Chương 14: Tales from The East

Before Emma could delve deeper into her thoughts, Bright's attention pivoted towards her. With her gaze fixed on him—absorbing his smart appearance decked in an impeccably tailored black suit—Emma felt a warm blush creep up her cheeks.

"Emma," Bright's voice brimmed with vivacious eagerness, drawing her out of her reverie. "Our classes' concept appears to have caught their eye!"

As he gestured towards the announcement board nailed conspicuously on the wall, his other palm was held high – a silent invitation for camaraderie.

His towering stature set him apart in the crowd, amplifying his commanding presence.

Despite being mildly jarred by Bright's sudden joviality, Emma, remembering her recent pledge to foster a congenial relationship with him, responded to his high-five — albeit with a hint of hesitance.

Regaining her composure promptly, she stuttered slightly, "uh, sorry, Bright, I... uh, should probably head back to our group to put in the final touches."

"Oh, sure!" Bright retracted his hand, sensing her discomfort.

A fleeting moment of hesitance washed over Emma. She didn't want to come off as rude and surely had no ill intentions.

The mere idea of a high-five—their hands touching, skin against skin—simply left her feeling somewhat flustered.

With a slight pivot, Emma turned around to face Bright, meeting his gaze directly. "See you around, Bright."

Bright's response painted his handsome features with a radiant smile that outshone the existing illumination backstage.

With a barely perceptible nod, he echoed, "See you around too, Emma."

***

Buried under a mountain of responsibilities, Emma could hardly afford to take time to appreciate the performances of the other classes.

Her task at hand demanded undivided attention. She held the critical duty of ensuring the perfect functionality of the angklung and drums - two fascinating instruments integral to the performance.

Adding to the pictorial canvas of their performance was David, who played the role of Hanuman in their production.

His garb was quite the spectacle - he was transformed into a striking white monkey, replete with a white beard, wig, a shining golden crown, and artificial fangs.

The ensemble didn't miss the opportunity for delightful teasing, affectionately bestowing on him the nickname 'Son Go Kong.'

In her pivotal position as their leader, Emma found herself wading through critical tasks. She was in charge of not only maintaining the harmonious symphony of their music but also upholding the quality of the performers' costumes.

Elizabeth, who had been cast as the critical character Sita (Shinta), was draped in an oversized jarik, meticulously secured with pins—an integral part of their interpretation of the oriental narrative.

Emma's exasperation reached its zenith when she discovered Marie's glaring oversight. Although Marie was entrusted with the pivotal role of costume management, she had neglected to verify the sizes of the rented attire. Which resulted in Elizabeth's ill-fitted jarik.

Exclaiming in frustration, Emma turned towards Marie wistfully: "Marie, how could you overlook something as essential as verifying the costume sizes!" Emma commented under her breath, shaking her head with disappointment.

Without missing a beat, she decided to rectify the situation. "Well, nothing can be done now", she sighed before continuing, "I'll just have to make adjustments with some tailoring."

All the while, her grumbles about the unreliability of others continued, Emma relentlessly worked through the crisis.

The enchanting series of performances from each class gracefully unfolded on stage, one after the other, mesmerizing the eager audience.

The applause reverberated, filling the night with undeniable appreciation and excitement. As the evening advanced, the time for Class B, led by Emma, to showcase their talent on the grand stage was imminent.

Emma, with her hands firmly holding the angklung, meticulously examined her group's state of readiness.

Her teammates, donning their extravagant costumes, eagerly waited in the wings for their cue to step into the limelight.

The enchanting blend of traditional and modern music, a manifestation of their creativity, echoed softly behind the stage, signaling that all was in place for their grand presentation.

A palpable excitement rippled through the audience, as the Master of Ceremonies took center stage. Projecting a genuine exuberance, the MC announced with a flourish: "Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for Class B to grace us with their captivating act! Presenting an enthralling, exotic musical drama, with the central theme of... HANUMAN!"

Grasping the beautifully embossed parchment scroll delicately in her hands, Emma cast a determined gaze at the Master of Ceremonies. Her eyes burned fiercely with her strong conviction.

"This event," she declared, her voice an assertive anchor amidst the soft murmurs of anticipation and the rustling of elaborate costumes, "is not a mere depiction of Eastern folklore."

Her proclamation resounded through the grand auditorium, catalyzing an immediate shift of focus towards her.

The ambiance became heavy with captivated attention, as she continued impassionedly, "This evening is not just another pageant. It is our heartfelt tribute to the vast, legendary expanse of Eastern mythology—the tale of Hanuman. A narrative that has withstood time, bridging the difference between our profound Western literature and the grand, yet often overlooked, Oriental tales."

Her compelling words reverberated through the immense auditorium, creating an almost magical stillness, as minds were seized by her eloquence.

Captivated by Emma's proclamation, the audience felt the mystical allure of their upcoming performance, palpably coursing through the air—an invisible pulse in the highly-charged atmosphere.

"Hanuman, an intriguing character in Eastern mythology, has traversed the cultural boundaries of his native land. His narrative has seamlessly entwined with the throbbing essence of Western literature—crafting an enthralling dance between the awe-inspiring grandeur of Eastern mythology and the captivating charm of the West's rich heritage of storytelling."

The audience found themselves entranced within this spellbinding fusion of tales from the East and the West.