My heart bleeds on paper

CHAPTER NINETEEN

As humans, I believe we're all connected to one another either through other humans or events or through our different walks of life. However, the most connected people in life are those who occupy a place in our hearts. Those ones whom we share our sorrows and joys with. Those whom no matter how much they you feel you care, you actually care a lot more than that. Those who have complimented your essence, those who try to hide from you yet all you see even in a crowded room, even in a fog-filled night, all you can and do see is them.

"so, how are you liking the event so far?" Ayo comes up to me and asks me and I nod and take a sip of Ala's wine. She'd kill me if she realised her glass is almost empty.

"i didn't know photographers held exhibits like they do with arts" i tell him

"But they are all Arts aren't they?" he asks signalling a waiter carrying a tray of wine

"i guess it is, especially judging from Ala's piece" i tell him, adding a little praise for Ala which she totally deserves and more. I never knew photography could speak as loud as hers does

"I agree, she is so talented and it shows in every of her work even on her worse days - we both chuckle at the last part - speaking of the devil where is she?" he adds reaching for a glass of wine from the tray

i gulp the last of what is in Ala's glass before answering "she went to the restroom" i say stretching my hand to keep the empty glass before taking another one

"like i told you, please take care of her, she means a lot me"

"letting you down is letting me down, and i don't want to let neither myself nor you down, she means so much to me too" i tell him

"cheers to her hopefully saying yes to you" he says raising his glass. I smile and raise mine only for the glass to slip from my hand and shatter to the ground spilling it's content all over the floor

I looked at the glass "that was a dramatic fall" i state with a chuckle, and just like that an uneasy feeling crept up my spine and for a second i felt like the air around me seized

"Are you okay?, step out of the glass, let me get someone to clean it up" Ayo kept talking but the feeling came again and just like that it disappeared leaving someone's name on my mind

Ala

"Ala" i breathe out and start my way to the female restroom only to be stopped at the door by Ayo

"what is going on, what is wrong? are you okay, the male restroom is the next one" he tells me but i grow weary as time goes by

i look to him and say her name "Ala, she's been there for too long"

He laughs a little "i'm sure she's fine, take a seat, maybe the glass startled you, relax" he tries to assure me but i am not having it.

I search for the nearest lady and just then i spot Zainab heading our way, i rush to her "Zainab" i hold her hand

"What's wrong you look pale, are you okay"

"Please, help me check Tamuno-Ala, i don't feel good"

"calm down, what is this about?"

"Zee, please help me check Ala, she went to the restroom, please" i beg. I realise that i look like a maniac but i know this feeling, and i'll be damned if i take it for granted

she nods and then proceeds to the restroom by then the small crowd that formed had started to disappear when they realised i wasn't drunk but a tad bit psychotic.