BELINA (Beauty Tender) SEASON 1
****EPISODE 4****
I looked at myself in my bedroom mirror and smiled. I definitely look stage worthy, I thought to myself. I took out a styling comb and 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 the entrance.
“Uhh, hi”, I said.
“Are you one of our artists, ma’am”, the guy obviously an usher asked
“Ehm,Yes. I am Belina Badmus”.
The guy checked his file and smiles at me before calling a lady to take me inside. As I stepped
inside, my heart almost stopped.
I saw nothing less than 500people and 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 and 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 before I see you, what do you expect?”
“It is not like that” chief popoola responded.
Mr. Badmus sat down without waiting for the permission, the chief offered him drinks from his over-filled bar and within minutes, they were talking.
“See, this Belina of a girl would not kill me o, she sees a lifetime
opportunity and 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 and
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 and if they insist, we ought to-“
“Shhh,pls spare me d lecture Mr. Lecturer, I don’t need it ok?” he
said and left immediately.
Mr. badmus hissed for the
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 the 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 and
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 and was showing cool music videos but
Adewale could not relax. His friend had been in d hospital
for 2days now and was still in a coma. he had stayed there and was forced to come home today in order to freshen up.
Adewale stood up and 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 and 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 and before 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.
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