The Song

I quickly rushed to get dressed. For the occasion I had chosen a knee-length black dress with little green swirls on it. Black was not a colour suitable for a prayer, but it was the colour that I looked best in. I was also wearing very high heels, which was a rare feat, but I wanted to experiment with new styles. I had always been more of a jean and shorts wearer, but I wanted to try wearing more skirts and dress. I had matched the dress with long dangling earrings, another first. Some eye shadow, a touch of lipstick completed the look.

The ceremony was over in the blink of an eye. Hours of preparation for only one hour of prayer. I barely had time to reach the gym at 14 00. I didn't want to be late so I made the choice of going in my black dress and heels, instead of changing into casual wear. Maybe, deep inside me, I also wanted Dave to see me in this more glamorous attire.

Tac, tac went my heels on the flooring as I rushed to the gym. I was panting a little by the time I reached. Dave was already waiting for me, not on our bench, but on the stands. Apart from four boys playing the gym was entirely empty at this time. I went to him, said a shy hi and sat down.

'You look very nice in your dress.'

'Thanks.'

I felt a little self conscious as I was too highly dressed for a gym.

'So what about my song?'

'You want to hear it now?'

Of course I wanted to heat it at that moment itself, I had been waiting for it since a week, even dreaming about it, but in my dreams my sleep was always interrupted before the song.

'Yes, if you don't mind.'

Dave took a deep breath and started singing. I could recognise the song as being a popular one. His voice was so soft that I had to lean in his direction to hear it better. As I listened to his melodious song, I got goosebumps on my skin. My lashes were fluttering almost uncontrollably and I had to hug myself to calm myself down. I could feel that even he was also feeling shy and I appreciated the effort he did. I hoped that it meant that for him I was special too.

He sang the last chorus and that was it. I looked at him and simply said,

'You sing so well. Thanks for the performance.'

He smiled at me and said 'You're welcome.'

'How did the ceremony go?'

'Oh, it was nice. Thanks for inspiring me.'

'So, you did your research work?'

I had completely forgotten the word he had used, but his word brought it back and I blushed.

'Uh, no,' I lied, but my lie was so clear that he burst into laughter.

'Let's get changed,' I broke in.

When I reached the changing room I had to lean against the wall for support. My knees felt weak like jelly and my breath was coming out in irregular puffs. The moment spent with Dave on the stands had been more intimate than it ever had and it was as if we had gone beyond a milestone. After a few seconds I felt confident enough to walk further ahead and I quickly changed into my usual T-shirt, but this time I paired it with a badminton skirt. I had it since some time but I hadn't felt at ease to wear it earlier as it was shorter than my shorts. It was more comfortable and allowed greater ease of movement. I noticed that Dave's gaze lingered on it for a few more seconds when I got out and a thrill went through me.

The mood was different on that day and the game even more fast-paced. I was breathless after a few sets only, and panting I went to sit down on the bench. I thirstily drank some water while Dave came to join me on the bench.

'Have you ever tried to sing in a band before?' I asked him.

'Not really interested. I did go to the music room once, but the experience was a bit dull.' When he said that, he pointed to the general direction of the stands and this left me perplexed. He noticed that an said,

'You do know that there is a music room beneath the stands, right?'

'No.'

'Want to go and have a look?'

I could see a closed door and I wondered why I had never paid attention to it. It was only a few metres away from the changing room and I had passed in front of it on the way to the stands.

'That door also leads to the male and female toilet.'

Dave had stood up and he moved his hand in my direction, inviting me to hold it to stand up. I held on to his hand, feeling a tingle go all the way to my shoulders. We slowly walked in the direction of the door. By then the gym had gone quiet as the four boys who had been playing earlier had moved to the changing room. I had released Dave's hand as soon as I got up but I could still feel the imprint of his palm over mine. While walking, a bead of sweat gently rolled cross my temple, reminding me that we had just had a very strenuous cardio activity and that I was sweaty and surely smelly as well. I only hoped that Dave's own sweat would cover my body smells.

Dave pushed open the door and I saw a corridor that was in partial darkness at that time as the lights were switched off. The only source of light was from behind a door which I assumed led to the music room. Dave went in that direction.

'Here's the music room.' He tried the door handle but it was locked, so he invited me to look through the transom window. I could see many musical instruments, but at that time, none of their names came to me. Moving closer to the window had also brought me closer to Dave and I could feel his breath above my head.