When Zax woke up that day, his head was hurting too. Yesterday was a whirlwind of emotions for him too. First, he was happy as hell about having that sweet little date with Phul, then the whole drama at the restaurant happened, then he was exhausted and worried about losing Phul but then when he saw her at her apartment, he was relieved.
Oh, how relieved he was when he heard that piano playing in her room, after all this while, and even though he so badly wanted to see her face and comfort his heart and hold her hands at that time he still refrained, and gave her space, space to hurt and heal, for her pain is hers, and his is his'.
But today was a new day. He wanted to check up on her today too, but he had his university, and work later too. Phul probably finished that song, and would take it to Kuroi Entertainment today, for the Gemini boys. He remembered how she had said that the deadline was soon, so she'd probably use that song for them. They'd surely love it. He knew Phul very well, and trusted her to be okay, and so went to his university, trying not to worry.
Zax was a third year at an arts university, a photography major. He was a very hardworking student, and was pretty good at clicking photos, so was well liked by his professors and his cheerful personality earned him many friends. He was good looking too, perhaps we've already discussed this, but he was well liked by many girls in the university. Among them was Elira, one of Zax's close friends.
Elira was very pretty, she was tall and had lemony yellow colored hair, and she always wore blood red lipstick. She was a photography major too, and was often Zax's project partner. As Zax walked up the halls, she noticed him.
"Hello Zax, I thought you had work." She said, walking beside him now.
"I do, later though. It's an evening shoot and I thought I might as well attend today." Zax said, not especially minding her company.
"You don't look very good though. Did something happen?"
Elira was very observative too. Is it because she had a crush on him or was it because she was just like that? It doesn't matter, I guess. Because Zax looked away, brushed his hair, as he did that, Elira couldn't help but feel her heart flutter.
It sank soon though, when he said, "I'm just a bit tired cause I spent the day with Phul yesterday."
Ah, Phul, that girl Zax openly said he likes, when Elira confessed to him a year ago.
Yes, Elira already confessed to Zax a year ago, and was dumped then and there, but still she had this crush on him. I guess it's not easy to stop loving people just because they don't love you back. Elira knew that well, Zax knew that too.
He had told her truthfully that he hasn't confessed to Phul nor plans on doing that, that he couldn't go out with Elira because then he would be cheating his heart. Elira was hurt, but she understood. She was not a child. She knew that you can never force somebody to love you, no matter how hard you try. But she couldn't deny her heart either, her heart that wanted to be by his side. It was okay if he didn't love her, they can still be friends.
That's what she had thought. But she always felt sad when Zax talked about Phul, and talked about Phul with nothing but love in his eyes. She had never met Phul, but was always envious of her. If only she had met Zax before Phul, maybe then he'd have held her hand instead, maybe he'd be talking about her with nothing but love in his eyes, instead of Phul.
But for now, there was nothing she could do but hear him talk about the girl he loved, a girl that was not her, a girl that didn't love him back. She couldn't lie, she did hate Phul a bit. Why won't Phul love back such a nice, kind, handsome, hardworking guy who loves her so much, what was holding her back, she thought. if only Phul could just--
"Did you finish the assignment though?" Zax intercepted, before she could finish that thought.
"Ah, yeah I did actually! Would you like to take a look?" Elira said, brushing off the negative thoughts that engulfed her mind.
"Sure, you take pretty pictures, I'll be inspired by them and will take good pictures myself at work!" Zax said, smiling genuinely.
Elira blushed, she knew he was only complimenting her work, but her heart was so happy. She took out the photographs and as they walked, they looked at the photos together, Zax excitedly admiring her work, and Elira wishing that the moment would never end. Oh, how little she wished for, if only that moment would never end.
But no moment is forever. Zax reached his classroom, and they bade each other goodbye.
Oh, Elira almost forgot! She came running back before Zax entered, and pacing her breath, said--
"I forgot to tell you that we're all going out for a drink tonight. It's been a while since we all photography majors hung out together."
"I don't know, I have work in the evening Elira." Zax said, unsure.
"It's alright, we'll meet up after you're done, some others have evening shifts in their part time job too. Please come, everyone's looking forward to catch up." Elira said, but really it was mostly her wanting Zax to be there.
Zax thought for a while, "Okay then. I'll be there. Text me the time and location then."
Elira smiled widely, she was so happy. "For sure. Best of luck at work today, Zax."
Zax smiled, and left. He needs to make a good relationship with his peers too. Letting himself have fun once in a while is important.
The day passed, Zax attended the lecture, met up with the professor who referred him to Golden Meteor Entertainment, reviewed his work, got some tips, hit the library, met up with some friends. Now, he had to go to the company, and continue with TARA's shoot. He'd have to see Vega, and Nayan and Rio sparkling again, sparkling without Phul. He sighed.
But that was something personal. Work is work, and he has to be professional there.
And so he went there, with a professional attitude, just like how TARA showed the previous day. He greeted the senior photographer and the director, and TARA formally, and set up his equipment and got to work again. He photographed the second concept photos, and they were very photogenic again. Zax always thought TARA was a very pretty group, but now that they were going to debut, also from the help from the expert makeup artists and costume designers at Golden Meteor Entertainment, they looked even more pretty, they were really sparkling, like celebrities, like stars.
The photos turned out great again. TARA was scheduled to pre record a television appearance, and so they went off to the recording. So, this time, Zax couldn't interact with the girls. He was relieved for some reason, but that's another matter. He edited the photos a bit, and he and the other staff selected the main shot to be featured. Everything went smoothly today too. It was almost scary to Zax how well they had adapted themselves to the big company and idol life, as a three person group, as if Phul never existed, as if Phul didn't have stage fright and couldn't sing again.
But in their defense, they were never told about Phul's condition. Zax didn't think it was right for him to tell them, if Phul herself didn't. But then they'll never know what they had done to her. What a dilemma, but he kept quiet, for now.
After he was done with work, it was almost eight o'clock. He went to the bar the university reunion was taking place straight from work. Elira was waiting for him in the entrance.
As soon as she saw him, her eyes lit up. She waved at him and Zax entered the restaurant.
"I'm so glad you made it." She said, attempting small talk.
But Zax just nodded, and went to the friend group, who was excited to see him too. He seated, and Elira sat beside him.
Soon everyone was there, and they had lots of food and beer, sharing talks and laughter, about university and work and life. Zax would occasionally catch Elira stealing glances at him, but as soon as their eyes would meet, she'd look away.
When everyone was being rowdy, seeing a chance for a one on one talk, Elira leaned beside him, "Did you have fun at work today?"
"I did. Thank you for inviting me." He said, and turned to the others. He didn't want to toy with her feelings, he thought if he'd give her too much attention, he'd be leading her on, to something that was never gonna happen.
Elira was very smart, and she saw right through this. So she left the seat and went to her other girl friends. What else could she do?
She likes Zax, but Zax would never date her. Zax likes Phul, but Phul would never date him, it seems.
Ah, why do we never want those who want us?