"Uuh ... Merlin?"
It's already past 10 in the evening as my beautiful blonde dope ass friend, Merlin pulled over at the front of Nine Mousai. Nine Mousai is a high-end studio for performing arts and a mystery ... to me. I call it—Mousaimusprime.
"Call me Mer."
Yea it's always the same on the outside, medium sized N I N E M O U S A I on the center of the first floor that lights up during the night, smoked glasses and walls painted with jet black. But! But on the inside ... theater stage design, art gallery, bar, wedding reception with different themes, name it and it will transform into that!
"Yea whatever, Mer."
"Uh-huh?" She's checking the side mirror as she parked.
Dito palang sa labas rinig ko na yung sigawan nila sa loob. There are bodyguards on the outside wearing matching black suits and earpieces. As if we're in a movie! Branded cars and motorcycles were parked as well. Rich kids and their toys.
Merlin is getting ready to get out, putting the car key in her purse.
"Wait Mer. What are we doing here? Kala ko ba sa musical showcase with a "cause" tayo pupunta?" Emphasis on the cause.
"Ayesha—"
"Aye."
"Aye, I said showcase. I didn't say anything about musical." She looked at me with a 'remember-our-conversation?" look.
And here I was thinking of that conversation.
When she noticed the confusion on my face turned into 'you-are-right' look.
"There you go again, assuming things. You and you're prejudgment and misconception."
"Pero ... pagod na ko."
"Yea. Yea. I know. I get it. You're tired and you don't want unnecessary noises..." She took my arms and drag me out of the car. "But you promised." She clung to my right arm and looked at me with her signature pleading puppy eyes that won me every single time.
"And it's for a cause. It's for mental health awareness and its proceeds will go to hospitals that need new equipment. Here. Read the backside of the ticket." Inabot nya ito sakin tsaka ako tuluyang kinaladkad paloob.
I knew it! It's a dance showcase. Hays.
"Wait—magpapalit muna ako ng damit. Look at me."
She scanned me from head to toe. I'm still wearing one of my battle suits, a jade sleeveless overall, a darker shade you can mistook it for black and a 3-inched white stiletto. Sinundo nya ko from a wedding I coordinated kaya naman hindi na ko nakapagpalit ng comfortable clothes.
"Nah you're fine." Tapos tinuloy nya ulit yung paghatak saken.
"Mer wait—ang sakit na ng paa ko."
"No. You can run on your heels for five days straight and your feet won't feel a single prick. And how am I able to market you in your pair of yellow gym clothes and snickers."
"Wait—what?! Market?!"
The lights are dim, and their cheers are getting louder and louder. Tanging sa stage lang ang maliwanag, nagshishift ito from warm to bright blue lights to simple white lights. There are also people forming an open half circle sa stage. I think they are the performers.
Mer is literally dragging me out of the crowd.
"Levi! Levi!" Mer's waving her hand too much I think it would get detached anytime soon.
Levi's her boyfriend since we were in high school. They were your high school sweethearts turned to husband and wife. Yep. They are already married for quite some time now, for about 2 years, if I'm not mistaken but that's for another chapter of this story.
Finally, nakasettle na kami kasama nila. Nandito kami sa VVIP space, I think. It was separated with a chest-level metal barricade. We also have seats.
Mer looked at me with a smug face. "You're gonna love this. I swear."
I think the male emcee is introducing the next performer, but my mind is on the interior design. How come they can do this with so little time?
I told you Nine Mousai is a mystery to me. It was named after the Muses in Greek mythology. They were the goddesses of music, song and dance. They were also goddesses of knowledge, who remembered all things that had come to pass. Mousaimusprime is a five-storey building. Each floor and rooms have its names base on the Muses themselves. Oh, the creativity in naming!
1st floor:
Titan Hall - where the events happen
2nd floor:
Mneme Hall - theatre studio
Pronunciation: [ nee-mee ]
3rd floor:
Aiode Hall - choral studio
Pronunciation: [ ay-oh-dee ]
4th floor:
Melete Hall - dance studio
Pronunciation: [ mel-i-tee ]
5th floor:
Basileia – meaning where the "queen" resides.
Pronunciation: [ bas-il-i'-ah ]
The whole 5th floor is the office of the CEO and owner of N I N E M O U S A I.
Imagine?! Babae ang may-ari at nagmamanage kay Mousaimusprime! Nafeature na rin siya sa ilang magazines and newspapers! Uhm ... look. I'm a big fan, okay? Please bear with me and my ramblings.
I've been here for several times, coordinating weddings and debut. And it has the same effect on me every single time—in awe. I'm always in awe. Pure admiration!
"Aye … Ayesha. AYESHA!"
"Yes?" I snapped back into the reality ng sa mismong kanang tenga ko na sumigaw si Merlin.
"You're drooling."
"For real?!"
"Nah just kidding. Magstart na yung next performance."
I adjusted in my seat. Hindi naman sa ayaw ko sa sayaw, in fact I really love and appreciates art kahit anong form pa yan. In fact, my younger brother is an aspiring dancer. Baka nga mamaya, nandito pa yun. Pero kagaya nga ng nabanggit ni Mer kanina, medyo pagod na ako kaya naman medyo mabilis na rin akong marindi.
"EVERYBODY, I GIVE YOU—DYLAN MAYORAL!"
Then a barefoot man, taller than the average, wearing white oversized shirt and black sweatpants emerged from the people on the stage.