Forbidden

Ch 35

(EXHIBITION DAY!!! - 26th of MAY 2022)

KIERA

I entered the Scott Publishers gallery, nervous, filled with anxiety, scared too. It was all new for me. There was going to be real living people seeing my work. Not like one, two likes I got in social media. This was very different and surreal. All of my emotions washed away when I saw Ian in his navy blue suit. He could calm me standing miles away. We walked towards each other in slow strides. Ethan pointed at the spot Ian had shown me earlier as the best spot of the gallery which right now had one of my works up there. He gave a thumbs up and that was one of the rare times I had an uplifting confidence.

Ian: You must feel awkward.

Kiera: Yeah a little.

Ian: Congratulations on your first exhibition.

Kiera: Thank you so much.

Ian: It took me a month to find an excuse to meet you.

I didn't have any reaction to that. I turned sideways to see Caleb walking in the gallery. He didn't stop to talk to me or Ian and walked towards a female reporter and started talking about something. This was weird. He should have at least greeted me. I mean don't I fucking deserve a 'hey how have you been' after the shit he put me through. I too hadn't met him for a month but I guess only I thought of him meanwhile he moved on. A while later we were made to stand together for the interviews.

I was standing in my a line black blazer dress. It gave me my boss bitch confidence. Clothes can make you feel different if wore right. I had a slick bun done and very minimal makeup. Caleb was standing beside me wearing off-white blazer over a white t-shirt and black jeans. . Basic but he looked fine in it.

Reporter 1: Is there a special reason that the handwriting styles have been different for different neighborhoods?

Kiera: Oh yes. We visited a total of ten locations for the making of this calligraphy photobook. In each neighborhood and location we came with a special concept. For example in Downtown Boston the place has both past and present. It has seen a lot of development compared to other areas. So I have written in a format where it looks like the words are flying.

Reporter 2: Mr. Rivera, On what basis was the locations chosen?

Caleb: These are the hot places of Boston. These are the places where travelers and citizens exist together. For me who has spent ten years abroad for schooling, Boston is both familiar and strange. But however it is, it seems more beautiful than ever. That's why I wanted to click photos of Boston which looked nice for both travel destination and daily life.

After all the interviews was done, I went to the washroom. This was the first time I was centre of attention and boy, I wasn't used to it. The washroom was the calmest place of all. The way Caleb crossed me not speaking to me, he was over me way quickly I was over him. It took me ten years and him probably a month. I wish I was as fast as him. I couldn't stay at this washroom any time longer thinking about how I wasted my life before. I was pacing my way out when I almost hit someone.

Kiera: I am so--

Caleb: Why did you stop at the mid apology?

Kiera: Just ignore this like you have been ignoring me since morning.

Caleb: I was flustered. I didn't know what to say to you. So I just pretended that nothing happened, I didn't wanna bother you. But.. Were you like upset that I ignored you?

Kiera: Oh shut it..

I started walking towards the gallery.

Caleb: Kiera, Let's eat. Let's have chicken momos.