“I want to ask this again. How are you?”
She settled herself, carefully laying her bag on the table. It feels good. Meeting someone you knew, someone you once hold close. Someone you once love. Someone who once has a special role in her life’s chapter is in front of her.
“I’m good. More than fine that I could’ve expect.” He smiled. He still managed to look at her with softness in his gaze. He remained being unfazed with it. Fondness, it was fondness. The thing he felt for her. It always has been for Azaiah. She was his first love after all.
She heaved forward, leaned her head while her elbows are propped on the table. She cannot help but smile. She searched her eyes, searching for anything negative from the way he is showing his expression. But she found none. Not any hint of negativity. Her smile grew wider.
“How can you?” How can you look at me without any hatred on your eyes? She only said the remaining parts of her statement inside her head. Hoping she was able to mouthed it in front of him.
“What is it, Aiah?” A gleam of amazement flashed through his eyes.
“I never thought this day will come.” She mumbled on flow. She cannot think clearly. She kind of hated her head that her cleverness somehow took its absence during the moment she need it the most.
“Me too, Azaiah. Me too.” He knew that a lot had already changed.
But there is something inside him that still doesn’t undergo with the change that visited his life constantly. He didn’t look away. He straightly stared directly at her. Alcuin smile widens once more.
Azaiah didn’t break the eye contact off. She waited for this. They both came a long way. The separation stroke them badly, there wasn’t even a closure for them to end the situation in a good note. The regret she felt back then, the guilt that once haunted her for the deed she acted upon. Now it is totally different. Those feelings aren’t in her heart anymore. They weren’t present. Those things seemed to bid her there goodbye a long time ago.
“Undeniably breathtaking, she is a stunner.
This is an unmistakable thing to do, that is worth investing into Azaiah. That is something that you have, child. You have the gift.” His eyes didn’t wander anywhere. He was admiring the ones he is seeing, the photos that were captured by the camera.
He looked at Azaiah again. He opened his mouth to add something more to his statement. “Such a brilliant young child, she knows what to do when the camera’s lens are on her.” This time his head is angled towards Amelia. He addressed his last words for her. The man kept on nodding his head. The look of approval written on his face says everything , he liked what he is seeing.
“She is definitely made for modeling, Amelia.” The man’s cheek spread even more wider. He was grinning all happily. “She’s good.”
Azaiah’s mother laughed. She was happy for the compliment. She cannot help but feel proud for her daughter. “She got that from me. Her brilliance, it’s all in the genes she inherited. We should thank our genes, my brother. Because look at Azaiah now.”
“Remind me of the old times, Amelia.” Antuan clapped his hands. “Now Azaiah, we shall now do more of this more often. It can be done, but we need your answer first.”
“I’m willing. I would love to do photoshoots, Uncle.” She actuated the most logical decision she could ever do in the moment.
This is for the best. This something that is new for her, but she felt positive to give this a try. She’s not getting any younger. And besides, she is more than willing to fulfill the promise she made to her Mom when she was young. This time she is doing it whole-heartedly.
“You must first prioritize the important things you need to do, darling. Are you sure you really want to do this?” Amelia asked. She was checking on her.
Azaiah tilted her head a little. Trying to navigate what’s happening to her mother a bit closely. This is new for her too. This is something unexpected. Her mother genuinely asking her if she really wanted to be involved in the industry she was once in.
“I am, Mom. It’s totally fine. You want this too right, for me?” Her reply shocked her. She was even shock because she was able to say it so calmly.
There is an evident look of being taken aback that was plastered on her mother’s face. She looked stunned for a few seconds, but fast enough to gain back her control to her composure. She smiled. Before only nodding her head as her way of responding to Azaiah.
“Then it’s settled. I am excited for this. I will schedule the exact day for you to have your first photoshoot, honey. Are you excited?” Antuan articulated another conversation towards the photography team. “We will schedule an outdoor photoshoot.” He communicated omitting the comment he was supposed to say- he for real knew that if he said it his sister will surely lose her controlled poise. He knew what exactly can drive Amelia mad- the unnerving changed of mood from his sister is something he doesn’t want to see for today. The day is rital- a momentous day to be celebrated. This is the day is waiting for- to scout his own niece. His own blood- for him Azaiah is his daughter too. And he wanted to give her the spotlight he thinks his niece deserves.
Azaiah’s eyes- she let it circled around. A familiar figure stood in front of the doorway. They were in the veranda- if they were on the first floor she could’ve saw and welcomed him first. She waved her hands at him. Alcuin only gave her a smile.
Azaiah is now taken back to the present moment she is currently in. She therefore concluded that some things sometimes still remain no matter how long the years had already passed. And one of them is the way, this man stare at her.