Marie
"...You are a genuinely skilled dancer."
"Thank you. Actually, my parents had rather lofty ambitions for me to become a professional dancer."
He looked slightly melancholy.
"Truly?" I asked.
"No," he laughed, instantly dissolving the tension.
I couldn't help but join him.
We were dancing alone, our respective families seemingly melting with approval at the spectacle. I shared a quick, teary-eyed smile with my friends watching from the perimeter.
"May I ask you something?"
I turned back, and as we were standing in such close proximity, I felt a familiar wave of dizziness facing him.
"S-certainly..." I managed.
"What are your thoughts on high-performance automobiles?"
The question surprised me. It wasn't inherently strange, but my exhaustive research on him clearly indicated he suffered from amaxophobia—a fear of being behind the wheel.
"Umm... well, yes. I mean, I've never driven one." I fumbled, inwardly chastising myself for such a clumsy reply. That's not what he asked, you dork!
He smiled, seemingly understanding my meaning perfectly, and I saw the lights in the background burn brighter—what a dramatic effect.
"You will absolutely adore it," he promised.
I don't know why, but I was suddenly positive that I would.
This night had turned out to be perfect. The boy had proven to be less "Beta-soy" and more akin to a charming protagonist from a spy thriller. The rest of the worries I had slowly dissipated as I became acutely conscious that I had never been this physically close to a man.
Then, I was violently yanked back to reality by my sister in the most shocking way possible.
She seized the hand of Asin's friend, Oliver Aster, his closest childhood confidant, and practically dragged him onto the dance floor.
From the expressions on our faces, this action was profoundly surprising for both of us.
To the man's credit, he was instantly smooth, seamlessly taking the lead. He even managed to surprise Ayshe.
"Look at Mr. Prudence," Asin murmured with an amused tone.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"He relentlessly cautioned me about you all evening."
"In what way?"
He pulled me marginally closer; now there was not even enough space between us to drop a pencil.
"He warned me of how dangerous a situation this could very easily turn into..."
He smelled wonderfully masculine. I visibly gulped.
"Indeed," I whispered, the word barely escaping me.
He let his forehead gently rest on mine, and we simply immersed ourselves in this beautiful, wonderful night.
---
Ayshe
Look at this spectacle!
She had succumbed entirely in the space of a single hour.
I felt a slight sourness watching the effortless and almost magical atmosphere surrounding them. It felt as though I was losing my sister in an instant.
Even this song—oh, Mother—it was slow and somewhat seductive.
She laughed at something he said, and the elders behind us couldn't resist showing their approval with a scattering of gentle applause.
To their credit, they were so utterly lost in each other's eyes that they noticed nothing outside their bubble.
I grew angry, though I couldn't precisely articulate why.
I spotted the man with the glasses—Oliver. He was his friend in almost all his pictures. Asin had a brother, yes, but this Oliver was his true, unwavering companion.
Before I fully comprehended the action, I was already in motion.
He didn't have a chance to evade me.
His hands were soft. I thought, perhaps, he would attempt to stop me by force, but he did not.
He allowed me to lead him onto the dance floor.
I momentarily forgot how to dance and was hopelessly lost as to the next step.
Fortunately, he understood.
He gently guided my arm onto his shoulder, and soon we were slow dancing, matching the rhythm of my sister and her new fiancé.
"You certainly didn't think this through," he observed with a faint smile.
"Well, I... I don't know what you mean," I attempted to feign ignorance.
He raised a single, discerning eyebrow.
"I apologize. From my perspective, it appeared you wished to break the momentum they had established, and I simply happened to be within reach."
Hmm. A good guess.
My ensuing silence was taken as an admission.
He was tall and more substantial than Stuart. But he possessed a certain air of sharp intellect about him.
"How does your friend genuinely feel about this sudden marriage?" I inquired, wanting to gauge his true sentiment.
He didn't answer immediately. I checked on the happy couple; they looked just as sickeningly sweet as those idealized couples in the movies.
They were uncomfortably close. Marie looked utterly delirious with affection.
"...He feels much better about it now," Oliver finally responded.
I looked back at him and saw some of the same feelings I harbored—a kindred spirit.
"What about you? Is this merely childish jealousy, or do you have other, deeper feelings about the situation?" He countered, turning the focus back to me.
Despite the veiled insult, I found myself smiling.
"Relief," I stated plainly.
"Hmm. I see." He smiled back.
We had been dancing for quite some time when I realized my mother's subtle scheme.
She had put on the hour-long versions of the song, and because the uploader wanted a clean job, they were mixed so seamlessly that one wouldn't notice when the track restarted.
I sought her out; she deliberately avoided my eyes.
Dear God, Mother. They are getting married tomorrow; this manipulation is entirely unnecessary.
But looking at my sister now...
Their foreheads were touching, eyes closed. They probably hadn't even noticed they had been dancing for over eight minutes to the very same song.
"You look rather content as well," Oliver remarked.
I looked back at him and admitted defeat. My brief anger was gone as swiftly as it had arrived.
"How can I not? Look at them." I turned back to him.
He almost said something, but thoughtfully decided against it.
"How long do you suppose we are expected to continue dancing like this?" he asked instead.
I chuckled, wiping my eyes. "I genuinely do not know."
"I say we dance until the soon-to-be-married couple finishes. It would look rather odd if we kept going after them," he smiled.
Why? I almost asked, but kept my lips pressed.
"Certainly... until they conclude their dance."
"Hey, Ayshe... won't you join us?"
I looked aside, and the idiotic couple was gone. They had separated. Asin was back at the table, and my sister was calling out to me.
The music stopped. I desperately hoped it had stopped just now, and not moments earlier.
Oliver smiled and gently released me.
"Thank you for the dance. It was superlatively monochromatic," he nodded toward my mother's playlist.
"Superlatively monochromatic. Yes... thank you."
I quickly tore my face away and grasped my sister's extended hand.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
I almost laughed, as I had never seen my older sister as crimson as she was now.
"Are you?" I countered.
She dismissed my question with a wave and pulled me toward the stairs.
---
Oliver
I smelled myself.
Yes, it's her perfume, all right.
I studiously avoided Asin's eyes and took a sip of water.
"Did you just inspect your own scent?" he inquired.
"What? No, no... I thought I smelled something amiss, but it was nothing."
I realized I had unnecessarily gesticulated with my hands while speaking, so I quickly placed them under the table.
His smile broadened.
"Hmm... I see."
He leaned away and looked up the stairs where his bride had disappeared with her sister.
I was so immensely relieved that he ceased bombarding me with further questions. I almost forgot to deliver the news.
I was about to speak but noticed my mother watching me intently.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Nothing, dear. I just haven't seen you dance since you were a boy." She looked nostalgic.
"Well, Mother, as you witnessed, I was coerced against my will. And if I am being entirely honest here..."
"Hahaha..."
Her face gradually distorted into laughter, pointing right beside me.
Asin was mimicking my self-conscious mannerisms.
"What?" He asked in an innocent tone.
My intended words had to wait since the sisters returned.
For some reason, that girl, Ayshe, kept looking at me.
I felt hot under the suit. It was, indeed, a hot night.
"Asin... we need to speak. It cannot wait."
He nodded shortly, and we excused ourselves.
We walked straight outside the house.
"Where are you taking me?" Asin asked.
"I required some air," I replied, instantly undoing my tie.
"We were outside... in their garden. Oliver, are you well? What has happened?"
He stepped closer so our voices wouldn't carry.
"Listen, the crew encountered a difficulty. They ended up in prison."
"How? Did someone attempt an attack or sabotage?"
I hadn't even considered sabotage; I must have Leyla investigate it.
"Locals. They exercised their right to detain them for 72 hours."
He closed his eyes, massaging his eyebrow with his thumb.
"I assume you have already dealt with all of it?"
"You assume correctly," I confirmed.
He relaxed slightly.
"It's acceptable, as long as the crew emerges unharmed. It was a commendable idea having a second team prepared."
"Thank you."
He had once dismissed it as a waste of money, but now the precaution had paid back a hundredfold.
We walked a little, appreciating the night's silence. The people who were celebrating earlier had made their money and departed.
"Look at the moon, brother," he remarked, reaching out toward it. "Another one has passed us by without us seeing it properly." He did that often.
I looked up as well and enjoyed its distant light.
We used to watch the Apollo landing footage at least a thousand times as children. We can get there, we used to say, we just need the right team.
We missed another one. After all these years, we still reach for the unattainable.
"Next time?" I asked.
"Next time," he smiled.
We walked back and proceeded straight to the final ceremony.
They placed the rings on each other's fingers, and it was done.
Tomorrow is the wedding race... I mean, the wedding and the race. Looking at my brother's happy face, I truly hope you can achieve some miracle tomorrow.
Let us reach straight for the moon, Asin.
---
Asin
I woke up feeling exceptionally rested.
On days when I race, sometimes I can't even sleep. Not today.
Soon enough, Oliver came over, fully dressed, coffee in hand.
"Oh, blessed brother. Hand one to me."
"Get dressed first. We are already three hours behind schedule, assuming everything proceeds without a single hiccup," he pulled back his hand.
"Can you grant me ten seconds... before the inevitable nagging begins? I don't even require a wife for this," I quipped.
Despite my words, I quickly dressed, and we were busy like never before.
"All right, now listen carefully. The wedding will conclude by 9 PM with dancing and the formal meal. The race starts at 11 PM, as usual. I need you to orchestrate the transition and ensure you arrive precisely on time."
He paced back and forth while I sought my caffeine.
"...Is there anything else I've neglected to mention?" he asked.
"Uh, no..."
"X. That was a trick question. I deliberately omitted 90% of our day."
"Uh huh. I'm so impressed with the mind games, Level 9 Dungeon Master... uhh..." I mocked him gently.
"...Don't worry. I am accounting for all your shortcomings. Such as the dress, the flowers, sundry gifts for the family as is customary, and you need to visit the barbershop, and..."
Boy, were we late.
After his insane, rapid-fire recital ended, we finally began the day with breakfast.
"You know, no one would be able to tell we are in such a monumental hurry," I commented, trying the cream cheese.
"Well, most of the things on the list that require our in-person presence have been substituted by the strategic use of funds," he said between bites.
"The second unit?" I inquired.
"They are arriving in an hour. Leyla is picking them up personally to avoid another round of complications."
My parents arrived late with my brother and his wife in tow.
"Oh, look at you. Already up and running."
I accepted a kiss from my often overbearing mother as the others sat down.
"Mr. Billie Jean King," Yary smiled at me.
I exchanged a questioning look with Oliver, who seemed equally perplexed.
"Yeah, okay. I surrender. What was that reference?"
Zerile answered before he had a chance. "He means Michael Jackson... with the dancing," she teased.
I looked around, seeing the same questioning expressions on everyone's face.
"You instructed me to dance with her!" I looked at Mother.
"I believe I suggested you engage her in conversation a little. Which you did," she smiled into her cup.
I ignored the table's laughter and concentrated on my bagel.
"Stop embarrassing my boy. He is about to be married today... and tonight..."
"Cough, cough..."
"Take it easy," I accepted Oliver's offer of a napkin, looking at him. My father bent over in half, laughing.
The thought of consummation had crossed my mind, but I was genuinely torn.
I had a contract up there inside my suitcase, ready to break this girl's heart.
But now I've met her...
I peeked at Oliver, thinking he put a lot of effort into this escape plan, but it was all motivated by my desire not to remain married.
Was it truly necessary now?
Could I actually... fall for her, as my father had advised me?
I shook my head. I don't know what I'm going to do.
I thought about last night. She was beautiful and charming. I don't know. We had a flow. I felt it.
What truly surprised me was how Oliver allowed Ayshe to just lead him onto the dance floor.
He had pronounced issues regarding that.
Yet he looked genuinely happy there for a moment, just before Marie called out to her sister.
He even became embarrassed, reverting back into that awkward kid who had stuck with me through all of it.
Maybe... we can do what we always did. Evolve together.