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IT WAS NOW 29th day of June 1999, a day to the day of the talent show. Our state auditorium has been well arranged and decorated. The stage has a very big cotton that covered it. The seats which could contain over 5000 people has been cleaned and kept well arranged in rows and columns. Every thing was now almost perfect. The judges seats have been neatly arranged. The VIP area have been decorated and well arranged. Our state governor was to attend the show; other honourable men including my dad would be present there also.

It was now Wednesday, 30th day of June 1999, the D-day. I woke up earlier than usual that morning and began to do some rehearsals in my room. I was singing using a cap hanger as my standing microphone and my acoustic guitar to support my song. Then I dropped the acoustic guitar and did some breakdance. Unknowingly to me, my dad was standing behind me at the door watching the little show. I didn't notice his presence until he clapped his hands.

"Son you're good." he said while clapping his hand as I turned towards him in shock.

"Good morning dad."

"Good morning boy. I can see you are preparing. I know you will make us proud. You are good."

"Thanks dad."

"Oh! I didn't mean to distract you. You can continue your rehearsal."

"Okay dad."

My dad left me and within me, I knew he was now so proud of me. If you ask me, I'll say my love for him was now 90%. Now I'll tell you that I love my whole family; In fact, I now love everybody including girls. Don't get curious, I mean I'm just doing what the bible instructed, 'love your neighbours as you love yourself.'

That morning, after my bath and breakfast. I wore my Michael Jackson's out fit. If not for my face, you might mistake me for a junior Michael Jackson. My granny was also around. They hailed me and Frank my junior brother said I was like Michael Jackson himself. After all their encomium, I took in the courage to emerge as the winner.

I was taken to the state auditorium by my daddy's personal driver in his own wagon. When I reached there, I saw Stephanie putting on a casual cloth. When I tried verifying the matter, she laughed and assured me that when the time reaches, she'll put on her main cloth. She even admired my own Michael Jackson's attire.

The talent show began. All the seats in the auditorium to my instincts had been filled. Hon. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, our governor also honoured the show with his presence. Many honourable men including my dad was there. I could even see my three foolish friends waving at me.

"This is weird." I remarked when I saw Henry dressed ordinarily unlike a person who came to show his talent. He was the same person that almost gave me an 'apatesi' (hypertension) with his daily speech of the talent show, now he was not even participating. Well, maybe he didn't know what to present. It was not really that compulsory for him but for me, definitely it was. I was also surprised when Henry was called out when the names of the participant was called. We were all given a seat behind the stage. Henry sat closer to me.

"Where's your queen?" Henry asked looking around.

Those participating in the show was like 50 in number. I stood up and looked around and I didn't see any sign of Stephanie. I became worried. We were not allowed to leave our seats otherwise I would have gone out to search for her. After a moment, I saw our choir teacher, Aunty Somto.

"Where's Stephanie?" I asked her.

"She'll join you soon." she replied as she hurriedly left.

The show commenced. We were called out by our names, local government and the school we came from. The first person was called out and she went forward to the stage. I was still worried about Stephanie that I didn't even notice what the girl presented. All I heard was a clap as she came back to her seat. The second person was called out and it continued like this till the 27th to 31st , the five were teams. They left for the stage as all their equipment has been kept ready. They performed a drama dance and they did great. Soon a clap led them to their seat.

Now the next name I heard was Peters Josh… and my heart flipped and I felt my tommy sinking inside; then he stopped and said, "sorry, I meant Patrick Henry." I was relieved but my heart kept pounding so fast. I knew my turn was near yet Stephanie was not present.

"I don't think things would work out fine for me today." I thought to myself. Henry left for the stage with a flute. He prostrated a bit to everyone then he began to play the flute. The sound from the flute made me remember how Henry would be playing the flute at the senior cafe, but it's all in the past now. Sincerely speaking, Henry was good with flutes. He played it perfectly; with the aid of the instruments, he played usondu track by Celestine ukwu. Then after that, he played my heart will go on, by Celine Dion. It was so amazing and astounding.

After playing, a loud clap followed suit as Henry walked back to his seat. Who could believe that Henry the talented smoker and a misogynist was the one everyone was cheering for like that. Well, what of me, who could believe that Joshua the bad boy was now a boy almost everyone loves. I was still thinking of these when I heard my name.

"Peters Joshua and Ikeoha Stephanie, can you come out to the stage for your own presentation?" My heart skipped more than a beat again. I felt my blood rushing towards my throat. I was so scared. I hesitated as I looked around.

"Peters Joshua, are you there?" the man asked.

"Come on Josh, you can do this." Henry encouraged. I stood up and went to the stage. I haven't even said anything but a clap was already showering in the air for me; maybe it was because of the dress I wore. As I was walking to the stage, I kept praying for another grace and mercy of God like I did when they called me to lead the worship in my church a couple of months ago.

A standing microphone was already placed before me on the stage. A man hurriedly came to me and handed me an electronic guitar. I was confused, I haven't even seen Stephanie and I was suppose to present with her. Maybe my dad told her to leave me to sing alone. I looked around and saw the video man filming me, I even saw the NTA video man filming me. Well, I won't disappoint my father now. I greeted the crowd and told them the title of the song I was to present. They all cheered because it was Michael Jackson's songs and I was also putting on his attire. I then played the guitar softly for some seconds as every where was so silent. I then began the first stanza of the song. Now, I was about to sing the chorus when I heard Stephanie's sweet and melodious voice behind me singing the chorus.

"¶ We are the world¶" Stephanie sang as everyone stood up and cheered with claps. "¶ We are the children¶"

I looked behind me and met my biggest shock; I saw Stephanie dressed in an amazing pink and white gown with a sleeve at the left hand and the right sleeveless. Her hair was short and curly with a very beautiful silver earrings that matched her necklace. The gown also had tiny silver pieces all over it. She wore a glove and a little high heeled shoe. She was just like Cinderella in the Disney movie. Her beauty caught everyone's attention including my friends as some gasped in surprised; I wasn't left out also.

"¶We are the ones_to make a better day_so lets start giving¶" she continued and I joined her in the second stanza and the claps increased. Soon, Henry ran out with his flute to join us and a standing microphone was brought to him. Everyone was so cheering happily.

At some point, Stephanie would sing alone as Henry and I would support her with the flute and the guitar. We sang till the end of the song where we played the guitar and the flute alone and then Stephanie joined in slowly. A thunderous clap followed suite when we ended the song as most people stood up and clapped for us , some cheered our names. I held Stephanie's hand as we headed back to our seat.

"This wasn't part of the plan." I whispered to Stephanie and she smiled.

"I know." she replied.

The next set was later called out and another shocking thing was that Henry was among them. They did a drama of the guy that rejected his father's throne just for love. It was a sweet story but it didn't end well because the girl was later killed by the king, the boy's father. I hate tragic love stories. "It will never be our portion." I prayed silently. The last person was later called and it was a magician. He did a very nice tricks just like oz the great and powerful.

Now was the time to call the result. They called it in an ascending form. The third winner was first called out and he came to the stage and collected his present. He also took pictures with the governor and my dad. The second was called and it was the twin, a boy and a girl that sang. Their voice was melodious and I wasn't surprised when they were called out. Now, can you guess who won the first position.

"Henry Patrick." The voice called.

Everyone was surprised except me, he deserved it. As for me, I wasn't expecting to be the first, all I knew was that my father was proud of me and that's the best reward and award I actually wanted. Some people began to shout 'Error' and 'No' as Henry walked to the stage to receive his award. Henry got a scholarship till his master degree level together with a cash prize.

Now here's the real surprise. Stephanie and I was called out as the king and queen of the show. A crown was given to Stephanie made of silver and we were given a scholarship to any level of education in any country of our choice. We were also given the privilege to travel to any country of our choice for our summer vacation but that one wasn't attractive to me. We've already made plans for our summer vacation. Everyone was cheering at me and I did some break dance to hit the vibe as everyone clapped happily. Henry's drama team was also given a consolatory prize, along with some others but everyone who participated in the show went home with one prize or the other.

Everyone was happy but I was the happiest. Everyone cheered at Stephanie and I. My mom kept sending kisses in the air. My brother kept on praising me. Everyone was now so happy with me including you, I know, don't deny it.