Ep 4: Phoenix and Albatross - the tale of two wings

Jan Bennit stood at the podium, holding the microphone, as the crowd's eyes were fixed on him. He began his speech with a warm greeting to the crowd. He spoke with such sincerity and conviction that everyone in the audience was captivated. As he spoke, Jan's eyes scanned the room, searching for one person in particular - Sanam.

Jan's speech was met with thunderous applause, and he was soon surrounded by media personnel and fans who wanted to take photos and get autographs. Women in particular were drawn to Jan's charming physique and good looks, making him the epitome of a dream life that many wished for. It was no secret that Jan was both successful and handsome, and it was no surprise that many fell under his spell.

However, Jan's personal life was far from perfect. Despite his success, he lived apart from his younger brother, Nivin Bennit, due to a deep-seated hatred between them. This hatred may have been off-putting to some, but it was rooted in a valid reason. Jan's past experiences had made him wary of forming relationships and trusting others, causing him to become more self-reliant.

Despite being surrounded by admirers and well-wishers, he couldn't shake the feeling, and his eyes darted back and forth, eagerly scanning the sea of faces for the one that had captured his heart. After the photograph session with fans, Jan was approached by Mekiba Caldon, the mother of his best friend, Laila. Mekiba, who was fond of Jan for his fortune, had always hoped that Jan and Laila would get married. However, Jan only saw Laila as a friend and did not entertain the idea of a relationship.

Jan was excited to see Mekiba, but when he asked about Laila, he was told that she couldn't make it as she had prior work commitments in another city. Jan was disappointed, as Laila would have been overjoyed to see his recognition and the success of his work.

Laila, who worked as a senior event organizer at "Fandom Event Planners and Organizers," was the complete opposite of her mother. She was calm and kept a low profile, dedicating herself entirely to her work. This, along with her dedication to her career, was why she and Jan remained close friends.

Despite the exciting events of the night, as Jan prepared to leave the gallery, he found himself drawn back to his award-winning painting. Every time he looked at his work, it filled him with a sense of pride and accomplishment. But this time, as he gazed at the canvas, all he could see was Sanam's face and her intense gaze. Jan felt drawn to her, despite not knowing her. He had wanted to remember this painting as the Phoenix for the world, as the Phoenix bird was unique and one of a kind. But now, he named her as Phoenix, who was just as captivating and one-of-a-kind, as the Phoenix.

Jan was left with a heavy heart after Sanam's snarky comment. However, her gaze had captivated him and sparked something within him. As he left the gallery and made his way to his car, Jan couldn't shake the thought of his phoenix bird who had just entered his life. He knew nothing about her, but he felt a strong pull towards her and wanted to see her beautiful eyes again. The thought of her unique gaze filled his mind unable to shake the feeling that she was someone special. Jan couldn't help but wonder what could have been if he had only talked to her that night. He made a mental note to be more aware of the potential encounters that life presents and not to miss out on any opportunities again.