The National University of Singapore
Truth Or Dare – The National University of Singapore wasn’t what Nora expected it to be. It was more. After her second year, majoring in English, she remained in awe of campus life and how alive it seemed. You get to figure out what or who you want to be. She relished every bit of it.
It was a girls’ night out with friends, and it was going to be a great weekend. The night started off with great music and alcohol, the beginning of every great night. She danced alone, declined some dance offers, and accepted others.
A Sensual Dancer
Nora always had a sensual way of swaying her body to the music, no matter the genre, which her friends were always jealous of. They always said she could steal a man’s heart with her lithe, sexual movement and have his soul too, just because she could. She always laughed it off.
The night went from a frenzied moment to a calmer game of “Truth or Dare.” We all sat in a circle, passing around a bowl containing “truth” or “dare.” There had been some crazy and funny dares so far. A lady was dared to kiss the girl to her right and the guy to her left simultaneously.
A Big Crush
“I can do some crazy dares too,” Nora thought to herself.
The bowl was passed to her, and she picked up a strip of paper. She unfurled it and found “truth” written on it. Tomi, the moderator and also her roommate, smiled and asked, “Have you ever been in love or had a crush?”
Nora thought momentarily. No, she had never been in love, but she had one big crush. Her thoughts immediately wandered to Aiden, and a dreamy expression spread across her face. Or was it Mr. Aiden, her Singapore Head Master during secondary school at the International School Singapore?
The Singapore Head Master
She always thought him too young to be a headmaster and too handsome to be in the profession. She always pictured him on a magazine cover with ripped biceps and a lean, muscled body. His hazel eyes she dared not look into directly because of what they might steal from her—not only her heart but probably her life’s essence. She always saw the faint ripple of muscle behind his clothes while imagining the comfort of lying in his strong arms. He was the man of her fantasy.
She realized she was causing a scene because of her delay in answering and shook off the feeling.
With a soft murmur, she answered, “Yes, I had a big crush,” with that dreamy look still on her face.
A girl’s fantasy had no right making her feel this way, she thought. “I am an adult!” she snapped at herself.
Truth Or Dare
The game continued, but the thought of Aiden remained. The memories of those penetrating hazel eyes haunted her thoughts throughout the evening.
Would she ever live this fantasy? Or would it just remain a fantasy? She asked, lost in thought.
The downside to every great night is a greater hangover. She always asked if it was worth it after all. She could feel her head throbbing, and the nausea had earned her a visit to the toilet twice already. The hangover eventually subsided but brought back thoughts of Aiden. She groaned inwardly and muttered “heck!” aloud.
Morning Reflections
She walked to the living room and greeted Tomi, her roommate, “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Tomi responded. “What happened yesterday?” she inquired. Seeing a puzzled look on Nora’s face, she added, “You know what I mean, Nora.”
Exasperated, Nora collapsed on the couch. “Like a hangover isn’t enough, now I get to deal with old memories of my secondary school crush, who also happened to be my headmaster,” she said.
Tomi giggled and added, “These are the juicy stories I live for. Spill!”
Nora responded, “Probably later, I don’t feel great at the moment.”
Taking A Shower
I took a shower, but it wouldn’t ease thoughts of Aiden. The feeling of the water touching my bare skin made me imagine what Aiden’s touch would be like. My nipples hardened at those thoughts.
After finishing in the bathroom and dressing up, I didn’t bother checking my horoscopes. I knew it wasn’t going to be a great day if I was plagued with memories I thought were just fantasies. I wouldn’t waste the day imagining things I have no control over, so I prepared for grocery shopping.
A Handsome Distraction
I strolled into the food section with my basket and was greeted with the back view of a tall, handsome man casually browsing. This could be a handsome distraction, I thought smugly. I walked over to the item I wanted, but unfortunately, it was on the upper shelf. I jumped a couple of times and was about to reach for an assistant when a voice stopped me.
“Do you need a hand, ma’am?” the stranger asked.
With a refusal already on my lips, I turned and answered, “No, thank…”
I couldn’t complete the sentence; it was those hazel eyes staring intently at me. No, it couldn’t be. My senses are just having a field day at my expense, I thought. If I could just blink twice, I would see that this isn’t Aiden. I did, but the hazel eyes remained.
“Aiden?” I called softly.
An Unexpected Reunion
There are many things I can be wrong about in this life; Aiden isn’t one of them. I could see the faint rippling of muscle behind his tight-fitted t-shirt and the lean muscle behind his pants. Those chest, I would gladly have my last breath on. I would give anything to have my hands deep in that lush dark hair, weaving around it. I looked down into the perfectly sculpted face and thin lips. I would gladly drink forever from those lips.
How would it feel if those lips nuzzled my neck, traveled down my cleavage, toward my breasts, and even further down? I got a tingling sensation in my toes just from thinking about it.
He answered, “Yes, it is Aiden.”
“It seems just like yesterday and not three years ago. It is Nora!” I exclaimed.
“Nora? My Nora?” he asked.
Rekindled Feelings
It was what he used to call me. I nodded emphatically and rushed to give him a tight hug. He smelled of summer, and I felt a soothing wave wash over me as he held my narrow waist.
Could this old crush become something more? Or should I just leave it as it was, a memory worth keeping and cherishing? In his arms, the latter thought was forgotten.
With his hug, I could feel all my senses heightened. My nipples were taut and hurting, in expectation of a touch they might not receive. My knees were weakened, but the thought of his strong arm made me feel safe. Shouldn’t I find out if my fantasies about him were real after all?
“Oh Nora,” he whispered into my ear, and I melted further into his embrace.
Ambiance and Surroundings
The grocery store, usually mundane, now felt electric. The fluorescent lights above seemed to cast a spotlight on our reunion. The buzz of shoppers and the clatter of carts faded into the background. Every detail, from the cool tile underfoot to the distant hum of freezers, seemed to heighten the intensity of the moment. The air was thick with a blend of anticipation and nostalgia, making the ordinary setting feel extraordinary.
Sensory Overload
With what seemed an eternity but must have been just seconds, I drew myself away from him, blushing. I said, “I am so sorry, Mr. Aiden. I just got lost in the moment.”
He replied, with a smile on his face, “No need to apologize, I felt the same.” He looked me up and down and said, “My, my, haven’t you become a beautiful woman.”
Again, I blushed and looked to the ground, not knowing how to respond. All my senses were on high alert, and I could feel the wetness between my legs. Now, where was this going to go?
The Magnetic Atmosphere
The aisles of the grocery store suddenly felt narrower, the space between us charged with unresolved tension. The overhead announcements and background music seemed distant, muffled by the pounding of my heart. The blend of his familiar scent and the store’s sterile air created a heady mix. It felt like the universe had conspired to bring us together in this unlikely place, turning a simple errand into a moment of profound connection.