Like something bad is about to happen

"Boys" Myla's dad calls and they two men turn to face an age man coming their side.

"What are all of you doing here when everyone is inside?"

"Just taking air", his son answers.

"Can I talk to this young man right next to you for a second?" the old man tells his son and he smirks towards Jamal before walking off.

Jamal inhales, not knowing what her dad wants to tell her but he goes flabbergasted when he speaks "Are you the young man my daughter always see in her dreams?"

He adds, "She's always talking of someone like you from features and everything but I don't know what is taking her so long to realize it? This can't be just a coincidence. I'm so sure you are him"

"Mr.—"

"No, call me dad"

"Dad, I am sincerely unaware of what you're talking about"

"No worries. You'd know some day. We shouldn't keep them waiting. Come, we need to see both of you sing together"

"Sing?"

"Yeah" he tugs Jamal on the arm and they strolled out of the open.

...

Jamal and Myla are done playing and everyone applauds. She looks over at her parents who are seated together and she's happy they got over their misunderstanding for over 40 years. She looks at her siblings, step sisters and friends who are joyous of this wonderful moment and then looks up at Jamal who is seated next to her and letting go of her hands which he controlled to play the piano.

She smiles faintly "I have an announcement to make"

His phone buzzes next to him and it was his mom calling. He has to pick so she nods for him to leave.

Since she can't keep everyone waiting she has to announce it, while he goes on out of the room to answer his call.

"Yes, mom"

"Son. Something is going on. You need to rush here first and do not tell your—friend Myla."

"Why? What's going on?"

"Just come now"

"I can't make it now. Except it's something more important than Myla's graduation party"

"Damn it! You sound just like your sister. She can stay there for you. You need to come now. This is about you. Trust me you won't want to know what's going on before you make it here. And do not tell that girl, she can't be trusted"

He chuckles "Okay, mom we've talked about this a number of times. If this is about her then do not expect me to come over."

"Fine! Someone accessed your system to spoil your reputation. And not just that, but they wiped up all you files. Your company is drowning. You've been so busy with that girl and don't have time for your own enterprise. Look what it cost you. Everything!"

"What are you talking about?"

Myla walks into his presence. And he tells his mom "I'd call you back later" taking his phone away, breathing normally and turning to face her.

"Is everything ok?" she gawks him, deeming that he's not fine from how rapidly he stopped his call.

"Yeah" he says simply staring into her eyes. But his eyes tell the reverse to her, like he's hiding something.

He notices and tries not to dig in her intimidating gaze. She can be very influencing when it comes to reading emotions; like making someone tell her his/her entire story line from their birth till the present.

She has never seen him this nervous but she flashes it away with a gentle smile, trying not to over think. Today is a happy moment for her and she doesn't want to spoil it.

"I came here to tell you about the announcement I was telling everyone inside"

He nods faintly smirking and she can't help but notice it too. She feels weird; like something bad is about to happen, she shakes her head and rides on "Well, uh . . . many production houses have asked for us to be their plays. They want to get us contracted. But I don't know if you'd—"

"I won't." he replies and his cold responds causes her to bath her lashes. He says immediately trying not to make her feel bad "I have an organization to manage. I love acting, singing but the other is in my top list. I was guessing you should know that by now"

She nods, gulping and staring at the night sky, feeling her heart stink.

"I understand. But—don't get me wrong. I'd love you to be with us. You can still do both career. I mean . . . we've gone through this together and I know that not everything ends up the way we want all the time but—why just throw it now? I do a lot of things and I'm able to handle it, still, not my strength but because I love doing them. And we know you love those things too. So, if I can, why can't you?"

"I'm not you. We are different people. Like I said, I won't. I want to focus on one. If you want to go on with it, then ok. I support you. But don't try to change my mind about this just because you love what you're doing and want everyone to do it too?"

"No, I-I didn't mean that. And I'm not actually trying to change your mind. I'm helping you to understand how this is huge for you"

"You don't get it do you? Where will you go on with all these? Spending your whole life doing so many things and not having one thing to focus or spend time with the people you love."

Her brows come together in deep confusion "What exactly is it you want to say?"

"I need you . . ."

Her heart swells and he adds, "To be careful with what you decide. This acting stuff is very complicated and the world in there is something else. They're going to use you and . . ."

Is that what he wanted to say?

"I'd be careful. They only use those who let themselves be used. They can't use me because I won't let them."

"That's what you think. What about your future? If ever you get married"

She is confused "The future takes care of itself. Now is not time for that. We've talked about this. Why do you keep bringing it up? Stop worrying about things that are yet to be important. Till then I have nothing to add to this."

"Great. I too have nothing to tell you about this. Congrats with your new journey" He turns to leave and Myla holds his hand. He looks down at it and to her.

"What's wrong with you?"

"I need to go home. An emergency. See ya later" he takes his hand off.

She holds back that stink in her chest and eyes from ruining her night. That painful groining in her belly, crying that he shouldn't leave. He should stay.

She thought she was a strong woman, independent and wounded not to let a man destroy her joy. But he makes her feel weak, helpless, broken and shattered all for her soul alone.

Why can't he see? See that she needs him. She wants him by her, with her, for her and not against her.

She walks out of there after taking in a deep breath and biting her lips that are now groceries from how hard she kept harming it to stop herself from weeping.

She swore not to let her tear drop for a man. So she goes extra to make this happen. She hopes this feeling is not love. So that she can easily get out of it and move on.

Her steps are impatient. She wants to forget this instance. An instance she was walked out from and left with disturbing questions. These types of questions have just one solver. And he is this solver. What was he talking about over the phone? Why did his character become different all of a sudden?

"Myla?" Patricia stops the absentminded girl once she got in.

Myla jerks as if being in a trance "Yeah . . ."

"Did you and my brother have a fight?"

She shakes her head rapidly "No? Why?"

"Are you sure about this? Your face . . . looks somewhat red?"

"Yeah. Nothing to worry about" her hastiness warrants Patricia say.

"He left just now . . . wounded"

She bits her bottom lip, still in struggle not to brake out. She should reserve this river of tears for a better occasion. Not right now or here.

"Everything is fine. He just needs to clear up his mind."

"From what Myla?" she insists

"I don't know. He just started behaving strange after he made a call", she states and Patricia stares at her, mind ruminating on what it could be.

"I should meet the others. I'd catch you up later" Myla leaves Patricia ruffling her mined on the same questions she gave up trying to solve.

To be continued...