REVISED: 13 January 2019

7. The Dance

-;-

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the World Conference!" Arthur Kirkland of the United Kingdom announced from the main stage. He wore a black suit with a matching top hat that covered his blonde hair while holding a rose, which blended perfectly in the harmony of fanfare. "First of all, please have a seat to your 'respective continents'!"

"Respective continents?!" Tamar commented as Arthur discussed the seating arrangements.

"The committee ordered that all countries shall be grouped together! You can find the European table on the central wing, North Americans on the northwestern wing, South Americans on the southwestern wing, Africans on the southern wing, Asians on the eastern wing…"

"I will accompany you on your way to your seat." A man whispered in her ear, making her blood rose to her cheeks. Tamar realised that she was still holding her boyfriend's hand, his fingers clutched firmly against hers. Yes, you've heard the word right - 'boyfriend'. However, their relationship was still a secret but Alfred was fully decided to tell the world about it tonight. How would the others react? Sure, some of them might judge her for being the significant other of the most influential country in the world. And some of them may not even approve it but Tamar told herself that the validation of others will never really matter at all.

"Alfred!" someone called from afar.

Shaking her head, she answered, "I must decline. Your friends are very excited to see you and you should greet them as soon as possible. We'll catch each other later."

At first, Alfred hesitated but he quickly kissed her forehead, "Right, see you soon. I love you."

Oh, she will melt now! She was an adult woman already but whenever he would say those three magical words, she felt like a teenager again. Love does make people really childish at times.

She watched his figure disappeared from the crowd as he made his way to the northwestern wing.

Shoot, she needed to go now in the central wing so she could have her seat and rest her aching feet! She did not fancy the traditional white koshi shoes she was wearing because the heels was so high that she might stumble anytime. Despite that, she wore a very beautiful traditional Georgian costume. It was a long red dress called kartuli, tightly belted, with ornate bodice and long laps. The dark belt was beautifully decorated, almost floor-length with a matching white transparent fabric that covered the back of her two large braids.

With a relief, she was glad to see the European section and saw Feliks waving at her from afar. She immediately runs to him and they gave each other warm hugs.

"Hey, you look very fine in that dress!" Feliks complimented as he circled around her. He was dressed in traditional Polish costume with a red peaked hat decorated with peacock feathers on the side. Colourful ribbons also tied the ends hanging over his shoulder. His shirt was obviously sewn from white linen with a coral that serves as an adornment. Tamar just wanted to laugh at first, he reminded her of some vintage Polish men she saw on TV. Noticing her giggles, Feliks added, "I know I look like some sort of cowboy here and you don't have to tell me that."

"You're too sensitive!" Tamar replied. Looking around her surroundings, "Where's…"

Her question was halted when two hands covered her eyes. A laugh escaped her lips as she finally guessed the person behind it.

"…Yekaterina?" Tamar added.

"Tada!" Yekaterina of Ukraine exclaimed. "I really miss you so much! I cannot count how many years we did not see each other!"

Smiling, Tamar hugged her friend, well, her former sister-in-law and uttered, "Me too!"

"The last time I saw you was the day after you left my brother's house! You looked so stressful before but now, you appear to be the most blooming flower in this party!" Yekaterina said but with one eyebrow raised, she suddenly looked at her in silence...

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Tamar asked, worrying if there was a dirt on her face or her eyeliner was not proportionally made.

Smirking, Yekaterina pulled her left arm with a force, making her lips close to her ears. With her breathing that she could now hear very clearly, she whispered, "Tamar, are you in love?"

"What are you talking about?!"

"Hahaha no need to deny it, dear. It's obvious that's why you're blooming. Now, spill!" Yekaterina exclaimed, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Ahem." Feliks chuckled and Tamar realised that he was still standing in front of them. "Ladies, you can gossip about that later because the party was already starting. And Tamar, just so you know; you don't belong here in Europe."

With a pause, the statement really hit her right in the feels, making her eyes glint with annoyance. Why did she even go in this section in the first place?

Noticing her facial expression, Yekaterina explained, "He only means that your seat doesn't belong here in the European section! Alright dear, we will see you later!"

And they left after that.

Suddenly, she started to feel jealous when the couple sat on their respective chairs with a label 'Poland' and 'Ukraine' pasted on the top rail. Tamar always aspired to be a European, she knew that she really belonged there! She felt more historical connection with the said continent, to the point that she already disregarded her 'Asian' heritage. However, atlas writers always classified South Caucasus countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia as geographically part of the Asian continent, a part of Western Asia to be specific.

But maybe it was a blessing in disguise. If she was a European woman, she would share the same table with a man she did not want to see. Looking back, she noticed that the chair with a label 'Russia' was still empty.

'I wonder how is he doing...' Tamar thought. She imagined him dressed in some red traditional Russian costume, with his blonde hair covered by brown ushanka and…

"Oh Tamar, you have a boyfriend now, remember the past is past!" she said as she shook away the image of her ex-husband. Taking a deep breath, she now focused herself on finding the Asian table.

At last, she finally found it and felt an immense of relief the moment she saw her seat next to her siblings. The Asian table was very huge, in fact, it was the second largest next to African. On her right side was Armenia. He was quite tall even if he was sitting, and his dark hair, the exact shade just like hers completely hid a part of his forehead. From her left side was Azerbaijan. Her green eyes, the same shade as hers was partly hidden due to a veil she was wearing. Azerbaijan was not that tall like Armenia but among all of them, she was the only one who has a Mediterranean tan skin.

Tamar scanned her surroundings and noticed that the Arab countries are sitting close to them. She finally realised that the arrangement was based from the sub-regions of Asia.

She engaged in some conversations, but she quickly found the casual talk very boring. Grabbing the smartphone from her pouch, she decided to play some games to kill the time but then…

A loud sound of the shattering broken glass was heard from the distance.

"I'm sorry!" a familiar young woman said as she bowed to greet everyone. She was dressed in a long white gown that has a butterfly sleeves and a v-shape cut that reveals her neck line. Small white flowers adorned her black hair which was tied up in a bun. Her face was filled with embarrassment as she finally made her way to her seat. With a keen eye, Tamar quickly read the name "The Philippines" pasted on the young woman's chair.

'Oh, so that's how Maria looks like in person.' Tamar concluded as she watched the girl conversed with others. 'She's really short like her neighbours and very… Asian.' She added as Maria went to her seat next to Malaysia and Indonesia.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it seems that everything was all settled now!" the voice of Arthur alerted all people in the place. "I'm sure everyone was having fun with little chats! Well, who's having fun?"

Tamar rolled her eyes as the crowd cheered

"Who wants to have more fun?!" he asked.

The crowd cheered again.

"And now, here is the most exciting part of the event! Do you want to hear about it?"

For the third time, the crowd cheered again. Tamar did not know that Arthur has a talent for capturing the attention of audiences.

"The dance!"

With wide eyes, Tamar saw each country stood from their respective seats. She heard Armenia whispered to her, "Are you ready?"

And suddenly, everything became a magic…

Thousands of torches, candles and wooden lamps lit up the whole place like a daylight. The hundreds of ladies and gentlemen in their national costumes looked like enough of colourful flowers to her. The many headdresses designed in most of women's hair added to the extreme array of colour and light.

Tamar saw all countries go to the main dance floor as the band started to play a classical music. She followed the same path but she found herself crowded within the area. Several people saw her and asked her to dance, but she was very focused on looking for her boyfriend.

But the task seemed difficult and found it very hard to walk further as she was trapped in between dancing couples. First, she saw Spain, twirling Mexico who was wearing a white off-shoulder dress. Second, she saw Japan who was dancing with Taiwan, their bodies, covered in Asian robes as they moved along in the accordance of rhythm.

The music changed and another song began to play. Tamar heard from the main stage that this dance needed to switch a partner. A hand grabbed her from behind and she found herself in the arms of Alfred. His eyes twinkled like the lights above as he looked at her…

It was really fun but Tamar started to hate it whenever she was forced to dance with other men. She encountered Saudi Arabia, who danced really awkwardly and was really sweaty to hold her. Then she encountered India, who was very silent all the time and could not even look at her straight in the eye. She even danced with some African countries and some North American countries until she could not count anymore how many sessions have passed since she was in Alfred's arms! She was starting to get annoyed already

And then suddenly, she found herself staring at the familiar violet eyes - it was filled with surprise, but behind it was emotions she could not fathom in. Her mind was telling her to stop dancing but her body did not follow her will.

Out of all countries in this event, Tamar did not expect that she would dance with this man. But looking at him with her emerald eyes filled with the same emotionless expression he was giving her, she could not help not to wonder what he thinks of her.

He was about to say something as they twirled around but Tamar decided to speak first.

"How are you?" she softly asked. Well, this was the best way to initiate a 'friendly' conversation with your ex, wasn't it?

With a deep voice, he replied, "I'm more or less okay, how about you?"

'He's not okay.' Tamar told herself because she knew him too well. She wanted to know the reason behind it, not because she was concerned anymore but rather curious.

"I'm great!" she answered. "And it was really nice to see you again!"

"So am I."

They danced in silence and everything felt awkward but somehow, it felt really refreshing. Tamar could not help not to reminisce the very first day she laid her eyes on him. It seemed like ages ago but the memory was still there, vivid and just pleasant.

A man trespassed her territory and he seemed lost. He was dressed in military uniform while his blonde hair was cropped really short. Without her knowledge, teenager Tamar watched him secretly behind the rose bushes as he mounted his horse to a tree and fed it with grasses. Deep inside, Tamar could admit that he was the most handsome guy she saw in a while!

"What are you thinking?" Ivan asked, disrupting her thoughts.

"Do you remember the first time I met you?" she replied.

"Yes. You were carelessly hiding behind the rose bushes which made several thorns pricked your left foot and you ended up screaming." Ivan said, this time, they stopped dancing. "Immediately, I quickly walked towards you and saw a blood stained your skin…

'He still speaks in flowery language?' Tamar thought as her heart beat faster. He held her body with a firm grasp as if he was preventing her to go away.

"…I quickly grabbed my handkerchief and tied it around your left foot in order to stop the blood from clotting. You apologised for spying me and explained that you only wanted to know who I was. And I remember it very clearly, your emerald eyes wide with surprise as I told you my name and you gave me a warm smile…" Ivan said, this time he paused. "…All of it, I remember."

"Oh!" Was all she can answer. It was touching that he can still recall it very clearly.

"I…" he said. For a moment, Tamar could see an emotion on his face. "I'm sorry for everything."

"Oh!"

The music ended. He looked away from her and let her body slipped away from his. They only stood now, facing each other with an air of awkwardness between them. Truth to be told, Tamar could not really accept his apology because deep inside, she knew that it was very impossible to forgive him. There were so many lives that were taken away during his illegal seizure of her lands and apology could not amend everything but only justice. It would be the only thing she can lay on the graves of her fallen warriors and she would never stop to have it no matter what.

Ivan clenched his fists when Tamar did not speak regarding his apology, he knew the meaning of it already.

"I need to go now. Thanks for the dance." She said as she turned her back to him. Looking one last time before leaving, she said, "Despite everything, it was a nice memory after all."


-;-

Maria sat on her chair and sighed, she did not know that dancing could be so tiring! Looking at her wrist watch, she realised that she danced for almost two hours! But it was worth it, she had fun with all the men especially with Yon Su of South Korea. He was really handsome and he looked like the kind of oppa she was daydreaming all the time. And even Lien was not an exception to his magnet-like-charm! She literally walked towards him and boldly asked him out for a dance! Well, no one can blame their fangirlism anyway. After all, kdramas and kpops are big trends in Southeast Asia.

However, dancing with her oppa doesn't really made her day fulfilled. She was still missing something, she was missing him. Quickly grabbing her smartphone, she stared at their very first picture together taken on the snowy street of Saint Petersburg. Probably, he was blending in the shadows right now as he was watching all the people dance from afar… Or maybe he doesn't feel really well… Or maybe he have another date…

"Or maybe you should text him now?" Lien said from behind, making her jump. Her eyes on the phone screen with a curious expression written on her face. "Seriously, it's really obvious that you are thinking of him."

Maria only blushed.

Tapping the messenger button, she quickly wrote:

To: Ivan Braginsky (Иван Брагинский)

+7-922-555-1234

Hey!

But she doesn't really want to tap the 'send' button yet. If he wants to be alone for a while, Maria should refrain herself from bugging him.

Suddenly, a finger pressed the 'send' button and Maria's eyes widened with shock as she looked at the offender. Lien only grinned at her and said, "What's the point of keeping your pride? You need to express your care so he will notice your love inside, tsk!"

"You… you…" Maria replied, her voice was shaking. "Why did you do that?!"

Laughing, Lien said, "You cannot just expect an apple to miraculously fall from a tree, can you?"

"That's not funny!" Maria said. And her smartphone beeped suddenly, signifying a text response.

"Speaking of the apple, see?" Lien uttered, and pointed the notification on the phone screen with her finger. "Thank me later, I need to see Yao now."

And she left.

Tapping the message open, it said…

From: Ivan Braginsky (Иван Брагинский)

+7-922-555-1234

I'm here in the balcony of the central wing.

'Oh, is that an invitation for me to go there?' Maria asked herself. Taking a deep breath, she quickly left her place and went to his location.

At last, she finally reached it and she saw him there – looking at the night sky outside with a vodka on his hands. He smiled as he saw her and in return, she did the same.

Standing next to him, she grabbed another glass and took a drink. It really tasted strong that it almost reached her tolerance limit. With a heavy sigh, Maria looked at him straight in the eyes and asked, "Are you alright?"

"Maybe." He answered. "First, I would like to apologise if I did not talk to you since your arrival in London. My mind was just preoccupied with many things." He added.

"What kind of things?"

"Too personal to share." Ivan answered and sipped another liquid. Maria was somehow hurt, they might be friends, but she doesn't really have any idea of his biggest problems. "And did Yao told you about my plans?"

Clueless, Maria only blinked.

"I guess he did not." he whispered. "I really wanted to ask you to be my date but I was really busy so… And it's cold right now."

Without hesitation, Ivan pulled her closer to his and it made Maria blushed immensely. Why is he doing this?

"But I'm now standing beside you already and we're drinking vodka and you pulled me closer so I don't think that it makes any difference." She told him in an innocent way. Oh, if he only knew that she was now melting inside from being close to him. Ivan was drunk now, she was sure of it.

"You're right." He let a low laugh escaped his lips as he patted her hair. This was what Ivan liked about her, the way she talked was really childlike which can be really cute at times. "This is my first time to see a Filipina in a traditional clothing. You look pretty."

They drunk more vodka and filled their time together with her constant chatter. She told him about some recent happenings in her country and the people she danced with earlier this evening. Ivan was not really in the mood to listen, he was still thinking about Tamar's rejection of his apology.

'If she only knew that her forgiveness would be my weakness.' Ivan thought.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have all your attention once again?!" Said by Arthur, the host, who stood on the main stage with a microphone on his hand. "It's time for the most powerful country in the world to deliver his speech. And now, let's give the stage to him; Alfred F. Jones, the United States of America!"

Ivan and Maria turned their attentions to see the man who wore a similar clothing like Arthur. He was dressed in a black tuxedo with a matching top hat that covered his blonde hair. A big smile filled his face as he borrowed the microphone from the host.

"Thank you everyone, ladies and gentlemen! For now, I am just really happy that the world today is more peaceful compared to the times of the War. I also wanted to thank everyone for supporting the US forces when…" Alfred said as he continued to discuss the recent happenings in the world; from Syrian war to his alliance with the Saudi Arabia to meddling in the territorial disputes in Southeast Asia, his entire speech was implying that the United States of America have saved the world once again.

"Lies." Ivan commented as he consumed another shot of vodka. "He's a hero in his own mind but he's an offender in the eyes of Arabians. He wants to gather oil in a cheaper way so he's putting his neck in the hands of Muslim King. The local citizens never welcomed America in the first place that's why terrorism existed to rebel against the West."

She did not answer. Ivan was probably saying it without thinking. She was aware that Ivan did not really get along with her older brother. However, she couldn't deny the fact that Alfred was still narcissistic like ever before.

"And may I announce you something bigger, something personal..." Alfred exclaimed and Maria realised that the deliberation of his speech had finally ended. From afar, she saw that a tall woman in an elegant red dress with two large braids stood beside him.

"I want to say that Tamar of Georgia…"

The name struck her ears like a roar of thunder; that was Ivan's ex-wife, as said by Lien earlier!

Maria glanced at Ivan now, he was looking at that woman intensely; his eyes glint with pure sadness and…

Longing.

She suddenly felt a huge pain sting inside; she never saw Ivan being so vulnerable and unguarded.

Maria observed Tamar and realised that she was indeed, really lovely without a doubt. She was very tall, a typical height of a Caucasian woman - a white woman. Her skin, with the perfect shade of ivory resembled the beautiful porcelains she saw in art galleries. Her hair, very black as ebony which really made a beautiful contrast with her clear skin. Her eyes, very green, which seems like a frozen emerald orb from the distance.

Looking at her was like a constant reminder of who she would never be. And now, along with the pain she felt, an insecurity lingers within.

"…that she and I are now in an intimate relationship. I know many of you wonder why I shifted all the business sectors from Manila to Tbilisi months ago, and it's all because of that reason." Alfred stated. Putting the microphone he was holding on the nearest surface platform, he grabbed Tamar and gave her a quick passionate kiss that made everyone gasped!

In a sudden moment, Ivan stood and walked towards the exit with a heavy heart. The sight was just too much to see. It seems like she was punishing him! But what can he do now anyway? The idea that she was sleeping with that man, his enemy, made his blood run cold and heart fill with anger.

He couldn't care anymore about the world after this, hell, he would never give any shit to finish the party tonight.

But without his knowledge, Maria followed after him.

End of Chapter


Author's Note:

Koshi – traditional Georgian shoes.

Kartuli - traditional Georgian fabric.

Oppa - is a Korean term used by girls when speaking to older guys.

Kpop – is a music genre originating in South Korea that is characterized by a wide variety of audio-visual elements.

Kdrama - refers to televised dramas in the Korean language, made in South Korea, mostly in a mini series format, with distinctive features that set them apart from television series and soap operas made elsewhere.

And thanks Anya for revising this.