Transcendent

For Maya.

The pain I inflicted upon you was beyond cruel, it was savage.

And for that I am forever sorry.

13/6/2002 - Affie

The pools of Paphos always welcomed its swimmers with a glittering delight. Nobody cared to disrupt the peace with an unruly commotion of flaying water, or so it was unwaveringly agreed upon. Maya and I were no different, as we were occupying ourselves with idle gossip, which seemed to persistently fall onto our laps, awaiting our cavil opinions.

Maya was elegantly laid out over a crowd of rocks overlooking golden-baked waters, her body fitting into the crevasses of the rocks like butter. I was right below her, floating along swarms of well defined waves that a delicate breeze had locked itself onto. The waves swished and speckled, droplets occasionally whipping into my hair, twisting it curly. The sun was coming to a definite close, as it had now drifted behind distant outlines of white-painted houses and chapels. It wasn’t our time to leave yet though, as Iasonas had not yet arrived.

Looking back, this was probably my favourite moment of the summer. The chaos was yet to unfold.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Hmm?... Oh. Well, it’s bold of me to say.”

Maya’s expression flooded with seriousness, though it did not hide that her upcoming remark would be a wisecrack.

“Affie, are you serious? You could tell me that you murdered somebody and I would love you regardless”.

I chuckled at her comment. “Alright, if you insist… Well, I’ve told you countless times how happy I am for you to have found someone as seemingly splendid as Iasonas. I’m really proud of you for stepping back into the dating field.”

“Okay…”

“But why are you so persistent in introducing us? We’ve always kept those parts of our lives… well, private.”

“I was actually gonna talk to you about that. I’m asking that - just hear me out before you make your judgments. Please.”

I nodded.

“Okay well… the story is that I haven’t had the best experience with guys in the past. I can’t trust them with anything anymore.” Maya sighed. “ Iasonas is… well he’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met…But I’m scared, Affie.I don’t want to drive myself into another toxic spiral…That’s where you come in. I don’t even know how to phrase this without sounding like I’m out of my mind, but you have some sort of seducing hold over guys. I’ve seen it. It’s uncanny. Honestly, I don’t really care what it is you do exactly; if Iasonas can feel indifferent towards you of all people, I’ll know that to some extent… well you understand, right?”

As I listened to Maya speak, I noticed a shift. Her confidence had morphed into a desperate, pleading expression. It was a face she had never used with me before; it was as though I‘d met her all over again.

Maya and I actually met late spring last. She and I were invited to a yacht party hosted by some wealthy tourist, who was no doubt seeking out a wild holiday fling. The weather was not yet hot or sticky, but the soon to be summer horseplay was foreshadowed by emerging clubs and bars on the island, illuminated by flickering neon lights.

At the party, I had noticed that despite Maya’s overall physicality being no different to any Greek woman, she carried herself with pride; even in my presence she never let her confidence shift, which is what originally drew her to me. It was like looking into a mirror, her similarity to me was mesmerising.

Because of this it was no surprise to me that she had found herself a partner. Though I was in fact bemused by her desire for me to wield my radiance and sensual charisma over Iasonas. I have always been a seductress, as is always reaffirmed by the swarms of men who shamelessly make eyes at me, and of course my pleasure in watching them do so. But I don’t want this to drive a wedge through their relationship, as I am quite positive it may. Still, I admit I never mind the attention, and I was personally curious as to how this whole interaction would unfold.

___________________________________

A short while had passed, when suddenly we were met with a figure emerging from the gravelled path leading to the pools. Tall, lanky bushes managed to conceal the figure’s face, but from the excitable look on Maya’s expression, I was confident in assuming that the stranger was in fact Iasonas.

As he closed in on us, I began to realise why Maya was so infatuated by him. Everything about him fitted together like clay, as if he had been moulded to absolute perfection. He was much like another god sent from Olympus itself. If I had to relate him to one, I would primarily refer to Apollo. Shoulder length blonde hair, a tall figure, and trusting smile. I hadn’t even exchanged words with this man, but his smile alone convinced me that I could trust him with the deadliest of secrets. I was so entranced by him and the excitement he offered me, that my memory of Maya even being there seemed to fade. I was anticipating the moment that he would cast his eyes on me, and, just like all men, would not be able to tear them off.

I discreetly repositioned myself in my most popular of attracting stances (the one which caught most attention). I was already hearing the whistles of other men nearby reacting to my movement, but I ignored it, patiently awaiting the gaze of one. I hadn’t felt a rush like this in the longest time, and only then did I realise how much I missed it.

Iasonas had finally reached us. He walked up right to the edge of the pool, and passed me as if I had turned invisible. “Hello, my dear Maya.” He sat by her side and bestowed Maya with a light kiss on the cheek. “Sorry I took so long, how was your day? Your friend should be joining us soon, right?”

I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. I found myself too flustered with shock.

“What? Oh, no. She’s already here, see?” Maya directed his eyes below the rocks to where I was floating. “She’s been here with me this entire time.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I hadn’t noticed you down there. Well hello… Aphrodite, right? Quite a unique name you got there.”

“Everyone calls her Affie, Iasonas. At least, that’s what she prefers.” Maya corrected.

He… hadn’t noticed me? Well. wasn’t that just so interesting. I wasn’t offended, not at all. I was… merely amused by the fact that this man just failed to notice that he was in the presence of the most beautiful woman to grace this Earth. Had he not heard the men all around us, with their shameless cat calls and all? And what be of that blasphemous excuse? He hadn’t noticed me down there? The water was, if anything, accentuating my features.

“Mm yes, I do prefer Affie. It’s just so much more casual, you know?” I had decided to keep a cool reaction to his blatant ignorance. “So, anyway, it truly is a pleasure to finally meet you, Iasonas. I have heard the best of things about you from Maya.”

I began braiding my hair, locking eyes with him inadvertently hoping that would stir up some reaction.

“It’s lovely to meet you as well. I’ve heard wonderful things about you too. And anybody who is a friend of Maya’s is a friend of mine.” Iasonas replied, still completely indifferent to me. He placed his arm around Maya, further proving that my attempts were entirely in vain.

I realised then and there would have to go to much greater lengths to get a romantic reaction out of him. I didn’t want to let go of the rush he had gifted me after all these years spent in boredom. But most importantly, I would be doing this for Maya. After all, she asked me to, didn’t she?