We are lost.
"Why did they even pair us together?" I checked the place once more before continuing, "They both know that directions are our number one nemesis." I said while crossing my arms.
I diverted my attention to him when he cleared his throat. "I know, but bear with me for a minute, I think I got this already." He said while he maneuvers the steering wheel.
I left a heavy sigh before leaning to the seat again. This is a sign of defeat. I am cursing Sim and Ali for this! What if we get lost? What if the car breaks-
"You do know that your face says it all, right?" I stopped in the middle of talking to myself when he asked that. Am I that obvious?
"Yes, Aya. You looked like I would accidentally hit a- woah!"
"See! I told you,"
"Hey, no fair! I didn't see that coming." He insisted so I gave up again.
Out of boredom, I connected my phone to his car and played some of our songs on a shuffle. Escapee played first. One of the first songs we wrote when we were still escaping from everyone's stereotype thinking of musicians.
This one hits close to home as it talks about what it feels like to be locked inside and want to go out and express ourselves. In which we did back then and look where we are now. A step close, yet still so far from our dreams. Baby steps.
Later on, I looked outside of the window to check the surroundings, because who knows if we're already out in the jungle. I kept on checking each side, trying to remember the path in case we really got lost when I noticed a familiar figure.
"Is that him?" I blurted out the question that was supposed to be in my mind.
"Who?"
I was not able to respond as my eyes kept on trying to reach for him, even though I can not see him anymore. I sat back properly after all that searching. My chest rose up and down as if I was raced by a mad dog.
Damn it! Am I wrong? Or am I just delusional? I never saw him again after that night at Xam's restaurant. It was just once and he never left my mind. There was something in him that made me feel something, and it almost provoked me to do something I had already forgotten.
"Are you okay, Aya?" he asked worriedly. I gave him the brightest smile I could give but it looked forced rather than genuine. He didn't say anything after that's why I leaned on the side and eventually let darkness capture me.
I was almost blinded by the luminous light in front, but surprisingly, my eyes focused on someone I was longing for. He was facing in front leaving me to face his back. I walked slowly to approach him but every step I took, it would only take him farther than me.
How can you be so near, yet so far?
"Aya? Wake up!" A firm voice together with a little tap on the shoulder brought me back to reality. "We're here." After saying that, he got out of the car, and I was left alone. My surroundings are still in a blur as I just woke up from a nap. I blinked thrice and scanned the entire area.
It looked oddly familiar, but I didn't mind and just got out of the car.
"What took you so long?" He asked, almost losing his last strand of patience. With his arms crossed, he waited for me until I reached where he was standing.
I pinched his cheeks to which I received a glare from him, so I asked, "Why are you so impatient, Gold?" No response was given so I just followed August inside. The place gave me chills as if I was there before.
I noticed August restlessly looking at his watch while lowkey tapping his right foot in front of the elevator.
"Is there something wrong? Are you about to do number two?" Worry was vivid on my face as I approached him. He was pacing back and forth until he stopped when we heard the elevator chime.
August grabbed my wrist and pressed number seven. His phone was ringing but he would only decline until it reached his patience and just turned it off. The elevator opened again and the floor welcomed me with the smell of a variety of flowers and this familiar lavender scent.
I saw different standees of people I do not recognize. Also, August is pulling me like a duffle bag with wheels. Why is this person in a rush? I thought we're just here to get something before eating dinner with the other guys.
While walking, I could hear a faint sound coming from one of the rooms in this hallway. Is there an event?
As we get closer to our destination, the more I can sense where we are going. No, not yet, we're not going here.
I pulled my wrist from August which made the both of us stop. "Aya, we're already fifteen minutes late. They're running out of excuses." He said while busy looking for something- perhaps the door to that place when the realization hit him, and immediately covered his mouth.
"Busted," I said while eyeing him like he did something jail-worthy.
"I'm sorry, okay? But can we please go now? Just this one, I promise!" He said, putting an invisible cross on his heart.
I sighed deeply before going with him. He opened the door for me and I was welcomed by colors and art. I got goosebumps as I could smell the whole room filled with artists and their passion.
Yeah right, how did I even forget this place? The hall brought so many nostalgic memories, a lone tear escaped my left eye.
"There you are! Why did you turn your phone off?" I heard Simone's voice so I shifted my gaze at them. I wiped my tears and went to their place. I was about to say something when Ali arrived.
"Wow, I can't believe you're still alive after being with August for almost two hours." We chuckled at that, while August just pouted at the side. "Anyways, we're here to perform for the artists." He said, pointing to the people gathered at the center.
"I thought we're not accepting gigs like this for the meantime?"
"Ask Gold for that, Aya." Simone said and turned his back against us and went to the instrument room. I looked at August and he raised both of his arms, surrendering and acknowledging defeat.
"I'm sorry! It was requested by my father and I can't say no." He looked like he was about to cry so I gave him a hug to wake him up.
Among all the people I know, he dislikes my hugs the most.
"Enough with sweet stuff." Ali butted in, "I would like to tell you our piece for tonight." He showed us the chords of the song he picked for this performance.
I immediately saw the connection of the song to our listeners, that's why I suggested adding a twist on the middle part.
We went to where Sim entered and told him the additional plan. I can't help but tap my fingers on my guitar to express my uneasiness. I was busy calming myself when a guy with headphones entered the room.
"Guys, are you ready? You're out in five." We nod in response to his question and he left us again.
The beat of my heart goes louder as time goes by. This is not the time to feel this, Aya. You can do this!
I was so busy cheering myself, when we heard our cue, "Let us all welcome, Anchor!"
At this moment, I can feel him around. I can feel him here as this place witnessed our story of love.
A place that is full of colors and music. A place where we could be ourselves.
Our comfort zone.