The next morning, Anisa returned to the AZ Art Studio. As she opened the door, the familiar sounds of busy work enveloped her. But she noticed immediately that Yugh wasn't there. 🕵🏻
She went quietly to her cabin and sat down. She began reviewing the work, client emails, approvals, and pending art designs from the two days she had been away.
Yet, more than what was on her screen, her mind kept circling back to the proposal brought by her parents.
Hasan…
She repeated the name softly in her mind. 😇
Just then, she saw someone entering through the main door. It was Yugh.
He walked in with his usual composed air, holding a few files, and paused briefly by Anisa's desk before heading to his own cabin. 📔
"Good morning… finally gracing us with your presence. I handled everything alone for the past two days," he said, his tone a mix of half-jest, half-reproof.
Anisa looked up at him quickly. "Sorry… I had to take leave suddenly. My mom and dad called urgently, asking me to come. That's why…" she said softly. 🗣
"Why? Was something wrong with them?" Yugh asked, looking directly at her.
Anisa paused for a moment. Then, avoiding his gaze, she turned her face towards her laptop. "No… nothing serious. I just hadn't visited them since Christmas… that's all," she said, choosing her words carefully. 🤷
Yugh continued to look at her without saying anything. That silence weighed heavily on Anisa's heart.
"Alright… welcome back, then," he finally said, bidding her goodbye and turning towards his cabin. 🚶
After he left, Anisa let out a deep sigh.
"Should I tell him about Hasan?"she thought to herself. "No… I don't need to. He isn't someone close to me. Why would I tell him?"
But that thought didn't bring her any peace. She tried to refocus her attention on her screen; designs, schedules, client feedback it was all in front of her eyes, yet her mind remained elsewhere. 🙃