WITHIN ARM'S REACH
915 Words
Leo’s phone lit up on the table.
Random app notification.
Not her name.
A tiny piece of relief showed on Liana’s face before she could hide it.
Fast.
Like she was ashamed to feel it.
Liana didn’t want to feel like the villain.
God knows she didn’t.
But she wished it wasn’t Alexia.
It was already weird inside the car.
Heavy air.
Unsaid things.
She didn’t want it to be weird out here too.
She looked away.
Stared at the big window.
Food in her mouth that suddenly tasted like nothing.
The night was quiet.
Benin traffic in the distance.
Horns.
Keke.
Fairy lights above them, yellow and soft.
Lying.
Across the restaurant, a couple was arguing.
The woman said something sharp.
The man rubbed his temples.
Like he was tired.
Like he was choosing.
Liana’s throat felt dry.
Like she’d been talking too long.
Like she’d been holding too much.
*Leo: You okay?*
*Liana: _low_ Are you guys... are you and Alexia okay?*
The words came out small.
Careful.
Like asking about a wound.
Leo exhaled.
Long.
*Leo: We’ve known each other since university. It’s complicated right now but we’ll be okay. This isn’t our first fight.*
He chuckled.
The kind of laugh that’s not really a laugh.
The kind that says _don’t ask again_.
*Liana: _nods_ Oh, that's great.*
With a small smile plastered on her face.
The smile that lies.
*Leo: _turns to her fully_ But I’m here with you today.*
*Leo: Not because of drama. Because of you.*
*Leo: You blew the crowd with your Benin Breeze design...* he smiled a little.
Proud.
Real.
*Liana: That's cringe.*
She looked at him with a big smile.
The real one.
*Liana: Stop that, you're teasing me again...* she laughed a little.
Relieved to laugh.
*Leo: When I saw you on that runway, it felt like... if I hadn't known better I'd say you've been doing this since you learned to walk. And one more thing.*
He laughed.
Soft.
Like remembering.
*Liana: _small_ And what?*
She asked, her eyes watching him laugh out loud.
Watching the way his eyes crinkled.
*Leo: And you got the crowd cheering for you... may I get your autograph, Cruella?*
He teased her again, laughing.
Leaning back in the plastic chair.
Liana smiled and laughed too.
She couldn't help it.
*Liana: Yh, but you have to wait in line. I'm famous for today, you know...*
She replied like the champ she was, jokingly.
Head high.
Plaque in her bag.
The table got quiet after 3 minutes of non-stop laughing.
Like the laugh ran out.
Like the truth came back.
*Leo: _exhale_ Everywhere looks so peaceful at night...*
He was staring at her.
Not the view.
Not the fairy lights.
Her.
*Leo: Are you okay?*
He asked, looking at her closely...
He noticed that the smile she wore just a few minutes ago flew away with the cold air.
Flew away like it was never there.
Liana looked back at him.
This time with tears in her eyes.
Not falling.
Just there.
Shining.
*Liana: Yh, I’m okay...*
*Liana: I’m just wondering how it’s going to feel... if I get my own happiness.*
She smiled.
But not the sincere smile.
The smile you wear on your face when you’re trying to hide your pain without looking hurt.
You know?
The Benin smile.
The one women use at funerals and weddings.
*Liana: Winning was everything I’ve carried since last week.*
*Liana: The sleepless nights. The drawings. Threading. Sewing. Designing...*
*Liana: It all seemed worth it.*
Her voice got smaller.
*Liana: But I wasn’t alone in it.*
*Liana: You helped me.*
*Liana: Reminded me that I need to care for myself too.*
*Liana: And I think that was the main takeaway for me.*
A pause.
The suya smoke drifted between them.
*Liana: Today’s achievement is gone.*
*Liana: It’s just this plaque on my shelf. Some pictures.*
*Liana: Little talks about the showcase that will die soon after something big comes up again.*
*Liana: My masterpiece worn and posted on i********: till people get tired of seeing it after some time...*
She chuckled.
Trying her best not to look sad.
Trying her best not to cry into her noodles.
*Liana: But what will last... is having my own happiness.*
*Liana: Happiness that won’t die down after people get tired of it.*
*Liana: Happiness that comes every time, not only on showcase.*
*Liana: Happiness that’s soul lifting... You know...*
*Liana: Happiness that’s always there... within arm’s reach.*
Liana looked at the window again.
Then at her food.
Pushed noodles around with her fork.
The table got quiet for 2 minutes.
Two whole minutes.
The arguing couple left.
The fairy lights buzzed.
*Liana: Why are you quiet?*
She asked Leo, laughing a little.
Nervous laugh.
Leo still remained calm.
He looked at her.
Not closely, because he could already see her.
Every part.
His eyes were steady on her.
Like he was memorizing.
Liana noticed the way he looked at her and she hit him gently on his shoulder.
*Liana: What is it, Leo? You’re creeping me out.*
She laughed again.
To break it.
*Leo: _soft_ I’m just thinking.*
*Liana: About what?*
*Leo: _pause_ About what happiness looks like.*
*Leo: When it’s within arm’s reach.*
He didn’t say more.
But he didn’t look away either.
His eyes stayed on her.
On the girl who won tonight.
On the girl who was asking for more than a plaque.
The phone on the table stayed dark.
For now.
- Writer
