Love Finds A Way To The Heart - Episode 5

 

The next day, while driving to the event Ada had invited her to, Gbemisola’s only companion was the mellow sound of the radio. She’d dressed with elegance, and wore no make-up except for a moisturizing lip gloss with a light scent of Freesia. She was glad there was no traffic. So, she arrived on time, parked, and retrieved her guitar from the backseat before alighting. Once she locked her car, her guitar slung over her back, she headed towards the revolving doors, the entrance of which stood a concierge, who was a thirtyish, pretty-looking uniformed woman.

‘Hi,’ said Gbemisola.

The concierge smiled . ‘Hi. How may I help you?’

‘I’m here based on invitation to perform on the show.’

‘Okay. You can go in.’

‘Thank you.’

The woman nodded smilingly.

The atmosphere that greeted Gbemisola immediately she entered inside the club was nothing short of joie de vivre. The lighting, far from being psychedelic, was beautiful, what with the intricate, sophisticated chandeliers that had the whole place awash with glitter and sparkle. Gbemisola was still looking around when she spotted Ada talking to a waiter. Gbemisola nudged her way through the crowd until she reached Ada.

‘Hello,’ said Gbemisola.

Ada glanced behind her, a smile casting a glow upon her face at the sight of Gbemisola.

‘Hey, Lovely,’ said Ada

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/love-finds-a-way-to-the-heart-1

. She pecked Gbemisola on the cheek, and Gbemisola reciprocated with a peck of her own.

‘You’re looking good,’ said Gbemisola.

‘So are you, dearie. I hope you’re ready for the show.’ 

‘Yeah.’

‘Do you go by any stage name or something?’

‘Nope. Why?’

‘Because I’d like you to be the first performer tonight. I’m going up the rostrum soon to make an announcement.’

‘Okay. Well, I just want to go by my first name.’

‘Alright. Stand by.’

‘Mm.’

Ada glided up the rostrum. Once she was before the mic, she began:

‘Attention, please.’

Everyone focused on Ada immediately, and she went on:

‘Good evening y’all. My name is Adanma Obiora, your host and organizer of this event. I bid y’all welcome. Just so you know, the drinks and meals are on the house.’

At her mention of drinks and meals being free, a great cheer went up from the crowd. Ada smiled, and when the cheer died down, she continued:

‘It promises to be an entertaining and enjoyable moment. Before the book launch, we’ll be having poetry delivery, readings, music and the like. On that note, it’s a great pleasure to introduce to you the first act of the night. Join me in welcoming Gbemisola.’ The crowd cheered and clapped Gbemisola. Ada had already beckoned her over with a wave. Gbemisola smiled and obliged, going up the stage while Ada was leaving the rostrum.

Once Gbemisola was right in front of the microphone, she adjusted the mic, and poised the guitar in her hands.

‘Good evening, everyone. Thank you for having me here. I’d like to cover a song by one of the all-time great singers, Glenn Campbell, and the song is titled Try A Little Kindness. I hope you’ll enjoy it.’

Silence and anticipation filled the entire place. Before long, Gbemisola threw herself into a soulful rendition of Try A Little Kindness. She proved she was no slouch on the guitar. As she sang, she strummed on the guitar, whose resonance wafted across the room. Her voice rang with passion while she made the string instrument plink, intone, wail, throb, pulsate, bring to life the music straight from the heart. Most of the guests were already bobbing their heads and moving their bodies in synch with the rhythm of the music. Gbemisola’s fingers danced along the frets of the guitar, the instrument sighing, purring, moaning and groaning in arousal at the touch of her hands. Her fingers swept all around the strings fluidly as though she was having foreplay with some lover whom she was eager to give an or**sm. People stood watching, dazed, listening for inconsistencies, none of which was found.

Ada was transfixed. She could not help but watch Gbemisola’s hands as they dexterously manoeuvred the strings of the guitar. Glancing up over and again, she noticed Gbemisola watching her. Gbemisola would smile at her, wink, continue playing.

Gbemisola took the music to its closing bars. As she reached the end of the music, she had this guitar face that made it seem as if she was in the throes of climax. After the last twang of her guitar at the end of the rendition, the audience broke into a rapturous applause. She sighed, beamed, curtsied and said, ‘Thank you.’ The applause was still on even as she left the rostrum. When she reached where Ada was, the woman greeted her with a smile.

‘That was exhilarating,’ said Ada.

‘Thanks.’

‘Wait here for me. Let me go announce the next act. I’ll be back shortly.’

Gbemisola nodded. No sooner had Ada left her than she heard a voice behind her:

‘That performance of yours was spectacular.’

Gbemisola turned.

‘Oh, Ejiro! What are you doing here?’

‘Catching fun. Isn’t it a coincidence we met here?’

‘I guess.’

‘I didn’t know you’re into music. You should play me that guitar one of these days.’

‘Hmmm.’

‘I’m serious.’

‘Okay.’

‘What are you up to/’

‘Just waiting for my dad’s fiancée.’ Gbemisola nodded in the direction of Ada, and Ejiro’s eyes followed.

‘Oh. I see your dad has an eye for beauty.’

‘And you don’t.?’

‘Well, I do.’

‘You must leave me now. My dad’s fiancée is on her way back.’