The Brokenhearted [Ongoing]

Chapter 02

It was early March and I was still settling in. I had moved from Manila to Manhattan a month ago and hardly knew anyone, I need to focus myself into something different.

Evenings and weekends were usually spent watching movies and sport in my aunts house. One friday night,  an acquaintance invited me to a fashion show with a colleague of his. I accepted without deliberation, oblivious of the magnitude to which the events of that night would affect my life.

The thought of sexy models strutting their clad bodies down a runway had us eagerly pacing down West 52nd Street. Once we arrived, however, I learned there was no fashion show, but instead we had entered a party. As expected, when entering an event full of strangers, heads turned and stared. Our broad smiles transformed into shock. Breaking away from others, I headed straight to the bar refuge.

My eyes darted around and scouted the venue as the red-vested bartender poured my drink. The air was thick to the aroma of american cuisine. In the corner, a buffet was laid out with oily appetisers and paper plates, while stained curtains had been draped over folded tables. No one seemed to notice or care though, as they were content with jumping around to the latest American songs on the makeshift wooden dance floor.

Drinks in hand, we stood and watched people dance. A few sips into my rum and coke, I turned around and noticed the wall of men standing behind us, also surveying the dance floor. It was like being placed amidst a disturbing group of onlookers were observing an orgy. A horrific thought crossed my mind.

"I've just arrived in New York and I'm already a loser!"

However, the voyeurism continued as I sat between the other two at a table. Soon realising that neither of them was going to make the slightiest effort to socialize and were instead content to let the night slip by, I shook my head in disgust and downed my liquor. Excusing myself, I found my way out of the male human sandwich in which I had been the meat, and fled to the restroom.

With the name 'Vanessa Clurkson' staring back at me, I established that I had to shed my shy personality and make a conscious effort to mingle. It was an ideal opportunity to make a fresh start, and I couldn't afford to be complacent. Turning towards the sink, I began conversing with the only other person in the restroom.

"Do you come here often?". Realising what I had just said, I quickly injected , "Err.. I mean to these events?"

"No.. not really. Just once in a while."

The bathroom banter continued as Nheil and I headed back to the solitary bar. Fortunately, he didn't think I was trying to pick him up, nor was he type to hang around a men's room waiting to be picked up while humming 'I want your sex'.

Nheil had arrived alone that evening, but back at the bar, we ran into some of his friends. Of the four girls to whom I was introduced, I only recalled the names of the first two. Later, I decided to invite the seated pieces of bread to join us. As we stood together, I asked Nheil to introduce his friends, but he said he didn't know the other two girls, so I boldly circled around to the semi-strangers.

"Hi, sorry, I didn't get your name."

"Sophia, and you are?"

"Chad."

"Nice to meet you again,"  she smiled. "You have a bit of an accent, where are you from?"

"Manila. I just moved here last month."

"Wow.. that's a big change. What are you doing here?" She asked as she sipped her drink.

"I have a column in a lifestyle magazine. You may have heard of it, it's called 'Asian Life'."

"Sorry, I haven't. But then again, I don't really get much time to read."

"Oh.. really?" I leaned in closer to her ear, "So, what is it that you do?"

"I'm in Med School."

"Whoa!" I looked at my watch, "Isn't it past your bed time?"

She smiled.

We chatted for a while and when we finally raised our heads, eveyone had dispersed. Our friends had gone in their separate directions while we stood there in our own little world. We looked at each other and continued talking.

As the evening progressed, we had been together for most of it. The song kept the mood relaxed as our conversation flowed. She hinted that the song ( Can't help falling inlove) playing was her favourite and with that cue, I pulled her to the dance floor.

Soon after, the DJ played the timeless 'Too close' by Next. Taking the mood to the next level, I inched closer towards her and she reciprocated. We melted into the song and into each other. It was then realised, not every part of me was under my control. I attempted to back away as subtly as possible, but as soon as I did, I feared that maybe others around could see what I did not want her to feel. I tried not to be too close, nor too far, while staying composed and maintaining my rhythm.

Making our way to the rest of the group, I couldn't help but smile and feel like the man of the hour. Eventually, the rest of the sandwich went home and I mingled with my newfound friends. Towards the end of that evening, Sophia came up from behind and wrapped her arms around me, holding me close, it was as if this was the way we had always been.

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TO BE CONTINUED...

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Thank you for reading my first story hope you enjoy po..
l o v e l o t s

             SWETTCHEEKS14