Ngawang stormed into her bureau and dropped a stack of papers in front of Kassan. Kassan looked up, confused. "What's this, babe?" she asked, picking them up one by one, scanning each.
"Your performance review, Kassan. The instructor and editor say your chords have been lacking. Aren't you practicing?" Sy said, cold. Kassan stood and walked toward her.
"Don't listen to them. Why wouldn't I practice for my own golden performance?"
"Then why does your music sound off?" Sy asked, gripping her shoulders. Kassan stood with something painful blooming beneath her skin.
"My music isn't sounding off, babe. It's your judgment that's clouded. Have you forgotten the music I used to play at home? They're not seeing my actual potential, babe." Kassan sniffed, pulling away from her hands.
Sy stood frozen, a numbness rising in her throat. She looked at her wife, pale, and exhaled.
"I don't want to argue about this. Just play tonight. I have to give the directors a review." Kassan nodded. Ngawang sank into a chair, two fingers pressed against her forehead.
"I've played it many times, babe. You just never heard it."
Ngawang glanced at her and nodded.
"Because I come home tired most days. I never made the time. I'll listen tonight. Okay?"
Kassan didn't answer right away. Instead, she handed over a water bottle with a straw already in it. "Drink this. You look exhausted."
Sy narrowed her eyes at the straw, then at Kassan. "You've got your lipstick on it." Without another word, Ngawang nodded and walked out of the bureau.
•••
Her steady steps slowed near the exit. A glass partition stood between her and the world outside. Beyond it, a crowd had gathered — some smiling, some waving, some holding up notes, others filming her through their phones. Kassan paused. It had been a long time since she'd held a concert this large.
She hadn't expected the news to spread so fast. She blinked at them, lips curving into a soft smile, eyes crescent-shaped with it. She was the half-moon of all their desires.
"Kassan!" a woman shouted from the crowd. Kassan stepped outside, and they closed around her instantly — like bees drawn to flowers.
"Good luck for tomorrow's performance, Kassan." the woman said. Kassan nodded.
"Thank you."
"Can I get a selfie with you?" someone else asked. Kassan never said no to that.
"Sure."
"We'll see you tomorrow, Kassan!" the first woman called out, and the crowd's energy surged with her. Kassan smiled back warmly.
The valet pulled her gently through the crowd as people pressed in further.
"One more selfie, Kassan!" voices called after her, but the valet kept moving her forward.
She turned and mouthed, "Tomorrow," before being ushered into the car.
"Please drive safely. Don't stop anywhere." Kassan nodded, then murmured, almost to herself —
"James...?" The valet didn't catch it and walked off already. She stared after him, though to him she was already invisible behind tinted glass.
She drove quickly past the company. She didn't glance at the crowd, didn't look for her wife. Her mind had already moved entirely to one thing — James.
Where was he? She kept dialing. He never let her calls go unanswered — but the line kept ringing out. Her heartbeat grew heavier with each attempt.
"Where are you, James?" Her throat went dry. Every swallow felt like an effort. Her eyes flicked over the road until she steered the car aside abruptly — her phone was ringing.
It was James.
"James? Where are you?" Her voice came out tight, worried.
"I'm sorry — my phone died. Is everything okay?" he replied.
"Everything's fine. I was just worried — I haven't seen you since this morning." Kassan said.
"Is this really you, Ms. Kassandreau?" James laughed from the other end. Kassan stayed quiet for a moment, and he caught the tension immediately.
"I'm fine. Ms. Ngawang called me — she said you couldn't pick her up, so I'm heading to the company now."
"Thank you, James."
"That's my job, Ms. Kassandreau." His voice softened. Kassan ended the call, smiling.
•••
The moment she stepped out of her car, a high-pitched voice called out behind her. She turned, and before she could process it, a small figure leapt into her arms. She caught him easily.
"Kasi~" Two small, peach-soft hands cupped her face. She blinked, caught off guard, like something had slipped out of her hands and landed right back in them. Her expression softened.
"Hey, gentleman..." she said, poking his round cheek. He laughed, kicking his legs in excitement. She smiled back, holding him close. "When did you get here? Why didn't anyone tell us?"
"Surprise, Kasi~ Mama said we're celebrating kismas with you and Aunt Sy~" he mumbled.
Kassan laughed. "Kismas? What's that?"
"A man with a white beard rides deer and gives me presents!" he shouted, pure joy bursting out of him. Kassan laughed even harder while Rafi tilted his head, confused by her reaction. "You mean Christmas, Rafi. Oh my god — 'kismas.'"
A second voice cut through the moment. Kassan glanced past Rafi and smiled.
"Bonjour, Clémentine."
"Bonjour, Kassan. Coming from the company?" she asked. Kassan nodded. "When did you fly in from France? No one told us."
"Thanara wanted to surprise Sy." she said. "Is she with you?" Kassan shook her head.
Clémentine took her hand and pulled her inside. "Everything's already set up. Let's get in and wait for her." Kassan said nothing, just held Rafi a little tighter.
Kassan stopped short when she saw gold and black balloons strung over the door, with Thanara and Clémentine pressed against the wall, party poppers ready. Clémentine gestured for her to duck behind the couch — Kassan didn't even get the chance to greet Thanara, her own brother-in-law, before she was pulled out of sight.
"Are you still upset with Ms. Kassandreau?"
James asked, handing her documents over from the car. "I can't be — she had a reason to rush off." Sy replied, shutting the car door. She glanced toward Kassan's empty parking spot and exhaled.
"What's wrong, Ms. Ngawang?"
"I was hoping we'd go to the lavender garden together today. But — never mind."
"Some other time, Ms. Ngawang." James said gently. She gave a small nod, lips pressed thin.
They walked to the entrance, and the moment the door opened, the poppers went off. Her heart jolted. She pressed a hand to her chest — and then the confetti settled into view, and her breathing steadied.
"Hey! Ngawang Sy!" Clémentine popped out from behind the door. Sy was too stunned to speak, eyes wide — and then her heart skipped again the moment her brother stepped out too.
"Oh my god. Bubba — Sista — is this really you two?" she gasped, hand over her mouth, eyes still wide. "Yes, it's really us!" Clémentine yelled, pulling her into a hug. Sy stood frozen until Kassan rose from behind the couch, Rafi still in her arms.
"Oh my god — Rafi!" Sy screamed, rushing to her. "Aunt Sy~"
"Sweetheart~ I missed you~"
"Me too~"
"Awhhh~"
Kassan watched them with a smile while Thanara quietly snapped photos. Sy crossed over to her brother and gave him a side hug.
"This might be one of the best surprises ever. Stay for dinner, okay?" she said, beaming.
"I'm sorry, Sy — we came straight here without seeing Mom and Dad first."
Clémentine added. "We need to get to them right now. Next time, alright?" Thanara said, gently stroking her hair.
Ngawang nodded, a little reluctant. Kassan rested her chin near his shoulder, greeting him.
"Hey, man."
"Hey — bonjour, Kassan. No time to really talk this time, huh?"
"I completely understand, Thanara."
He nodded. Glancing at his wife, he said, "We have to go now. We would've stayed for lunch at least, but everything's already planned. I'm really sorry."
"I understand, Thanara." Kassan said. She looked down at Rafi. "Why not leave him with us? We'll take good care of him."
"That would be lovely — but he's the main event. How are we supposed to face Mom and Dad without him? I'll drop him off tomorrow, if that works?"
"Anytime, Clémentine."