An Ode to Romantics
- Simi
- Jul 11, 2019
- 13 min read
I met a boy, he met me... and this is that story.
July 2019, Saturday morning - Chicago, IL
Luckiest Girl in the World
The morning sunlight is reflecting off of the skyscrapers as I flutter my eyes awake thirty minutes before my alarm rings. I slept about 2 hours... nice. I rotate to my side to look at my clothes drying from last night and the wide windows that gaze upon West Loop of Chicago. What a view of the city life.
Flashbacks of the night before make me smile to myself as I sit up and have a better look at the calm of the morning. I am careful not to pull the sheets off of my companion sharing the bed next to me. Last night really happened. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I am the luckiest girl in the world... and not because of him, but just because of me. Just because I am me, and I get to experience all of this life!
In my humble opinion, I think everyone is a romantic deep down. We all hope for that "good" ending. That's why when we get a "realistic" ending, we are upset. We feel disappointed that our expectations weren't met. There's nothing wrong with it, but we mustn't forget that to truly live this human experience, we must feel. We need to feel the love, the disappointments, and everything in-between! Never shame the vulnerability of it all. There's nothing to fear, because it always works out in its own way in the end.
I hold my hands to my face and sigh as I make futile attempts to meditate over the events leading up to that morning in Chicago. What a time to be alive indeed.
May 2019, Saturday night - Austin, Texas (approximately 2 months ago)
I Wanna Dance with Somebody
I am squished into the back of a car. *Serena is driving *Angela, *Haley, *Melissa, and me to west 6th street for a girls' night out in the town. I gaze out the window and look at the miles of highway... I tell myself to be positive. Every clubbing experience I had so far has never been that fun, so I am a little apprehensive, but I know that with some liquid courage it could get better.
Serena pulls into a reserved parking spot and takes the risk of being towed while we clamor out of her car. The heat of the day cools off in the night time breeze as we walked towards the music playing out on 6th street.
The first place we go to is a two story, wooden building with lots of ventilation from the open patios. There are fairy lights hanging around and fans blowing while the outside wind makes cameo appearances into the club as well. The dance floor lands right in the middle of the arena. A few of us order drinks, and I grab a gin&tonic. The classic go-to when I go places. It's stronger than my usual, but perfect to get me feeling like I can dance without a care in the world.
We make it to the dance floor, and it's filled with people from anywhere and everywhere. The ambiance is perfect. I have no idea where this warm, summer wind is coming from, but it blows the hair out of my face, and I feel like I am in a movie. There's a balcony on the second floor where others can stare down at the dance floor and watch all of us sweaty humans move to the beat of the music. The song choices are just as perfect. Lots of contemporary songs we can actually dance and sing to. The whole wood floor is lit with lights everywhere, so you can actually see who you are dancing with, and it almost looks like a barn wedding but not quite.
Once the alcohol kicks in, we are dancing queens forming our circle and having the time of our lives. As expected, a drunk guy comes to disrupt our circle to try and show us how to dance the shuffle. We watch him for a moment before I feel someone tapping my shoulder.
I turn around and a confident girl proclaims to me, "You're really cute! What do you think of my friend in the pink shirt?"
"The pink shirt?" I peer over her shoulder and look at a tall, athletic guy with brownish hair being teased by their friends in a light pink t-shirt. He IS cute.
"He's cute!"
The girl smiles satisfied with my answer, "Great! Thanks!" She spins around and walks back to her friends. I turn back around and start dancing with my friends again not thinking too much about what just happened.
Thirty seconds later, I feel another tap on my shoulder, and I see the cute boy in the pink shirt again, "Do you want to dance with me?"
"Sure!" (Me - saying yes to more things in life). I take his hand, and he leads me out of the circle to just dance.
From the corner of my eye, I notice Haley and Serena gawking at me and the mysterious stranger. Melissa is applauding the change of events and mouths "HE IS CUTE!"
The cute stranger gives me a genuine smile as we dance, and he leans in close to ask me for my name.
"Simi!" I yell, "Like you can 'see me' but spelled differently!"
He looks amused at my response, and I ask him for his name.
"*Abe!" We continue to dance, and he makes the effort to ask me about myself. I am pleasantly surprised considering I can barely hear myself think with the music, but it was nice learning about each other.
I learn that neither of us are from Austin, and we're both just here with friends for the weekend. He lives in Chicago, but had a rotation for work that brought him to Texas. He rowed in college, and I swam, so we both preferred being in the water over land. What were the odds that two people, not from Austin, would meet in the city like this? It's definitely possible in our day and age, and it's a city people come and go all the time. It's still a little romantic to think that we would meet like this though.
As the night goes on, he looks a little awkward dancing (but in the most endearing way) as he shouts, "I don't know what to do with my arms!"
Of course, me being me shouts back, "Just raise them in the air and air out your pits!" I was sweating so much okay, but thankfully I was wearing a sleeveless top haha.
He laughs at my bluntness, and he takes my hands into his as we continue to dance. Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" starts to play, and it is literally the perfect song for this occasion. He and I start singing and dancing to the song while locking eyes and smiling at each other. For just a moment, a passing thought occurred. You'll laugh, because I am a little embarrassed to write about it, but it's the truth. I really thought to myself in that fleeting moment, that this is what our wedding reception would be like. Fairy lights, friends we know and love (pretend the randos around us were extended family lol), and just pure bliss as we locked eyes and danced. It's one of those memories in life that can never be recreated, and that's what makes it all the more special.
Haley comes up to me after some time and notifies me that the other girls are ready to move to another bar. I let Abe know that I have to go, and he asks me for my number.
"If you're ever in Chicago, let me know!"
"I actually will be for Fourth of July weekend, do you think you'll be there?"
"Not sure yet... depends on family plans possibly."
We exchange numbers, and I thank him for dancing with me. Before the girls and I leave, we get on stage and dance to our last song, because after all, we are dancing queens - and I just danced with a cute boy! Riding on that adrenaline!
I'm walking on clouds for the next few days, because I got to dance with a handsome stranger. Haley and Serena told me later that they were watching from the sidelines grinning ear to ear, Melissa told me, "Simi he is so cute! Good on you!," and Angela agreed that he and I vibed really well.
Something told me that he really was a sweet guy, and I journaled about the whole experience and thanked my friends for an unforgettable night. The first time I actually enjoyed clubbing. The end.
July 2019, Friday - Chicago, Illinois
When you know, you know.
Just kidding, this is part two.
A week before my weekend girls' trip to Chicago, I decided to take the chance and reach out to Abe to see if he was in town.
"Hey dance partner! I know it's been a while, but I am going to be in Chicago for Fourth of July weekend. Will you be around?"
"Hey! I am not sure yet, because a high school friend might be visiting, but I'll let you know. What are your plans when you're here?"
We exchange a few more texts and decide to play it by ear. Honestly, I didn't really think he would follow through, because come on, we met once at a club in Austin... but I was pleasantly surprised.
It's a warm sunny, Friday, as *Elizabeth and I board our train to Union Station. God bless for public transport, especially these trains to and from the city. It just made travel so much easier. Elizabeth and I converse about this being our first trip together outside of Texas, and that we were looking forward to seeing our other mutual friend, *Liv, soon as well.
Our train pulls up to the station an hour before Liv's train, so Elizabeth and I find a coffee shop to hang out at and kill time. We pick a window seat, and people watch for a while by the Mississippi River.
Bzzt bzzt.
I look down at my phone and am surprised to see that Abe remembered to follow up about meeting this weekend. We decide to meet at his friend of a friend's apartment before heading out to a cantina to dance the night away.
I am going to use my authority as the author and just skip ahead to the part with Abe, because I totally had an amazing time with Liv and Elizabeth since the trip was about us rather than Abe. However, I got to keep the story flowing, so onwards!
My red, patterned, wrap dress flows with each step I take to the elevator. Liv and Elizabeth follow behind me, as we go up to the 10th floor. We step out of the elevator, and I see Abe immediately. The door is open, and he's holding a drink waiting for me, for us.
Abe makes the effort to be attentive from the beginning. He talks to me and my friends to help us get situated. He tells us of his time living in Israel at one point, and his pet parakeet. Of course though, we end up distracted with the two puppers in the apartment, and I find myself even connecting with the hostess of the place. It wasn't as awkward as an apartment gathering filled with new people could have been.
The party moves to a cantina, and Abe is kind enough to tell his friends he would ride with me and my friends, but it works out that we were all able to get a big Uber anyway.
The cantina is playing vibrant Spanish music, and Abe takes my hand immediately to lead me into a dance.
"Do you know how to salsa?!" He leans into my ear to ask.
"No! I only know how to eat it!" He laughs at my dumb joke.
His right hand goes to my waist as I put my left hand on his muscular, rowing arms. My right hand slides hand in hand with his left, and I look up at him as we sway to the music. We laugh, we step on each other's feet, he twirls then dips me, and we simply have fun.
Random funny note, we even synch up the times we have to pee. The cute thing is, the first time, I wait for him, and on the second time, he waits for me. Note that he guides me through the crowd with his hand on my lower back.
We continue our conversations, and he suggests taking me to swim in the lake after this. A chance to swim? Yes, please.
Outside the cantina, Liv and Elizabeth are drunkenly chatting in Chinese while Abe gets the Uber for us.
"How much should we Venmo you for the ride?"
"Don't worry about it. It's only like $8 to the beach."
"Thank you."
The four of us pile into the Uber, because let's be real, my friends would never abandon me with a stranger (albeit cute), and I love them for it.
It's chillier especially by the lake, and Chicago's still lit up at 2:30 in the morning. The sounds of the waves seem louder with the city quieting down for the night.
Liv and Elizabeth plop down together by the rocks and continue their blabbering Chinese giving no intention of wanting to swim in the cold water.
I take a breath, and Abe begins to strip out of his clothes.
"I think I'll just leave my boxers on," he admits as we look around and notice two groups of random people nearby watching us.
"I'll keep my protective shorts on," as I unravel my dress and give it to Liv for safe keeping.
I'm shivering as we walk to the edge of the water. On the count of three, we dive into the dark, depths of the lake. In the back of my mind I wonder if my make-up is smeared, but thankfully it really just washed off and wasn't bad at all.
He grabs my waist, and we laugh and talk about my old practice sets the coaches used to give me. We're treading water, and I easily beat him on how long I can keep my arms up while kicking.
Flashes of red and blue light suddenly shine in the distance.
"Oh shoot. Do you think we'll get caught?" I ask, bobbing my head down, because I do not want this to be the reason I get arrested.
"Nah, they won't come over here... Actually, I've never swam in the lake this late."
"I'm going under and holding my breath for a minute if they do come."
The lights go further away from us, and we breathe a sigh of relief. I look down into the water. It's so dark, it almost looks black, and I can just see our legs from the light of the city.
"Abe, what if something just pulls us from under? What would you hope to do before you go?"
He raises his eyebrows, "Like a bucket list?"
"Kind of but not?"
He looks pensive for a moment, "This is kind of hard to answer on the spot. I guess maybe I would like to *insert specific rowing time* at *insert specific rowing distance.* What about you?"
"Hmmm... I didn't even think about a response to my own question."
"Oh come on! You can't ask me a loaded question without having an answer yourself." He teases as he gets out of the water.
I find my spot right next to him and think aloud.
"Well, this might sound silly, but I am actually content. Like, there isn't anything I have to have or do before I go at this point. But I guess there are things I would like? I don't need them, but I would like them."
He stays quiet but makes it clear he wants me to continue. He had mentioned he wasn't as much of a talker, and I am definitely chattier out of the two of us.
"First, I definitely want to live in France for some time. Second, I want to experience a real love." I gaze into the dark lake that stretches into the horizon. The stars twinkle, and I kick my legs back and forth to feel the water. Abe quietly listens as I continue.
"A real love. Not infatuation, but something where I get to know someone, and they get to really know me too."
"Maybe you'll find it in France?"
"Maybe..." I feel Abe looking over at me as I keep my eyes steady out into the water.
"And thirdly, I suppose I just want my parents to be content. No more stress, and just let them know I'm okay. You know?" I look at him now, and I explain, "Unconditional love from parents is such a privilege to have. To get to know. And I know not everyone gets it, but it makes me want to be successful for them. For me too of course, but you know..."
He looks pensive, "I agree with that. I feel that about what you said about parents and all that they do for us."
We talk for a bit more, and he tries to hold me twice, but I'm cold to the touch, and he was colder than me, so that didn't last very long. We turn out to both be April babies, the oldest in our families, and we talked about love languages too. It was a memorable night.
We decide to part ways after the swim, so the four of us march over to a stop sign to get picked up by our separate Ubers. When our Uber arrives before his, he and I hug, and I walk away from him to the car. I stop and hold the door open as I wave at him one last time. He stands by the stop sign looking a little alone and waves back at me.
Once I am in the car, I roll down the window just as we are passing him, "Text me when you get home if you remember!"
He gives me what seemed like a melancholic smile, and then the car drives away. I have this inkling that he didn't order his Uber until he was sure that we got picked up first. Something just tells me, that's how he did it. I also realized I didn't even think about kissing him until after the car drove away. Why didn't I kiss him?! Even on the cheek?!
Maybe the third time we meet will be the charm to seal the deal with a kiss. (I just wanted to rhyme).
July 2019, Saturday morning - Chicago, Il.
A Real Life Romantic Comedy
Elizabeth rustled out of her slumber next to me and later told me, "Simi, I felt like was watching a romantic comedy unfold suddenly when y'all went swimming last night."
I laughed. I guess I really was fulfilling my romantic comedy dreams. All in all, this is an ode to romantics. To everyone who hopes for love and fulfillment in life, and I like to think that really is everyone. The world needs more romantics. To see the world half full, and to believe in the possibilities.
I don't know what will happen next in this story. I do know I believe Abe deserves good things, and I believe I do too. Whatever that means. I'm not afraid of the outcome, but I am excited about the journey of it all. In my life, I am going to have many love stories, maybe with a lot of different people and eventually lots of love stories with just one guy for the rest of my life.
I don't need to be afraid of heartbreak or rejection, because it'll always end up okay in the end. Considering after each heartbreak or rejection in my life so far, it really does work out just fine. I'll always be okay as long as I love myself first, and that goes for everyone.
I am the luckiest girl in the world, because I am alive to just experience all of these beautiful moments in life. My hope if you made it this far in the read, is that you too will believe in love. To be honest about being a romantic, because to want good things or happier outcomes, is good! There is no other way to say it.
Thank you so so much for taking the time to read this long-winded story. I'll keep you posted about future adventures, and when I ever see Abe again. My hope is he'll come to Paris soon!
Lots of love,
Simi
*Names changed for privacy purposes! :)
**Some of you might wonder, "What if he finds this?!" I don't think his friends are as creepy as mine ahahaha. My friends should work for the FBI lol. Gosh I love them all so much!
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