Interviewer: Cristen
D-Cristen116

*****

“Ms. D-Cristen116… your turn to interview.” I waved at Cristen and she stepped closer to take the interviewer seat.

Cristen smiled at Melody and shook her hand earnestly. She sat down on Mel's left side and angled towards her with a sincere expression.

“This isn't a question, but I just want you to know that even if you did put on weight, Akram will still… I mean, all of us will still like you... So please don't feel bad if you end up eating ice cream as comfort food and all other junk foods. At least do it on behalf of the people - like me - who can't eat them because of allergies.”

“Thank you… So sorry about your allergies.That really sucks, doesn't it?” Mel's lips twitched and then she bit them, a sympathetic look in her eyes.

“Totally! “ Cristen grimaced.

“I guess I should be grateful for what I have… or… in this case, what I don't have.” Mel pressed her lips and stared at her hands.

“Aw! God bless you.” Cristen got up and gave Mel a quick hug and then laughed in embarrassment for being carried away.

I tried to redirect the situation. “Hey, Cristen. Do you want to add more questions?”

“Yay!!! Yes I do have more questions.” She clapped her hands. “Ok, let me start with Melody.”

“What is your favourite type of flowers?”

“Oh! I love pink tulips.”

“Ahh! They're beautiful,” Cristen said holding her hands together.

“What type of movies do you like watching?”

“Mostly, romantic and, um, animation movies,” Mel said with a tone of embarrassment.

“Oh, I love animation movies. Seriously, who doesn't?” Cristen enthused and continued.

“Tell me. Who was your favourite character from Home?”

Melody's face lit up in a rare, full smile. “OH was my favorite. He's such a cutie!”

“I know, right? I love how he changes colours!!!” Cristen said in clear excitement and began to imitate Oh's voice. “I put my hands in the air like I just do not care!”

Mel laughed quietly, placing a hand on her mouth.

“Okay! And what's your favourite scene from Home?”

“Well, it's silly but… I cried when Tip found her mother and she ran to her and they all hugged?” Mel's eyes watered. “And the background song… Oh God!”

Mel swallowed and closed her eyes.

Akram leaned to whisper something in her ear and her eyes opened again, a bright smile adorning them. She nodded her head quickly, a thrilled expression on her face.

OK! Now I'm dying to know what he just told her! Ugh!

Cristen stared at them curiously for a second then proceeded to the next question.

“Would you be able to live without Asha?”

“Never!” Mel lifted her brows, glancing at her best friend, who was leaning on the counter and waving at her.

“Course, she can't live without me, Cris. I'm practically her life-saver.” Asha winked and raised a V sign from afar.

The audience laughed along with Cristen.

“Which junk food do you like?”

“Definitely, ice cream,” Mel said, her eyes glancing sideways.

Akram smiled and raised his hand. “I second that!”

“Which country would you like to travel to?”

“Well… I've always wanted to see the pyramids.” Melody tilted her head in Akram's direction and smiled shyly.

“Your wish is my command.” Akram's face lifted with a wide grin.

“I-I didn't mean it this way, I mean, you don't have to…” Mel stuttered and broke off.

“It's Okay.” Akram soothed her. “Maybe, someday. Who knows?”

Melody nodded and dropped her head.

“All right!” Cristen pressed her hands together. “Akram's turn.”

Akram straightened and nodded politely.

“Isn't it overwhelming to have so many girls obsessing over you or do you think it interesting?”

“Well,” Akram paused and puffed out a short breath. “It is both overwhelming and interesting.”

“Why?”

“Because…” Akram inhaled a deep breath. “It's good to be… admired for who you are, but... it's hard to get used to the idea of fame.”

“If you could visit a Caribbean island which would it be?”

“I don't know.” Akram chuckled. “Which one is less crowded?”

Cristen shrugged and giggled.

“I think the place doesn't matter as long as you enjoy the company,” Akram said softly and it was obvious which 'company’ he meant.

“Well said, son!” I agreed.

Akram bowed and chuckled.

“Why does your mom have a different last name from your dad? Sorry if this question's offensive, but I don't think I know anything about Arabian culture.” Cristen asked.

“No offense taken.” Akram held  his hand up. “Actually, yeah, it's an Arab and Muslim tradition. Most married women keep their family names after marriage.”

“Could you live without coffee?”

“God forbid!” Akram’s eyes widened in horror.

“That's my boy!” I exclaimed and pointed my thumb up.

Cristen giggled and the audience followed.

“Is it true you got to have long fingers to play the piano?”

“It is true, for the most part.” Akram lifted his hands and wiggled his long fingers. “Broad fingers make it easier to press multiple, separated keys at once. That's why some pieces are off limits for pianists with small hands.”

“Wow! Really? Like what?” Cristen asked in amazement.

“Rachmaninoff is probably the most difficult to play.” Akram raised his brows and chuckled. “That guy apparently had inhumanly large hands.”

“Who is your favourite Beethoven or Mozart? and what's your favourite piece from each?”

Akram rubbed his forehead briefly. “Mozart is my man, of course, but I absolutely love Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven.”

“And what's your favorite piece from Mozart?”

“His symphony number 40 is just… out of this world,” Akram spoke with so much passion while his fingers unconsciously began to stroke the edge of the table.

Cristen stared at his fingers and giggled. “Are you aware when you do your finger working out thing?”

“I'm sorry, what?” Akram narrowed his eyes in confusion.

“That!” Cristen pointed to his moving fingers.

“Ah!” Akram stopped and blushed.

“I guess I just got my answer.” Cristen winked. “I have a few questions for Asha. Can I…”

“I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming!” Asha twittered as she bounced from behind the counter and squeezed herself next to Cristen this time.

“Hi, Cris!” Asha wiggled her fingers. “Shoot me some questions!”

Cristen laughed and shook her head. She obviously enjoyed Asha's perky personality.

“Hi, Asha. What's your recipe for craziness?”

“Live your life. Love your life. And Be yourself. That's how you'll release the inner craziness in you! We don't need a recipe. Everyone is crazy in their own special way.” Asha flipped her profusion of dark hair.

“What's your favourite colour?”

“The rainbow!”

“Why do you love coffee?”

“Cause cool people have to wet their whistles with cool drinks! Also because I love my Superman coffee mug!”

“Haha. Cool, girl!” I cheered.

“Thanks, Mo. I don't like to brag, you know!” Asha preened her hair with her tiny babyish hands.

“Have you met your Superman yet?”

“Obviously, not yet. But I've met someone else's Superman.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Akram. He rolled his eyes and his ears went red.

“What do you eat to get so hyper?! Please spill. I'd love to know!”

“Sugar and spice and all things nice!” Asha giggled. “No. Really. That's just my natural awesomeness!”

“I can't agree more.” Cristen laughed and shook hands with Asha. “It's awesome to meet you.”

Asha saluted her and leaped back to her work.

Cristen looked at me and smiled. “I hope this is enough questions if not I think of some more….. hey, I just thought of a question for you!” Cristen exclaimed.

“What inspired you to write Melody?”

Turning off the camcorder, I stretched my tired arms on the table.

“A close friend of mine inspired and encouraged me. We used to discuss books for a long time before I even begin to write. We realized that there wasn't many realistic romance stories in the market and the definition of love was misunderstood by most people.” I sighed. “So that's how the inspiration came. We were reading articles, chatting, and listening to classical music and then the characters were born.”

I got up and smiled apologetically. “Excuse me. I have to do something.”

I walked over to Akram and tapped his shoulder once to get his attention. “Son, can I have a word with you?”

“Sure.” Akram gave me a questioning look, his eyes mystified.

I signalled him to walk away from the crowd. He followed me in silence, anxiously rubbing the back of his neck.

“So, ahem, son.” I began directly. “I noticed that you whispered something to Mel and I'd like to know what you told her.”

Akram's eyebrows reached his hairline, his face turning a shade darker. “Are you serious? I'm sorry. That's private.”

“Yes I'm serious!” I exclaimed. “She's my daughter too and I'd like to keep your relationship appropriate.”

“Wha!!! Are you….? What did you…? Oh Lord!” Akram's blush intensified as he pressed the sides of his head.

Laughing internally, I folded my arms and waited for him to recover.

“Just tell me, son and I promise to forgive you,” I said, faking a solemn expression.

“I just wanted to distract her when she got emotional about that scene.” Akram defended in earnest. “I told her I'd sing for her the song in the movie.”

“Oh!”

“Yeah! What did you think I told her?” He asked, flustered.

“Um! Nothing!” I gave him a pat on his back and walked away with a triumphant smile.

***

Hello Dear ones

Hey Cristen.

Did you enjoy the interview? Are you satisfied with the answers??

Please share your thoughts and views. I would love to know what you think ;)

**Please check out the scene from the animated movie Home.. it's up there in the media.. :)

If you still haven't shared your questions, please comment them inline in chapter 3.

Much Love

Most_bay