Phoenix
Part 60: Unspoken Desires
The bus is waiting in front of the company, everyone is boarding.
Phoenix fiddles with her bags, trying not to look around — of course she’s looking for him.
Albatross gets on and stops beside her.
ALBATROSS:
“Good morning. Everything okay?”
Phoenix shrugs, deliberately cold.
PHOENIX:
“Why wouldn’t it be?
You don’t need to worry about me.
There’s… someone you already know better.”
A sharp glance — then she turns away.
ALBATROSS (with a challenging half-smile):
“If you want to say something, say it.”
PHOENIX:
“Nothing.
I’m just focusing on my job.”
She watches the crew as if he doesn’t matter —
while inside, she wants him to keep asking.
The team unloads: spotlights, cameras, makeup tables, a temporary tent.
Albatross gives instructions to the models.
Phoenix adjusts makeup, trying to work with determination —
but every two seconds her focus slips.
She glances over.
Albatross is checking the lights.
Phoenix quickly looks away, as if she never looked at all.
Another moment — the same.
They always catch each other’s gaze.
ALBATROSS (stepping closer, quietly):
“If you want to look at me, then look.
Save your neck from all that sudden turning.”
PHOENIX (contemptuous, cheeks red):
“You’re imagining things!
I’m watching the models.
I have work to do.”
Albatross smiles — he knows she’s been caught.
The sun sets, the team finally sits by the campfire.
An assistant walks around with a tray of colorful cups.
ELVIN (assistant):
“Innovator! Against the cold!”
Phoenix smiles and, without thinking, takes one.
One sip — her face lights up.
PHOENIX:
“This… is heavenly!”
No one is really paying attention.
She already takes a second.
The drink slides down smoothly, sweetly —
she has no idea there’s alcohol in it.
Zeynep tilts her head.
ZEYNEP:
“There’s… a bit too much sparkle in your eyes.”
Phoenix waves it off.
PHOENIX:
“It’s just… the oxygen-rich forest!
Trees make air… or something like that.”
She laughs at her own thought, then stands — swaying slightly.
ZEYNEP:
“Where are you going?!”
Phoenix grins ear to ear.
PHOENIX:
“To think!
About the world!
And about why someone is always looking at me…
It’s fine! I’ll figure it out!”
She wanders into the dark forest, touching flowers, kicking pebbles, laughing uncertainly and talking to herself.
In the background, several meters behind her, Albatross looks up from the fire.
Phoenix is gone.
His gaze tightens.
He stands and quietly follows —
doesn’t speak, doesn’t call her name, just watches,
as someone who knows trouble is coming and knows he can’t leave her alone.
The camp grows quiet.
Phoenix stumbles through the darkness, still holding the half-empty cup.
PHOENIX:
“This was a good idea… thinking… here…
Because trees don’t talk back.
At least… I hope they don’t.”
Something rustles in the bushes.
Phoenix jumps.
PHOENIX:
“That’s just a… squirrel!
A mega-squirrel!
But… a squirrel!”
Another sound — Phoenix steps back.
PHOENIX (to herself):
“You know what? I’m going back!
This is a living forest and I…
I don’t speak forest language!”
She turns — Albatross is standing behind her, having followed silently.
Phoenix screams, jumps back, slips on the wet leaves.
ALBATROSS:
“Careful!”
He catches her — his arm around her waist, their faces inches apart.
Phoenix is breathing hard, her hands instinctively on his chest.
PHOENIX:
“You scared me!
Why are you following me?
Go back… to Mina!
She’ll miss you!”
ALBATROSS:
“Oh… so that’s what this is about.
You’re jealous.”
Phoenix protests instantly — with drunk honesty.
PHOENIX:
“Me?! No!
Just… just…
You can be with anyone… but it doesn’t matter!”
She stumbles over her words, steps closer, her lips uncertain.
PHOENIX:
“Because your heart… it’s… it’s mine!
Only mine!”
Her words are hoarse, emotional —
like someone who can no longer hide the truth.
Albatross slowly releases her.
Phoenix wavers, but doesn’t step back — she drifts closer instead.
ALBATROSS:
“Do you really mean that?”
Phoenix’s eyes are hazy, but honest.
PHOENIX:
“If it weren’t true…
why are you always the one who catches me when I fall?”
Albatross wants to smile — but doesn’t dare.
The silence between them tightens, their gazes lock.
And suddenly Phoenix reaches up and kisses him.
Passionately.
Vulnerably.
In her drunk, overly honest way.
Albatross freezes — then kisses her back for just a moment.
Too much and too little at the same time.
The kiss ends. Phoenix’s eyes widen.
PHOENIX:
“Oh… no… I’m sorry!
I… I didn’t mean to!
Or I did… just not like this!
There really must be alcohol in that drink!”
She gestures frantically.
PHOENIX:
“I’m sorry, Albatross!
I… I’m going!”
She runs back toward the camp, her heart pounding, her lips still tasting of him.
Albatross remains in the forest —
with a smile only the night can see.
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