Modern Tango World N° 8 (Moscow, Russia) | Page 34

When standing there I also had some advantages. I could
watch more of that world than the other milongueros.
And, I was able to move to see something interesting.
Here they were, the milongueros, the saloneros, the
professionals, the new, all mixed and of different ages. I
saw them with my eyes wide open, the most talented
dancers that came along the edges of the dance floor
turning and taking elegant steps, dressed for the occa-
sion and without speaking. Serious dancers enjoying the
pleasure of dancing, with a thousand colors in dim light
and a thousand different styles of dancing.
Further inside were the newer layers of milongueros
and future milongueros. All wrapped in music that
seemed to enter through the chest because of the
wonderful sounds emitted by the giant speakers. I was
still outside the dance floor, the newest visitor to La
Viruta. But, I knew that the evening was long and the
orchestra had not yet reached the stage. I ordered a
flavored citrus drink — a taste and smell that I will for-
ver associate with La Viruta.
I stared at the long bar with all its benches occupied and
behind it countless bottles lining on the mirrored shelves.
In the middle of the bar, a team wine stwards the gastro-
nomic army that moved quickly to attend customers. In
the background was the queen, her majesty, a giant silver
coffeepot. This is what I could see as I moved it to the left.
The tango had begun. I could not wait for next cortina. It had
already past twenty seconds ago. I did not know anyone,
they did not know me, I could not receive a rejection. I
wanted to dance before the singer began. I had to start be-
fore the singer to enjoy that tango. Then, I saw her standing
like me, about ten meters away and looking at the dance
floor. It was impossible to cabaceo.
Her outstanding stature and beauty could be seen in
the dim lights. It was easy to see why I might choose
her. And she was more than ready. She was moving
her feet. It was visible as he moved on her tanned and
uncovered shoulders. I moved closer. I would need to
speak or nod if she just turned her head towards me.
But her eyes and mine did not meet until she was almost
within a meter. My head made a gesture accompanied
by a slight signal from my eyes, and I received a splendid
smile from this woman, accepting my proposal.
When I got to the floor, I took her by the waist. I raised
my hand to embrace her and closed the space between
our bodies. With my left hand, I felt her soft hand as she
leaned into me at the precise moment when the singer
gave began to sing. That night, I found two loves, the sec-
ond is named Maria.
I wanted to become a protagonist in this story. I wanted to
dance had the perfect accomplice to match Aníbal Troilo
and Alberto Marino. I waited for a piece of music that de-
manded that I must be on the dance floor — Así es Ninón. I
searched around, without much time.
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