Waves of Past

“Come on! Why did you turn it off?” Anessa, my best friend, rolled her eyes as soon as I turned off the music in her phone that’s playing on the speaker.

Usually, I wouldn’t mind her and her choice of songs because there are moments that we both like the same music, but of course, there are also times when I hate her choice of music. And, this is probably the time of the month that I hate the song she was playing. Well, I used to love it, but a certain person made me hate it.

“I am listening to it!” She pursed her lips as she picked up her phone on the side shelves and started browsing it for a new song that would match my taste as of the moment.

“It’s because you put the songs on repeat mode and I know you did it on purpose.” I clicked my tongue. I am pretty sure that she is teasing me and probably reminding me of someone that I want to forget. Why is she my friend again? Sometimes, I like to question why.

“The song is so beautiful,” she said teasingly. “Are you missing someone?”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s an old song. I don’t know why you are only listening to that song now.”

I sighed and turned my back on her to pick up the magazines on the table. I put them back on the shelf then started wiping the lens of my camera. I had a full schedule a while ago that I only have time now to clean and fix my studio

Anessa was sitting on the couch, browsing her phone, instead of helping me. Oh! What a friend.

"You really have to move on, Asha," she sighed as she looked at me. Yes, I am aware of that but how could I move on when she kept on reminding me of the things that I am trying to forget.

If only she's not my best friend…tch! I have thrown her already at the bottom of the sea. Instead of comforting me, she's teasing me. Well I deserve it. She was right. It's been years…but I am still stuck.

"Just go away! Don't you have pictorials for your models?"

"Yes. Yes." She nodded as she checked her watch. "It'll be in an hour.

Anyway…" She stood up and pulled her bag on the rack. "I'll be back later."

"You're not welcome, so it's okay if you're not back." I joked while I continued wiping the lens of my camera.

She pursed her lips and showed me her middle finger. "I'll bring food. Wait for me!"

I ignored her. I heard the door open and shut after she left my studio. It was only when she was gone that I managed to sit on the couch and take a rest. I am so freaking tired, but I just don't want to show it to her. Well, even though I am tired…I enjoyed what I am doing so I don't have any regrets.

I spend another hour just lying on the couch and thinking of the next concept or theme for our photoshoot. I have collaborated with a fashion company and we are thinking of what kind of photographs we will be doing this time.

I went back to work after resting. It's already enough for me since I have a lot of things to do. I continued arranging my lenses, then I went back to developing the photos for my client. I had done some birthday photoshoots a while ago.

I edited some of the pictures. While waiting for the printed photos, I grabbed some snacks from my fridge. I only have cheese and some salad that I had left yesterday.

This two-storey building is my home and at the same time my gallery and studio. On the second floor is my unit and then on the ground floor…I have two rooms which are first for pictorials, my studio to be specific, then the other one is like my office. On the second floor, there's also two rooms...one for my gallery which includes all the photographs I had collected and some where those photographs of mine that won internationally and locally. It's a bit of a museum and I also put some photographs of my friends in there.

I bought this building years ago and had it made into my dream studio. Luckily, I succeeded. Aneesa, on the other hand, is one of my freelance photographers since she is really under a contract with a company. As for me, I decided to be independent as I don't like having someone to boss me around. I like my space and my time. With this, I am the one who fixes my schedule and I work when I want to.

Although, Anessa's contract will end next month and I think she will now join me in my studio.

Photography has always been my passion since I was a kid. But, I started with painting…drawing...then when I mastered those skills…I decided to go to photography…and now I have been doing it and will continue to do it. I just love capturing raw moments of people. It makes me happy, knowing that even though the world is cruel…people still know how to smile.

It's nice to see them happy. Photographs are memories, too. And, sometimes they are the only proof that we once had that someone in our life. When they're gone, it's their picture with us that would remind us how beautiful the memories we shared together.

I couldn't help but reminisce when my eyes suddenly fell on the picture frame on the side shelf. I was smiling in the picture with Anessa on my left and our friend who turned into a stranger now. She caused me so much pain that I wanted to throw this photograph, but I chose not to. She was my friend…and like to think that she's in heaven so that I would not hate her much.

After hours, I finished the deadlines I have to meet for tomorrow. I checked my schedules for tomorrow and until next week. It's fully-booked. Gosh! I will surely not work the week after next. I deserve a vacation!

"Oh? Why did you come back? Are you already done?" I asked Anessa when I saw her entering my studio. I was sitting cross-legs in my studio…well, I was doing a yoga pose. I need to calm myself.

It's only four in the afternoon. Usually, she'll come home later than six if she has a pictorial. She stays with me and is living rental-free. Tch. I think I am too nice to her. I should ask her to pay.

"I cancelled the pictorial because the models are not complete. And, duh! I don't want to waste my film. I bought dinner." She showed me the paperbag she brought. I could smell sushi.

"Anyway, someone called me asking if you can be their wedding photographer."

"Who?" I raised my brow.

Anessa opened the paperbag and gave me the tupperware with sushi. I started eating it with chopsticks in my hand.

"Why not you? I don't do weddings. I can just call some of my photographers."

"They specifically want you," Anessa said. "And, don't you want it? Wedding events have higher rates and they are willing to pay a big amount for your talent fee."

"I'll think about it." I shrugged. Although, I don't handle those kinds of events because I just don't like weddings. I mean, weddings make me sad. "But, I am not making any promises."

"So, are you going to accept it?"

"I don't know. Let them contact Shein," I said, referring to my secretary. "Then, I'll think about it."

I don't want to accept it but I also don't want to be rude to a customer because news flies…and this job needs word of mouth. I cannot survive in this industry if I will not take care of my clients. They are actually the ones who refer me to people…and before I became one of the highest-paid photographers, I first built the trust of my customers.

The next day, I spent the whole morning doing my photoshoot for a certain magazine. I have three photographers who helped me with my photoshoots, especially walk-in clients. They are the ones who usually take over the other clients that are not in contact with my studio.

I need fresh air because of how tired I am. We still have a lot of clients that's walking inside for a photoshoot. But, I trust my photographer so I leave them to get some fresh air. I don't know. I am happy, but there are moments where I just don't understand myself…and why I feel sad suddenly. It's weird.

I decided to spend some time at the coffee shop. I ordered the usual iced latte and some banana bread. I stayed there for hours just sketching my plan…and designing some new shoes. I haven't accepted the collaboration with this certain brand of shoes…since I am still thinking about it. I might, but I want some break.

I haven't gotten any break since last year because I want to keep myself busy with a lot of things that I decided to just continue accepting clients. Now, it's draining me.

Summer vacation has already started and I am thinking of going out of town…perhaps to an isolated island. I need to finish all my clients now. I have one week to do that.

After spending some time inside the coffee shop, I walked around the area with my camera and decided to take random pictures of strangers. Most of the time, I like watching people…and the smile on their faces. There are times where I give them free photographs if I perfectly shoot candid photos of them.

I sat on the bench near the park…not far from the coffee shop and just positioned myself…looking for my subject.

I was doing that for some quite time when a stranger bent a little and smiled at the camera. I was too stunned to move upon seeing his wide smile and his deep captivating eyes. I cursed in my mind…and automatically clicked the camera.

I hadn't recovered yet when he sat beside me. I raised my brow and faced him.

This guy has a mint smell. He was only wearing simple denim jeans, white shirt, and white sneakers. He was oozing with sex appeal and I can't help but admire his perfect face when I should not be doing it. I mean, I have seen a lot of perfect faces…but his face is something that is hard to forget. Ugh! Why am I saying this? Stop with this nonsense, Asha!

Ugh! He's ruining my peace of mind.

But, I cannot deny the fact that he is indeed handsome.

"What?" I raised my brow. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

I almost fell when he said, "Hi. I am Ace Key Damian and I am in love with you."

My jaw dropped. Seriously? Is he playing with me? I looked around trying to see if there's some camera or what around the corner that would say that it's a prank. Surely, this isn’t real because if yes...then he is crazy for actually falling in love with me. Should I believe him? Of course, why would I believe in him? I am not crazy to believe in him. Like, duh! It’s so obvious that he is playing a game. And, I don’t want to play with his games now. Why is he bothering me?

"Are you kidding me?" I blinked. I closely looked at him waiting for him to laugh. "Is this some kind of prank?"

Instead of answering me, he said, "Will you marry me?"

That’s probably the fastest move a guy has ever done for me. What the hell? He’s serious that for a moment I believed in him.

Okay. I don't know what to say. If this is probably any other day…like the usual ordinary day where I am looking for someone to date…I would accept his proposal because why not? He's charming and he has everything I want for a guy. However…this is one of the moments where I already decided that I will not love again.

Come on! Did he seriously fall in love with me? At first sight? Should I be proud of it? Wow! I cannot believe I am that beautiful.

“Are you crazy?” I clicked my tongue. "Seriously?" My eyes widened. He is not really giving up this act.

“Crazy, madly in love with you, beautiful lady." He winked. He brushed his hair and closely looked at me...surveying my face.

I laughed, sarcastically laughed. I don't know what to say so I just laughed because I hate myself for feeling butterflies in my stomach when I should not be feeling it. Damn! I wondered how many girls had fallen for his act. Like, seriously? He’s so freaking handsome. But, he also looks like trouble and I don’t want that now.

"Okay. I appreciate the confession, but I don't have time for you and your prank.

So, can you go away?" I signaled dismay and my desire to get him away in my face as soon as possible.

"Are you rejecting me?" He pouted. He held his chest like it was hurting. Wow! He is really pushing his act. Looking closely, I think I have seen him before...or maybe I am just hallucinating. I am pretty sure I would remember if I had seen him before. Maybe it’s someone who just looks like him.

"I don't even know you. Like, duh?" I rolled my eyes. "I have a lot of things to do and you're not included in the things that I should do. So, will you please get out of my face and look for someone else to bother?"

"I already found you. Why would I look for another one?" He grinned, not really following me. He's so stubborn. “I want you!”

I scoffed and ignored his words.

"Fine! What do you need?" I sighed. It seems like he won’t let it go unless he is able to get what he wants from me.

"Your number." He smiled at me. “May I have your number?”

I stood up. There is no way I am going to let my time be wasted by this stranger. Now, I am thinking he is a playboy. Damn! Does he think that he can get every girl just because he is handsome?

I can’t believe he is just asking for my number. He is a stranger. Does he think I am going to give it to him easily? Duh!

I started walking away…and I thought he would stop pestering me…but he followed me. The nerve of this guy!

"Why are you following me?" I stopped and raised my voice. He might be handsome, but I really hate when people disturb my space.

“I need your number. I am asking for your number…" He simply replied like it wasn't a big deal.

"And, who told you that I am going to give it to you?" I raised my brow.

"I am not going to stop bothering you unless you give me your number!" He playfully grinned. He put both of his hands inside his pocket and smiled at me.

"Fine!" I sighed defeatedly. I asked for his hand and wrote my number. I am just going to block his number if he starts texting me.

I don't know what had gotten into me that instead of giving him my wrong number, I gave him the real one. Am I going crazy?

"What's your name?"

I shrugged. "Find out and surprise me."

"Can I court you if I find out your name?" He asked.

"Yeah. Sure," I replied as a joke because there is no way I am going to see him again. "Don't ever think of following me. I love my space." I warned him.

I almost dropped my camera when he said, “See you again, Asha Nathalia Imperial.”

How the hell did he know my name?