I don't know what to say, or how to act. It feels as if my mind has gone blank. I've never put so much effort into going to a party of any sort. At best I just throw on some clothes and fix my face, quite frantically.
Taking time and really focusing on how you look really does give a satisfying result.
"Adah, are you coming? We're about to go to the car," Bae shouts from the front door.
"I'm on my way, I just need to take my coat real quick," I respond quickly. I'm about to leave my room before I take a quick last stop before the mirror. I look everywhere, scanning for anything I might have missed—any detail that could be improved, no matter how small.
"You look really beautiful. I knew that the black dress would look good on you." I get slightly startled by the comment. It's Joel.
"Are you admiring how beautiful you look?"
I scoff lightly. "Yes, I am. I was also looking if I forgot to do something."
"Forgot something? Like what?" I look up at him, his arm softly wrapped around me.
"Nothing, let's go before Bae comes up, asking what we're up to."
As we open the car door we can see everybody sitting.
"You two look so beautiful. The blue necklaces really match with your black dress. The sparkles on your dress really make the necklace shine," Mrs. Sali says smiling brightly.
"And so do you. You look really beautiful, Aunty," I answer turning my head towards Bae, who is peering.
"Is your necklace and his bracelet the matching jewelry?" I smile looking at Bae, seeing that she is also matching an outfit with David.
"It is. Isn't it pretty?"
"It's so beautiful, you really shone walking towards the car. You looked like the Little Mermaid. Cute."
Riding in the car I look out the window. It's five in the evening and the sun is slowly starting to set. The sky looks almost magical. As if it wants me to be caught.
"Alright, we have arrived let's go!" David enthusiastically opens the car door and I snap up from my daily daydreaming.
"The car ride sure was short," Joel looks at me as if he knows what I'm thinking.
"You'll get to see more scenery on our way back. It'll be a lot of traffic."
"Okay, let's go." I smile and hold his hand entering the hotel doors. The lobby is filled colorfully with Christmas colors. Several Christmas trees are decorated, I can even spot the ornaments we painted.
"Adah, Joel let's enter the ballroom and meet up with your parents."
The ballroom looks like it's been made in a historical manhwa. Everything feels so extravagant yet still so elegant.
In the midst of it all my eye catches something. Someone. My heart leaps in my chest. It's her. The familiar figure I've been longing to see. I let go of Joel's hand, my steps quickening. The world around me blurs slightly as I focus on her.
"Mom!" I call out, my voice trembling with excitement and disbelief.
"Ah, is it really you, my daughter? You've grown up so much in only a little over a week and a half."
"Mom, look! Doesn't this dress look so good on me?" I spin around, trying to show her every sparkle, every detail.
"It looks lovely. The sparkles make you shine. You're so beautiful." She steps forward, and I rush into her arms, feeling warmth flood me like I've been missing it for ages. In that moment, all the words I've held inside—the thoughts, the feelings, the longing—seem to spill out into this embrace. My chest tightens. My heart is full. It's as if the entire week has led to this single, perfect second.
"But Mom, where is Dad, Apphia, Anah and Ezra?"
"They are here talking to some people and—" My mom looks up and smiles. "Joel you've grown tall! How are you?"
"I'm good Aunty, how are you?"
"I'm good, how is the winter break?"
"It's good, I finally get to take a short break from the school work. How is work going in the bakery?"
"Everything is going well, me and Kingsley are doing our best by God's grace. Where is your mother?"
"My mom is with my dad over there," he says pointing towards the entrance.
"Alright I'll be going now, me and your mother have a lot to catch up on. Adah I'll see soon. Love you." I wave my mom goodbye and my focus is now on Joel.
"How long have you been here." He looks at me smiling.
"Since the moment you let go of my hands."
"Why were you acting as if you were seeing your mom for the last time, today?"
"I did not." He laughs lightly. "You'll be going back home today, I want to spend as much time as I can with you, Adah."
"We'll still meet each other after New Year's Day, it's okay."
"Am I the only one who is sad? We won't see each other for over a week after today."
"Well we have to spend Christmas and New Years with our family, you know. Plus we can still call each other every day."
"Really, are you sure," his eyes light up. "I know you don't like talking on the phone."
"It's okay I can do it if it's you."
The night feels short yet long. It's bustling with people talking. Everyone catches up to meet someone they haven't met in a while. Yet it suddenly gets quiet, once the music starts. As if everyone knows what this moment means.
"Can I have the honor of dancing with you?" Joel asks expectation written on his face.
"Yes of course."
As I step on to the dance floor I can feel myself stiffen. It's almost foreign. "I'm here, I'll lead you, so don't worry. I have everything under control. I didn't dance waltzes tirelessly in PE, classes to mess up now."
I laugh, feeling my body loosen up. The moment suddenly feels like ours. Our little universe.
I'm swept up in the moment. The twinkling of the lights—don't change a thing.
"You were right I have nothing to worry about. You're great at dancing."
"So are you Adah." His eyes are steadily on mine. The motion of his hands is swift, yet soft. It makes me feel happy.
"Want to meet up during New Year's Eve?"
"Are you free then?"
"Nope, I'm only free in the morning. Mom usually sends me to buy stuff. We'll bake a bunch of stuff, plus we eat breakfast together during the holidays."
"Will you be shopping around the supermarket?"
"Yes and then I'll probably go to the bakery for croissants and other stuff. Will it be okay with you?"
"Yes, just call me when you're getting ready so I can meet you on the way."
"Why does this feel like we're planning a secret rendezvous," I say giggling quietly.
"Maybe because it is our little secret."
A mirror far away—
captures feelings in the distance.
Shining and blinding.
Thoughts fill my mind.
A place so magical—
so breathtaking.
I hope it never ends.
A warm hug.
An exhale without breathing, such a feeling.
People meet.
Talk and greet.
Our conversation—
leads to a secret moment.