Escaping reality

The luminescent red-green lights rained down on Rachel, each beam creating distorted reflections on her sequined dress. She was in the middle of the room drenched in the intense glow of the spotlight. Her silk black hair whipped across her painted face as she twirled. The air was thick with the heat of 30 unfamiliar bodies, each engaged in their own exotic dance. Friday nights were always packed to the brim, but that didn’t stop Rachel from unleashing her emotions.

Music of every genre blasted out of the speakers in a cacophonous melody. Memories were enveloped inside every song, each note inciting a different sensation within her. Unknown songs were an opportunity to create new reminiscences, a unique story intertwined with each decibel. The sound penetrated into her skin and reverberated through her bones. Rachel allowed her body to translate her thoughts into a series of flips, turns, twists and shakes. Despite the lack of dexterity, her movements were intriguing and often alluring. She swayed her hips and spun her head, inducing a nauseating numbness that relieved and rejuvenated her.  She could still feel the remains of her red tinted drink burning down her throat and slithering in her stomach. It seemed to have awakened whatever beast that had been residing there, caged and captivated. 

For a perfect moment, time froze. Rachel forgot about the deadlines and the paperwork clogging up her table. She let go of the fury from the quarrel with her parents. She didn’t even recall the image of her lying-cheating supposed ‘soul mate’ trying, yet again, to apologize. All her feelings and contemplations drained out of her and morphed into her dance. Inside her head, Rachel pictured herself performing a solo piece – even though she was fully aware of the crowd – leaping like an elegant ballerina and landing with soft grace.  As she closed her eyes, she deciphered the heartbeats of the people around her, each beating with the same intensity as hers. Maybe they were just as desperate to escape reality as she was.

~ Noyolee