Is this destiny?

Merve frowned toward the side of the stage where Ade and Hande disappeared from the sight while contemplating if she should go there and give them a good lesson on decent behavior, or if she should keep that lesson for after the party. First, hugging in Hande\'s room, and now on the stage? What is next?

"Your sister did amazing." Corey\'s praise pulled Merve out of her thoughts. "I can tell that she practiced a lot. I can\'t believe that she held the violin for the first time only a few months ago."

"Thanks." Merve said stiffly. "She is working hard."

"It\'s obvious that Ade is more skilled than she is. He was following her pace." Corey added, unsure why Merve\'s mood is off.

How Corey sees it, Ade and Hande worked hard, it showed during their performance, and then they hugged in happiness that it went well. Corey thinks of that hug like a high-five, but with more body contact.

Merve was interested to find out more. "How do you know that Ade followed Hande\'s pace?"

"I can play violin." Corey said smugly and then swiftly toned it down. "I\'m not very good, but I can play a few tunes. Ade allowed Hande to set the pace, and he followed. Well, his options were to show his capabilities and to embarrass Hande and that would be rude, and it would spoil the act as a duet. Like this, he allowed her to shine, and their joint performance was better…"

Merve exhaled. The thought that Ade will sacrifice an opportunity to show off and he would share the spotlight with Hande, made Merve\'s fighting spirit diminish. Maybe Ade is not a bad guy. Maybe. However, Hande can\'t go hugging boys! Unacceptable!

As the next act, Masika and Imani performed together. Masika was playing the harp, and Imani cello. Cello produced deep notes which shook everyone\'s hearts with anxiety, like an ominous presence is nearby, and light tones from the harp were like fairy magic that spread hope how everything will end well. It was a strange mix that created a suspenseful piece in an unsuspecting harmony.

Next, Allen and Julius lit up the crowd with their grand pianos while playing a variety of currently popular rock and pop songs. Many from the audience joined in by singing.

After them, a group of girls sang, and Jamari accompanied them on the piano.

When Jamari got off the stage, Imani almost bumped into him. She tried to make it look accidental.

"You did well." Imani said with a small smile.

"Thank you. You too…" He responded stiffly and walked away.

Imani looked after Jamari and her heart cracked. Ever since their talk after Disneyland, Jamari is distant. For the last two months, he didn\'t initiate talking with her and whenever she says something, he responds as briefly as possible. More than once, Imani saw Jamari leave the common area when she arrived.

Imani can see that Jamari is not over the rejection, but she is not sure what to do. She tried staying away, and talking is obviously not working, and at the end of it all… she is missing him. Imani remembers that they used to spend a lot of time together and they were laughing, and it was fun; her mood would improve when Jamari was with her. But now all that is gone.

"Are you OK?"

Imani turned to the source of that question and met Masika\'s concerned gaze.

"Yeah…"

Masika was not willing to let it go. "You don\'t look fine. Come… let\'s talk…"

Imani and Masika made their way out of the event hall and entered one side-room which was empty.

"Will you tell me what is going on?" Masika asked when she closed the door behind them.

Imani plopped on the sofa. "Nothing new. Whenever Jamari is cold towards me… it hurts."

Masika took a seat next to Imani. She is confident that the hurting part is mutual. "Did you try talking to him?"

Imani nodded, then shook her head, and then shrugged.

"Talk about what? How I rejected him and now I\'m bothered that he is staying away?"

"Yes. If that is what\'s on your mind, then… yes." Masika said honestly.

Imani lowered her head. "It would not be fair. I know what he wants, and I can\'t give that to him. I don\'t think that I can see him differently than a brother."

"But, you are missing him, and you wish to spend time with him. Right?"

Imani could not deny that part. "Yeah. All this is such a mess. Everything was great, and then he wanted us to date, and I said no, and I wish that we can go back to how it used to be. Just friends."

"It was friends to you, but he hoped for more. Are you sure you don\'t want to give him a chance?"

Imani frowned. "What\'s the point? It will only make things worse."

Masika snorted and shook her head in disapproval. "Worse than what? Aren\'t both of you miserable now? I remember that you used to spend a lot of time with Jamari. He was always helpful, and kind, and he would make you laugh. Does it need to be more than that? How many boys can make you feel at ease and make you laugh? You told me that there are no fireworks when you are close to Jamari, but not all relationships start with wild explosions which shake your soul. Some start from friendship. And just because you see him as a brother now, it does not mean that you will not see him as a man in the future."

Imani pressed her lips into a line while thinking about Masika\'s words. "Are you talking from the experience?"

Masika was confused. "What experience?"

Imani slowly lifted her right hand, and with her index finger pointed at the star-shaped golden pendant around Masika\'s neck.

Masika looked at Imani in disbelief when she realized… "Are you talking about Zack?"

Imani nodded. "Only a fool would not see that he is treating you extra-nice."

Masika didn\'t deny it. "Sure. I saved his life and he feels indebted to me."

"I know. I was there. I was shooting as well. How come I didn\'t get all those knife-throwing lessons and a golden chain with a pendant?" Imani said teasingly.

"Uhm… he is like an older brother."

Imani bobbed her head. "OK. This confirms that I was right: you are a fool."

Masika was about to protest, but Imani lifted her hand, to stop her from talking.

"Masika, you said that he is like a brother? Where did I hear that before?"

Masika was sure that Imani is exaggerating and that Imani only wants to get back at her because of the previous talk related to Jamari. "You don\'t know what you are talking about."

Imani made a face. "Maybe. But ask yourself… If Zack came here right now and asked you on a date, what would your response be?"

Masika\'s eyes darted aimlessly and her expression showed that she is confused.

Imani stifled a laugh. "Before giving me advice, maybe you should make sure that your yard is clean. Let\'s return to the party before Zack comes here to look for you."

"Why would he look for me?"

Imani shrugged. "He might be worried if everything is alright…"

"Stop it!" Masika hissed.

Imani grinned. "Stop with what?"

"You are putting ideas in my head and I don\'t want to start thinking about things which are not happening."

Imani stood up and walked to the door. "Oh, it\'s happening. But you don\'t see it. Yet."

Imani and Masika made their way through the hallway, and at the entrance of the event hall, they met Zack.

Imani threw a side-glance at Masika before asking Zack: "Are you looking for someone?"

Zack\'s eyes darted toward Masika. "I saw you leave in a hurry, and I wanted to check if everything is alright. Did something happen? Can I help?"

Imani looked a Masika and burst into giggles.

Masika knew that Imani is telling her \'I told you so\', but Zack was only worried if any emergency happened. Right? RIGHT?

Masika looked at Zack and met his confused expression and she felt heat seeping into her cheeks. \'Damnit, Imani! Now I am imagining things!\'

"Everything is fine…" Masika mumbled. "Let\'s go back to the party…"

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