..."That isn't a problem, sweetheart. Give me your parents phone number, I'll talk to them. So you can just relax and enjoy the party later." Mrs. Miranda said confidently. Hoshi pleaded her mother to make sure that Zerah will be present at the party so he can personally know her more than Dah's good stories about her.
Zerah is surprise on how Mrs. Miranda is treating her. But, instead of asking why she's being nice to her, she just dial her mother's phone number and gave it to Mrs. Miranda in obedience. Nawa and Sana is wondering why suddenly this Madam is showing interest towards their friend, Zerah. Mrs. Miranda press the loud speaker button so everyone could hear the whole conversation.
"Hello, Zerah! Are you on your way home now?" Mrs. Andres answered the call in a tired voice.
"I'm about to but there's someone who wants to talk to you, Ma." Zerah seems worriedly after hearing her mother's heavy breathing on the phone. She knows how tired her parents are on the field just to provide everything they need.
"Who is it? Is it really that important? If not, I'll continue to harvest the vegetables I'm going to sell tomorrow. Tell that person to be straight to the point or I'll end this call." Mrs. Andres is busy on their farm, she has a lot of things to do. She only consider an emergency call as an excuse on not wasting her time in making money for her family's needs.
Dah and Zerah remained silent while Nawa and Sana look frightened after hearing Mrs. Miranda's frank complaint. Zerah's mother is such a bold-spirited woman and talks straight forwardly. She hated two-faced people. And believes in the saying "Time is gold" and "Gold is money". But, family means everything than anything in this world.
"Hello, Madam! I'm Mrs. Miranda, I've invited your daughter for a simple gathering in our home but she refused my invitation. She said that she need to ask for your permission first so she can come and join us this lunch time. Don't worry, I also invited her friends to accompany her and my son will drive her home safely after the celebration. Sue me for kidnapping if she's still didn't arrive at your house before six o'clock in the afternoon. Deal?" Mrs. Miranda remain calm and confident. Even the smile on her face is immovable and there's assurance in her words.
"Sure. Send me the address then. Can you give back this phone to its owner?" Mrs. Andres is unshakable on the phone.
"Wait a second, I'll send it myself so you can personally contact me. Alright, I'll be giving the phone to Zerah now." Then Mrs. Miranda handed back Zerah's phone.
"Ma, I'll be fine. Nawa and Sana will be there too, I still remember my promise to you. I will never runaway from my responsibilities. I love you, bye." Zerah ended the call with a sigh.
"Aren't you happy? But, Hoshi wants to meet you. It's okay if you feel uncertain about it. If you don't really feel like going, no worries. I'll tell him to meet you some other time." Mrs. Miranda had a guilty feeling after seeing Zerah's sad expression on her face.
The frown on Zerah's face turn into a slight smile after hearing the words "Hoshi wants to meet you" it keeps on repeating on her mind. She's blushing in such thought and her heart race thinking that the man she adores would like to meet her.
"We'll be busy for our training starting next week and I think after the celebration there will no other chance for us to party and enjoy. The management have already told us that we need to stay at the dorm and practice for six days straight, we only have one day to rest and regain our strength. The least of interaction to those who can distract us, the better we can focus on our goals." Dah is giving Zerah a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"Hey, are you trying to change her mind? But, I agree with you though. Dah, really has a point here, maybe this is Zerah's only opportunity to finally meet the man he likes." Nawa absentmindedly stated Zerah's feelings for Hoshi. "She mean Zerah would like to be friends with your son, ma'am. Right, Nawa?" Sana immediately did a cover up for what her cousin had already said.
Zerah is shocked with the words that slip off from Nawa's mouth. Eyes wide as she cover her mouth with both of her hands in surprise. Mrs. Miranda just cleared her throat trying to figure out what's going on. The same reactions from Hesha and Hashy who tries to hide their giggles as they already knew it from the very beginning. Dah simply chuckles while looking at Nawa and Sana who looked like a criminal caught on their lies.
Zerah arrived at the Miranda's residency feeling nervous. She doesn't know what to do nor what to say knowing that Hoshi is just around. She's quietly sitting on the couch with the other guests while Nawa and Sana are both busy chatting with Szujen's sisters. Zerah suddenly stood up and and went to the kitchen to help Mrs. Miranda in serving the food on the dining table. When she's home, she is used to helping her mother in preparing the food for the family. So she can't bare to just sit there.
She's walking really fast to avoid being notice by anyone, it's not that she's an antisocial kind of person. It's just that she's uncomfortable that everyone's eyes are watching her especially that Hoshi is one of them. She's one of the famous female host in the country, and the most favorite radio DJ of her generation, calling the audience attention is part of her job.
It's seems like the first time, she doesn't want any attention from the crowd. She's even annoyed that someone keeps on pointing her then a group of friends will laugh at the same time, she's not mouthing any words, what's funny? That keeps on repeating on her mind. Zerah is like a guilty criminal on an accusation who walked out the court room.