Gemini has never been drunk or high before and didn't think she should start now.  She tried to worm her way out of it, but Natasha wouldn't hear of it. ' Come on Gemini,Let your hair down alittle, you are an adult not a child, have some fun'
Reluctantly she downed the shooters, chased by the beer.

With in minutes her face flashed ruby red and she was already feeling lightheaded. Her green eyes glistened in the warm light and Gem felt content for the first time since she arrived in German.

As she started to relax, she suddenly  felt overwhelmed  with guilt, the she was allowing herself to have some fun. Silvia noticed this strange expression in her gorgeous pale face and instintively put an arm around her shoulders. 'What ever is the matter?' Silvia whispered.

Gemini explained that she comes from a very conservative religious family that lives hand to mouth and she is expected to follow their rules and raise their family status back in England.  has excepitional talent and she can't take her eye off the ball of she is going to make a difference in her family's lives.  She is the first in the family to become qualified in anything and had the opportunity to work abroad.
Having Fun had never been allowed and drinking in a pub unaccompanied by an elder is totally forbidden.

Much to Gemini dismay, Silvia burst out laughing. "Seriously girl" ,you are a million miles away from them and still you are not yourself. Your parents are proud of you but surely they don't want you to be a wallflower all your life. You need to live a little.
With that she ordered another around of shooters and more beers.

Shut your mind off and come out with us tonight to Midnight Express. You can dance out all your anxiety and depression and have some fun.

Gemini pouted, thinking quickly she asked if they are going directly from the pub. I can't go looking like this. Can we go home and change?

Nikita laughted, of course it only really starts rocking at about 11 anyway. I live close by,  we can all grab a bite to eat and then go home to  dress.

Feeling a lot better about herself, Gemini order a pub meal of curry and rice to absorb the booze already consumed.