Life has brought me many challenges, but one thing is certain: my once-elusive dream is now within my grasp. I have been dreaming about this very moment.
"I can't believe it. It's finally coming true!" I squeaked while hugging my masterpiece. A book that I have been working on and putting all of my passion into.
"Miss Hana, are you ready?" I heard the staff ask as she was peeking outside the door of the room where we are staying. "Yes," I answered hesitantly, "I'm just feeling a little nervous." I added as I looked at myself in the mirror.
"It's normal to feel that way considering that it is your first live book reading," Roni said as she jumped in front of me and touched my hair locks. I smiled at her, thinking that some things never really change. "Thank you for coming all the way up here, Roni. I really appreciate that you made time for this."
"Are you kidding me? Of course, I would support you in any way I could. Being your best friend hasn't really changed," she looked at me and smirked, "or is it one-sided now?" I chuckled lightly at her question. Oh, how I miss being around her. "It's never going to be one-sided; you're stuck with me," she said with a sigh of relief after hearing my answer. "I'm actually very glad to hear that. At some point, I thought you might have forgotten about me." I rolled my eyes at her for thinking that way. "You're just too clingy and dramatic, Roni." I answered, and we both chuckled. "Well, you can't blame me for missing my best friend!" I rolled my eyes at her but then smiled because I missed her too. A lot.
"I'm sorry to interrupt Miss Hana, but your book reading is about to start. People are already waiting and ready for you," the staff from earlier said, "Okay, thank you," I said as she walked over to me and smiled, "Don't worry honey, they will love it." I smiled back at her as she gave me a little nod of reassurance.
I walked to the exit and slowly opened the door, trying to take a peek at my audience. I smiled as I looked into a small group of about fifty people sitting patiently in the lounge of the library. "You can do this!" I heard Roni quietly shouting at the back, if that's even a thing. I mouthed back the words "thank you" as I made my way to the lounge.
I could not help myself but get fixated on the crowd I have. They may be small for some, but they are more than enough to fill my heart.
And suddenly, I saw a familiar figure.
The sun is shining right on him. I kept looking to make sure he was who I thought he was.
From the small crowd I have, my eyes are fixated on him.
It's been years since I last saw him. At some point, I thought I may never see him again because the paths to our dreams do not cross. Not even close.
And to be this close to him again made my heart beat fast. "Luke?" I whispered to myself, making sure that he was the person I thought he was. He smiled at me for recognizing him and nodded in affirmation.
I smiled back at him, thinking that I could get my eyes off him. "Miss Hana, you may start whenever you're ready," the old lady staff cleared her throat as she guided me to my seat. I finally had a reason to break away from the eye lock I had with him.
I did not dare to look back at him again, but every move I make feels like he is watching over me. The thought of it made my heart beat faster and faster. He is the epitome of my dreams and the missing piece I have been waiting for for a really long time.
How I wish I could just run straight back to him and forget about the live book reading. But I can't do that, because being able to sit for a book reading and to become an author is what I decided to do for the past few years. My passion and motivation, the hard work I've put in, and the time I invested just to get where I am are all worth it.
And now, it's even more worth it because he's here. He's back.