'The struggle life will never fail if you never entrust yourself.'
Desira, an 18-year-old girl from a remote part of East Java, never thought her dreams would take her to the world stage. Since childhood, Desira has been fascinated by the world of entertainment. She often sang her favorite boy band songs in front of the mirror, danced to the beat on television, and imagined herself as a member of a famous girl band.
Her life in her hometown was simple, but filled with happiness. Desira lives with her grandfather in a simple house, surrounded by shady trees. She helps her grandfather sell Rawon and takes care of the household. In her spare time, Desira practiced her voice and learned to dance by herself from videos on the Internet.
And this is the story of Desira, a woman who wants to fulfill her dream as a Girlband member.
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Late afternoon on the terrace of the house. Desira sat with her grandfather, looking up at the beautiful orange sky.
"Grandpa, I have something to tell you," Desira said to her grandfather.
"Tell me, dear. Grandpa is always ready to listen."
"Desira wants to be a famous singer. I want to perform on a big stage and entertain many people."
The grandfather smiled at Desira's dream, "That's a good dream, dear. I'm sure Desira can make it happen."
"But, Grandpa, Desira comes from a village. Desira doesn't have the money and connections to become a famous singer."
"Dear, remember grandpa's message. Dreams know no place or time. The most important thing is your determination and effort. If Desira has strong determination and keeps trying, Grandpa is sure Desira will achieve your dream."
"But, Grandpa, how?"
"First, Desira must keep practicing. Desira already has internet access, right? With the internet, Desira can hone her talent and improve your dancing skills. Second, never give up. Third, always believe in yourself. Believe that Desira is capable of achieving your dreams."
"Thank you, Grandpa. Grandpa's words made Desira even more excited. Desira will keep trying and will never give up."
"Very good, dear. Grandpa always supports you. Remember, Grandpa is always here for Desira."
Desira hugged her grandfather with tears in her eyes, "Thank you, Grandpa. Desira loves Grandpa."
"Grandpa loves Desira too."
The orange sky was getting more beautiful, signaling the beginning of Desira's struggle to reach her dreams. Desira looked back at the sky with determination. In her heart, she promised to realize her dream and make her grandfather and hometown proud.
2 months later, after Desira practiced vocal and dance in her hometown, she ventured to Jakarta to look for open auditions. Desira couldn't bear to leave her grandfather alone in her hometown, but she had promised to make her grandfather proud.
After arriving in Jakarta, Desira saw a paper fall in front of her. She picked it up and saw that it contained audition information to become a member of a girl band that would be formed by a famous American agency.
Her heart raced as she read the details of the announcement. This was the opportunity she had been waiting for. Desira immediately looked for a decent place to live and taped the audition paper on the wall as a reminder. She even made a simple costume from old fabric that she sewed herself.
The audition day arrived. Desira set off for the audition site full of nerves and enthusiasm. She saw hundreds of other girls who came in expensive costumes and were accompanied by their parents. Desira felt small and inferior.
However, she didn't want to give up. She remembered her grandfather's words and strengthened her resolve. When her turn came, Desira sang her favorite song with passion and danced with energy. She showed all her talent and love for music.
A few days after the audition, Desira received the good news. She was through to the next round! She couldn't believe her dream was getting closer. She immediately sent a letter to her grandfather to express to him her gratitude and support.
The next day in the waiting room of the final girl band audition, Desira sat alone in a corner of the room, feeling a little nervous and intimidated by the glamorous and experienced contestants. Suddenly, three beautiful girls approached Desira.
"Hi, you're Desira, right? My name is Clara." The first girl introduced herself as Clara.
"I'm Rina. Nice to meet you." The next girl Rina.
"And I'm Ana. Come sit with us." The last girl was Ana.
"Thank you. I'm Desira. Nice to meet you too."
"We noticed you the first time you auditioned. Your performance was amazing!" Clara shared their reaction to Desira's first audition.
"Your voice is beautiful and your energy is infectious," Rina continued to praise Desira.
"I'm sure you'll make it into the girl band," Ana had high hopes for Desira.
"Thank you for your compliments. I'm glad you like it."
Then Desira paused, "Actually... I'm a little nervous. I come from a village and don't have as much experience as you guys."
Clara patted Desira's shoulder, "Don't worry, Desira. All of us here have the same dream. We all want to be part of this girl band."
"Competition does exist, but that doesn't mean we have to bring each other down. We can all learn from each other and support each other," Rina said.
"It's true what Clara and Rina said. We must unite and show the judges that we are a strong and solid team," Ana confirmed Desira's point.
"Thank you. I feel calmer now. I'm glad I met you guys and I hope we can become good friends," Desira was grateful to have new friends.
Clara, Rina, and Ana smiled, "We hope so too."
The four girls talked and laughed together, forgetting their nerves and competition.
A few days later, the announcement of the girl band line-up was made. Desira, Clara, Rina, and Ana qualified to become a girl band unit under the name 'Destiny's Star'. Desira and her three friends were happy with the results of the announcement. Their formation into a new girl band suddenly became a big news. Desira felt that she had achieved her dream.
Desira did not forget to send the announcement to her grandfather. Even though Desira has debuted as a girl band member, she still remembers her grandfather's service to her career. Desira's career journey was successful, where Destiny's Star received various endorsement calls.
Until, one day when they finished a concert at the stadium, their manager approached to inform the schedule, "Tomorrow, you have a duty call as Brand Ambassador of a humanitarian organization, yes."
"Tomorrow?" Desira looked troubled.
Ana looked at Desira who was confused, "Why, Des? You look so confused."
Desira shook her head, "It's okay. Just asking for reassurance."
Ana and the others just nodded. Unknown to them, tomorrow was Desira's grandfather's birthday. Desira didn't expect that she would have to miss her grandfather's birthday. As long as she lived in the village, she never forgot about that important day.
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The next day, Destiny's Star went to the place in question. Desira and the others felt played because the place they went to was a nursing home. Clara asked the manager, "Mr. Manager, are we really going here?"
"This is the place. So, a humanitarian organization held a family gathering in this place. And they invited you guys as performers," the manager revealed while typing a message on his cellphone.
Desira, Ana, and Rina patted Clara's shoulder, "Let's not look for trouble, we have to carry out our duties as brand ambassadors."
The four of them entered the nursing home and greeted the families present with smiles. While the others were chatting with the elderly, a voice called out:
"Desira?"
Desira and the others looked to the source of the voice, and to her surprise, she saw her grandfather, whom she had not seen for a long time, standing in front of her.
Desira ran up to her grandfather, "Grandpa!!!"
Desira cried in her grandfather's arms because of how much Desira missed her grandfather, her grandfather smiled while smoothing Desira's hair.
"How are you, dear?" Grandpa looked at Desira's tearful face.
"I'm... fine, Grandpa."
Grandpa wiped Desira's tears, "Smile, you're here with your friends. How can you be embarrassed in front of them?"
Desira smiled, "I miss you, Grandpa. Desira has achieved my dream, Grandpa. Desira is very grateful to have a good career, and to meet Grandpa."
Grandpa smiled at Desira's achievement, then Desira turned to her friends and introduced them to Grandpa. Finally, the family gathering party was well underway, and Desira was reunited with her grandfather.