ASTHERIEN'S POV :-
I was at an award night.
There were so many celebrities here. Actors, directors, producers… people everyone knew.
And me? I didn't even know how to interact properly. I barely recognized half of them.
It's been a week since we went on that date, yet wherever I go, my mind keeps drifting back to it.
Oh no.
Forget it- At least for now.
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I sat there quietly, watching actors and directors walk up the stage one after another, receiving their awards with emotional speeches and teary smiles.
And strangely… I felt relieved.
So this is how an award show really feels.
Before this, I had never attended one. Or maybe… I never wanted to.
I had received invitations before, countless times actually, but I always ignored them. I never thought I belonged in places like this.
Then suddenly-
The nominees for "Best New Actress Award" were announced.
And guess what?
I won.
For a moment, everything felt unreal.
Walking up to the stage, hearing the applause echo through the hall, seeing hundreds of people looking at me under those bright lights… it all felt like a dream I never allowed myself to dream before.
Holding that award in my hands while giving my thank you speech…
It felt warm.
Like years of silent hard work finally being seen.
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After the event, there were small interviews about how we felt after winning.
Even our latest movie received the "Best Storyline Award."
The entire evening went better than I expected.
After the event, I was inside the car, heading back to the hotel.
All my luggage was already packed there. I had a flight tomorrow morning to go back home.
Outside, the night stretched endlessly.
The car moved steadily along the highway while streetlights passed one after another, their soft golden light slipping through the window.
A long road. A quiet night.
I rested my head slightly against the seat and stared outside, watching the shadows created by the streetlights disappear beneath the moving car.
The shimmer of my dress glowed even brighter whenever light touched it.
Everything felt so quiet.
Slowly, my eyes shifted toward the award placed beside me.
And suddenly… I felt something I couldn't explain.
Not excitement. Not pride.
Just… peace.
A different kind of peace.
The kind that settles silently inside your chest after a long storm.
I don't even remember when I fell asleep, my head resting against the back seat as the city lights faded behind me.
KAIZA'S POV :-
I was in the office.
Technically, I had no work left to do. But when she wasn't here… and dad was away on vacation too… I just didn't feel like going home yet.
The office lights were off except for the faint city glow entering through the glass windows.
Below, the roads were still crowded with moving vehicles, headlights passing endlessly through the night.
I don't know what to call this feeling.
But I'm happy.
Happy in a way I haven't been in years.
Happy because, for the first time, I can freely imagine a future with her in it.
A better life.
A small smile appeared on my face at the thought.
My hands slipped back into my pockets again.
And then I felt it.
That bracelet.
The bracelet I had been wanting to give her for years.
I once tried to give it to her back in high school.
FLASHBACK
It was recess time, and I was searching for her everywhere.
Then I saw the school notice board.
She got selected.
Selected for the acting audition as a child actor.
I remember staring at her name for a second before smiling like an idiot.
I had promised her that if she ever got in, I'd give her something special.
In my hand was a small blue bracelet.
I had bought it when we first became friends, waiting for the perfect moment to give it to her.
And to me, this moment felt perfect.
I ran through the corridors, students crowding everywhere from different classes.
My shoulders bumped into people while running, but I didn't care.
I was too busy trying to find her.
When I finally reached her classroom, I saw her standing there with Jaff.
I stopped.
For a second, I wanted to walk toward her.
But I couldn't.
He was handing her a gift box, wrapped perfectly with expensive packaging.
It looked beautiful. Expensive too.
My eyes slowly dropped toward the bracelet in my hand.
Compared to his gift, mine suddenly looked… small.
Cheap.
But I never wanted to give her something expensive.
I wanted to give her something she would keep forever.
Still… I quietly hid the bracelet back inside my pocket.
Without saying anything.
END OF FLASHBACK
It's been years.
And somehow, that bracelet still remains hidden in my pocket.
"Was I afraid to give her this?" I asked myself softly while staring at it in my hand.
No.
I wasn't afraid.
I was just affected by the smile she gave while receiving that expensive gift.
Back then, I thought things like that mattered more.
And maybe they did matter.
But not enough for someone to stay forever.
A faint smile appeared on my lips again as I closed my hand around the bracelet.
Because now…
I finally have her.
Not just for a moment.
But as someone I can keep forever.
Author's note-
Sorry reader, I know it's been a really really long time since I uploaded the last chapter, I know this chapter might not be perfect as I wrote this after so long.
I can't promise to stay consistent but can try.
Thank you for staying even when I wasn't consitent.