Eliza didn’t expect that there would be lesser people roaming the streets than she had initially thought. Usually around this time the streets would be packed with people coming out of their homes to look for dinner or people who have just gotten off work and is now on their way home to finally rest. She could spot a few couples by the street vendors, minding their own businesses by being in their own world. The day is slowly turning into night as the sun bids its farewell, having done its job for today and passes on the baton to the moon.
She’s glad she took her camera alongside with her, now getting the chance to capture the moment of the sky painted in hues of red, orange, yellow and a purple. Eliza had always loved photography. Her earliest memory of being interested in it was as early as five years old, when her father took her out to a beach picnic and had her photographed with his old vintage camera.
Ever since that day, hundreds and thousands pieces of pictures were shot by Eliza, kept neatly into photobooks and her computer file. Some of her favorite shots are printed and framed in her house. One of them is a picture of the night sky during her 20th birthday. The stars had been particularly bright that night, and the moon shone at its brightest.
Now Eliza works as a freelance photographer, though she had some other side jobs experiences in college.
The sky is now dark, and Eliza is feeling a bit tired from all the walking. Her stomach silently grumbled in hunger, so she decided to find a suitable place to have her dinner. Eliza ended up on a small street vendor that sells sate padang, and ordered one serving of chicken sate for herself along with iced tea.
She was peacefully munching to herself when a figure approached her table. It was a man, dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt and black jeans. His look is completed with a black cap along with a black mask that covered his face.
The said man pulled down his mask to speak. “Can I sit here with you? All of the other seats are full.”
Holy crap.
Eliza can’t believe her own eyes and ears right now.
“That’s so cool! How long have you been in the field?” The man asked excitedly as he slurped on his drink. It was none other than Kevin Mukhtar, a member of the boyband ARVID, the very group that Eliza stans. For the past twenty minutes, she’s been trying not to pee herself due to how close she is to him.
He’s directly sitting in front of her, and the only gap that distances the both of them is the table. Though it’s fairly small too, and there wasn’t much space in the first place. They’re so close to the point that if Eliza lifts her finger forward by a few centimeters, she’ll be touching Kevin’s hands.
Yeah, try putting yourself in her shoes.
Kevin was the one who initiated a conversation first, and it really isn’t odd for him to do so. He’s known as the social butterfly in the group, flashing wide smiles and greetings to anyone he crosses by. Eliza thought he would be different off camera, but he’s exactly the same ray of sunshine as he is on camera.
“I bought my first camera at the age of thirteen, and I was seventeen when I finally took photography seriously.” The woman mustered up her best normal, totally-not-nervous-and-sweating at all face. Her brain still can’t process the fact that the Kevin Mukhtar is actually here, sitting in front of her, just happily sipping his red fanta drink away and bombarding her with questions.
“Ooh, interesting. I got interested in music and singing when I was six years old. I would sing in the bathroom, in school, in the car, even when I got my immunization shot I sang my fears away.” Kevin said. “I sang so much to the point my parents would make me speak only a 100 words a day.”
“But they were supportive about it though, they hired a vocal instructor, bought medications that would help my vocal chords, and registered me in a lot of singing competitions.”
“Speaking of which… Do you perhaps recognize me?” Kevin tilted his head in question, eyes reflecting curiosity and anticipation. “Oh you? Haha, of course! You’re a member of ARVID.” Eliza swallowed nervously as she let out a chuckle.
“Are you an Älskar? Who’s your bias?” His eyes widened in excitement even more, the corner of his lips pulled upwards shaping a perfect smile. He couldn’t hide his happiness whenever he would meet his fans.
“Uh, that…”
Kevin nodded, seemingly to understand Eliza’s hesitation. “It’s okay if it’s not me!”
Eliza relaxes at that, the doubt and uneasiness from before slowly fading away. “It’s Oren, Lorenzo.”
“Tsk, why does that guy always attracts the pretty ones. But I get it tho, that guy is handsome and he’s good with words.” He rolled his eyes jokingly, making Eliza burst out in laughter, he himself following suit after.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Pimuk. I think you have the most fangirls and fanboys among the four of you.” Eliza added, her voice laced with sincerity. Kevin smiled gratefully at that.
The two conversed for some time, until Kevin asked something to Eliza that she could never say no to.
“Can you take a picture of me?”
The moment Eliza stood behind the camera, she turned into professional mode. She knows what she’s doing, and Kevin can’t help but be in awe on how passionate she is. She did not hesitate to instruct him how to pose, what better facial expressions would suit him, and even told him to make good use of the landscape.
The two spent almost an hour just like that, finding good spots to photograph Kevin in. Without her realizing it, Eliza is now more at ease and even felt comfortable around Kevin’s presence. He’s completely down-to-earth, and made her feel as if she’s just talking and having fun with a long time friend.
“I really like this one, you look effortlessly stylish here.” Eliza showed Kevin one of the pictures that she liked. They’re currently sitting down on the grass at some park that they happened to find while walking. Kevin leaned in closer, nodding his head in agreement at Eliza’s previous statement. “It couldn’t have been done without you, Liz. You really are an amazing photographer.”
“Oh shush, you’re gonna make me blush.”
“Just stating facts.” Kevin shrugged.
Eliza searched for her phone, turning on the screen only to find out that it’s getting really late. “I should probably head back, it’s almost ten o’clock.” Eliza got up from her sitting down position with the help of Kevin who offered his hand. “Thank you.”
“How do you want me to send these pictures to you later?” Eliza asked the man standing before her as she packs up her camera into her bag. “You can just send them to my number, I’ll write down my number for you.”
“Is it alright if I send them to your business email instead? I’m not sure it’s okay for me to have your phone number,” Eliza offers, not wanting to make the idol uncomfortable by saving his private phone number. “I mean, I’m a stranger you just met today so..”
This had Kevin burst out into a bubble of laughter. “You’re not really a stranger to me anymore, Liz. I appreciate your consideration though.” He then gave her his email address, and proceeded to thank her for tonight’s little adventure.
“I’ll be waiting for your email!” Kevin waved goodbye as they parted ways, walking to their respective homes.
‘Nana is going to freak out once I tell her what happened tonight,’ Eliza thought.
