MY LOVELY AUTHOR'S

STARS OF LUCK PART 2

 

            “Why do you think Arata likes my novels and writing so much?” My lips subconsciously asked that to Warda who was still busy hearing the live broadcast of Arata's interview on TV. “The first time my book came out. . . not even one buyer existed. Your boss even threatened you and said that you chose the wrong author to publish the book.”

            Warda ate one of the fruit snacks he brought along with his mother's cooking earlier. This time what is eaten by Warda is peaches, formerly mangoes, strawberries, red wine, watermelon and pears. It seems that his son who is still in the womb is so fond of fruits that Warda always carries a box containing fruits wherever he goes.  

            “Maybe Arata's mind is the same as mine. Two years ago when I saw your writing, I thought this author had a unique way of thinking and would become famous. And what I think is true. In fact within two years you managed to publish four books and all of them became bestsellers in almost all bookstores in this country.”

            “But it all happened thanks to Arata.” I replied to Warda's words by stopping my two hands busy dancing on the keyboard and staring at the TV where Arata's face appeared. 

            “I don't deny it, Asha. You're famous thanks to Arata who was famous a year ago. Fans of Arata find that Arata always carry around your work and make you as the author become famous. But. .in this age, such a thing is no stranger. Someone's fame came about because of someone else, it was already not a strange thing anymore. Many authors also pass through the same path as you, Asha. So you don't have to worry and one thing you have to remember, you're probably famous thanks to Arata. But after that, everyone praised your work. Remember that!”

            I looked at Arata's face that appeared on TV and wondered to myself. Should I thank him for making me famous? Or is there another reason why famous actors like Arata love my books?

            “Ah. .” Warda shouted loudly as usual if he was remembering something important that he had forgotten.

            “What else this time have you forgotten?” ask me to refocus on my keyboard and my laptop.

            “I forgot my destination came here.”

            “Didn't you come here to check out my almost finished novel?”

            Warda nodded his head and took some files from inside his handbag. “It was true. I came here because I wanted to check on my last job before I took my leave and gave you three news, Asha.”

            “What news??”

            “First, about the temporary editor that will replace me. Do you mind if the temporary editor is male?”

            I stopped my two typing hands and looked at Warda with a serious look. Just before I opened my mouth and gave my comment, Warda first said to me again. Maybe the two eyes that hide behind my work glasses look so scary in the eyes of Warda that I have not spoken yet, Warda has opened his mouth first to make an excuse.

            “Listen first, Asha! For two days yesterday I was looking for an editor who had a little bit of work and I didn't find an editor who would be able to hang on with you. Young editors now, people are mostly lazy and rarely go out to visit writers like you, Asha. They prefer to contact their authors using mobile phones and lack attention. In the office there are only ten editors who want to do what I did to you and they are all editors and ten famous writers in our publisher.”

            “If it is so. . . I don't mind, Warda.”

            “I'm the objection, Asha! You rarely come out of your apartment and when you're working you often forget to eat and take care of yourself. So. . If something happens to you, no one will know because not many people come to your apartment, Asha.”

Warda explained his objection with a worried face. Maybe he remembered how I had been sprawled in my apartment several times for not sleeping for days because I was too focused on finishing my novel.

“Then? Why did I finally give me the advice to choose a male editor instead of you?”

“Yesterday there was an attack on men who were accepted to work as editors. Based on his work experience I have seen, this man has a lot of experience being an editor for great books. Then after I said about being your editor and the terms to be done to be your editor, this young man did not mind, Asha.  He responded without thinking twice, Asha.” Warda gave me data on the man she appointed as the temporary editor who would replace her. “This is information about her.”

I quickly read the information and then put the information on my desk. “Because you think he can replace you, I will accept it. Your choice cannot be arbitrary and must be full of calculations.”

“Yes. Then what's the second news?”

“Your second romance-Love Like Ectasy will be adapted into a feature film and the production asks you to help write the screenplay along with their screenwriter. Do you want, Asha?”

“How about your office? Do they mind if I write a screenplay and get busy with anything other than my novel?”

Warda smiled proudly proud of herself. “I am your editor. I know what's best for you, Asha. Take it easy. .. I already said that your novel will be finished within a week and after that you have free time to work on the screenplay before finally writing another novel. You can write a screenplay when your upcoming ending novel goes into the editing process.”

“I'll accept it as long as I don't have to work on that scenario outside my apartment.”

“Just relax. . for that, you don't have to worry. The film's production approved the terms considering you can't do your work when you're outdoors.” Warda looked at me with sparkling eyes. “So you want to do it?”

“Yes, I'll do it. This is a unique experience that I can use as a reference for my next novel idea.”

Warda clapped her hands at my words.  “I thought you were going to say that. Then for the third news, before working on the screenplay of the film, the publisher will hold a special event for you.”

I furrowed my brows at Warda and my feelings told me that something bad was going to come out of his mouth. “Don't tell me, the publisher will hold a signature event for my book???”

“Unfortunately. . . it's true, Asha.”

I immediately kicked the leg of my desk and made me who was still on the chair away from Warda. “You know well, I don't like crowds and don't like being the center of attention, Warda?”

“I know it.”

“Then why did you accept that silly idea, Warda?” I asked in an annoyed tone because I felt betrayed by my best friend and editor.

“I couldn't turn it down because Arata was willing to attend the event as a guest star, Asha. Since he is your fan, the publisher contacted Arata about the plan and Arata accepted the plan without thinking twice, Asha.”  Warda looked at me with a clear face. “This time can you help me and accept the idea, Asha? If I fail to make you appear in the show, my boss will cut my cut, Asha.”

Looking at the face of my editor who was heartless, of course I felt unbearable. How not, this editor of mine is the one who always cares about me. He even ran straight from his place of work when I did not receive a call from him. He was also the one who always willingly shared his mother's cooking for me when he saw my refrigerator that was always empty or only contained fast food.  He was also the one who always checked and made sure I was doing well while working with him. All this time he never begged me much and mostly always supported me. Seeing him beg like that, of course I would not have the heart.

“Alright. . . I'll take it. Just this time, I'll take it, Warda.”

“Thank you very much, Asha. You are indeed my lucky star.”

Once again. . . Warda hugged me and made my head stick with his distended stomach and heard the kick of his little son.

Looks like. .. You're also happy, Auriga. Like your mother, you might think of me as your lucky star. But. . . I'm telling you here, I'm not a lucky star.