So, I said we needed to have a proper talk, but I do not know where to begin.
I want to know everything about her; what she did after she moved, who her friends were or are, if she had any boyfriend… though I better not ask that as it will only make me angry. I also want to know why she decided to become an actress, where her parents are.
I remember seeing them in some fashion events, but apart from a couple of short greetings, we have never had a real conversation.
And if they were out there in other countries and cities, since when has she been here in this city, and why she did not contact me? More importantly, if she even remembers we were friends. Because on our first reunion, where she all but barreled me over, she did not even seem to recognize me.
Was that because of the lack of glasses? But no! We were pretty close at that moment. She must have perfectly seen me!
It makes me wonder if she truly forgot about me. Had I not barged into that theater that day, would we still be two more people in this huge city without ever crossing our paths ever again? Had it not been for that fateful encounter we would have continued ignoring each other's existence until each one of us settled down with other partners and never acknowledge our feelings.
Though, I am making these assumptions as if we were once lovers. Which, sadly, we were not.
"You really like to change your hair color." She says all of a sudden, taking me out of my pensive stupor. "I liked it when you had it long, when you released Fantasy World. The color didn't do you favors, but the style was nice." She slides her fingers through my orange hair. The color did not want to stick in my greatly damaged hair, but the hairdresser did a miracle back then.
Now, I am a proud 7.46 Light Coppery Red! Aka, a ginger.
But back to my delightful Heidi!
"You have watched the video?" I ask her, trying to hide my smug smile. But that is impossible! I am very moved and proud and thrilled! She really knows I am! She has seen my work, has seen Aldo Greco, the superstar, and not the lame boy who could not outrun her.
She has seen great and amazing me!
"All of them. I've been following your career since you debuted." She smiles at me. Guh! This is too much for my tender heart! Why is she so sweet?!
"Why didn't you come to see me before if you knew it was me?" I readily grab her hand, and she easily accepts the gesture. Yes! Progress!
"You think I would easily get to see The Greco? The rising star and charming singer all fans rave about? I was lucky to meet Niccolo back when our theater company was hired to give some acting lessons to your company's rookies. Even when I wanted to approach him to ask about you, it was still hard." The hand that had been petting my hair moves away, but I catch it on its way to her lap.
Now, with both hands caught, she cannot run away from me. And I am elated to see her not trying to retrieve them from my hold. She even starts playing with my fingers! If I did not know that I would be utterly rejected, I would have moved closer to kiss her.
Small steps, Aldo. You already confessed. The cards are already on the table. You should just continue showing your hand and wait for her to fall.
"Then, when did you move back?" I inquire.
"I moved back right before you debuted. My parents went to S country because some big designer there wanted to hire them, but I decided to move back here after high school. I studied some boring career at the university and actually graduated. It was in my uni years where I fell in love with theater. I still haven't told my parents I act, though I bet they already know. And if they don't know, then I hope you don't tell them." She chuckles.
I use my hand to zip it, telling her that my lips are sealed. And, as I am still holding hers, the tips of her fingers inadvertently brush against my lips. There is a moment of tensed silence, of us just staring at each other before she looks away and I cough, embarrassed.
"That…um, does that mean you still remembered me and looked for me?" She flushes. Ah, that was answer enough. I want to hug her; I really want to.
"Remember you, yes." She hurriedly explains to hide her sudden shyness. "Look for you… um, not really." She squeaks.
But why!?
"Why?" I ask after I manage to control my agitation.
"Uh… well, because you quickly became popular, and the media hounded you, and the fans were crazy, and you were happily dating other women…" Her voice gets lower by the end, but I am able to catch her words. I want to think there is a deeper meaning to her words, but all I can feel is shame.
Right, maybe she did not need a super famous Aldo Greco with all the stalking paparazzi, the ravenous fans and the… untimely dating…
Time to change topics!
"By the way, what was with the glasses thing, and why you are not wearing them right now?" I am really confused about that tidbit. Sometimes, she uses them; sometimes, she does not.
"Oh, geez, I'm supposed to be wearing them!" She panics and stands up to go look for them, but I stop her from doing so and sit her back at the couch.
"You really have bad sight?" I lean closer to her. She rapidly blinks as she curls on her herself due to my proximity. So, I lean back. It would not do to scare her.
"I'm near-sighted. From my Dad. He likes using contacts. I find them bothersome, so I don't use them. Though, I forget to use my glasses, too." She laughs.
Seriously, not only clumsy but as simple as ever. I really want to ask if she ever had a boyfriend, but it is obvious. Just look at her!
Those lost eyes, that uncombed hair, no make-up at all and no signs of being ladylike. No fashion sense, though if she wears my clothes, then I am not complaining. Totally dense and always in her world. Who in the world would exactly have the heart to reject her perfection? To not fall in love with her?
If, I, with my picky taste can fall in love with her, why those simpler and mindless men cannot?
And, talking about falling in love…"Heidi, about what I said yesterday, I-"
Hold it!
Hold my purse, my heels and my wig!
What sort of blasphemy am I hearing in my own sacred home?!
What is that hellish noise?!
Why is Niccolo's song sounding right now?!