Chapter 3 (1/2)
There were only two interesting things spoken during the morning a.s.sembly. The Teratai Block Warden, Mrs Kamsah, announced that she wanted to see Khairil Jamaluddin afterwards. KJ grinned while looking towards Kirana. There were still traces of turmeric powder on her branded bag.
Next, the newly-elected Student Leader was announced: Fara Zahira. The first SL in the history of CGTSS.
The s.e.xists snorted, the feminists cheered. Troll was glad that it wasn't Arip Bond who became the SL. Ray showed no emotion. KJ was too busy thinking whether he left any traces og him after yesterday's operation.
Gibbs, on the other hand, smiled after hearing the new SL's name.
”But I want the main role!”
Ray sighed. She's already a diva even before becoming an actress.
At first, Ray had to handle things like this if he wanted to stage a theatre at CGTSS. But ever since the theatre I'm not a Lesbian was staged two years ago, the Drama Club that was headed by Ray started receiving attentions. The club members increased and Ray now had two a.s.sistant directors. He'd let them handle matters with the matters. Ray only wanted to do his work. After graduating, there's only one thing he wanted to do: becoming a famous director.
Joe, his first a.s.sistant, calmed the cranky Joanna who wanted the main role who was already given to Hanni. Ray smiled cynically by himself. Try imagining someone who doesn't play the main role but outs.h.i.+ned them Now that's a genius.
”Here, boss. Your copy,” said Kishen, his second a.s.sistant director, while giving a script to him.
Ray took it and sat down on the auditorium chair. He flipped the script with Haskell written as the writer. This was the second time he got a script from someone using the nom de plume Haskell. Both of them were great. The strange thing was, the writer doesn't want to be known. Maybe it wasn't yet time. The psychology of some writers, only after a few success, only then would they have some confidence.
”Yo,” greeted Gibbs while sitting next to Ray.
Ray tilted his head upwards a bit, then went back to a.n.a.lysing the script. ”What kind of story is it this time?” asked Gibbs.
”A ghost story,” Ray replied perfunctorily.
”Hah, that's a challenge. How would you make the special effects?”
”I'll ask KJ for some help,” said Ray. It looked like he had thought this out.
Gibbs nodded. ”So… which one? Asked Gibbs.
Ray knew what Gibbs meant - the heroine. ”You're thirsty too?”
”Nah. Just asking.” But his eyes were wildly looking around. ”Is it that one?”
”That's Joanna. Second heroine,” Ray replied.
”Pretty good. Like a young Gong Li,” Gibbs commented.
”She's a diva though.”
”Let Troll school her first,” Gibbs suggested. Ray smiled.
Gibbs sat down enjoying the view while Ray went on with his practice session. It was a coincidence that Gibbs was too lazy to go anywhere that evening. And if he wanted to accompany Ray, Ray wouldn't reject it. There's a certain comforting sense when Gibbs was with him.
After the practice session, on the way exiting the auditorium, Ray and Gibbs were blocked by two female students - the new Student Leader, Fara, and another one… Don't know her. What's important is that Fara's here. Gibbs' smile slackened.
”Raymond,” Fara said sternly. Too stern.
”Yeah?”
”This is Deepa, my roommate. She has something to say to you,” said Fara.
Ray looked at Deepa. She was restless.
”Is she mute?” Ray questioned.
”Excuse me?” Fara replied with a question.
”Why are you talking for her?” Ray asked again.
Gibbs smiled. Deepa stole a glance towards Gibbs, becoming even more fidgety.
Fara snorted. ”She's a shy person. She's the one that has been writing scripts for you, get it? So be nice.”
Feisty, Gibbs commented inwardly. His eyes still looking at Fara, the half-Arabic girl. Maybe it's the Arab blood that makes her so fierce, Gibbs thought.
”You're Hakell?” Ray asked the Deepa girl. She nodded. ”Good. I've always wanted to know who you were. Now that I know I know, we could discuss some things. You have a minute?” Ray, if it's about s...o...b..z, would not waste any time.
Deepa looked at Fara in confusion. Fara smiled and nodded as if a.s.suring her. ”Go on. I'll wait, she said to Deepa.