BELINA (Tender Beauty)....... - Season 1 - Episode 4

7 years ago

BELINA (Tender Beauty)....... - Season 1 - Episode 4

I looked at myself in my bedroom mirror & smiled. I definitely look stage worthy, I thought to myself.

I took out a styling comb & combed my hair to perfection. Thank God for long hair, it could make u look presentable even when u did not make ur hear.

I applied a little powder & lip gloss & set out.
I alighted from a public bus & looked at the address again.

Wole, who had made sure I was one of d guest artists had warned me that the church was a big church.

I almost passed by a very massive building when I looked at d sign-board & discovered that that was my destination.

I opened my mouth as my heart started racing.

“Hello miss”

My head jerked round & I discovered I was already at d entrance.

“Uhh, hi”, I said.

“Are u one of our artists,ma’am”,d guy obviously an usher asked

“Ehm,Yes. I am Belina Badmus”.

The guy checked his file &smiles at me b4 calling a lady to take me inside. As I stepped
inside, my heart almost stopped.

I saw nothing less than 500people & still saw empty chairs which could easily seat close to 300people.

The highest number of people I had sang to was 200 & I was totally afraid that day.

I considered turning back as I stood transfixed.

The lady usher noticed my fright & gave me a
comforting smile. She looked at me from head to toe & back again & said,

“I am sure u can handle it”

****

Mr. Badmus sat down in his living room, thinking about d best way to convince Belina.

He remembered d discussion he had with his friend d previous day & hissed.

“Oh… it is nice seeing u my friend, Chief Popoola said,standing up to greet him.

Mr. Badmus smiled faintly.

“Since I need to get visa b4 I see u,what do u expect?”

“It is not like that” chief popoola responded.

Mr. Badmus sat down without waiting for d permission, d chief offered him drinks from his over-filled bar & within minutes, they were talking.

“See, this Belina of a girl would not kill me o, she sees a lifetime opportunity & cannot jump into it”. Mr Badmus said after some minutes of discussion.

“What do u mean?”

“Do u remember d birthday party of senator Olowodolu that u invited me to some time ago which I forcefully dragged her along?”

getting a nod, he went ahead to explain everything up to d latest development &
what did he get?

“Listen to me my friend, I would advise u to leave her alone. Every child has d right to do things d way they please, our own duty as parents is to advise them & if they insist, we ought to-“

“Shhh,pls spare me d lecture Mr.Lecturer, I don’t need it ok?” he said & left immediately.

Mr. badmus hissed for d umpteenth time.

“That idiot does not want someone to be better than him” he soliloquized. Belina
would have to do my wish whether she likes it or not. I would find a way.

****

The church was half way full when Richard & Tony arrived.

Richard noticed that d auditorium could definitely occupy 1000 people & looked at d structure of d building appreciatively.

Tony looked around desperately looking for a place where they could get a good view & found a spot that was just perfect.

They both sat down & Richard had a feeling that he was in for a good time in God’s presence.

***

As d usher led me to my sit, my mind started rolling asking so many questions; what if I fall down on d stage?

What if my voice cracks? What if …

I stood like d pillar of salt that the bible talks about as I stared at d one person I wished I would never set my naked eyes on.

Kelvin also stood there looking like someone who was standing face to face with a ghost.

I wondered if he thought i should be dead. He was about to say something but I guess my eyes sent a warning signal & he swallowed his words.

Wise choice, I thought as I joined the usher who had been looking at us puzzled.

As I followed her, I no longer saw d crowd, I only saw a chance to prove to Kelvin that I
am not a piece of trash.

***

The sitting room was freezing cold because of d recently purchased split air conditioner,
the plasma Tv was on & was showing cool music videos but Adewale could not relax.

His friend had been in d hospital for 2days now & was still in a coma. he had stayed there &was forced to come home today in order to freshen up.

Adewale stood up & went to d bar to pick up an alcoholic drink but hadn’t tasted it when
his mind started wandering.

He remembered his discussion with
Deji & how he persuaded him on phone to some over so that they could both attend a function together d next day.

he downed a cup of wine at d thought & b4 he knew it,he had finished the bottle but still
could not wipe out the sense of guilt that was clouding his brain.

He remembered how close they were & could not hold back d tears that came to his eyes.

He looked at d wall & saw,’Jesus is Lord’ on a photo frame & walked to it. As he stared at
it, he knew he had only one thing to do.