The distance between 2.

prox·im·i·ty 

–noun
nearness in place, time, order, occurrence, or relation.


CY invited me to his dance school's social night yesterday. Held every fortnightly, the event allows students and fella salsa/bachata/zouk lovers to mingle and practise/showcase their moves for a small fee. I was pretty ignorant about these dances, even more skeptical of the intentions of men who wanna practise them. But something muz be infective, proven by the increasing amount of participants over the last few years. Be it the sensual latin tempo, slick moves or short, tight skirts...I decided to check it out myself.

Housed in one of the shop houses along Keong Saik Road, the 3rd-level dance studio is small but spiffy. I was surprised by the healthy turnout, which escalated into a rather congestive pack as the night progressed. I see people of all races, shapes and sizes, taking turns, changing partners, dancing to ramdom latin/cuban/modern tunes. They were gyrating under dimly-lit lightings, twisting and thrusting their hips and bodies to every seductive beat, engrossed in their movements with their partners, oblivious to the bystanders observing. I eyed their every steps, mentally tracing them against the rhythmic beats and scrutinising their moves. Some were so physically close, I stared disapprovingly at their lack of inhibitions. Some are classmates...some are strangers. But how can such proximity be comfortable? It's like watching some foreplay rituals in public, each engaging their partners with tempting displays of seductive or suggestive manoeuvres. Some have hot moves, some have hotter bodies. It's like watching soft porn for me!

But everyone was smiling. Everyone looked like they were having a good time. Stuffy...wet...dripping sweat, they wouldn't mind. I see the actions, I feel the passions and I wondered about their 'cautions'.

Ramdom thoughts flashed as I watched pairs after pairs hit the dance floor. Is it the purely the love for such dances? Or it is becoz of the unabashed nature of these dances?...That one can be almost accessible to anyone and indulged themselves in phyiscal intimacies without a tinge of guilt? By allowing close proximity with someone...wouldn't one be exposing him/herself to the lure of attraction too easily? What is in their heads when you are embracing, holding and touching each other? Hmm.

The only time when I allow myself to be in close proximity with a woman is when there is a huge degree of attraction. Even with better lady frens, I refrain from unnecessary contact and maintain a respectable distance. I dun wan to be tagged a sleazebag or warrant any negative implications. My proximity is restricted, my physicality is for the selected and my touch is sacred. I dun need to touch one too many and I DEFINITLY wouldn't want my woman to be touched by plenty.

Much as I think those dances are interesting, I dun think I can make the cut anytime. Think I am better off learning Tai-chi, CY. Hah.