章節 5: 5. The Choir Practice
Tik Tok Tik Tok. Time goes too slow for Rissa. She continues to stare at the computer, her hands typing on the keyboard, finishing her job of entering data.
This job is so dull. Rissa looks at the sky as getting cloudy outside the window. Black clouds are gathering, preparing to flush the city of Bandung.
Rissa couldn't wait for four o'clock in the afternoon to immediately go to the Rajawali Multipurpose Building to join the choir practice. In December, Rissa will perform in the Christmas celebration at her church.
Carissa, who prefers to be called Rissa, is a twenty-six-year-old girl. She has a thin and tall body. She has straight-long black hair.
Her co-worker, Esther, was the head of sales. Esther will also join the choir practice with Rissa. Esther is six years older than Rissa. Her body is tall like Rissa with big eyes and long wavy hair. She's a bit reserved and doesn't talk much. Rissa finds out that her father is the owner of the company where she works. But never once did Esther show off.
Esther had been her friend since Rissa's first time working for the company. At first, it didn't go so well. Esther often scolds Rissa because her work is not satisfactory. However, because of Rissa's persistence, over time, Esther began to like Rissa. Even now, they looked like sisters with different parents. It was Esther who took Rissa to church and started her ministry in music.
Esther was married. Her husband is often abroad. Rissa thought that their marriage seemed less than happy. Until now, Esther has had no child. Rissa never dared to ask about it.
Finally, it's four o'clock. It's time to go. Immediately Rissa cleared the files, turned off the computer. Rissa approached Esther.
"Rissa, you go first. I got headache. I think I'm not going to practice," said Esther.
"Why, Esther?" asked Rissa. She looks that Esther's face is so pale.
"It's okay. I just don't feel well. You have to go now or you'll be late. Sorry I can't take you there."
"Okay just go home, okay. Take a rest." Rissa nodded at Esther, and Esther smiled back. "Get well soon, Esther. Bye!" Rissa waved her hand.
Rissa went down the stairs and immediately got on the bus. Practice time starts at half-past five. Fortunately, her office is not too far from the training ground. The trip to the Rajawali Multipurpose Building only takes no more than half an hour. Rissa got off the bus and entered the courtyard of the building. From a distance, Rissa could see the building was quite large and luxurious.
Rissa opened the hall door. There is one a half meter high stage with several steps to the left and right.
A glittering crystal chandelier hangs in the center of the hall. Folding chairs lined up neatly into two parts.
No one noticed her presence there. Rissa found that the hall had gathered their church friends like Satria, who had an incredible voice, Marco the piano player, Freddo the guitar player, Feri, the drum player.
Vivian, Evrine, Pamela, Elizabeth, and Dennis are in the chorus. That's the only name Rissa knows. There were still about fifteen people in the choir and almost thirty other people who were the drama player whose names Rissa didn't know.
Luckily it wasn't too late. Rissa greets her choir friends: "Shallom!" They gave each other high fives.
From a distance, Rissa saw Satria smiling broadly at her. Risa only gave him a slight smile. She glanced at the chair, looking for an empty one. Unfortunately, Rissa found the chairs of the choir singers were full of bags. She did not expect when suddenly Satria was standing beside her.
"Hi, Clarissa. Do you just arrive?" said Satria friendly.
"Hi, Satria. My name is Carissa," Rissa corrected. "Just call me Rissa, okay?"
Satria nodded. "Okay, Rissa. You're looking for an empty seat, right? It's okay to keep it there, I guess," Satria pointed to the chair of the drama player. Rissa compelled to obey, walking towards the chair.
"Thanks, Satria." Risa smiled while Satria replied with an even wider smile, showing off his big and white front teeth.
From a distance, Rissa saw Pamela running towards her.
"Rissa! I miss you." Pamela embraced Rissa from the side. Her long hair covered Rissa's face.
"It's only been two days that you've missed me. What if we don't meet for two years?" Rissa chuckled.
Pamela is a friendly, cheerful, and a lot of fun friend. Even though she acts like a child, she is older than Rissa.
"Oh yeah, Rissa, where's Esther?"
"She suddenly got headache." Rissa answered; her eyes glanced at Satria. He was standing there, still staring at Rissa intently. He looked like he was eavesdropping.
"Too bad she can't come to practice." Pamela's face looked sad for a second, then turned cheerful again. "By the way, I think your voice is getting better. You're a perfect fit for the choir."
"Really? You have a great voice too, Mel."
It seems that Satria had realized his rather unsettling attitude. And then he walked away, folding his arms behind his back, and joining Freddo and Dennis. Pamela continued chirping while Rissa watched Satria start making dad jokes, which oddly made his friends laugh while patting him on the shoulder.
Not long after, there was the sound of the hall door opening, and then the trainers, Miss Kiki and Mr. Rudy entered the hall. Instantly the auditorium became silent. Unbeknownst to Rissa, Pamela had joined Elizabeth.
Miss Kiki is a choir coach, still young, about thirty years old. Meanwhile, Mr. Rudy is a drama coach. He has a big and tall body. His hair is slightly curly and gray.
Miss Kiki distributed a paper containing the text of the song that they will sing later. Then, she started to attend the choir one by one. Mr. Rudy is arranging for the drama players to place their respective roles.
The hall door opened once again. There is a guy who entered the hall. His hair is brown, and his tall body is very proportionate. The man formed his perfect lips with a smile was decorated with beautiful dimples. He fascinates Rissa because of the way that he walked bravely into the hall while carrying his backpack.
"Shalom!" He said in greeting, and everyone replied to him back.
The guy put his bag on the chair next to Rissa without glancing at her. And then, he stood among the drama players. His friends patted him on the back and shook his hand.
Mr. Rudy motioned for him to stand next to him. Rissa tried to turn away and focus on the text of the song that Miss Kiki gave to her.
Risa's heart was beating fast. She blinked as if she couldn't believe what she had just seen. Rissa does not really know her church friends because the church is quite large, and so many workers. She had started her ministry.
"Everyone, listen to me!" shouted Mrs. Kiki. "Now, let's start the practice like yesterday."
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