April doet wat hij wil | Lisette van Eerten | Finalist het Rode Oor 2024
·6 min
The episode presents a short erotic audio story titled 'April does what he wants' by Lisette van Eerten. It begins with the narrator describing empty optimism before stepping outside, immediately establishing a reflective tone. She takes shelter under a supermarket awning during a sudden rain shower, joining a group of people including an older woman and a mysterious stranger. The stranger quotes T.S. Eliot's 'April is the cruelest month,' creating literary tension. The narrator becomes acutely aware of the stranger's gaze following raindrops on her body. Internal monologue reveals her hesitation to speak about breathing or swelling buds, finding such suggestions inappropriate. She responds with another Eliot quote, 'Mixing memory and desire,' which the stranger finds improper. Physical proximity increases as more people crowd under the awning. The older woman comments on the weather, prompting philosophical reflection about things rarely being as beautiful as they seem. The narrator imagines the stranger's hands warming her arms, then sliding under her shirt. When people exit the supermarket, the crowd shifts, bringing her into actual physical contact with the stranger's hip against her buttocks. She considers breaking contact but feels compelled to stay. The stranger places a hand on her hip, guiding her backward until she stands directly in front of him. His hands move to her flanks as she feels his breath on her neck. Her hand slowly glides over her own stomach, blurring lines between her actions and his influence. The rain lightens but the sound on the awning remains loud. A cyclist rides through puddles, splashing water that startles the crowd and causes people to scatter. Amid the chaos, the stranger whispers 'Shanti' repeatedly in her ear. The story ends with the narrator identifying as Sophia Blijden before credits reveal it's part of the Rode Oor erotic writing competition.
