[M] xiv. emergence (1/1)

xiv. emergence  [ richard strauss - also sprach zarathustra ] LISA."So tell me why are we going to NYU again?" My brother, V, asked as he puffed off smoke from his four hundred dollar tobacco pipe, with a purging conviction. As if it justifies his beatnik fashion fad as we parade the sidewalks of Greenwich Village. Styling on his black turtleneck tanked below with his matte leather pants, topped with a beige beret on his head and golden specs which was meant to cover his drowsy eyes where he got from cold coffees and sleepless nights because he needed to catch up with the output deadlines for this month's issue. The post-graduate success he's been experiencing, ironically, had him stressed in all days. But still he remains more than abashed, besides he's doing what he loves.Gladly, amidst of his pandemonium state, he still agreed to participate on my personal endeavor. "To meet my girlfriend." I pursued, "Hmm. You've been blabbering about this lady of yours lately. I warn you, I have great expectations." He implied. "She'll go beyond whatever you have thought." I presented a chic and confident tone. I mean, Jennie KIm has never disappointed anyone — and shall never. "Whoever she is, just make sure this relationship of yours will never go to the front page. Publishing a controversy about you is an irony I can't handle." His voice was deterrent and I was reminded why I should be cautious. I could only nod."Remind you, we're also here for publicity. The NYU Opening Festivities could make it to the front page. That's if they can give the merriment that I need." An austere tone clanged from his deep voice. It was business as usual.I heard that the music festival was the main event of the School Year Opening. Because for the first time ever, a lady will do a solo act in front of NYU's school crowd. Which has never been done before. But this hasn't been confirmed, it was just a factual-like rumor spreading across the university. Nonetheless, it still helped the marketing team achieve their quota. The event was sold out. As what Jen have told me.As we enter the gates of NYU, as one of the media marketers for the event, a pool of popping colored teens with slicked hairs in on-season hats welcomed us, walking from every corner of every hall. My hand automatically raised my newly purchased 35mm Exakta Varex IIb camera. Shining on it's black and silvery template, I quickly took a snap around the area. Click. My Father thought that it would be a nice surprise to give me after his long business endeavors in Germany. A new baby for my collection.The event was on a another quadrangle, bigger than the first one we've entered. So we advanced to the venue slowly as the clicking of my camera was dominating my senses. Click. click. click. Seeing all these glimmering subjects to be viewed are all splendid and overwhelming. I couldn't miss it for a heartbeat.Then few moments later, I have spotted the grand stage for the concert, the place was half a hectare of land canopied with newly mowed turf grass with small booths on the sidelines selling books, merchandises, or whatever things charitable. And beaming under the rays of the sun stood the stage. It was at the center of the field, two meters high above the ground. The backdrop were sketched letters saying NYU Music: The 1965 Emergence modelling with colors of red, blue and purple. The lights and the instruments were already set on stage like it's ready to be torn by the passion drive of the performing artists. All ready to be wrecked for the sake of musicality. Click.In the corner of my eye, I found V surrounded by plated-wearing skirt girls ranging from blonde to brunette firing love looks over the conventional looking heartthrob. Mind you, this is the usual scenario whenever my brother strolls around in public flashing his astounding features. He considers this as a courteous gesture. Click. Well, charity is his preferred word.The show starts in an hour but I needed to find Jen before it begins so I rushed myself to the backstage tent, hoping to finally tear away all the parts of my body that misses her. But as I opened the drapes. I witnessed a woman, instead. A different woman. She was like an embodiment of an hour glass, with an overflowing chestnut hair branching out from her shoulders. A sweet scent of bloomed orchids ventilated the whole room, "Roseanne?" Her name clapped through my head as I recognized the fragrance. With my call, she turned her body in full degree and I was able to grasp who she was. And I wasn't wrong. Her luminescent eyes struck me right away, like a garden in spring, her smile flowed as if it gives life to this dark orbited room. And yet it does, everything was a shade lighter. "Hey, Lisa. What brings you here?" She wondered. I thought she was relaxed yet as a minute went by I noticed her absurd agitation, perhaps she's trying to fabricate her way through this conversation. But why? When did I make her uncomfortable? Ever since I've known Chanyeol, I have known her also. We've learned to be friends, well associates at least. "I'm here to fi — " I paused as both of my iris patched something peculiar, "Wait — " My foot took one step closer as my neck clinched down, I felt her flinch, " — —     — You've got lipstick on your face." I said as I pointed a finger to her upper lip. I knew that lip color, it's portrait peach. It's popular nowadays, every magazine features it. Took her half a second to catch up before she startled to find a tissue and fix herself up. "Oh, how embarrassing." Her tone eluded me, "It's fine. It didn't made you any less stunning." I complimented her hoping to give refinement to this awkward of a scene, and I want to believe I've succeeded, as a slight amused smile appeared in between her lips. Click. The flickering of her eyes came along with the shuttering of my camera. "I love candids, gives you the most raw forms of emotion." I implied. I looked at her with a smile, "I'll get this articled.""Oh, I don't think a portrait of a woman can get your articles selling." Her doubt was agonizing. I chuckled, "I don't think they'll deny themselves the pleasure of beauty. That is something you have, and that's already a good market deal, I tell you." She huffed like all I said was to make her laugh, "You've gotten clever, Manoban." Roseanne stayed unimpressed. "This is not cleverness. This is the truth." I battled out. She was still amused as she took a few steps forward to reach my shoulder. "Well, thank you for trying to make me feel beautiful. I need the boost." Her smile emanated again as I felt her thankfulness with a gentle tap by the shoulders."I've heard you're performing?" I entered another topic, "Oh, yes — well — Jen talked me into it." I heard my heart clamored which was absurd. I shouldn't be gnashing as if it was worthy of jealousy. Yet I demand courtesy regardless of all the insecurities I have of her and the role she plays on Jen's future and now. Regardless of it consuming me. Regardless of it hurting me. Roseanne doesn't deserve it. "Good luck anyways. Prove to people that you deserve to be heard." I plastered a smile. Roseanne was about to respond when a movement began to appear beneath the drapes, our gazes redirected, "Oh Lalisa, you came!" A shot of his enthusiasm awaken the atmosphere, it was Chanyeol. The love of her life, as what I've been told. and I think I saw Roseanne breathe. He gave her relief."Hey! I was meant to find Jen but I stumbled upon your fiancé instead." I gestured a safe distance as Chanyeol planted a soft kiss on Roseanne's forehead, like a greeting. He wrapped her arms around the lady as she slightly leaned on to his broad chest. "Well, Jen's at the back if you wish to find her." He quickly gave a heads up."Thanks. I'll go ahead and find that girl." I said, "But first, smile for me." I reached for my camera and Click. I took away a snap of them both before disappearing over the drapes. I headed outside. And at the back of the tent there stood mine. Click. The love of my life. Jen's head swiveled at my direction as she heard the shutter, our eyes met. I found home. "I've been searching for you.""Guess you've found me." Her smile didn't reach her eyes, which they don't normally do. My mind ran skeptic. What has occurred to have her be like this? "What have you been doing?" I asked in concern. "Preparations and a lot of panicking." She managed to answer. "Just don't forget to breathe" I teased a reminder. She playfully rolled her eyes."Pssh. Whatever, Manoban"I did a little scan in the area and after assuring that we were alone, I railed my fingers down hers. Shivers electrocuted my skin and I never felt more alive. This being of mine misses Jen. My hands were now embracing hers. Locking it, sealing it with the safety she deserves to feel. "Hey, listen." I caught her attention. "You're greater than every doubt you've planted in your head."Then the smile that I've been waiting for, appeared. Her smile that shines brighter than million-year-old diamonds. An indefinite treasure. "H