ARDENT DESIRES

AN INVITATION TO THE AFRIMA MUSIC Night

The word music alone blurs every other sentence and the following words:. Music! Music! Music! What did music do to me, huh? I feel like I was born with its genes running through my veins. I drag my eyes to where the dates are penned down. It is for tomorrow.

Timorrow!

Now! Now! Now!

On one hand, the call to fear is so strong that it is ringing nonstop. After what just happened, I know I should not be reckless. I know I should be cautious, and that goes without any doubt. I don’t need anyone to ring a bell for me to remind me to be careful and watch my back. I know I should not give those people the chance to scare the fuck out of me like they did today or even do worse. But on the other hand, you all know what music does to me. As early as now, I am fantasizing about that colorful night—a night full of music. That would be a little heaven here on earth, especially in the midst of this arising terror. I can already feel the buzz. I can already envision myself on stage. I can imagine myself getting lost in the beats, in the words, and in the calming and refreshing mood. I can imagine how beautifully magical the night will be. And who would want to miss this, huh? No one! Especially not Gia Wilson!

“I suggest you don’t go.”

well, except my sister.

What did she just say?

I had not even realized that she left the bed and walked over to me. And she is even holding the invitation that I thought was still in my hand. See how music carries me. I am lost whenever the word music pops up. And she tells me that I should turn down this offer? Music is nothing without Gia Wilson! I am empty without it too, and so I must grab every chance that I get to meet that part that completes me. I cannot live without it.

I turn to her. “And why do you think so?” I ask, as if I don’t know what she is saying. Or what she is thinking.

“Are you serious? Seriously, Gia? Do I really need to explain why?” She fumes. You should see how many wrinkles her face has right now. She looks like she can swallow me with her eyes too.

“Listen, I know I said we should be careful, but that does not necessarily have to reduce us into cowards. We cannot just hide indoors because some sick monsters are after us. Everything doesn’t have to stop just because of some sick person out there. We will not stop living just because of what just happened, Grace! Maybe that is what those people want. We cannot give in to this fear. We just have to be extra careful.”

“Yeah? We should go party and have the time of our lives, and in the process, what? Give ourselves to those people who want to harm us. Take ourselves blindly to our enemies? Have you even looked at the event? It is not specifically for musicians only, Gia. Well, I know not a lot of people will afford the $10,000 entry ticket to this music gala, but it surely will be flooded by high-profile people. What if our enemies make their way in there, huh?” Grace speaks.

I hate to admit it, but she has a very valid point. We don’t know who will be there, and I know when someone wants something, especially these sick people, they will do anything to get it. And God knows—just God knows—that I would die if what happened to Kisumu repeated itself ever again. I am still nursing the trauma of that incident. I might have killed Ejay, but nothing can ever bring back those souls. The fact remains that they died because of me, and not even his death is concrete vengeance for their souls. I cannot bear any more blame.

“Can I give my opinion, Miss Gia? If you don’t mind?” Agent Martin speaks, snapping me from my engrossed thoughts.

“Oh, sure, Martin. Please, come in first. And forgive our manliness.” I say as I usher him inside.

“It is okay. Don’t apologize. I perfectly understand that you girls must be so confused. Thank you.” Agent Marks says after I close the door behind us:.

“Alright. You can make yourself comfortable in the seat.” I say.

“No. I can stand. Don’t worry.” He says.

“Alright then. What do you think, officer?” I ask.

“Thank you. So, just like you said, Miss Gia, we cannot give in to these people. And as long as security is concerned, you guys don’t have to worry about anything because we are here to protect you.” Martin says.

At least this one understands. And that is why they are here in the first place—to offer us protection. “Are you serious, Mr. Officer? You are encouraging her to go out there and confront some kind of danger that you actually don’t even know what kind of shit it is? Are you insane?”

“Grace?” I cut her off. She is being too much of a drama queen and forgetting that she is actually addressing a police officer and not any other person that she can insult. “Watch your mouth. You are being disrespectful to the officer.”

“Ooh, no, Gia! I am being honest and slapping some core sense on this officer. Roaming out is too dangerous. It is so unprofessional of him to encourage you to be that reckless. I know that this is more than your career; this is your passion too, but music is not going anywhere. This is just not the right time to expose yourself. I will not allow it, and since I am your elder sister, I expect you to obey this time around.”

Okay! Okay!

So, my elder sister is now awake in all senses. She always bossed me around whenever she wanted to have that kind of dominance in a sweet, harmless way. But now it seems like she really means it.

“Look here, Miss Grace!” Officer Martin speaks, and if I were him, I would just shut up, given the way this sister of mine is glaring at him. “Your sister has an obligation to her fans and her career. She cannot put her life on hold. Besides…”

“Enough!”

The officer and I snap at my sister. Wait, did she just yell like that to a police officer? Is she for real?