Hendy secured a bar stool for me and went to get us drinks. I sat down and craned my neck to see what was going on onstage but I couldn’t see beyond the crowd. I could tell by the whistles and applause that the show was a lively one. Hendy came back with drinks and as soon as I had taken my first sip he pulled me off my perch to dance.
We were dancing in the cramped space when someone tapped me on the shoulder and shouted above the music “Brandy?” I looked around and realized that a man I had seen earlier was trying to get my attention. I was confused for a moment ….. then I figured it out, obviously Nicole told him that my name was Brandy. I looked at him enquiringly and he extended a hand holding what looked like a business card “Nicole said to give you this” he said. I automatically took the card and he nodded and walked away through the crowd.
Hendy touched my arm “Wha happen bo, he bothering you?” he asked, as though ready to defend my honor. “No, he just gave me his card for Nicole” I said. We resumed dancing but before long we were interrupted this time by two other guys, then another and another! it went on and on – everyone wanted to leave their number! I did not understand. I collected business cards and saved the numbers of those who had no cards in my phone, all the while wondering what the hell this was. Hendy was amused “you’re her man of business” he said laughing.
After a while the crowd thinned and Nicole finally reappeared, her hair was a tussled halo around her flushed face and her skin glowed with a fine sheen of perspiration, she had obviously been dancing. “My girl! What you got for me?” she asked flashing me her pretty smile. I handed her the stack of cards “I have numbers in my phone as well” I said, “what’s that about?”. She took the cards and flipped through them before responding “we’ll talk about that tomorrow Ok? I’m going to bed” she kissed me quickly on the cheek and turned to Hendy, “walk with me?” he nodded and she threaded her arm through his and they walked off towards the stairs. I stood there watching as they walked off and I couldn’t help feeling a bit manipulated somehow. I finished my drink and went over to join Celia’s table, she was my ride home.
To be continued..
Tales from the Qrypt – Nicole Prt 2
