As Viona sat down to enjoy her lunch, her tray laden with an assortment of delectable dishes that had yet to be touched, she found herself surrounded by a small delegation of her female classmates led by the spirited Rini Rani. Their presence interrupted her peaceful reprieve, and she looked up, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
"Viona," Rini Rani began, her voice carrying a sense of earnestness, "can you teach us the moves for the conflict between the Montague and Capulet families?" She was accompanied by several other eager students, all looking to Viona with anticipation.
Viona's brow furrowed slightly as she considered their request. "Why me?" she inquired, genuine confusion coloring her words. "Doesn't Instructor Andi already guide us through the choreography for those scenes?"
Rini Rani nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm undiminished. "Yes, he does, but we've noticed that your movements are easier to follow, and they seem more suitable for the dynamic fight scenes we're trying to portray. Just like the ones you demonstrated to Keeva earlier this morning," she explained, her eyes shining with admiration for Viona's talent.
Viona cleared her throat, her expression thoughtful as she contemplated the request. She understood the importance of cohesion in the fight scenes and the desire for the choreography to be both captivating and accessible to all cast members. "Let me discuss it with Instructor Andi first," she finally responded, a note of responsibility in her voice. "After all, he's our official instructor, and if we wish to alter the choreography, we need his approval."
The group of students nodded in understanding, their respect for the established hierarchy evident. "Okay, Viona, we'll wait to hear from you," Rini Rani affirmed with a warm smile, her gratitude palpable.
With their request acknowledged, the students cheerfully bid their classmate farewell and quickly departed, leaving Viona to return her attention to her meal. As she contemplated the potential changes to the choreography, she couldn't help but appreciate the camaraderie and unity that had formed among the cast members, all driven by their shared passion for bringing Shakespeare's timeless tale to life on the stage.
As Viona resumed her lunch, savoring the delicious flavors on her tray, a familiar and cheerful voice floated across the table, capturing her attention. "Hi Vii~," Kiara's friendly voice chimed in, its light and melodious tone pulling Viona's gaze away from her food.
With a small, warm smile that radiated camaraderie and fondness, Viona acknowledged her friend's presence with a casual wave. Their friendship had been a steady source of support and encouragement throughout their class even they have different classes.
"I heard your class is putting on a musical drama of Romeo and Juliet?" Kiara inquired, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she settled into the seat opposite Viona, placing her tray on the table. The cafeteria buzzed with the chatter of students, but their conversation formed a cozy bubble of connection amidst the noise.
Viona nodded, her eyes gleaming with the excitement of the upcoming production. "Yes," she confirmed, her voice tinged with enthusiasm, "I'm taking on the role of Romeo. How about your class? Any exciting projects on the horizon?" She leaned forward, genuinely interested in Kiara's answer, her inquisitive eyebrow raising in anticipation.
Kiara leaned back comfortably in her chair, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Well," she began, savoring the moment, "we're gearing up for a small concert. It's not as grand as Shakespeare, but it's got its own charm." Her smile was infectious, a testament to her passion for music.
Viona's interest piqued as she realized that her friend was involved in a completely different kind of performance. "A concert sounds fantastic!" she exclaimed, genuinely intrigued. "What's your role in it?"
Kiara's brows furrowed in surprise as she processed Viona's earlier statement. "Wait," she said, her voice filled with astonishment, "you're Romeo? Not Juliet?" The revelation caught her off guard.
Viona chuckled softly at Kiara's reaction, her shoulders lifting in a nonchalant shrug. "We've swapped roles," she explained with a casual demeanor, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Kiara blinked, her eyes widening in amusement and admiration. "Wow," she exclaimed, a playful grin spreading across her face, "you're going to look very handsome as Romeo, Vii." Her comment was delivered with genuine warmth and a touch of playful teasing.
Viona couldn't help but offer a modest smile in response, appreciating Kiara's infectious enthusiasm and the support of a friend who could make even a gender-swapped Shakespearean role feel like a thrilling adventure. In that bustling cafeteria, amidst trays of food and the hum of conversation, their friendship remained a steadfast source of joy and connection.
"By the way," Kiara continued with unabated curiosity, leaning forward slightly in her seat, "is everyone switching roles, or how is it going to work?"
Viona considered her friend's question, a secretive smile playing at the corners of her lips. "You'll see it all when we perform," she replied, her tone infused with a sense of anticipation. "Plus, there's only a month left until the big night," she added, hinting at the looming excitement without giving away too much.
Kiara's reaction was immediate and animated. She pouted, her lower lip jutting out in a playful sulk that was hard to resist. "No fair," she protested, casting puppy-dog eyes at Viona, clearly fishing for sympathy. "You know what I'll be doing, but you won't share any juicy details with me."
Viona couldn't help but be amused by Kiara's theatrics. She raised an eyebrow, feigning indifference to the dramatic display. "You already know we're doing Romeo and Juliet," she responded nonchalantly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Kiara's pout returned for a fleeting moment, a playful gesture that masked the genuine curiosity and eagerness bubbling within her. However, her sulky mood quickly dissipated, replaced by an infectious enthusiasm that was impossible to resist. She launched into an animated account of their recent rehearsal, painting vivid pictures with her words of the lively and creative atmosphere that enveloped her class during practice sessions. Her eyes sparkled as she described the passionate exchanges between her fellow musicians and the dedication they poured into perfecting their pieces.
In the midst of her storytelling, Kiara couldn't help but share a particularly thrilling piece of news. "You know, Vi," she said, her voice filled with excitement, "some of the songs I composed have been chosen for the concert!" Her face beamed with pride and happiness.
Viona's interest was immediately piqued by the revelation, and she leaned in closer to listen. "That's amazing, Kiara," she exclaimed, genuinely delighted for her friend. "Are you going to be the soloist?"
Kiara's response was a mix of gratitude and modesty. "No," she replied with a humbleness that Viona had come to admire, "none of my classmates wanted to perform them solo." She paused for a moment before adding, "I'm actually really thankful for that."
Viona couldn't resist a teasing smile, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Maybe they thought your song wasn't suitable for a solo performance?" she quipped, fully aware of Kiara's exceptional talent.
Kiara immediately shook her head, her eyes shining with conviction. "No, no! Their reasoning was that their voices didn't quite match the style of my song. When I was composing it, I had you in mind, Vi. Your voice made everything flow so smoothly!" Kiara exclaimed, her face radiant with admiration.
Viona sighed softly, touched by her friend's unwavering support. "I can't believe you still think that way," she said, shaking her head in bemusement.
"Of course!" Kiara declared with sincerity, her disappointment evident. "Your voice is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard! It's a shame you prioritize acting over singing. If you pursued both, I know you'd be famous."
Viona exhaled gently, her heart warmed by Kiara's belief in her abilities. "Maybe I'll consider singing your songs someday, Kiara," she conceded, feeling a touch weary from the continuous requests, both overt and subtle, from her friend. "But I can't promise anything. I'd like to see the lyrics and hear the music first."
As Viona had anticipated, Kiara erupted into a joyful cheer, her face lighting up with excitement. She began a small victory dance, entirely oblivious to the fact that they were still in the cafeteria, with many other students casting amused glances their way.
Viona chuckled softly, appreciating the unwavering enthusiasm of her friend. Kiara's unwavering belief in her talent was a cherished source of encouragement, a reminder that their friendship was a wellspring of support and inspiration, both on and off the stage.