
We spent the afternoon training. And Diana seemed determined to make my life a living hell..
“Main in C well?” ask Dino when we started.
I nodded and Diana said, “less high. C is for amateurs only. Try to E.” he said while glaring at me.
We tried to sing on E and even for him, E was too high for this song.
“Do not in E Di, you are almost nyampek. Downgraded only,”
“Iya Kak, just dropped off,” I said try to give advice. But what I accept instead, is,
“Have not pretended you. The singer just got most styles. Play guitar first right, then can give advice,” said Diana to me fiery – fire. I was right – really miss toebroek, Grandma and Brother Frans.
Diana tried to die – matian proved me wrong. When he forced her to sing again in the key she asked for but instead could not reach the high note, she said, saying,
“You intentionally well, playing guitar is not really? So I look ugly?”
“Ngak Brother. It is the height of. If humbled a little surely Sister Diana will nyampek,” I try to be patient.
“You mean my voice is less high?”
“Not so Brother. But it is the key that height.”
“Have not much to say to you,” he passed backstage.
“Come On, we're professionals only. Sophie from earlier tried to obey your will. You alone are a lot of requests,” Dino said and was greeted with Diana pointing her middle finger at him.
“Then just change the song. Beres khan?” he screamed again.
“Can't be so,” said Dino riled. “Song – this song requested Mr. Doni. There were even some orders from the Boss. You have a problem with the song – this song Sophie?”
“Some are not the songs I used to sing. But there is no problem Din.”
“So you want to say that I have a problem with the song – that song ?” Diana arrives – arrives back on stage and confronts me like preparing for – ready to attack. “You want to say I'm not professional and can't sing what they ask. So ?” said Diana fiery – fire. I looked at – views with Dino confused. Wasn't he the one who asked for the song to be changed ? But now why is he accusing me of saying he's unprofessional.
“I didn't say like that Sister Diana ....,” I haven't had time to continue she's cut, she said,
“Have ... already. It's almost three o'clock now. We better exercise now. Sophie, you don't have to tell me what to do. I know better than you.”
I was about to say something but I saw Stan sitting in a row of row seats shaking his head. Maybe he didn't want this little matter to be long. But that does not mean then everything is smooth – smooth only.
“From yesterday Sister Diana complained constantly. I've tried many times – times to obey Kak Dian's request, but everything is always wrong. What does Diana want?”
For the sake of letting me say that, I saw a glint in Diana's eyes. I remember Nek Irma's story about Grandma fighting a buffalo. Maybe for now, Diana is the ‘Kerbau’ I have to deal with. All the women in my family are strong women. I won't let a spoiled woman like Diana step on – step on me now.
I saw Stan start to stand up from his seat approaching me. Looks like he knows that siatuasi is going to be hot right now. Dino stopped the music and watched the two of us. I stood up from the high chair I was sitting in and began to face Diana. But the woman went ahead and faced my face. I really want to cry. But I won't let him see my tears. The Sophie he saw now, had to be the strong Sophie. Sophie does not like to cry.
“Listen to me new boy,” I can feel the smell of his fragrant breath and the smell of his strawberry-scented lipgloss. “Don't be arrogant of you. If it wasn't me who would have hosted you here, you wouldn't be what – is. People – people will not know you and you will only sing in that pathetic little shop. At most – you will be a village star who only gigs on 17s,” he said sharply. He's very intimidating.
“The little shop that Sister Diana said was pathetic belongs to my family is hereditary. Many people are happy there, unlike here where I have to deal with girls every day.”
“Who do you call culas, huh?” Diana is moving forward.
“You Sister Diana. You are very cynical, envious, arrogant, can not accept the fact that your star in this place has begun to dim,” I look into his eyes defiantly.
“Basically you snot kid,” he raised his hand about to slap me but fast – fast Stan caught his hand. Dino already stood up to break up and – people who were there had started crowding around looking at us like a spectacle.
“Have ... already ...,” Stan said. One more hour the event will start and – people will start coming. “Diana, control yourself. You don't want your prestige to degenerate because of this, do you? You have to admit that you are not as famous as you used to be and it is not Sophie's fault!”
I saw a flash of anger in Diana's eyes. But apparently Stan's words were quite piercing his heart. Without saying what – what she is then go to the dressing room. After he left, my bagngis broke. I cried in Stan's chest. Stan pulled me to the corner of the room so no one could see.
“Sounds me little lady, so your grandmother often calls you don't you?” Stan asked and I nodded.
“Out there, there are many other Diana.You will not be affected by one Diana in this small place. Anyway, I'm pretty proud of you today. You can handle Diana. You don't stay silent when someone else bullies you. Remember your Grandma, remember Frans. They don't raise a girl who gives up easily.”
I wiped my tears and strengthened myself.
“Now you go to the dressing room and start ready – ready well. The show will start soon. You have to look beautiful tonight,” Stan said again.
I went to the dressing room. I saw Diana there with a stack of her makeup tools. I'm not afraid of him. I really want to be friends with him. I had hoped to learn a lot from him. But with his brilliance, I'm not sure that's going to happen. I took my toiletries and started to shower. At least the warm water will refresh me tonight.
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Check out other stories written by Eveningtea81 in Noveltoon
1. Play your guitar, Sophie
2. The Sun Becomes a Star