A Story

"Monsieur Jacques...umm...Sargon Corporation?"
"Ya, that's the one"
" Sorry to keep you waiting Monsieur Jacques...you may go to studio 5. Over there."
"thank you"

He started walking in the direction she had pointed. It was a large hall with make shift partitions that were being used as photography studios. In each of them, there were various backdrops, large lights, reflecting screens and cameras. The photographers, young men and women in their twenties, were busy taking their shots and shouting out instructions to the models. Other assistants were running around carrying papers to and from the studios. IN the far corner was a cabin with wooden paneling and tinted glass. It looked quite different from the surrounding. On the door was engraved a name: Nikolas Johann. It sounded surprisingly familiar. He was sure that he had heard the name somewhere.

He looked up: Studio no. 5. There. He entered inside. The photographer in this studio was a young lady, slim, fair, with long flowing jet-black hair, beautiful eyes, and a smile that could hypnotize anyone who looked at it. She appeared to be in her early twenties, about the same age as his. She was casually dressed, with light beige cotton trousers and a knee length maroon top. It was not designer wear, but it looked great on her. He was stunned and stood there motionless looking at her. His thoughts raced faster than time. Was this the girl he had been waiting for all his life?

She seemed to be saying something to him but he could hear nothing. He felt a light tap on his shoulder.

"Monsieur Jacques...are you ok?" She was carrying a notepad in her hand.
"Oh...oh yes..I....I was just lost in my thoughts"
"You seem to be anxious. Dont worry. You look new to this place...."

There was a magic in her voice. It had the air of friendliness that was rare to be found these days. And she was speaking with a stranger with such ease as if they had known each other for years. She pointed to the desk in front of the camera. He went and sat down. She handed him a mirror. He did not take it and instead looked up and asked her.

"Do I look ok Miss...."
"Ms. Jacqueline...and you look good..except for a missing smile."

He was dying to hear her voice. He repeated her lines in his mind and made an effort to smile.

-Click-

The photo was taken. And in a moment he would be out of that place. But he did not want to go. He only a wanted a few more minutes to talk to her.

"Excuse me, are you one of the partners who own the studio?" There was a look of surprise on her face. And a mild laughter. It looked even more beautiful.

"No....what makes you think so?"
"Errrr...nothing"
"I have just joined here. This place has a lot of traffic and gives good experience. I hope to start my own studio some day. By the way, Director Johann has asked you to meet him in his room, the one in the corner. Good day, Monsieur Jacques"

Those few moments seemed like eternity. He continued to look at her. Then with a smile, he turned and walked away.

She had taken his photo on a film. But her picture had been etched in his memory for ever.

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Adapted from "Peoples and Characters" - a collection of true stories by Vladimir "Ally" Kavolski.