Black Pendant

As I slowly regained my senses, I blinked and found myself in a dark room. Glancing at the clock, I confirmed it was midnight. Where exactly was I, and how did I get there? I was unable to recall anything because of severe pain in my head. Feeling overwhelmed and pressed for time, I couldn't make a decision on what course of action to take. At first, I believed I had woken up from a nightmare, but the unbearable pain that encompassed my body eliminated that possibility. Something dreadful must have occurred to me.

Outside, thunder roared, making me realise it was raining heavily. In a sudden flash of lightning, an older man appeared by my side, his eyes fixed on me, awaiting my response. Unexpectedly, I noticed the mirror before me and got up from my seat in shock. Looking at my reflection, I was startled and felt a chill run down my spine. I could see that my body and attire were covered in a thick layer of ash, and my face was blackened with coal, making me unrecognisable. I looked like someone who had barely survived a catastrophic fire incident. My throat felt parched, and I coughed up coal and ash, but surprisingly, I had no burns on my body, nor had my clothes been burned.

The farmer handed me a glass of water. As soon as the water went down my throat, my memories flooded. Looking back at the unfortunate event, the mental anguish that I went through was more significant than the physical pain. Even though my life was spared, something terrible happened.

He began to question me, “ Are you alright? Should I call a doctor?”

Although I needed medical attention, I responded, “ No, please, I am fine.” I preferred not to be admitted to the hospital, as I wanted to investigate what had happened.

“ Who are you?” he asked.

“ I am Randall Cruse, a professional ballroom dancer.”

“ How did you fall? Was there a plane crash?”

“ We skydived out of a helicopter,” I admitted regretfully.

“ What? Skydiving onto the burning ground?” he exclaimed, stunned.

“ It wasn’t that burning when we dived,” I answered.

“ But seriously, why there? Couldn’t you have chosen a safer spot?” he asked, astonished.

“ Hey, sorry, I'm in a rush right now. I'll fill you in later. I'm searching for a woman who was with me earlier. I'm worried she might be in worse shape than I am. Do you remember where you found me? Was there a lady there, too?”

“ No, it was just you unconscious. Is there also a woman lying there? If that's the case, she might not make it. The grass was still burning somewhere.”

“ Oh man, everything messed up. I should’ve stopped her from diving. Now, I gotta find her,” I sighed.

He cautioned, “ My friend, you’re running a fever and covered in bruises. Going out now is another risk. Not a good move.”

“ I have to find her right away; she's probably in critical condition right now. When I'm in this state, it's scary to think about hers,” I yelled.

“ If you want to locate her quickly, just let the police know and let them find her.”

“ I agree, but the police will convict us on the current evidence. So, I should find some information before getting them involved,” I explained.

“ Worried about getting caught? But you need to think about her. Seriously, if the police step in, she’ll be found and treated faster, don’t you think?”

Hesitantly, I replied, “ Yes, that's correct. However, she is also accused of multiple murder cases, and I promised her that I wouldn't involve the police without notifying her first.”

“ Is she accused of murders?” he yelled.

“ Yes, but she hasn’t committed any,” I clarified.

He paused for a moment and then responded, “ I'm concerned about helping you without informing the police, as it could be risky. However, I'm also hesitant to call them right away because they might arrest us for setting the field on fire. But don't worry, you don't need to search for her yourself. Instead, I'm gathering all the farmers in the area to help find her. They know the farm better than the police, so we have a better chance of finding her. If they cannot locate her, we must accept that the situation may be serious and allow the police to conduct a thorough investigation.”

The farmer immediately called workers and commanded, “ Hello, I need some quick help; there might be a woman in the field who has fallen from the sky. She may be seriously injured; I need some means to search for her in the fields as soon as possible.”

A team of field workers and local doctors set out on a challenging mission to find a lady who had fallen from the sky in a scorched 400-acre field. The surroundings were flat, scorched and completely dark. There were no streetlights, no visible structures, and not even any trees. Due to the pitch-black darkness, it was difficult to locate someone lying down, especially if they were wearing black attire. However, spotting someone standing up was slightly more manageable.

The farmer confidently declared, “ We will dispatch a tractor instead of an ambulance and a doctor to treat her immediately if she is found alive, even if we don't seek the help of the police.”

“ Stop! Don't drive a tractor through a field,” I yelled. “ The lady, all in black, might be covered in coal. She won’t stand out under headlights on the burnt black ground,” I explained.

Suddenly, the farmer called and gave this instruction to the team. The farmer took a deep breath, turned to me, and assured me they would find her. He gave me more water and drank three glasses himself.

In gratitude, I folded my hands and said, “ Thank you so much for your support, sir.”

“ Please don't express gratitude yet. We're still working hard to find her, and if she isn't found, or worse, we'll be in trouble,” he replied.

“ I followed her to build her trust, but now I realise that skydiving was a mistake,” I said with remorse.

“ That's okay. But I've been curious about something else. While skydiving is a common activity, why would anyone jump into a burning field like that?” he asked, amazed.

“ Well, it was all her idea. She's been fixated on it since she was a kid. She just wanted to dive onto this massive black land,” I explained.

“ Dive into a massive black land? That's strange. But why did she want to do that?” he inquired.

“ She has this weird obsession with the colour black and enjoys creative adventures that revolve around it,” I replied.

“ And you joined in?” he asked, chuckling.

“ Despite knowing it was a bad idea, I followed her to make her happy. Now, I only feel regret.”

“ Did you really put yourself in danger just to please your loved one?” he asked.

“ Yes, it’s the truth,” I admitted, consumed by shame.

“ Wait a minute, let me clarify this. You’re a guy living in a male-dominated society, and you jumped out of a helicopter onto the burning ground at the behest of a woman?” he asked, still astonished.

“ Yes, that’s correct. Because, earlier in one event, when she danced with me, she followed my lead, making our dance very beautiful. In return, I decided to follow her dreams with the same passion. It's no less than a man for a woman to stand up against society's hate,” I replied.

“ You should have explained the consequences and stopped her,” he said.

“ If I'd stopped her, she would've done it alone; she's too stubborn,” I replied.

“ But why did she want to do this? Just for fame?” he wondered.

“ She undertook this perilous feat to demonstrate to society that she is the biological offspring of a martyr soldier,” I disclosed.

“ I don't understand. How can such a strange and risky action be considered proof?” the farmer asked, confused.

“ It's a complicated matter. Since her parents have passed away, no one can confirm her lineage. She tries to follow in her father's footsteps by demonstrating courage.”

“ Her lineage? Why is that relevant? Why can't she just showcase her courage and earn acclaim?” he inquired.

“ The people of the society have requested proof of her biological relationship to her father, who was martyred.”

He exclaimed, “ Firstly, she can’t prove her father’s paternity by demonstrating prowess like him. Traits aren’t always inherited. For example, an intelligent scientist doesn’t guarantee a genius child. Similarly, courageous men don’t always have courageous offspring.”

“ Secondly, even if she proves it, it's wrong. Nobody deserves credit for their parents who served in the military or were social reformers. Doesn't it seem like she's trying to take credit for her father’s job by trying to prove his lineage? A person shouldn't be honoured based solely on their parent’s achievements.”

“ I agree with you, sir, but she is not into claiming credit, and in fact, she is the most disliked and outcast woman in society. People in the community have been hating her since childhood and conspiring to torture her. However, they weren't able to disrespect her completely due to her status as a martyr's daughter. So they challenged her to prove it. But she can’t prove it, as her parents are already dead.”

“ What if she fails to prove it?”

“ If she can’t establish her father’s identity, they’ll brand her as an ‘illegitimate child,’ a label laden with disrespect,” I replied, my voice carrying a hint of frustration.

“ So now that the skydiving attempt failed, does it mean she’s not a soldier’s daughter?” he questioned.

“ Before this feat, she only thought of two options: either she'd survive, or she'd die, but both would support her father's courage,” I clarified.

After listening to that, the farmer went into deep thought. Then he said, “ You know, when people unite in viewing you negatively, there is no significance in being virtuous or displaying accomplishments in their presence, as your achievements are either ignored or misinterpreted. There is always a downside to everything you do, and people can judge you on it. In her case, they will take this dive negatively as their main aim is to disrespect her.”

“ Yeah, but I’ll highlight her good side and prove them wrong. When a group of people comes together to excommunicate an innocent soul, even if only one supports the innocent, their plan can be completely derailed,” I explained.

“ Alright, I like your confidence. But let me tell you, it’s very stressful and requires a lot of patience. It’s easy to bruise one person's ego, but challenging the ego of an entire society and convincing them otherwise is a different challenge,” he said.

“ The true adventure lies in swimming against the current. Simply going with the flow isn't considered swimming; it drifts. I am not one to unquestioningly accept group ideologies. If there is injustice, I will stand against the entire community.” I replied.

“ We will give you all the help you need from us, but we will not support you in any crime,” he declared.

“ We just need to find her soon; only then can I prove someone tried to kill her,” I said.

“ What? Did someone try to kill her? But you said you both jumped out of the helicopter on your own,” he asked, clearly surprised.

“ Yeah, that’s true. We jumped on purpose, but something went wrong with her parachute bag, causing her to fail. Feels like a conspiracy to me,” I replied.

“ And you guys landed on our field. Why our filed? Was this part of a conspiracy, too?” he asked.

“ She had her eye on your land for a while and studied everything about how this land was being used. Accordingly, she came up with this plan. Honestly, troubling you people was not her intention. Her sole desire was to execute a horrifying stunt, and your land was an ideal location for it,” I replied.

Taking a deep thought, the farmer replied, “ If her parachute didn’t open, she must have fallen from that massive height right on the burning surface. She must be dead. We’re all going to be arrested. We have nothing to do with this plan and conspiracy, yet we’ll fall for it.

“ When the police get here, they'll arrest us too; since we set the farm on fire, we're liable for anything that happens to you both. There'll be accusations that we didn't inspect the field before burning it.

“ We locked down the whole farm; even the animals were placed out, but I never imagined someone would jump out of the plane and land there.”

“ If you want, call the police; they'll arrest me. But that'll put the investigation off track,” I replied.

“ What investigation are you referring to? Who is that lady? And, most importantly, why did you both dive into the burning land? Can you please explain everything in detail? If anything happens to you two, we'll be responsible for it since we set the farm on fire. If there's an inquiry, we should be able to defend ourselves at least,” he yelled.

There was no way out. Despite feeling uneasy, I knew someone had to fight for her. I decided to tell them everything that I experienced after I met her so that if I die, he can help the police fight for her justice.

Meanwhile, Farmer’s Son arranged dinner for us. We began by having dinner at the dining room table. All of us sat around having rum after dinner. I then took out a black diamond pendant from my pocket; as I looked into it, I went immediately into a world of memories and began telling the old farmer and his son about the experience I had with the ‘Lady in black’.

Black Pendant

“ In a necklace adorned with multiple diamonds, the diamond that serves as the pendant must be truly spectacular.”

I am Randall Kruse, a professional ballroom dancer and a prominent actor. Dancing at socials, nightclubs, pool parties, and Latin festivals was my favourite pastime. During that period, there was no struggle or hard work; it was a time for socialising, drinking and dancing with friends. Before encountering the mysterious woman dressed in black, I lacked any clear goals in life. It was all about partying and chilling out with friends.

Mary D’Souza, the esteemed host of the renowned club ‘Live in Socials’, is my dance instructor and a frequent collaborator. Most of the time, she invites me to be her special guest at her social events. Currently, I am assisting her in attracting large crowds at her social events since she had a significant influence on my life. My parents encouraged me to live independently by providing financial support so that I could stand on my own feet. However, their support was substantial enough that I didn't need to earn through any other business.

Diverse couples dance the night away in this vibrant club. There is an atmosphere of friendliness and cheer as everyone effortlessly glides across the dance floor. Strangers with no prior acquaintance seamlessly synchronise their movements as if they've been lifelong friends. It's a place where some people find new partners or may break up with existing long-term relationships. Yes, both can happen here. But the most important is that the club provides a space where people can forget life’s challenges and share happy moments. For those who don’t dance, they can enjoy the music with a drink. Although my parents never resided here, it's where the artist in me was born, making it feel like home.

On Valentine’s Day, Mary organises a Latin social event, ‘La Amore’. It was the last social event I attended, after which my life took a terrible turn. The event featured a delightful sundowner party and a social dancing session. A special invitation was extended to me. The dress code for the event was strictly anything in ‘Red’.

After entering the club, I was immediately captivated by the enchanting atmosphere. The soft lighting, stylish decor, and soothing music created a mesmerising atmosphere. After that, my gaze was captured by the breathtaking sight of elegantly dressed ladies in radiant red attire. I felt like I'd entered a heavenly realm filled with anticipation and delight. All the angels in the room were waiting impatiently for my arrival.

Mary announces, “ Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests and beloved club members, may I have your attention?

[Music fades out]

“ Tonight, we are pleased to welcome an exceptional guest to our vibrant club event. He’s not just any guest; he’s a talented artist, a professional ballroom dancer and a prominent actor. Please join me in giving a warm round of applause to the one and only Randall Kruse!

[Applause and cheers fill the room]

“ But the real excitement is yet to come,” Mary added, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “ Soon, we’ll all be dancing to our favourite tunes; however, here’s the most exciting part: Randall Kruse will be choosing the most charming follower, and she will have the privilege of sharing the spotlight in a mesmerising performance,” Mary’s announcement stirred up excitement in the room.

“ But wait, there’s more,” Mary said with a smile. “ Randall will dance with every follower here, creating memories that will last a lifetime. At the end of this extraordinary event, he’ll have to choose the ultimate follower.”

The followers gazed at me with hopeful anticipation, each one eager for my attention. They were all so bold and beautiful that selecting a favourite became challenging. It was not an easy task to choose just one among so many who looked so pretty. The challenge I faced was identifying a unique one of them as everyone was dressed in red and looked so bold. Although each one is beautiful, I did not find one that I would consider the best. My aim was not randomly choosing a spotlight winner but rather someone who truly deserves the honour. With everyone dressed in red, I hoped to find someone I'd love at first sight. Maybe a drink would help my search.

I headed towards the bar, where the bartender was dazzlingly spinning and flipping bottles as he made the drinks. After his impressive performance, I ordered my favourite red cocktail, 'Bloody Merry'. The ‘Bloody Mary’ always fills me with a sense of romance.

After that moment, a girl dressed in black walked in. Her beauty drew everyone's attention in the club when she entered. She wore an all-black outfit, which included a black top and black skirt. Her neck was adorned with a black metal chain that featured a large, shiny black diamond pendant. The black pendant accentuated her obsession with the colour. In addition, she wore a black wristwatch and high-heeled black sandals. Gracefully advancing towards the bar, she carried a black purse in hand. In any club, wearing black clothes is not unusual. But when the dress code was red, wearing clothes where you couldn't find even a single thread of another colour was a lot to think about. She was the only lady in the club who wore a black dress. In the club, the other ladies began to gossip among themselves. Upon reaching the bar, she sat on the bar stool beside me.

“ Which drink would you like to order?” inquired the bartender.

She responded, “ Black Cocktail.”

The bartender responded, “ Sorry, ma'am, but we do not have such a drink on our menu, but if you know how it is made, I can prepare it for you.”

“ That would be great, so I would like to have a cocktail made up with black rum, Coke, and a few drops of vanilla essence,” she suggested.

A bartender made her that drink. The drink looked utterly black, and the bartender garnished it with a Lemon wedge.

“ Here’s your black cocktail, Madam,” said Bartender.

“ That looks nice, but could you do me a favour of replacing the lemon wedge with something black that adds intrigue?” she requested.

“ Ooh, my apologies, ma'am. I'll fix it in a new drink in a second,” said the bartender.

The bartender made the same drink, garnished it with dry blackberries and presented her with it.

With an exuberant smile, she exclaimed, “ This is absolutely perfect now!” As she sipped her cocktail, a satisfied look crossed her face. The bartender made it exactly how she wanted it. She gave a spectacular pose while holding her black cocktail to a photographer. Despite not wearing makeup, her appearance was beautiful. My reason for being there, as well as what I ordered, had slipped my mind. I couldn't resist approaching her.

As I closed the gap, I graciously extended my hand and, in a warm, inviting tone, asked, “ Hello, lady, would you like to dance with me?”

“ Of course we can,” she graciously accepted, placing her hand on mine. My attention was captured by her long, slender fingers adorned with striking black nail polish.

Looking at us approaching the dance floor, Miss Mary suddenly announced, “ The spotlight winner has been selected, so let's start the music.”

The salsa music started, all the other leads approached the other followers, and we all started dancing. There was no doubt that she was good at Salsa. When we danced, we had uninterrupted eye-to-eye contact because of her excellent connection quality. I felt we already knew each other as she danced with me. Her appealing salsa shines captured my attention, and the rest of the crowd faded into the background. We had an enthusiastic performance that day. The experience I had that day was incredible. We danced, and I lost track of where and why I was there.

After some time, the music stopped, and Mary announced, “ Time to announce the best follower.” My focus was entirely on dancing with her, causing me to forget my obligation to dance with every follower. As a result, I had only danced with her. Therefore, the lady in black became the sole option available to me, prompting me to raise her hand to signify that she was the best follower. The crowd erupted in applause for her.

Suddenly, a voice from the crowd shouted, “ That lady can’t compete! She broke the rules by wearing black instead of red, making her stand out. Why did she wear black when it was mentioned the dress code is anything in red?”

A lady in black responded, “ Black’s my vibe, always. The contest wasn’t of interest to me. This guy asked me to dance, so I thought, ‘Why not?’ No hidden intention.” The crowd fell into a hushed murmur.

The girl shouted at her, “ You ruined our event, Bitch.”

Suddenly, the club lost power. All the lights in the club went out, making it dark everywhere. There was a lot of glare in the club, so when all the lights went off, it was pitch black in front of everyone's eyes. Screaming began in the club. After a brief pause, the electricity issue was resolved. As the lights came back on, screams erupted even louder. After some time, the reason became clear: the woman who had objected was found dead. At the same time, the girl dressed in black vanished without a trace.

When the police arrived, they sealed off the club and commenced an investigation. The police wouldn't let anyone leave until they discussed them, but the woman in black had already left, raising suspicions. Meanwhile, a detective started to inquire with everyone in the club. He asked everyone about the lady in the black dress, but no one knew her name and address. She's known by her pen name, ‘ Lady in Black’. It was so fascinating dancing with her that I forgot to ask her name. I had no choice but to call her ‘lady in black’ until I knew her real name.

Just then, I noticed something stuck on my jacket. When I removed it, it was a black diamond pendant from her black locket around her neck. As I stared at the pendant, the salsa music that we danced to first started playing in my head. And a happy smile appeared on my face. I was glad because I got a reason to see her again. I hid the pendant in my clothes.

The detective saw me while doing so. As he came closer to me and asked, “ Sir, do you have any information that might help our investigation?”

“ Nothing yet,” I said nervously.

He showed me a picture of the girl in the black dress and asked, “ Have you met her before?”

“ Never, I don’t know even her name,” I replied.

Looking at me suspiciously, he asked, “ Yet you both danced so well; why do I get the feeling this dance was already choreographed ?”

“ Sir, this dance doesn't need choreography. It's freestyle,” I answered.

“ Oh, is it so? Then I must learn it from you,” he said.

“ Any time, sir,” I replied.

“ Okay, then we'll keep meeting for dance lessons,” saying this, the detective left. There was only one thing on my mind that day: our dance. Murder that happened was entirely out of my mind.

In a necklace adorned with multiple diamonds, the diamond that serves as the pendant must be truly spectacular. The lady in black gave herself an aura like a pendant diamond.

Like a pendant in a locket, she presented herself as unique and bold that day in socials.