The tranquility of my sleep was abruptly shattered around 22:30 when the piercing ringtone of my phone cut through the peaceful silence. Startled from my peaceful slumber, I fumbled to grab my phone. At such a late hour, there were only two possible reasons for the call. It could either be a rare family emergency or Gavvy with his spontaneous plans to hang out until midnight.
As I squinted at the glowing screen, an unfamiliar number greeted me. My initial instinct was to dismiss it as a spam call, a nuisance that could wait until morning. And so, I chose to ignore it, hoping to return to the interrupted bliss of my dreams. However, the phone persisted, ringing incessantly, provoking a mix of anger and annoyance within me.
Finally, unable to bear the relentless ringing any longer, I reluctantly answered the call, my voice laced with irritation. To my surprise, it was none other than the president of the production, the director herself. Her voice carried a tinge of apology for the late hour, but the urgency in her tone was undeniable. She informed me of a practice session for Gavvy and emphasized the need to complete the script for me by the following day. The play was approaching sooner than I had anticipated, and the incomplete script had driven her to reach out in desperation.
But that was not all. In addition to the practice, she extended an unexpected invitation for me to join the production council as the vice president. Her words left me speechless, as the weight of the responsibility she was entrusting me with sank in. I assured her that I would attend the practice, but regarding the position of vice president, I requested some time to contemplate and make a decision.
With the conversation concluded, I hung up the phone, the echoes of her words reverberating in my mind. The peaceful silence of the night had been replaced by a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The unexpected call had thrust upon me new responsibilities and important decisions to make. But for now, all I yearned for was to return to the comfort of uninterrupted sleep. And this time, thankfully, there were no more interruptions. The night once again enveloped me in its tranquil embrace, lulling me back into a restful slumber.
As the first gentle rays of sunlight filtered through the window, delicately kissing my face, I slowly roused from my slumber. But before I could fully open my eyes, I felt a soft, warm touch on my cheeks, accompanied by an unnecessary but endearing gesture. Gavvy, my talented actor and dear friend, had bestowed upon me a gentle kiss on each cheek to rouse me from my sleep. A smile graced my lips as I finally opened my eyes, met with his mischievous grin.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," he greeted, his voice brimming with playful affection. "Time to embrace the day!"
Bathed in his warmth and positive energy, I swiftly sat up in bed, the remnants of sleep dissipating from my mind. The events of the previous night flooded back to me, reminding me of my role as the playwright of the theater play and the pressing need to finalize the script. Today marked the day of refining the script and fine-tuning Gavvy's performance, and I yearned for everything to proceed seamlessly.
With refreshed minds and fully charged energy, I hopped out of bed and made my way to the bathroom to freshen up. After a brisk shower and diligent teeth brushing, I delved into my closet in search of an attire that struck the perfect balance between suitability and comfort for the upcoming practice. Gavvy had a plan in mind and suggested that I wear the shirt he had gifted me the night before. It symbolized our friendship and collaboration, and I gladly slipped it on, feeling a profound sense of unity.
Once we were both ready, we embarked on our journey towards the school auditorium. The freshness of the morning air, coupled with the excitement coursing through my veins, invigorated our spirits. As we strolled side by side, Gavvy's cheerful and supportive presence was a comforting constant. Our laughter and lighthearted chatter reverberated through the otherwise deserted hallways.
Eventually, we reached our destination - the school auditorium, it was indeed full of creative and artistic expression. As the doors swung open, we were greeted by a hive of activity. Actors and crew members bustled about, each absorbed in their preparations for the day's practice. The air was thick with tension, requiring a strong mixture of nerves and anticipation.
As the playwright, I found my place amidst a group of passionate individuals who shared my love for the stage. Gavvy, the talented actor that he was, began his preparations for his role. Although he had opted not to prepare for the scene, his dedication and talent were as clear as day, leaving me with no doubt that I couldn't have chosen a better actor for the part.
United in our endeavor, we persevered, ready to breathe life into our shared vision. The road to success was shrouded in uncertainty, but with our mutual passion and commitment, I was confident in our ability to create something truly extraordinary. With determination fuelling our resolve, we embraced the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead, eager to mesmerize the audience with his delivery of my script.
As the playwright, I observed Gavvy as he rehearsed an intimate scene with his leading lady, Rayvyn. The scene entailed a passionate kiss, which ignited a flame of jealousy within me. A sharp pain of insecurity seized me, knowing that Gavvy would be sharing such a personal moment with someone else, even if it was merely a performance.
As the rehearsal progressed, a sense of heaviness came to me, a yearning to pull Gavvy away from that moment. Overwhelmed by my emotions, I resolved to confront Gavvy about my feelings. However, before I could took up the courage to approach him, I was reminded of the boundaries of our relationship. Despite the deep bond we shared, we were just friends. Moreover, Gavvy had always been clear about the special and real nature of their relationship.
Consumed by the emotions of sadness and confusion, I excused myself, hastily retreating to the sanctuary of the restroom. Once inside, I allowed my emotions to run their course, questioning myself, "Why are we like this? Why am I like this? Can I not love someone without getting hurt?". The pain was unbearable, tears cascading down my face as I grappled with my feelings. Unbeknownst to me, Gavvy had followed, concerned for my well-being.
As I wept in the restroom, Gavvy entered and rushed to my side. He tenderly embraced me, offering comfort and reassurance. In a moment of sadness and regret, he said, "Van, it's just a show, you wrote the scene, remember? And I knew you would feel this way, so…". His voice trailed off as he shrugged off his jacket, revealing the couple shirt we had shared, a testament to our bond.
In a gentle tone, Gavvy reassured me, "Whatever happens on stage, stays on stage." His words heals my wounded heart, affirming that the kiss was merely a part of the performance, and his true affection belonged to me alone. Submerged by his words, a wave of relief and love washed over me.
Together, we wiped away the tears and returned to the rehearsal, our hearts brimming with a renewed sense of trust and understanding. As we reentered the stage, our matching shirts, elicitated teasing from the crew, sparking laughter before we refocused on our tasks.
With each impassioned line and tender gesture, Gavvy brought the characters to life, his connection with the audience radiating through every moment.
As Gavvy and I continued our work on the theater play, the president of the production, who also served as the director, approached me with an offer that I had been struggling to decide upon. Recognizing my dedication and talent, the president asked why I hadn't considered taking on the role of vice president for the production.
Initially, I hesitated, feeling uncertain about my abilities to fulfill such a significant role. Doubts filled my mind as I questioned whether I possessed the necessary skills and experience. However, Gavvy, always supportive and believing in me, reassured me that I was more than capable and encouraged me to accept the position.
With Gavvy's unwavering belief in me, I found the strength to overcome my self-doubt. Taking a deep breath, I accepted the offer, ready to embrace the challenge and contribute to the success of the production.
The president then gathered all the members of the production and shared the news of my appointment as the vice president. Seeking their opinion and ensuring their comfort with my new role, the president asked for their support. To my delight, everyone expressed their confidence in me, assuring me that they believed in my abilities.
With the decision made and the team united, the president concluded the practice for the day. Each member bid farewell and headed home, carrying with them a sense of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming performances.
I was filled with a newfound sense of purpose and determination as I left the auditorium. A mix of nervousness and excitement coursed through me, knowing that the road ahead would be challenging. However, I also knew that I had a team of talented individuals who believed in me.
As we walked away, I couldn't help but feel grateful for Gavvy's unwavering support and encouragement. With him by my side, I knew that together we would navigate the journey ahead, overcoming obstacles and creating something truly remarkable on the stage.
(To be continued…)
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crdts
9_ku- editor
Clint - geez fine, I am the wife. Happy?