I write what I write

CHPercolator scribbling - 22 july 2001

Insistent whisper

by Anita Dapperens

 

One last look in the mirror, a last touch-up with her lipstick, and Neri is ready to go. Well, as ready as she’ll ever be, anyway.

She can already hear the music playing downstairs, mixed with the murmurs of people chatting. All for her.

A dance in her name. She really doesn’t like being the center of all the attention, but her father likes to uphold certain traditions, and this is one of them. A big formal party, with all the entourage, just because it’s her eighteenth birthday today.

Although ... she wouldn’t mind a little replay of that dream she had last night.

 
 

She has been dancing with the uptight son’s of her dad’s uptight business relations all night. One after another, and everyone of them only interested in talking about themselves. She really hates pompous little gits like that, and she’s glad that her father taught her better than that. A little tired, she goes outside to get some air, and a bit of peace and quiet. The chill is refreshing, and Neri takes a couple of deep breaths to let it soak into her body, while she gazes at the stars in the sky. She doesn’t know how long she’s been standing there when all of a sudden, right in front of her, clouds appear. Not in the air, no, they seem to rise from another world as they slide up from the ground, around her feet, covering all of the terrace. Goose bumps crawl up her arms and legs, and Neri shivers, regarding the strange phenomena with apprehension. She turns to go inside again, but freezes as a warm rush of wind caresses her cheek. It almost felt like a warm hand, but it couldn’t be, could it? Standing completely still, bar her racing heart, she waits ... but for what? She doesn’t really know, but something compels her to stay put.

Neri senses a presence behind her as soon as the warm wind caresses her cheek again, and instinctively she turns around.

"Oh my," she utters when she looks straight into the eyes of the most stunning man she has ever seen. His blue-grey eyes seem to sparkle at her startled reaction, and there is a slight smile around his lips.

"Good evening miss."

Oh, God, that voice is just to die for, Neri thinks, her hand tingling to the touch as the man takes it in his.

"Are you Neri?"

Yes, yes, yes, yes, her mind chants, but her mouth doesn’t seem to catch on, so she simply nods.

His smile widens and he slowly leans in to her.

A loud ringing noise disturbs the peaceful silence, and for a moment Neri is afraid that the magic of the moment is gone, but the man’s face is still coming closer, and closer, and ...

Suddenly the noise gets louder, and the images around her vanish, as she is woken up by the insistent whispering of her alarm clock.

 
 

Oh, yeah, that was some dream, although it could have lasted a little longer. Damned alarm!

Neri opens the door and slowly walks down the hallway to the ballroom where her guests are waiting. The moment she enters the room a familiar warm rush of wind caresses her cheek, and her eyes go wide. Right there in the middle, standing next to her father is the man from her dream. He is by her side before she can blink, all smile and sparkling eyes, and as Neri puts her hands in his all she can think is that this is going to be the best party ever.

 

The End

© 2001 Anita Dapperens - all rights reserved