Perfect Evening

 Asher pov

 The other side was an idea i thought  would work best if I had wanted her to be free, maybe getting to know how well she does around people that were not me, opening the door, i stretch my hands letting her out, she stares at the sign then at me.

   “ Welcome to the other side, bonita'’  , she  blushed as she bent her head, tucking her hair behind  her ear, “ shall we?” she nodded, holding her hands gently in mine trying to keep the boundaries, and still make her feel safe, as we proceeded to the gate.

    Funny how she stares at everything, there were canopies setup, and traditional music buzzing in every corner, with people dancing freely, all dressed in traditional attires, “ how do you see this?” I asked as she marveled at the sight then at me, speechless.

   ‘Hope you haven't had dinner, because we have a bunch of food to eat” some firework blasts to the sky, taking us by surprise, as we flinched in unison, she looks at me, passes, a heart warming smile, “ hey don't laugh, you were caught off guard as well”, she laughs even harder this time,covering her mouth with her palm.

With her hands entwined in mine we walk towards the bus restaurant,just like planned, our dishes were placed on the table with glasses of wine, and some extra light, just the way i like it, “ well” leaving her hands, i pull the seat out for her, “ hope you don't mind i ordered in advance”

    My cheek burn, as she smiles so sweetly at me, a feeling i had recently developed around her, as i scratch that undying itch at the back of head, she smiles warmly at me then the food, “ i bet you would like it, is Lomo saltado, everyone like it” i said hurriedly.

   She smiles back at me, “ ok, asher, I think i might not be part of everyone”

     

 Damn, maybe i shouldn't have said that

“ pardon, second time's a charm,” 

  She blushed once more, pulling her fork up, stares at me, then shoved a spoon full in her mouth, couldn’t help the urge to watch her reaction, felt like mine would taste better if she smiled after chewing.

  “ nice?”

    “ yea”

 Damn what a relief, I let the air out for a while, rolling my eyes to the sky, never a knew first  impression was everything till now, ok asher think of something, “ so you like it here?” I asked, followed by a mental kick,

    “ uhm yea, isn’t the classic cool restaurant you know, but I like it here” she said, occasionally turning around, beaming at every activity.

   “ I like it here too, never missed it” 

  “ you don’t look like you like places like this, you know the color and all” she said, ogling her eyes at me, 

“ you don’t really get the liberty to know people_, do you?” 

 For a moment I feel a turmoil brewing in my chest, tugging gently on my top button, “ do you want to dance, there are fun games, the earlier the better you know” standing up hurriedly, she follows suit.

  “ oh ok” 

“ hola asher”

   I hear my name from behind, “parece que trajiste una chica” Maria said as she beamed at rose who stares blankly at us, obviously as she drums her finger again 

  She’s nervous 

 “oh no ella es mi asistente personal” 

“ ella es hermosa”

  “ gracias, hasta luego” 

  Tucking my hands with her as we walk down the endless shades of toys, “ I had no idea you spoke Spanish” 

      Hmmm I speak a lot of language, it helps in business”  she nods in response, the cheering noises of people swinging their body to drums, “ the marinera has just started” I said pulling her hands as we joined the crowd, pushing our way through till there was enough space for two.

   It’s the best part or the Andean festival, “ well, do you mind having this dance with me ? , she smirks then stares around, “ I don’t know how to do their dance”

  “ no one is born with the skill, just follow my lead”

  The drums and trumpet start, as everyone swings their partners, I do the same, in a safer distance, holding her hands, “ you really don’t need much, just be on your toes and free your soul” . I said she giggles as she climbs on her toes, 

   “ baby steps” she said 

    ” , you are a first learner bonita” i replied, ,she laughs harder , “ you are not  a bad teacher yourself you know” I let her roll to the side, giving the peacock pose , as I prostrate , like I had my hat on my hands, she giggles from her distance as my feet tap the floor, it’s a traditions that had sticked so well.

    Looking back at her, showcasing her perfect dentition  as she hopped around with her hands up in the air, trying to imitate what I had just done in the worst way ever, I couldn’t help the outburst just staring at her being silly.

  She looks so beautiful when she smiles.

  The song comes to a gently end, followed by a sound of applaud, “ wow, that was fun” she exclaims walking towards me, as she tugs on my shirt,  “ yes it was, you would love it more when you really know how to dance to every beat” I said pulling her hands in mind 

       'Do you like darts?’ i said 

   “ i think so?’’

 She tucks her hair behind her ear, biting her lower lips gently, as she stares innocently at me, the way she holds  to her lips, makes me stare in awe, is it so delicate?.

   My finger itch to feel it again my skin, as I salivate at it’s glossy looks

  Get your head straight asher! 

  “ Well off we go?” 

   Getting to the dart stand “ welcome pareja, you are in the right place’’  the bulky standing behind the desk, said as his eyes flashed at rose, how dare he?, my nose flared as I tried to keep calm, his eyes finally spots my odd presence, As he raises his hands in  defense, squinting  in a furtive manner  “ welcome  here how it works, you pop the balloons and win a price” 

    presented with three darts, to toss at the spinning balloons, never been good darts, but i had taken some hours lesson, hope  it works, tossing the first dart, it misses by a huge gap, embarrassment flushes down my body as rose giggled, “ hey, that's not funny” 

    

   “ well, that was kind of funny you__” , 

   “  let me give it a try” she said pushing forcefully to the side, haven't seen this active carefree part of her ,she starts with parking her hair up in a messy bun, digging her feet gently into the ground, with a squared shoulder she picks up a dart, pushing it further a spinning balloon , portraying how she would toss it.

   With a quick swing , she tossed it, and guess what it missed, by a wider gap 

    “  ha, !” 

   couldn’t contain the  outburst, “not cool” she pushes me playfully , as she folds her arm pouting, “ hey bonita, don't be all sad, but you are not good either” holding her shoulder gently she pouts, she shrugs my hands away.

       “Let me try that again”

  Pickingup the dart, You better hit this time around, I toss it at the rotating balloon.

  “Gotcha!”