Chap 4

Shuddering, I went out of the compound, I was feeling faint-hearted and nervous walking in the dark, I took my hard earned money and dipped it into my underwear where they could be safer, walking in the streets as a little boy, many deadly eyes were on me by the sides of the road,I could see male and females doing some weird acts. I had to walk faster Ma, Titi and Emeka might all be waiting for me. I hastened my pace. unfortunately, I saw no bikes so I had to trek home.

When, I arrived home, I saw ma's worried look and I greeted her.

"Where were you son, huh?" she asked, her hands on my cheeks.

"Ma, I'll tell you everything. let's go inside and please I'm hungry" I voiced hunger and stress laced in my voice.

The watery egusi soup was served and I ate.. after which I narrated my ordeal to Ma. she made no comment, kissed me on the forehead and went inside. I felt lonely. my life was to jaded for a boy of my age.

I was done eating. I went to Titi's room and then Emeka's room and dropped a Naira note beside their bed. I went into my room, organized it and lay on the bed. my face facing the wooden ceiling, many thoughts running through my mind.

Thoughts about Titi, Emeka, Ma, Pa, the bar, my passion for singing, my manager..and the girl who was staring at me in the bar...

"Whoah! I forgot about her. why was she staring at me? I know I was handsome... did she like my voice? or maybe, she found me funny? who knows? I don't care!

but she needs to learn to stop staring at people that way!" I contemplated not helping but letting out one of my alluring smile and laughing like one idiots...

DOESN'T MATTER, OR DOES IT?

"Adejoke!" Pa squealed with a yawn.

"What!" I retorted mockingly.

" I don't need your witchy laughter... I'm sleeping! Go to sleep! you idiot!" Pa yelled.

I could not help but gradually fall asleep thinking about the unknown girl and her charming smile plus the weird gaze.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

At 5pm I arrived at the bar, to practice. I got to the bar, went to the music room. lo and behold! I saw the unknown girl in the music room. was I dreaming or maybe hallucinating?

"Hi!" she greeted.

"H-I" I replied hesitantly.

"I loved your music, yesterday was lit!" she complimented.

"Thanks, what are you doing here?" I inquired trying to look tough.

"I'm a worker here..... so I was sent by Mr Akinbiyi, our employer to clean the room" she replied.

"Ok, that's good!"

"So, what's your name?" she inquired looking at me with that cute sweet face.

"Erm.... well, my name is Adejoke" I replied looking so shy not ready to have an eye contact with her.

"I'm Bimpe or you can call me Ifede, ok?" she said stretching forth her hand for an handshake.

"So soon!" I thought.... "she likes me"

I stretched out my hands to hers as we had an handshake.

"I'd be going coz I'm done cleaning the room" she said leaving the room.

She was looking extraordinary gorgeous. she had a round face.. her weaved hairs and get pointed nose and a dark and pink plumy thin lips gave her face the perfect look. she was my age.....I GUESS!..... She was fifteen. her hips and her bosom both gave her this celebrity look.... JESUS!

I had forgotten my purpose of coming here... so, what was i to sing?

I brought out my music book where I had written all of the musics I had composed over the years.

"The life of a poor boy and twisted love"...i thought. "I'm gonna sing both"...I said this time aloud.

i took up my guitar and started practicing. I practiced for minutes when I noticed an eye on me. I cunningly looked and observed that the strange girl or should I say Bimpe was watching me. I was bewitched by her beauty making me skip my lines. we had an eye contact. Oh Gosh, pretty embarrassing.

She got shy and smiled back, this time concentrating on my music.

"Ade mi, its time for you to sing" Bimpe declared running to my direction.

"Ok thanks" I thanked gleefully.

"Lemme help you carry those, if you ain't gonna mind".

"You take the guitar while I bring this bands along".

"Ok"

We went all the way from the room to stage in silence.

"Thanks alot"

"Welcome" She said flashing me a cute smile then left.

I went up the stage and asked God to give me the courage and boldness so as to make no mistakes and also to get Bimpe out of my mind cause I 'needed no distractions'. I opened my mouth and my golden voice slipped away gaining freedom as it melodiously rested on the ears of my listeners as they cheered in sheer awe and happiness as they were compelled to spray me the notes.

I smile merrily knowing that I wouldn't be thrown out and that the audience loved my performance. it was really obvious that loved my sing cause they sang along with him.