Zax was a little taken aback by what he thought. But it was a genuine question. Did he really love Phul, or what if, just what if, he's just an obsessed fan who happened to befriend her for his own selfish desires? What if he wasn't actually in love with Phul as a person but only as his idol?
As he thought, he didn't notice that Vega was still going on about random things; he didn't hear her, and soon their break was over, and now it was time for work.
Before leaving, Vega stood up, and said, "Well, I know you're closer with Phul, so I'd appreciate if you could tell her that I would like to have a chat with her and..."
Here she paused, and Zax looked up at her face. She seemed to have a sort of pained expression in her face, although he couldn't make out what exactly was she feeling. Vega was one of the most difficult people to read for Zax, and he read people quite well, actually.
"...and that I miss her."
She said, and quickly turned back, and went to meet up with the rest of her members who just finished their hair and makeup.
Zax sat there for a while, surprised at the sudden confession from Vega.
"Does she now?" Zax thought to himself, "Interesting, interesting."
Zax actually hadn't thought about how the whole incident looked like from the rest of the girls' point of view, but right now, with the brief exchange he had with Vega, he realized that maybe he's been thinking it the wrong way all along.
But he also knew, it was not his place to decide who the victim and who the accountable person was. And besides, it was time for him to get back to work.
And so the group shots began again, and the Vega who had such a pitiful melancholic look just a second ago seemed to be sparkling and shining as freshly as she could at the set. Ah, how professional. The group shots were coming along really well too, although it wasn't quite clear if tht was due to Zax's newfound work motto or due to the chemistry and the bond the girls shared. No matter the reason, no body there could deny that they looked spectacular, the posters that would be made from today's photoshoot would be sure to drag a lot of people into at least checking their debut out, if not making them support them.
The shoot was over, and TARA had to go for their practice lessons. Zax and the photography team had to work on the photos they took today and hand the best ones to the graphics department. By the time they were done, it was already around 5. Zax checked his phone, and Phul had sent a text, telling him the time and venue of their meet up today. He smiled, it was a date. Well, not technically, but a man can dream.
So he hurried back home, and took a quick shower and put on his favorite blue jacket and his rusty wooden cologne, and quickly styled his hair in a rough way, and he looked good. Before he head out, he checked himself in the mirror one last time, he wanted to look good for Phul today. Ah, the things we do when we are in love.
He was supposed to pick her up from the junction near her place, and they would drive to an amusement park, Phul had this whole list of the things she wanted them both to do, she was very meticulous, and Zax just thought she was cute.
Before he reached the place, he stopped by a flower shop. He quickly bought some dahlias for Phul, he couldn't meet her empty handed when she had prepared a perfect fun time for them both all by herself. Isn't this man just a walking green flag?
Phul was waiting for him at the place they decided to meet. She was wearing this cute pink dress that went upto her knees, and had a sailor style neck, and some high heeled loafers with peach socks. Her hair was swept up in a high ponytail and finished with a bow, and her makeup was light and fresh.
Oh. My. God.
Zax couldn't take his eyes off her from the moment he turned the corner. He almost missed the traffic sign and only back to his senses when somebody honked at him.
Phul quickly entered the car, and sat in the front seat as usual, and Zax's heart was beating like a drum.
"We're gonna have so much fun today!" She squealed, and gave him a determined look, "My ideas are never going to be wrong."
Zax couldn't even hear what she was saying. He was trying so hard to control his expressions, and his feelings. "Oh God, Phul looks so cute, what did I do to deserve this sight? Ribbons? Ribbons?!" His head was way too distracted with these thoughts. He tried his best to keep his eyes on the road though, gotta keep them both safe.
And soon enough, they reached the amusement park! It was so big, and you could hear the bustling of people and the laughter of children. It was only about 6:30 but everything was well lit, and the ferris wheel, was spectacular, even from the outside.
They parked the car, and came out. Here, Zax was able to see Phul from up close and in full view again. He was overwhelmed once more, and his face flushed red. He tried to cover his mouth, because then he'd he smiling like an idiot! He turned away. Phul had noticed that he'd been acting weird throughout the ride, and finally confronted him about it, with a pouty face, "Are you not feeling well? We can do this some other day if you're not feeling it."
Not feeling it? He'd been feeling it too much! He'd been feeling so much if he felt any more his heart would explode.
But he managed to calm himself down.
"Ah no that's not the case at all." He said as he took out the dahlias he had bought, "I was just flustered because you looked so pretty."
Phul blushed hard at the sudden line. She always wondered how he could say such cheesy lines with such a serious face. She took the dahlias, they smelled nice. But Zax smelled better, she thought, and was immediately embarrassed.
"Let's just go in." She hurriedly said, and they both entered in.
So much to see and so much to do, but Phul had it all planned out. First they went to the huge merry go round, a little childish, but its an amusement park staple. Zax could not focus on what was around him though, there was something far more beautiful to him just before his eyes. Even when they ate cotton candy, or churros, or rode the roller coaster, or got those huge balloons, all he could feel was this warm feeling in his chest, as if he was a little boy with his first crush, everything Phul said and did looked so pretty in his eyes. He just wanted to hold her hand, and kiss her all over. "Ah, I love her so much." He thought to himself.
And he stopped for a while. "I love her so much." Yes, it was an obvious thought. But he realized that his worries from earlier that day were groundless. He wasn't some obsessed fan, he actually really cared for her and loved her. And that made his relieved for some reason. He enjoyed the rest of their activities too. Then they got on the ferris wheel for the finale. It was a slow and relaxing ride, and the wheel was so big the lit city looked like tiny stars.
"It was fun, wasn't it?" Phul initiated the conversation.
"Very much. Thanks for bringing me here." He said.
"So much happened today, didn't it?" Phul asked, and as she did, she closed her eyes, as if she was replaying the events of today in her head, "But I'm glad we cleared that up."
"Yeah. I'm sorry again for not being able to tell you sooner." Zax said.
"Nah, it's okay. So, how's it like working there?" Phul asked, excitedly.
"It's actually very nice. It feels much more...professional than the last place I guess?" Zax said, "But I'm glad my professor referred me there, it's been very easy for me to adjust too, I'm going to be done with university soon, so working for an established company is good for future incomes, ha."
"Ha, yes, I'm glad to hear that you're liking it there." She said and she smiled.
"I...actually see TARA quite often too." Zax said, slowly. He had been debating whether to tell her for quite some time, but figured it'd be best if he didn't keep any secrets from her now. And besides, he knew Phul would take it maturely, even if it hurt her.
She was silent for a while. The air was filled with the slow turning of the wheel and the distant chattering of the crowd far below. She was looking out the window to the scenery that stretched far ahead. What went through her mind as Zax said that, he wondered.
"How are they?" She finally said, after the long pause.
This response surprised Zax quite a bit. For people she claimed to hate so much, the first question she asked about them was very wholesome. "After all they're still friends that worked together for many years." He thought.
"They're doing well. You probably know that their debut is in a few weeks, so they're working hard. They're....shining."
Phul noticed Zax's expression. She sighed. He's a fan of TARA after all.
"Good for them." Phul nodded. There was nothing more she could say.
"Oh and--" Zax paused, he didn't know if he should tell Phul or not, but ultimately decided to just go for it.
"Vega told me that she was hoping you could meet her-" he stopped for a second, "and that she misses you."
There he had said it.
There was a pause.
A long pause.
"...What?" Phul said.
Zax looked up at Phul.
Her face showed fear.