Nigina Ivy - Fake Life

Based on a true story.

SPECIAL EDITION

© Nigina Ivy, 2022

ISBN 978-5-4498-6192-4

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

The early June morning was truly beautiful. A cool pleasant summer breeze felt like soft fabric against the skin and the warm sun rays provided comforting warmth. An unusual mix of sensations resembling a refreshing Aperol Spritz cocktail. You know, like when daily problems suddenly don’t seem so big and people don’t seem so unpleasant. Even the city landscape, usually concrete gray and busy, suddenly appeared lighter and more colorful. More colorful, as if an invisible carnival was being held and cheerful music filled the streets, calling you to join in songs and dances, filling your entire being with a desire to live, be friendlier, more beautiful, kinder and even who you really are.

On a day like this you want to ditch your car at a parking lot in the heart of a big city, and stroll around thinking about nothing at all. You simply want to smile for no apparent reason, or walk into a coffee shop, order a latte, and enjoy it on the patio while people-watching through a pair of sunglasses. It feels especially wonderful when you see a young couple. Is there anything better than that? Perhaps, only a children with a big smile on their face. Interestingly, if it weren’t for those young couples, there wouldn’t be any smiling children. I believe, children must be born from true love. Those children you can easily spot. When they grow up, they stand out above the crowd. Do you know in what way? Just look around. Is there anyone you know whose sincere smile brings joy, warmth, and light to those around them? That’s how you know their parents loved each other very much. Such people have been born from and into love. Having been immersed in it and as they grow, they are capable of emitting this aura wherever they go. When they are next to you, and showing their love for you, your life suddenly acquires a purpose.

An old song comes to mind, “At last” by Etta James. Have you heard it? I think it perfectly expresses the feelings one experiences when love finds its way into their heart. Life’s greatest gift is to meet a person like this. Only those people can love so sincerely, unconditionally, desperately, and ever so passionately. Might you have been one of those children? If so, you must know that whoever surrounds you are the luckiest people on Earth. They’re lucky to have you in their life. It is precisely this kind of people that a wonderful day like today makes you think of. Light, sunny, and so inspiring.

Eva was done with her last exam. Knowing the right answers to most of the questions and winging others, she managed to score an A. She was then relieved as she walked through a long university hallway. Nothing stood in the way of enjoying late summer nights fun with friends. She was finally free to hang out, make and change any plans she wished. Most importantly, she was able to sleep until noon without her mother’s reprimanding disapproval. She pushed open the heavy university doors and ran outside. Thinking she was invisible to everyone, she made her way to the car and hopped in.

“What?! What happened?” Her driver, Sasha, seemed to have dozed off in the car waiting. She clearly startled him.

“Hey there. Were you taking a nap?”

“Yeah, just dozed off for a bit.”

“Right…. it’s like you haven’t slept since 6am?”

“Well, sleep is not exactly the word… I was just dozing off, and maybe just fell asleep for a minute.”

“…and here I am! The party pooper”

“If you insist…”

Eva cracked up.

“Did your exam get canceled?”

“You won’t believe it! I passed! Turns out, it was good I didn’t’ sleep last night. I was here before everyone else showed up – first in line!”

“Where’s my youth…. Can’t believe how much energy you’ve got there! Even I managed to get a couple hours of sleep while you were fixing yourself after the night at the club…”

“See… you did sleep!” She smiled, but Sasha let the remark slide. “…and so, you know, “Shamakhan” is a private club, not just a night club!”

“Works all the same, though… Like a disco!”

“What? Disco? Don’t be ridiculous. It sounds so weird, as if we were in the eighties or whatever…,” She laughed again.

“Well, those were the days! Music was great, nothing like garbage you listen to now…”

“Surely, Cardi B is nowhere near to… damn, can’t even think of a single name from your eighties!”

“It’s because you’re not thinking straight… tired”

“Thank you!”

“Well, if I had no sleep for a day, I would barely remember my name… But since you mentioned, I can help you. ‘Def Leppard’, for example. Nothing like what you were listening to on the way here.”

Eva’s laugh startled Sasha.

“Who the heck is that?”

“I can play…”

“No, I’m good.”

“Eva… this is old school.”

“And I prefer new one”

“What about Freddy Mercury? I saw you listening to him.”

“He doesn’t’ count. He’s timeless. He’s legend! The rest, I’m sorry to say, is only good at some special retro parties and as remixes.”

“Clash of generations….,” Sasha sighed.

“Fuck… my head still hurts from last night beats”

After a night out, drinking rose champagne and dancing, Eva didn’t sleep. She barely had time to stop by her apartments to shower, wash off her party make-up and get changed for the exam. By six in the morning, she had already been there, first in line. She wanted to get the whole thing over with as soon as she could. The moment she stepped out of the car, Sasha fell asleep. Eva was crushed, as she was discussing with her college mates the idea of an exam being scheduled on a Saturday. Wasn’t it obvious to whoever scheduled the test, that it would be so hard to drag your ass to school after a night out.

“How did the exam go?”

“Great! You know, philosophy is my thing. Dad didn’t even have to pay this time. I passed all by myself. And I am so damn proud of myself!”

“He sure will appreciate that.”

“Who knows…. He did promise to get me gelenvagen brabus, and where is it? I am the only one here with just one car. Everyone else has a bunch… for each season…. and me? I don’t have a jeep, or even a sport car…,” Eva sounded hurt.

“Hold on. You’ve got a business car. And not just a car. A custom-made vehicle…”

“…custom made for old people, like my dad. Made to his taste and needs. I don’t have the slightest idea how come this car doesn’t have a fridge. Everything was about his back – a million kinds of massage modes. And no fridge! He just gave it to me when he bought that van, an ugly house on wheels…”

“Come on girl! Ugly huh! It costs more than my apartment.”

“My point exactly! I can never understand how he could have paid this much? I wouldn’t give a thousand bucks for that, seriously.”

“There you go… you know it’s bulletproof? Have you seen the inside?”

“Not yet. What about us? Is ours bulletproof too?”

“Not this one.”

“Why would he need a bulletproof car anyway?”

“You better think of school. Something tells me your dad wouldn’t like where our conversation is going… and of course he will turn it on me.,” Sasha was clearly uncomfortable.

“He doesn’t care, trust me. Can you believe that he gave me this five-year-old rubble with massage under my butt? It drives me nuts!”

“What about your giraffe friend. She doesn’t even own a car. We always have to pick her up…,” fired the driver, noticeably unhappy with the conversation.