Chapter 4 - The Event
Weird. Is the best word to describe that. I don’t have any idea why the girl said something about me, bumping a hot star. By the way, what hot star? I think, there was nothing unusual happened on the shop, except that, I broke the alarm clock and the mysterious guy, offered to cover the expenses.
I keep on staring at the sky, when Ana greeted me with her load voice.
“Hello friend! How’s the hello kitty shop?” She grinned at me.
“Whoa! That was ….. I don’t know how to describe it, but I think it was a bit terrible.” I said
“How come it was terrible? Did something happen? How I wish I was there.” She ranted.
I told her everything that happened, of course including Mr. Mystery.
“Why Mr. Mystery?” She asked in curiosity.
“I don’t know, maybe the mask?” I replied.
“Given the fact that he was mysterious, then why on earth did you gave him your flashlight?”
“I’m not sure, but I think I was just comfortable to him.” I honestly said.
“You know Mag, sometimes I don’t get you.”
“Oh! Will you please stop that, it’s also because he loves the color pink.”
“Pink? Guys love pink?”
“Ana, you know very well that pink is the color for men.” I explained.
“Ah! I got it now. Then blue was for girls?” she asked.
“100% correct.” I smiled and added, “But the thing is, Mr. Mystery was inside the hello kitty, and based from what I saw, he seems to buy a lot of stuffs.”
Then we started walking and we stopped and have a drink in a tea shop.
“Yeay! Another delicious Wintermelon.” I happily drink.
Inside the shop, it was a bit warm, and you can see many facts about the tea which was hung around the wall. Near the counter, there was a huge television set that was also hanged against the wall.
I stare blankly at the T.V because the program was a bit boring. Showbiz news. How I hate that segment, there’s nothing good about that. It was just full of gossip about artist. It’s better to just admire the artist than to watch some nonsense news about them.
I have my perspectives in the artist that I admire. It’s just that, I don’t want to know something that will make me disappointed to them. But because we are in the shop, I guess I have no choice.
Good thing that the T.V was far from us so, I can’t hear the news. I’m happy for that. I guess I’m just going to observe the people inside the shop.
When I suddenly look at the T.V, I saw something familiar. I blinked again, and then I remembered the same picture which was shown in the T.V. was the Hello Kitty shop. I can’t read the caption of the headline because it was so distant from my place and I can’t hear the news also because of the volume.
I was about to tell Ana, but she was busy scanning the magazines from which she bought in the bookshop. So, thinking about it I just rather to keep it to myself then.
Then Ana look at me.
“Maggie, are you ready for the event later?” she asked.
“Honestly, I don’t know. You know how I felt right.” I replied.
“Hmm, did you listen to the songs that I’ve recommended?” she inquired.
“No.”
“Why? No?” the she added, “what if you are chosen to sing along with Jay? What are you going to do?”
“I’ll decline it.”
“What the heck?”
“I don’t know Ana, you know among all the ladies that will attend, I guess I’ll just have the possibility of
0.01% that I’d be chosen.” I assured her.
“So what if?” before the next word, I placed my hand on her mouth and silence her.
“Shh….!” I said.
“No, Maggie… I’m just telling on what are you going to do.”
“Then I’ll sing.” I responded just to make her calm.
“Oh please. Just don’t ruin your image.” She snapped.
“What are you talking about?”
“Just don’t do shameful acts.. because I know you.” She eyed me.
“Hmm?” I drank again.
Yeah! I’m always in the verge of doing shameful acts. If only if I’m drank. I remember the time when my friends asked me to sing in front of them and…. It was great. I’m good singer; my friend always told me that.
It was about 4:30 in the afternoon, and we spent our time in the hotel fixing ourselves for the musical shower in which will happen later.
“Okay Maggie, see how you look.”
Ana, made me turned in the mirror, at first I was a bit shocked. I never looked like me. My hair, which was braided by Ana was arranged beautifully. She did everything just to make me look presentable for the event later.
I admit it was really fantastic, the overall me, I guess I’m confident that I looked beautiful that I looked beautiful tonight.
Ana let me wear her cute red velvet dress that so comfortable to me. She even put a plain make up that looked very simple, but when the light strikes at me, it will glow like pearls.
“Thanks Ana! It was very beautiful.”
Ana hugged me in an instant.
“Just make the best lady there.” She winked.
“Ha! I just only an event, not a dating event.” I pointed out.
“Yeah, I know. But promise me, don’t do anything foolish.”
“Sure ma’am!”
“Ana try to get the attention of Jay.” She whispered.
“I don’t think I’ll do that.”
“Maggie.”
“Ana, I don’t like him! How many times do I have to tell you that?”
“100 times.”
“I can’t believe you’re counting.”
“But I promised you, you’ll like him tonight.”
“You bet.” I challenged her.
“Or at least, you’ll be have a change of heart towards him.”
“Nah! I don’t think so.”
“Yes, you will.”
“No, I don’t!” Then I pat her on her shoulder.
“Alright, but I’m hoping you…”
“Let’s go!” I interrupted her.
This is it! The worst event that will about to happened. Ana and I rode the cab going to Déjà vu restaurant which was owned by Jay. She kept on feeding me stories about Jay about how successful he was as a musician and also it terms of business. She even told me that he also opened a restaurant which was inspired by his self directed movie “Secret.” Even though I haven’t watched the movie, Ana told me all the highlights of the story and I guess, I’m not going to watch the movie anymore.
“So, here we go.” Ana said, as we stopped into our destination.
The place was good. The intricate design of the interior made it look lavish. It was full of antique design, Ana told me that Jay love to called antique object and he was more of a retro buddy. I found the place awesome, it gave me feeling that you are dining in a semi modern antique restaurant.
Another thing that struck me was the piano that displayed on the corner of the dining area. It was etched with the beautiful glass stained art. Based from Ana’s researches it has the story behind it. She said that the piano was used in the movie,” Secret” , and also in “Pandamen”, is a television series that was directed by Jay himself. On the wall, I saw many antique paintings that were so nice to look at. I wondered how much antique collection that this Jay has. Maybe hundreds or more, to think that having an antique collection is a bit pricey, most of all, the apple of my eye that night was the even handsome bat mobile. I never thought that Jay was also fond of collecting cars. He is an impossible collector haha! Only people who have lots of many will be able to collect precious items.
Indeed, he was something. Much more that I expected.
I snapped out into my real world and I followed the ushers that leads us the way to our seats. How I wish Ana was here to accompany me, so at least I’ll have someone to share my insights. Besides, she was supposed to be here not me. If only name was not chosen probably, I just visit some historical sister here.
When we were on our designated seat, the lights went off. I guess, the show will about the start. And all the people here became quiet in an instant. Then suddenly the light focused on the piano that faces against us. Oh my! I never left the piano.
It was pink! My favorite color. How lovely to have that kind of piano. But kidding aside, why Jay has this kind of piano? I mean why pink? Does he love pink too? What a realization do I have in mind? So let’s just dismissed the idea.
The crowd went wild went finally Jay stepped in. Oh my! It was the same poker face smile in which I saw from his pictures. How weird his fans liked it? I guess people have their own perspective haha!
Jay went to his piano and started playing. How lovely the piece that he was playing. If only I know that perhaps I can relate. The girls beside me started to sing the song along with Jay. I felt that I was like outsider coming here. This is one of the worst scenarios that I had to face. I think I’m only the one who cannot relate to this.. if only I listened to Ana’s advice about to take time to listen in all Jay’s song. I wished I’ve done that. The whole crowd seems very happy to the song that they were singing. Jay was a playful pianist, as I observed. He seemed to be happily as if he were just singing at home. And also, I loved the song that he was playing.. based from the lyrics, It has a nice message about how to encourage the people. Jay has a nice voice. I have to admit that, he was awesome. It’s a very sweet. How cute! I giggled to myself. But the problem was that, sometimes, I don’t understand his lyrics that way he sings it. That was the usually the comments to him.
So as an alien coming to this, I guess, I’ll just have to endure what was going to happen and simply go whatever it flows.
When he finally finished singing the first song, he stopped for a while and made an introductory welcome for those who attended. He was thanking everyone for making this happen, and he hopes that everyone will surely enjoy this special night. But not for me…. I thought.
I looked on the flyers that the ushers gave to each one of us a while ago. It was like a program in which it listed out the activities the we will have for tonight. And based from that, it looks like Jay will have a one on one session with his fans.
Ana will surely be jealous because of this one of a kind opportunity. She said a while ago, that Jay rarely do this kind of program and she keeps on telling me that I’m very lucky.. in which I’m not.. I thought.
The lights went out again, and this time there was a louder noise that his fans made. Jay sang again, a song that is somewhat a melodramatic one. While gazing to his face, I thought that he was wearing pink polo shirt and a sparkling pants that definitely suits his features. Indeed, he was very fresh, with his neatly looking hair and a bit of glittery bits on his hair, well all I can say he was handsome! While he was singing, I felt that my smile left my face.
I was too star struck in the way that he looked . I love his polo shirt! Because it’s pink. And the way he carry it, was perfect. Maybe he was also a fan of pink but….. I dunno. But right now, I love him.. err no.. His outfit.
I get the logic now, that right after his two songs he will call out a number and whoever it is will have the chance to do something they like about Jay or may request something from him. In return, the lucky one will have the to sing one of his songs before he or she may have a request on Jay.
We are only 250 in attendance here. So being that few, we can really see Jay as close as possible. The host finally called a number. Luckily, it was the girl right by my side was the first lucky pick. Everyone clapped their hands the moment she stood up. I can see to her face that she was excited and very happy that finally, she is about face Jay.
The stage set up was very different now, in the middle of it, there was Jay’s piano which is of course, pink! A lovely color. I thought. And next to his piano there is a coach that is nearly close to it. Based from the set up, I think the lucky girl will be the one who will sit there while Jay will play a music for her.
The lucky girl went up the stage, then suddenly Jay get a rose on top of his piano and made his way to the girl and gave it to het very sweetly. The crowd went wild the moment he did it. I never thought, that this “flower giving” will take place. So I just begin to watch them.
“Thank you!” the girl said, and she was led by Jay on the coach and he began to ask her.
“So ma’am.. What can I do for you.” Jay said and he smiled at her.
I don’t know if I find it weird but every time Jay will do or say something, all the audience will scream loudly. I find that very irritating to my ear.
“Xing Qing.” The girl began.
Jay suddenly returned to his throne, the piano and he played the said song for the girl.
It was such a nice song too! I never thought that Jay had many beautiful songs. It was very heart melting song, I promise to listen to all of his songs when I come home. I’ll let Ana know that I’m impressed with Jay n terms of his music.
The girl went shy, the moment Jay asked him what is her request. The girl cannot speak for a moment, maybe because she was starstruck because of Jay. I can understand her feelings. If I were in her place, I’ll be probably speechless too.
The girl instead looked at Jay and uttered, “A picture of you will do.”
“Oops! Alright.” Jay said enthusiastically.
Together the girl and Jay took a nice picture. And it’s my first time to see Jay smiled like that. It was very different than before. It was not the same stoic smile that he used to have but a very pleasant one. The small glimpse of his dimple appeared to his left cheek. And it was very beautiful.. HANDSOME I thought.
In an instant, the moment the picture taking thing was already done, the host called again a number.
“Alright ladies, number 205!” they said.
Everybody clapped their hands including me. The host repeated again, “Number 205.” I looked at the crowd on where the next girl will stand up. Then the host repeated again for the last time. “Calling number 205.”
I stop and think for a moment. I’m quite sure that the number was familiar to me. I saw that number a while ago , so I’m pretty sure that there is a girl with a number 205. I’m quite annoyed on what is happening right now, some girls are keep on staring at me as if they wanted to say something to me.
The girl to my left said, “Miss, you’re number 205 right?”
I froze to death the moment I looked at my number… it is 205.
