The fluidity of our choreographed synchronization translated itself into poetry, the thickness of the make-up on our faces concealed the unbottled passion we had for this art form and the hugging contours of the traditional dress we had on promised a thousand pairs of male eyes on us. I had my eye on this particular alpha male who fronted the school’s dikir barat squad as the swoonsome “juara”. To those in the dark, being a juara in dikir is equivalent to being the lead singer in an amateur rock band, in terms of chick appeal, maybe even more they say. Never mind the fact that ostensibly, they were there to promote their race’s traditions and culture, and that truthfully, it was all about the sex. Ohhhh… I knew.. as did the numerous other female groupies who flood the halls in the annual Mega Perdana, otherwise known as the Champions League of Dikir Barat.

Anyway, we finished our piece and left the stage beaming in pride, both of our performance and the newly acquired attention from the Dikir Boys. We were the guest performers at the preliminary rounds of the Mega Perdana competition and boy did we grab that opportunity by the hairy bean-bag.

“Siti Farah isn’t it?”, he enquired confidently in his handsome grin. I deliberately paused to tease him with a little anxiety before answering, armed with a pout I had practiced in front of the mirror for hours at a time in the run up to this day. I had it all planned out. “It’s Nur Farah actually”, I replied, ending it with a girlish giggle, absolutely convinced that the pout absolutely melted his heart and stored itself in my dresser drawer. We then looked at each other in a way that Harry and Sally would have been envious of.

I bagged it, his number and very soon, bragging rights to a desirable male escort. Fuck. Now I’m hungry and with nary a cent in my purse, “I better call Joshua”, I thought… “Oh, and better make it expensive, teehee..”

Meal’s covered, now there is the sliver of guilt to deal with (years of exploiting him led to the current desensitized state). I was well aware of his feelings, so blatant, the gleam of delight in his eyes everytime I raised his hopes. Like I said, I’m a little dim, but not overly so. I knew the sweet little guy was in love, he wouldn’t have spent that much money and time on me, but… he just wasn’t as good-looking as that Juara I just hooked up with.. or any other guy that I hook up with anyways.. Mmmm.. I stopped myself just before drool dribbled down the side of my half-opened mouth and renderd me flushed with embarrassment. I quickly slurped in the offending glob of enzymic fluid and looked around to make sure nobody had witnessed that terribly inglorious moment. Then I called Joshua. Toodley doo..