Antony Micallef -Â Study of an embrace, charcoal on paper.
A Midsummer Afternoonâs Reality
Part 2
Contd from Part 1âŚ
This was not one of those swanky, high-end malls in the heart of the city, rather a quieter one. It still had all the trendy brands that one would find in the bigger malls, particularly one chain that I had been thinking about in the past to visit to buy a certain item of which there was a large choice offered there. It is frequented mostly by the localites. As an acknowledgement to the âattentiveâ cabbie, I smiled generously at him while alighting. He smiled back too. To stop any further speculation, this really was the last that I saw of him.
As I alighted the cab and climbed the white marbled steps, the glass doors slid open and a powerful whiff of cool air intermingled with a lot of fragrances engulfed me. The doors closed behind me, I looked around at the familiar set of showrooms. I have been here so many times before. But I am sure the next time I would be here, there would be a fond memory that will get attached to my life and I shall not look at this place as the same again. This however was not something I was still aware, but time would be teaching it to me soon. There was only one thing that I required and i was mentally prepared to do only window shopping for the rest. The AC mall with the nice, soft fragrances made me momentarily forget the hot, sweaty summer sun outside. A few more minutes and I felt the cooler than usual sensation at my underarms and along the neckline of my blouse. I realized itâs the impact of the cool environment on the sweaty patches. I ran a finger along the edge of the deep-maroon blouse to get a slight relief from that condensing sensation. Being a hot summer noon, the mall was by and large empty, although i was sure that by the evening it will record more footfall. I headed towards the ladies washrooms to set myself right before exploring the mall.
Inside the washroom brightly lit with shaded yellow LED lights, I walked to the mirrors on top of the basins. i was the only one there. I looked at myself as my mind wandered. I felt that despite giving birth to three kids, I have maintained myself not entirely bad. Men still flirt with me, some of the members at my swimming club are always proposing 'datesâ to me, I get a hundred Good Morning messages on my WhatsApp every morning from men who seek my companionship, visiting the pubs inevitably meant being asked for a dance and more afterwards, I get invited to my bossâ home in the evenings and sometimes on the weekend because he loves to have me over there to relax and unwind, my Uber driver had kept stealing looks at me during which I consciously looked away so that he can continue having his view, my swimming trainer on who I have a big crush on keeps giving me those electrifying 'accidentalâ touches when we swim in the evenings. I have continued my exercises of running, swimming and practicing yoga very diligently. I felt good as I looked at myself in the mirror. i saw that one drop of sweat hanging on the last edge of my arching left eyebrow, my face looking flushed because of the sweat and heat. I flicked the drop off with my left index finger and pulled a  couple of napkins to dab my face dry. I straightened my open hair once more. Was I smiling? I donât know, but probably a man would say there was a smile in my steps. It felt goodâŚit felt good. I clicked the washroom door open and stepped back into the mall.
To be continuedâŚ



















