#tereza decking

[cillaivory]

twenty years on

In which, Ondrej holds on to the past, and it’s more angsty and poorly written than anticipated.

Thanks to me being sick and LSAT taking over my life, lol.

For day two, past / nostalgia

January 1st, 2013

On the streets of Bratislava, the sounds of rehtacka echoed in the streets as people welcomed in the New Year. Watching the commotion from the deck overlooking the street, the shirtless man held his breath and counted back from ten once again, as he had done moments previous.

The phone rang, right as he reached one (predictable). He reached out for it. “Hello, doll,” he coolly said, resting the phone between his ear and shoulder as he reached for a pack of cigarettes, tapping the small carton against the table as he took a seat.

December 31st, 1992

So, to be fair, the nineties were not kind to anyone, but this, Ondrej decided, was the cruelest. In less than twenty-four hours, they would no longer be Czechoslovakia. They would split – one would be the Czech Republic and the other would be Slovakia.

Gently kicking him in the shins, she pointed at the cigarette in his hand. “Stop that shit,” she hissed, but made no real effort to make him stop. He had picked up this habit in 1937, and had no intention of stopping any time soon. They watched the people in the bar chatter and enjoy their time celebrating the end of the year. Tereza huffed, bringing her beer to her lips as he puffed away.

“You’re in a sour fuckin’ mood.”

“Aren’t you? Or are you finally glad to get rid of me?”

Ondrej made a face at her as she refused to look at him. Sure, she had been bossy and controlling, and maybe he was scatterbrained and sloppy, but they were still in this together – for at least a few more hours.

“Rezie, I’m…” He knew that there hadn’t been so much as a big blow-up fight, luckily, compared to some other places like those friends of theirs who had made up Yugoslavia, but it still was rocky. He was torn, mostly because he knew his people were torn.

Or maybe, looking at how beautiful she was under the shit bar lighting, he was torn because he knew he still loved her. He had loved her for damn near eighty years. He didn’t love the country – he loved the young woman who had been by his side for years and supported him. He inhaled and coughed, earning a “are you fucking kidding me” look from Tereza as he jabbed his cigarette into the ash tray.

“You going to church tomorrow?” she asked, deciding to pass up the chance to tell him I told you so you dolt. He shrugged his shoulders.

“Maybe, if you’ll join me.”

“I don’t think I can,” she mumbled. “Besides, I… tomorrow… in a few hours…”

He checked his watch and sighed, grabbing the beer and chugging it. “One more round and then let’s go. I don’t want to be out long, anyway,” he whispered. She nodded, following suit and watching him wave over the waitress, ordering two more drinks for them.

Ondrej eyed Tereza as he brought the bottle to his mouth. He was going to make the most of these last few hours.

It ended up being a long night.

Ondrej found himself pressed up against the wall of the small cottage that Tereza owned in the small town they were in, the dim lights illuminating the soft features of Tereza’s face as she leaned in closer, digging her nails into the soft fabric of his shirt. He inhaled the scent of rosewater perfume and cheap beer, pulling her instinctively closer as she pulled him down closer to her.

“I don’t want this to end.”

“It doesn’t have to, Rezie,” he whispered. She tried quickly remove the belt he had on. “Tereza.”

“No. I know this is for the best. But, I can’t… and I won’t…” She paused. He reached up, loosening the bun in her hair as she bit her lip. “I can’t go back to what we had. For the sake of Czechia.”

“But what about for Tereza?”

“It doesn’t work like that.”

Ondrej pulled away, leaning back against the wall as he glared down at her. “It does. I love you, Tereza.”

“I know, but for now, we can’t… be a couple. It’ll be too soon.” Inhaling sharply, she stepped closer. “But it’s still 1992. I still am yours. At least for another two hours.”

Ondrej didn’t want to argue. He probably could have for hours, but he knew that Tereza was stubborn and he knew, deep down, she was right. Tereza always needed time, regardless of how she presented herself. She was mourning, probably more than he was. He shrugged his shoulders, pulling his shirt up from over his head as she unzipped her jacket.

“I’ll still love you into ninety-three, Rezie.”

“I wish I can say the same.”

She nodded, pulling him in for a kiss, quickly tangling her fingers into his hair. He was quick to lift her up, something he could do with ease because he practiced for decades, and he allowed himself to be caught up in the moment.

She was still his Tereza, and would be until morning. For him that’s all he could ask for.

January 1st, 2013

“Happy New Year, Ondra.”

He inhaled sharply and leaned back in his seat. “Happy New Year, Rezie. What’s up?”

“The usual. I slept through the countdown, and woke up to remember that it’s been…” She paused. “I miss you.”

“We’ll see each other soon,” he whispered as he shivered. The fireworks illuminated his porch and the street below. Ondrej’s fingers twitched as he opened the pack of cigarettes and shakily lit one. “You watching any fireworks?”

“No, I’ll go… back to bed… I just wanted to call and wish you your first happy new year.” Ondrej chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Goodnight.”

January 1st, 1993

Ondrej awoke at seven in the morning, his clothes neatly placed on the chair, and his stomach twisted into knots when he realized the bedroom was empty. On the pillow next to him was no note, and the vanity did not even have a letter. He remembered how they wasted no time getting lost in each other, with her finally mumbling phrases of love and adoration for him before he drifted off.

He dressed and found the phone, calling the Prague number he had memorized. She didn’t answer, so he left a message. He went back to Bratislava, where he was greeted as his own person, left another message for her, and still received no reply at the celebratory dinner in his house.

By ten, the only message he had on his answering machine was a quick, “I’m sorry.” And she gave him nothing else.

He didn’t want to call back. It would make him feel like shit.

January 1st, 2013

“Rezie?”

He heard Tereza shift over the line, a quiet hum escaping her lips. “Yes, Ondrej?” she replied quickly, suddenly intrigued by what he was going to say. This was how most of the New Year’s phone calls went. They made mindless, idle chatter, until Ondrej jumped in. He always told himself every year, for eleven months, this would be the year he asked her about what happened in 1993. If she meant that she loved him, or if she meant that she was sorry that she lied about her love. He wanted to ask why she left with no word and why she could only give him two after he spent a whole day trying to call her.

He inhaled.

“Happy New Year’s again.”

Twenty years on, he still couldn’t bring himself to learn the truth. He heard her sigh.

“Thank you.”

And the call went dead.

[theclubmap]

THE DAILY TIP: Bergfest Mittwoch! Geh doch zur "Flauschigen Mittwochsrunde mit Freunden" ins Maze und lausche solch illustren Künstlern wie TECHNO JESUS, NUSSI, HERZ AUS GOLD, SCHICKTANZ und COITUS beim Musizieren. Kann nur gut werden. Im Tresor ist heute wieder New Faces am Start. Dabei sind Rell, Serkin, Artik und in der Aurora Bar wie immer Miss Italia. Tiefer Neid für diesen DJ Namen. Auch wenn einige Booker wohl tief enttäuscht sein werden angesichts der Brustbehaarung. Der Mittwoch bringt Demuja, Adryiano, Charlie Smooth ins Watergate. Der, im beschaulichen Salzburg lebende, Produzent Demuja war 2018 oft Gast in meiner "Plattenkiste" und ist definitiv hörenswert. Techno Mittwoch at AVA Club Symbiotikka at KitKatClub Blue Space with Tereza at Paloma Maugli & Lotte Ahoi at Crack Bellmer Deacon Frost Jr at Promenaden Eck Craving at Monarch Pils me up! X-Berg's Afterwork at Repeat Deck 2 Deck // All Night Long at Panke #club#clubbing#clublife#Clubs#clubsocial#clubbers#clubmusic#ClubHouse#clubwear#clubkid#ClubDJ#clubbanger#clubnight#clubscene#clubber#clubmaster#clubflyers#technoclubs#houseclub#ClubStory http://bit.ly/2Cd6NiU

[vivanaija]

When the TAWA Chillout took Tereza Joanne on her virgin voyage!

When the TAWA Chillout took Tereza Joanne on her virgin voyage!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, today’s lesson is titled: despise ye not the days of humble beginnings! Many of you might not be aware that the TAWA Chillout started in a little bar that could barely accommodate the fifty or so people who turned up. We came mostly out of curiosity (“Yeah, but what exactly will we be doing?!”) and love for Ayo Sonoiki. If she put it together, then we would support her. After all, she has never knowingly undersold.

What we discovered was a safe haven for adults; a place to let our hair down and escape from the wahala of modern life for a few hours.

It is no surprise therefore, that something that started as a gathering of friends has become a must-attend London event.

The tickets for this Summer TAWA Chillout on the Tereza  Joanne moored boat sold an outstanding 83% within the first twenty-four hours of going on sale. Proof positive that grown folk crave a safe haven for fun and frolicking.

The long-anticipated day arrived and guests arrived in droves. The weather didn’t put anyone off, firstly because this is London and we do what we need to, regardless of the grey skies, and secondly, because nothing could dampen our spirits. This. Is. TAWA! Where old friends reunite, new friends are made, and the karaoke is always on fleek!

As usual, we started with the reason for the season: Domestic Violence UK. There is nothing more life-affirming than knowing that every single time we meet like this, we do some good. A few hundred pounds truly might not change the world, but it might mean the whole world to someone fleeing from domestic violence or trying to assert their independence for the first time. So we continue to buy the raffle tickets and donate the toiletries because, as Tesco reminds us, Every Little Helps.

We raised an unprecedented £736 for Domestic Violence UK at this summer edition of the TAWA Chillout (bringing the total amount raised by the the TAWA Chillout events to £4533), and the toiletries donated will go a long way in ensuring dignity for those who need it the most.

But onwards, my co-sailors! It is time for shindigs and shenanigans! And on this outing, TAWA took the Tereza Joanne to the seven seas in search of guests as we had TAWA virgins from as far afield as Canada, Beijing, Nigeria and Australia. But, as always, Ayo’s exemplary hosting skills meant that the atmosphere was that of old friends meeting again.

There were three birthdays celebrated at the TAWA Chillout! All three celebrants came to share their day with us, and this involved lots of yummy cake – you’d never seen so much cake in your life! I may or may not have had some of the Ferrero Rocher cake for breakfast the next morning, it was lush!

And speaking of all things edible, Laredo outdid himself this time as his suya added spice to an already buoyant evening, and the grilled fish was everything fish should be: crispy skin on the outside, moist on the inside. Sublime.

DJ Jimmy the Baldheaded came to turn the decks and he did not let us down! He blended perfectly with the madding crowd as his deft fingers spun hit after hit and kept us on our toes long after we should have been too exhausted to move another step.

The next TAWA is on the 1st of October which also happens to be our affable host’s birthday as well as Nigeria’s Independence Day.The TAWA Chillout gets bigger and better with every edition and we’re running out of venues that can contain our awesomeness. Where next, I wonder? Webley Arena, are you ready??