A Promise From My Heart

45.

"AZ!" At first, it was my shrill of excitement then the quick rush to her. I snatched her petite figure into a tight embrace, her presence sparking fireworks of happiness and relief. It's been many weeks since I last saw her or heard from her. "I am so glad to finally see you. What's wrong? Where have you been? I called and called and called. Your line was unreachable. You were not even on WhatsApp. We came to your house and we were told you moved. What happened?" Questions stumbled out of my mouth.

Iniobong had told me the day before that AZ had called her with a new number and she had invited her to the paint session I had organized. The news added to the joy and I looked forward to her coming.

"Nothing happened." Her tone lacked the excitement in mine and there was a cold edge to it that nearly made me back away. It dropped my high excitement. "I have just been busy." She gave a careless shrug.

My eyes glanced briefly at Ini with an unspoken question and needed answer. "Just been busy? You are trying to say you were unreachable because you have just been busy?" I could not keep the surprise out of my voice.

Irritation shrouded her eyes and she was unsuccessful at keeping it out of her voice when she said, "Life happens, right? You were the same when you lost your mother."

"What happened that you could not share with us?"

"Noor, I am fine. You have seen me now."

I had more to say but bit them back. My eyes scrutinized her. She looked so off, withdrawn, and over the past few weeks, she had flitted away. Did AZ do all those things so we would not be able to reach her? Did she intentionally withdraw herself from us?

"That's really the good thing about this!" I beamed. "Your being here means a lot to me?" My hand gripped hers in a friendly hold.

She tried to smile but it receded, giving the result of being forced before she took her hand so gently out of my hold. Her gaze travelled around the venue of my upcoming paint and chow. The long table for twenty has been set with little easels and canvases, paintbrushes, a one-use palette, disposable cups with water, aprons, and minute tubes with the colors that would be needed.

"Paint and chow" was a concept I came up with while lazing in my bed thinking about how to promote my work and earn money from it. People would come to paint with friends and family then eat afterwards. It would be a great way to bond and spend time together with their loved ones. The first had little to no attendance. The mistake I made was arranging for fourteen people. It was my first, not many people would come. I should have arranged for half or less of that number. Ini had been with me to support me but could do nothing when the people who attended were just three.

It demoralized me and had nearly deterred me but Ini encouraged me to continue. I organized another and the turn up was better but the third was the breakthrough I had. As time passed by, I have also been invited to instruct at private birthday parties, bridal showers, office retreats, kids parties, and many more. My previous project was a kids' party. There were eight children with their mothers. It had been one of the best even though I do not really enjoy being around children.

"This is a great setup." Ini commended.

"Thank you." I answered, feeling a boost in me.

"I need to talk to both of you." AZ spoke.

"About what?" I moved close to her thinking she needed our support for whatever she was going through.

"We need to end this friendship." She announced in a calm tone.

"What?" Ini and I exclaimed at the same time. My eyes widened in alarm and gawked at AZ in disbelief.

"Let's end this thing between us." She repeated.