บท 15: A Friend
Viona, who walked backstage, was immediately greeted by applause from her classmates. Some of them even daringly approached her, patting her back while offering various words of congratulations.
Viona merely smiled and nodded, accepting the praise bestowed upon her. Although, deep down, she was somewhat annoyed because the applause she received was quite painful. But... Viona smiled again. At least now, her relationship with her classmates wasn't awkward anymore and didn't feel so distant.
As the students returned to their seats, awaiting their turns, Viona finally could sit comfortably in the chair provided for those who had finished performing.
"After this, we should be allowed to approach our families who've been watching from the start," a familiar student remarked to Viona. However, it was the first time they communicated in this school.
Kiara Bunggawan, a famous composer who would go on to create hundreds of songs for international singers in the coming years, didn't have a close relationship with Viona. This was the first time Viona had interacted with Kiara, despite the latter's reputation as a renowned composer who would later create music for international singers. Their lack of previous interaction wasn't solely due to being in different classes; Kiara seemed to prioritize her musical pursuits over socializing with actors and artists.
"Erm... I'm not sure if we're allowed to be with our families. Moreover... your family is in the VIP seats like my brother," Viona commented with a hesitant smile.
"My family?" Kiara asked, raising her eyebrow with a puzzled look.
"Err... yeah?"
"Who are you referring to?"
"Your aunt, Aunt Erna?" Viona asked back.
"How did you know?" Kiara whispered with a surprised expression.
Viona blinked, "I didn't know it was a secret?" Viona said confusedly. Before realizing that news about Kiara's family became public in 2028, when she first performed on an opera stage as a composer of new songs recognized internationally.
'Oh shoot!' Viona cursed herself silently, remembering that she had unknowingly referenced Kiara's family situation.
"Oohh, it must be because of Uncle Gilang, right? He's the one who told you that Tan Er is my aunt?" Kiara guessed with a wide smile.
Viona nodded immediately, before suddenly realizing that Kiara was referring to her brother as "Uncle." "Pffttt! Do you call my brother "Uncle"? Does he know you call him Uncle?" Viona asked, suppressing her laughter.
"Yerp! Well, when I was little, Uncle Gilang used to come over to my house a lot. Since I got used to calling him uncle, it just stuck, and it hasn't changed till now," Kiara answered nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders.
Viona stifled a cough, masking her laughter. She didn't want to be seen as crazy if she suddenly burst into laughter behind the stage. However, she never expected a 15-year-old to call her 25-year-old brother "Uncle." Besides, Gilang didn't even look that old.
"Does Uncle Gilang not mind if you call him Uncle to his face?" Viona asked curiously.
"He gets annoyed, sure. And he keeps scolding me to call him brother. At first, I could remember and call him brother, but the next day, I'd forget and call him uncle again. And that happened so often that Uncle Gilang eventually gave up correcting me," Kiara replied with a proud expression.
Viona chuckled softly. She could imagine her brother's reaction when Kiara kept switching between "Uncle" and "Brother." However, Kiara was right, once a habit was formed, it was hard to change.
'Just that... pfftt... Uncle Gilang? Hahahahaha! I've got new material to tease them with later! Pffttt!' Viona thought, amused.
"By the way, I like your voice. Would you be willing to sing a song I wrote someday?" Kiara suddenly asked.
Viona raised an eyebrow and shook her head. "As I mentioned to our judges, I'd rather focus on the acting world," Viona replied honestly.
"Why? Don't you care that your beautiful voice isn't heard by people? Acting isn't something that truly has meaning," Kiara said, her forehead furrowed.
Kiara's question put Viona in a thoughtful position. The contrast between their interests and viewpoints was becoming more evident, but it also presented an opportunity for a meaningful exchange of perspectives.
Viona sighed softly and looked at Kiara with a gentle smile. "I appreciate your compliment about my voice, Kiara. And I respect your passion for music. But let me share my perspective on acting and its significance."
"Acting, to me, is a powerful form of storytelling. It's a way to portray emotions, experiences, and stories that resonate with people on a deep level. When I perform on stage or in front of the camera, I'm not just playing a role – I'm connecting with the audience. I'm giving life to characters and narratives that can touch hearts, challenge perspectives, and even inspire change."
She continued, "Think about the impact of great performances throughout history – the characters that have stayed with us, the lines that have become iconic, the moments that have brought tears to our eyes or made us burst into laughter. Acting has the ability to provoke emotions and discussions, and that's what gives it meaning to me."
Viona's expression grew more animated as she spoke. "It's not a competition between acting and music; both are forms of art that contribute to our understanding of the human experience. Music has its unique power to evoke emotions through melodies and lyrics, just as acting has its unique power to bring stories to life through portrayal and interpretation. And together, they create a rich tapestry of artistic expression."
She paused, her eyes meeting Kiara's with sincerity. "I believe that both acting and music can change the world in their own ways. It's about finding what resonates with you personally and how you want to make an impact. So, while I may not be interested in pursuing singing, I have immense respect for your craft. And who knows, perhaps our paths will cross again in unexpected ways that allow us to collaborate and create something beautiful."
Kiara listened intently, her furrowed brow gradually softening as she absorbed Viona's perspective. "I see what you mean," she finally said, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I've never really thought about acting that way. It sounds like you're really passionate about it."
Viona nodded, her smile warm. "Passion is what drives us to excel in our chosen fields, whether it's acting, composing, or any other creative endeavor. It's what makes us pour our hearts and souls into our work."
Kiara furrowed her brows, adopting a thoughtful pose. "You're right. But... it doesn't discourage me from wanting to create a song that you'll sing!" Kiara retorted with enthusiasm.
Viona smiled faintly. "I can't promise that there will be an opportunity for us to collaborate in the future, but I hope you can achieve your goals quickly," Viona said.
"I will make that opportunity happen! Do you have a number I can contact?"
"Um... yes. You can reach me at 08239290xxxx. I use the same number for all social media that require a phone number," Viona replied with a shrug.
"Perfect! You can reach me at this number," Kiara said, dialing Viona's number and saving it.
Viona nodded and saved Kiara's number.
"We can exchange information through phones... Oh, I have a better idea!" Kiara exclaimed with a small laugh.
"Yes?" Viona asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"Let's become friends!" Kiara said, extending her hand.
Viona blinked before a smile broke out on her face. "Let's be friends," she replied, shaking the teenager's offered hand.
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