(Navy's POV)
It was good. The feedback i received a few minutes ago was so well received. Now, I am walking myself back to the car with a wide smile.
I was invited to a radio station as a guest to promote my song. After a few months released, the song is now recognized and played at almost radio station here. I am so happy with this new chance.
"Hi, John. Just finished with my first interview as a guest here. They said the song was requested by so many people nowadays. I am so happy." I talked to John over phone as I walking to the car.
"I am happy for you. I listen to your interview the whole time."
"Aren't you supposed to be working?"
John laughs a little.
"I am taking a break just to listen to your interview. Now, I am going back to my work. See you at home."
"Okay. Bye." I hung up and continue to walk.
As I get near to my car, I get the feeling that someone is following me. I turn my head around to see any suspicious person, but no one is there except for me. Maybe it just the feeling I had.
My phone is ringing. The caller is P'Name.
"Hi, P'Name."
"Hi, Navy. Where are you?"
"I just finished with my interview. Now, I am on my way to the studio for workshop."
"Hurry up. Everyone is here already."
"Sorry, P'Name. I will be there as soon as possible."
I hung up on the phone. While I am driving, I get to flashback on my condition with P'Name when I am about to accept the offer.
"I will take the role, but another person that I have in mind also must take a part in this series."
"Who is it?" ask P'Name with a calm face.
"Haownah."
P'Name seem relaxed. She didn't even act surprised.
"Actually, I was thinking to give him the role, but suddenly I have a change of mind. Now, I am giving him the role as Tar."
"Huh? Tar? Him acting as Tar?" I asked with a surprise voice.
P'Name nodded calmly.
Never in my imagination that I would picturing him acting as Tar. This must be so new to me.
"Tar is what I had in mind for him after Lhong. So, you should act as Lhong now. Because him as Tar. Is it okay?"
I flustered. Actually, either way, one of the actors has to forego his opportunity because i took it. I feel really guilty now. At first, I was about to ask Haownah to sing OST for the series. At least, he could be part of it too. But now, I don't know anymore.
"But did the other guy is more suitable as Tar?"
P'Name sigh loudly. She seems a bit frustrated.
"Look, I am the one who's doing the selection. You said you will believe in me and support me. Now, what are you doing to me, Navy?" she asked in a serious tone.
I keep my silent for a moment. I realized I may have crossed a few lines here with her. After all, it's her movie and I wanted her to do her best.
"I'm sorry, P'Name. I will follow your wish from now on."
P'Name nod a few times before smiling at me.
"Also, please do not tell anyone else the connection between me and the producer. I am only there during the interview as actor that has been chosen. Please, P'Name."
"Okay, I can understand your reason even without you telling me one. But you have to do whatever other actors do. Do not expect from me any special treatment. Understand?" P'Name sound so firm.
I nod with a smile.
Now, the role is changed a bit. Me as Lhong and Haownah as Tar. I am so afraid that the series will blow because of me. I don't want that to happen.
When I reached the workshop, everyone already in position and t-shirt. We have been practicing for almost a month now. Everyone is getting closer now.
"You are late, Navy. Everyone already started the first session without you." P'Name come and scold me after i changed my clothe.
"Sorry, P'Name. It was unintentional."
"I don't want this to happen actually. I already told you no special treatment for you, Navy. So, if you something wrong, you need to be scold, then i will scold you."
"I understand, P'Name. I am sorry again. I did not expect the interview would be this long."
P'Name sigh loudly.
"Now, you can join them for the second session. But make sure nothing like this ever happens again. I want you to focus 100% for this series, okay?"
"Okay, P'Name."
P'Name walk out with light smile from me.
"P'Name scold you?" Kun, another actor coming near me.
I just nod.
"You are late, that's why she's like that. You know how P'Name is. She is punctual." Tild also there next to Kun.
"I deserved it. She's not wrong and don't take it to heart."
Both of them smile and nod almost the same time.
"What are guys doing now?" i asked while walking with them towards the food table.
"Now, we have time to look at scripts and try to act it out. Have you received yours?" Tild asked me.
"Yes, it's in my bag. I'll take it out later. So, why are you guys here? Don't you guys need to practice too? I heard your acting is weird, Tild." I tease Tild.
I can see he almost swear at me. Me and Tild became close during the workshop. He always in a hype mood and also caring. Also, it funs to tease him.
"You prick. I came for you to comfort you. Now, you're insulting me." Tild sound angry but in a funny way.
Kun only laughing while looking at me.
"P'Kun, you should advise him on how to act." I tease him more.
Now, Tild is biting his lips. So angry at me.
"Navy, stop saying things like that to him. He just finished his practice with me. He's doing okay. Now, why don't we go and practice together. The second session for our activity will start in another 2 hours." Kun gives his suggestion in his caring manner.
I nod and go and get my back. When I reach at them, they were staring at something.
"What are you guys staring at?" I asked then sits next to them.
Tild lift his chin up so I can see clearly the direction. It was Mew and Gulf. Cuddling with each other while practicing their lines.
"I'm not shocked anymore. They need to do this in order to get a good acting. Why do you guys seem so shocked?"
Tild look at me with a fed-up face.
"Do you think it was all about the acting? I think there is more to this." Tild giving his suspicions to me.
"It's none of our business. Why should we care? Now, let's practice." I really want to stop the suspicions arise in the room now.
The way Gulf and Mew cuddling is hard to explain. Even I am so shocked when in our first workshop, Gulf kissed Mew for real during the practice. But that what I like about Gulf. He is passionate in acting.
"I really ship those two. They suit each other very well." Kun also added while looking at the cuddling couple.
"Not you too, P'Kun."
Kun look at me and smile.
"I think they will fall in love." Tild continues his assumption.
"Tild, you better get to your practice. I don't have time to gossip around. Both of them is practicing so hard right now. It's not our business to make any assumption. So, just take care of yourself alone." I lash out at Tild.
"Eh, why are you getting angry at me for? I am just kidding around. And why do you sound jealous? Do you like one of them?"Tild asked with a devilish smile.
"Do you want to get smack on your head? Let's be real. They are both actors. If this kind of gossip flying around, do you think they will for sure be comfortable? Let out the gossip and just focus on our part. They have so many big scenes to do."
Tild lose his words. He makes a loathe face at me. Not the first time he did that to me though.
We continue to practice for almost 40 minutes and decided to take a break. Everyone just laying around the floor and talking to each other.
"P'Mew, where is Gulf?" I asked Mew who is sitting with Tild and Kun in a corner without Gulf.
"He's taking a nap. He's a sleepy head." Gew answered with a bright smile.
"Then, why aren't you taking the nap together?" I try to tease him.
"I'm not sleepy. I like to chat with them first." referring to Tild and Kun.
"Okay. What are guys talking about?"
"About the memories when me and Tild acting before in a series together." Mew calmly answer my question.
"Oh, really. What's he like?"
"He was funny in every scene. He likes to joke around and do funny things at set. He is cute." Mew praises Tild so much until that boy smile so wide that I can see his teeth.
"But he is bad at acting right?"I asked with a smirk.
Everyone is laughing except Tild.
"You ass.. why are you always trying to pick on me."
"Because you deserve it." I answered with a short word.
"What did i do to deserve this?"
I shrug then go away from them. I can still hear Tild swearing at me while I am walking away.
"This sleepy head. Always find time to sleep." I said it as I saw Gulf sleeping in the corner with a white blanket.
"Gulf, wake up. Why are you always sleepy? Wake up." I am trying to awake Gulf.
Usually, Gulf did not like to be disturbed when he is sleeping. He's not saying it to your face but when he did not like it, he will show it through his face. So, this time, I am looking at his face.
"What is it, Navy?" He asked with hoarse voice.
"Wake up, you sleepy head. Have you eaten your lunch yet?" I asked him after seeing his okay face to be disturbed.
"Not yet. What time is it now?"
"We will continue the second session of workshop in an hour. You better eat now."
He nods with wilted eyes.
"Where is P'Mew? Has he had his lunch?"
How can he ask me that. You don't even open your eyes properly yet, boy. But you are worrying about Mew. What a weird kid.
"He's there with Tild and P'Kun. I don't know if he's eating yet or not. You should ask him yourself."
"How about you?" He asked me.
"I'm about to eat. Can you ask them to join?"
He spaced out a bit. I sighed.
"Never mind. I'll ask them myself. Can you open your eyes properly now? You look weird with that lazy eyes and swollen face."
"Okay." He answers half-heartedly.
I used to it already. It is Gulf. He is like that. Even though I am bit older than him, but I just want him to treat me as a friend. That's why we are bit closer now. Also, whenever we have time, we would go and play futsal together. Sometimes, John will join us too.
Futsal is John favorite. During university day, John is one of the players for the university. He likes to play soccer so much that i was like thinking maybe he will be a professional soccer player. But then he said, he only likes to play. Not as career. So, I was like, okay.
ns 15.158.61.20da2