Dani stood in a large window watching as the red, twin-engined thing speed-up until it's disturbing sound flew away in the distance. After being motionless for several minutes, she took a shower, changed her clothes and went out. She can't breathe in that house. The silence in that place was suffocating.
'And you're suffocating too.'
That thought popped out of the thin air of her subconscious. She needs noise and distractions that will bring her peace. As she watched the light on the subway screen came on, the train left at last. Outside the window, the skyscrapers were towering over the figures of telephone poles and the likes. Those blurry sceneries were the only ones reflected in her eyes for a long time.
The metro is bustling with people and activities. Noise from cars, music overlapping from different directions, and shouts from people mostly from the streets. Office workers, students, youths, and tourists passing by. Stalls and shops who have colorful and welcoming displays of a valentine theme. She came back two weeks earlier before the end of February.
Fresh flowers, chocolate, and heart shaped balloons were displayed in the side street. She didn't know what to do, so she climbed the overpass. Cars, buses, and trucks in multi-lane traffic, upscale businesses and specialty stores with large signs and billboards in its buildings, planted trees on the sidewalk... She looked down, taking the whole picture in.
After that, she continued wandering aimlessly. And remembered. The first time she was sent to this country, she was also like this. For three long months. From crossing pathways and chaotic intersections, she didn't know what route to take. She finds herself always stuck in the same place. She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration and reacted in a flash when someone grabbed her wrist. Turning around, she recognized his face.
"Hi" David saw her surprised reaction.
"Oh, hi. Long time no see."
"Yeah. Long time no see. I didn't know you were already back."
She stared at him and didn't know what to say. Suddenly, all the chaos for being in an unfamiliar place, the uncomfortable and unsettling feeling dissipated in an instant.
'Why am I like this? It's not like he came to find me.'
She snapped to reality when a man stumbled and bumped into her shoulder. "Hey! You two! Why are you standing in the way? Get a room!"
Watching the man hurrying off, they moved on to the side of the road. She noticed David's driver and the familiar Toyota car parked at the same side of the street.
"I just came back."
His light blue eyes under the black hat seemed to be on a mission to scrutinize her expression. It is one of the things she like about him. How his eyes tend to only focus on her figure even when everything else seemed chaotic.
"I see. Where are you going?"
"Anywhere. Where my feet would lead me." she answered truthfully with a smile.
David smiled along with her, feeling amused. "You're bad at direction, yet you dare to do this?"
'Because I'm trying. But it's more difficult than I thought...'
"Then what should I do? I'm so bored." she complained but he unexpectedly replied, "Then let's hang out."
"But you look like you have a plan." She felt complicated as she observed David up and down. She noticed that David's attire was different from usual. He usually doesn't bother himself to dress but today, it looks like he put on some effort. Several ideas sprung into her mind but she kept her mouth shut.
"Well, it's not really a hang out. I just wanted to bring you where I work. If you don't want to, it's okay."
She heaved a sigh of relief when she heard that.
"I have a photoshoot today." The other explained simply, making her remember the news in their message group that David had auditioned and got the role in an online drama as a supporting actor.
"I forgot. Congratulations."
"At least try to be cheerful, you know."
"Well, I'm not surprised. I know that you'll do well."
"Thanks. I was on the way to the studio when I saw you. Do you want to come with me?"
"Sure," Dani replied and they boarded his car.
"Wait. Is it okay for an outsider to be there?" Dani asked, concerned.
"Of course. I heard that our director is very strict but it's not like you will make trouble or anything. Should we get something before we go there?" At David's consideration, she shook her head.
Dani learned that he would act as the younger brother of the female protagonist. He is also included in many scenes but didn't have many lines because the role he is playing has an aloof and astute character. She thought that it was no wonder he got the role. His personality perfectly matched with the character he is going to portray.
When they got on the set, the stares pricked her skin like needles. David greeted them one by one and she followed. He also introduced her. Some made a joke with him, asking why he was flaunting his girlfriend in a group of monks.
"Well, it's Valentine's today. Don't make fun of them just because you don't have a girlfriend."
"Wow, he is busy so he brought the girl here instead. That's very sweet."
"We're not going out." David respectfully denied it. Gasps and understanding echoed in the crowd.
"Oh, so you two are in that stage."
"What do they call it? M.U. stage?"
"I can't understand youths today. Why waste time? Just date already."
Dani didn't bother opening her mouth. She knows that people only believe what they want to believe. And their situation is really suspicious. Their impression of David is a respectful, handsome lad who has a withdrawn attitude. And now on Valentines, he suddenly brought a girl onto the set. His gait is straight and tall, not impassive.
"But they're just friends!" Suddenly, someone interrupted. Dani heard that voice before.
"David, you're here." Then the intruder looked at Dani, flashing a bright smile, "Hi."
"Hello," she replied.
He's one of David's friends from the entertainment circle. They met each other during David's party, which was three months ago.
"I'm very surprised to see you again. Do you remember me?" he asks her with enthusiasm.
She nodded. She remembered him as the one who had a bubbly temperament.
"That's nice!"
She noticed that more and more people are giving their attention to them. Even the staff are walking slowly to watch the scene, wonder and intrigued on their faces. And as if he also noticed it, David was frowning.."Let's go."
A staff member ushered the two into a room to change their outfits and to put on their make-up. Dani sat in a corner. She watched as the people busied themselves. A number of people set up multiple screens, several intimidating cameras, and other machines she's not familiar about.
Most of the artists are dazzling and beautiful. She was awed by their appearance that her mouth was agape for a moment. But after that, she put on an indifferent gaze, trying to prevent herself from staring too much. Because she knew how uncomfortable it was for a person. Of course, she also knew that some people like it more when people are looking at them, because it can boost confidence and fulfill other emotional needs.
Instantly, whispered sounds and hurried steps flooded the room. The only word Dani can make up from hushed conversations is the word 'Director'. All the people except her shut their mouths and adjusted their posture. And she saw him at last. The person they were calling director has dark hair and very pale skin, looking reserved and taciturn.
Dani thought that it was no wonder why they acted like that. Because aside from the freezing air around him, he also had a bitter facial expression on his face that made him look as though his wife had passed away. A sequence of greetings from artists and staff followed. His piercing gaze swept around the room until it caught sight of Dani. His eyes landed on her for a moment. Dani didn't think too much about it at first. But when the shoot started, from time to time, she would catch his gaze. So, it started to bug her mind.
'Could it be that he found out that I'm an outsider and wants to kick me out?'
David came out of the room. She heaved a sigh of relief seeing someone familiar. He came out wearing a summer uniform. A light blue shirt, a black tie, partnered with dark green pants. Seeing him, a distant memory flashed.
He was wearing the same color of the uniform. His hair and height were shorter and his face was less sharper than now. That was after their field trip. They were sitting on the bench, waiting for the service bus to come when his words passed with the scorching breeze.
"Hey, I think I like you."