CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE-REALITY

WHIPERS OF DAWN

Milan visits me and tells me about his new uncle and then take me to this strange place with a lot of buildings and cars speeding back and forth.

"Come on." He says.

I follow him behind one of the buildings and it's really creepy. I look around and the walls are graffitied, I spot some guys smoking somewhere and I look at Milan, but he just keeps moving, wrap my hand around his arm in fear. Looking forward; we arrive at a door and we get in. I look around the dimly lit room with some light cables, I see a lot of musical equipment. Speakers, mics, mixer; you name it. There was a DJ standing close to the mixer and Milan speaks to the DJ; a guy in dreadlocks.

"Lan, you didn't have to." I say.

"You didn't ask; I offered."

"This is incredible, Lan. But I'm not sure if I can do it." I say.

"Real, a lot of people wanna sing, but they can't because they don't have a voice like yours. You're good at what you do, Real. You're gifted and you definitely deserve your own album." He says.

He has a point though. I've always wanted to get my song recorded but just didn't get the chance. But Lan is doing too much for me and it's really scaring me.

"I don't know." I reply.

"Of course you do, we haven't come this far for nothing. Please don't let me down, this is your dream Real." He says.

He's right, he's always right; though he can be wrong sometimes, but he's always right when it come to me. he tells the dude that I'm ready and I discuss with him and he has cameras around the room to put me on camera. I go to his recording box and put on the beats, I wait for the beat to drop and tart pouring my heart out. It feels great. The first song is entitled 'RUINED' He asks me if I have another song I want to record and I say yes and sing the other one entitled 'No more.'

"You're so talented." The dude says.

And I just smile at that. he hands me the CD.

"Do come frequently, my name's DeShawn." He says.

"Next time I'll come with a rap verse."

"Can't wait." He says.

He discusses something with Milan and we leave. I suggest we go to the park and I lay my scarf on the glass and seat on in cross legged as I read the Wuthering Heights book, whereas Lan is busy on his phone and he leans on me. As time goes by, I get deep into the book and he lays his head on my laps.

He asks me what I wanna rap about and I tell him it's about my mom and how my life was and is like now. I ask him to join me, but he refuses, I try again and still no change.

"Come on, it's just a matter of facts and opinions." I say.

"Never dropped a bar my whole life." He says.

"There's a first time for everything.

He tells me that it's too late for him and when I still try to convince him; he clearly says no. When we get hungry, he takes me to Sebastian's for some fries and order some brownies with macadamia nuts as dessert. I'm currently not feeling that well, we get into the jeep and I'm feeling worse.

"Ouch!" I scream as I put my hand to my tummy.

"Real, you okay?" Milan asks.

I node even though my tummy is in so much pain. I wish I hadn't had those macadamia nuts. It just feels like something sharp has stubbed me.

"What is it, is it girl problems?" Milan asks.

"No, must be the macadamia nuts, I'm allergic to them." I tell him.

He asks me why I still went ahead and had them and I tell him because it was an old allergy. He asks me what he can do to make me feel better and I tell him that I'll be fine. He offers me condensed milk telling me it'll make me feel better and oh boy does it make me feel better. Milan takes me for a long drive.

"Why don't you ever talk about your mom?" he asks.

"Coz the past never returns." I respond.

"That's not true." He says.

"It's just coz I'm scared when I talk of her too often then I might never recover."

"Recover from what?"

"I'll tell you when the time's right." I tell him.

"When will it ever be right?"

"Only time alone can answer that question. Lemme drive." I ask.

Lan looks at me wide eyed.

"You being serious?" he asks.

"Cracking jokes ain't my cup of tea." I tell him.

"A'ight."

Milan and I exchange seats.

"Ever heard of air flying? I ask.

"What?" Lan asks confused.

"Never mind." I put both my hands on the driving wheel and take a deep breathe, and shake my head. "You can do this." I tell myself. I hold the handbrake and start the engine; this is gonna be fun. The speedometer starts moving and it reaches 120.

"Real this is crazy." Milan says looking through the glass.

"it's about to get even crazier." I say.

I press the handbrake again and the speed rises to 180km/s; now this is crazy.

I look at Milan and he's losing it.

"Real, come on, what if another car comes?" Milan says, freaking out.

"Then let it, what are you scared of; death?" I ask.

"No, but I don't wanna die like this." He says.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen to you." I tell him.

I give a glance and he looks terrified; he thinks he' gonna die, but I won't let anything happen to him.

"Rea, that's a dead end!"

He says holding the driving wheel.

"Hakuna matata."

I say and stop the car on the last point. I close my eye and take a deep breathe. I look over at Milan and smile.

"Okay, that was crazy." He says.

"Did you enjoy it?"

"You're a wild driver."

"I know, right. And just look at your face, you thought you was dying." I tease him.

"I'm still very young to die and with dreams." He says and I get him.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't let that happen."

"You almost threw us off the cliff."

"But I didn't." I tell him as I smile at him.

"I'll take it from here." He says and we switch seats again and Milan reveres the car and we get back on the highway.

I ask him if it was fun and he says he it wasn't.

"Not even a little?" I ask.

"Nah, it was very fun. I never knew I was scared of dying. Are you?"

"Nah."

"No wonder." He teases."

"Hey!" I playful hit him.

"Who taught you to drive like that?"

"Myself, I learnt it from my mom. She was a really wild driver." I tell him.

He asks me about the hakuna matata word and the meaning.

"It means no worries, it's a line from Simba; the lion king."

"What's that?" he asks.

"Never heard it before?" I ask.

"Nah, what language is it?"

"Maybe Zulu; so what did you spend your childhood watching?" I ask.

"Basketball. I play basketball."

"I get it. So, you're 18 and waiting to go to college?" I ask.

"Yeah, but then it's not guaranteed that I'm going."

"That's for sure, your parents can afford that, plus, you can just get a sports scholarship." I say; he knows I'm right.

"That just reminds me, I don't think I'll see for the next two weeks, my exams are coming up." He says and it stings.

"Oh right, great." I respond.

I try so hard not to show my disappointment. But it's for the best. I'm just happy for him to be pursuing his dream. He asks me if I'm okay with it and I say yes, plus, I and Nicole aren't done with our music. He takes me to California beach to look at the sunset; we walk barefoot on the warm sand holding hands. Lan tells me how pushy his dad is and that he's returning tomorrow from a business trip. I just don't want this day to end coz I'm scared of the next two weeks; how will they be like?

"You know what, you're my good luck charm." He says.

"What, but how?"

"Last time you were at my game and I won. So to no doubt, if you attend my semi-finals, then I might just make it to the finals." He says and I just burst into laughter. Lan is crazy.

"Not like I can't lose, but I'm just trying to keep my hopes up high." He says.

"I know." I say smiling.

He asks me if I'll be there on the 26th and I tell him that yeah I will be there and he hands me a ticket to the game and drops me off at home.

It's Sunday and I go to Nicole's place.

"Thought you'd come yesterday." She says.

"Would've, but I was kind of busy."

"Let me guess; with Milan?"

"How'd you know?" I ask.

"Saw your story yesterday, plus, you guys have a thing for each other." She remarks.

"What, no." I respond.

Nicole gives an awkward smile accompanied by raised eyebrows.

"Look, I don't know." I tell her.

"But you do go out together, right?"

"But he's never asked me out."

"But if he did, would you say yes?" I quickly look away as my cheeks get heavy and I start blushing. Nicole winks at me and gives an awkward smile.

"Let's get to work." I tell her.

This week we're gonna finish the video of the last song with Nicole and by next week, I and Nicole should have nothing to do with each other.

The other week on Thursday, I attend Milan's game and he they win; they automatically make it to the final and it's going to be the other week on Thursday. I assure him that I'll be there for his game and he drops me off at home.

WEDNESDAY

Milan sends me a text to visit him at his place around 3pm. As usual, his parents are happy to see me. We all seat at the table for some Turkey, spaghetti and lobsters. His dad and uncle are also both available.

"Wow, it was an awesome game. The first time you played it as a real man." Alejandro remarks and Lan just shakes his head in annoyance.

"It was an awesome game." Armando says.

"You weren't even there." Milan responds.

Armando says he watched it online and asks if I also play basketball and I tell him and Daryn start talking about my music. The other complement my voice and they start discussing some trip to Italy and that they can't take Milan along as he has his finals coming up.

"What if something happens to him when we're away?" Misha asks.

"I'll be okay." Milan replies.

"You serious?" Alejandro asks.

"Yeah." Milan responds and typing something on hi pone and my phone beeps. I look around and check it.

Milan

Stay with me

Is he freaking crazy? I look at him and he gives a smirk.

"Don't be scared Milan." Daryn says.

"Wanna go for a stroll?" Milan asks me. I look around to see everyone staring at me; waiting for my response. I agree and Milan tells me how serious he is about his text and that hi family will be away for like five days.