GOING INSANE FOR THE STRANGER

If I had never been crazy before, now I am. But if I was at any point crazy, I think now I am going insane. If not madness, how can I be missing someone I know nothing about? Someone I mingled with for less than an hour, and now all I can think of is how to meet him again? I wanted to see him, but he vanished.

That day, I went back to my room with a smile on my face. I was jovial the whole day, just because of him. Just remembering his face, his smile, or his weird name, a smile automatically shows on my face. At night, I remained awake for the better part of it, thinking of my beauty god. When I woke up yesterday morning, his smile was still fresh in my mind. His last words as he drove off that day were and still are like a song in my mind. He is so stuck in my mind. He said we would meet again—that too, sooner than I thought. My crazy self thought that maybe he thought I always went to the sea. Maybe he thought he would run into me there again. I did not want to crush his expectations. I did not want him to go all the way there with the hope of seeing me only to find me nowhere.

Let me even stop acting as if he was the only one who wanted to meet me again. I also did. I wanted to see him again. I wanted us to have a little chat again, but not a kiss. I loved that kiss so much; the thought of it makes my blood boil with desire, but I can't go crazy on him like that again. I wanted to ask about my clothes that I forgot in his car that day. The expectant me woke up early yesterday with an excitement that was impossible to hide because of him. I ate my breakfast in a hurry like a person who was on the run, and I excused myself from Nick and his girlfriend after promising to return early so that we could work on our song. Those lovebirds are really into each other, and they are making me jealous. I want to be loved, too. I want to experience the magic of love. But every time I think of finding someone to love me the way I desire, darn! Reality hits me. After breakfast, I went back to my room, dressed up for a man like a teenager, and walked my way to the ocean again. I even carried my phone in case a selfie was needed and my ATM in case of another mishap. I got to the sea, and after taking a few selfies with a few people who asked for it, I withdrew from them again and walked to the spot I was at the day before.

I did not see Deep on arrival, but I told myself that he was on the way. I let my mind wander into the blue waters, and the heavy waves did an excellent job of distracting me, but not for too long. Seconds flew by, minutes went by, and an hour passed, but Deep had not arrived. I told myself that maybe he got caught up in traffic or was probably in a meeting, but he would eventually come. Three hours later, I was still standing on the same spot, looking around for any sight of him, but he was nowhere to be seen. I had waited and hoped, but my sacrifice and patience didn't bear any fruit. I had a song to work on and a show to attend. I walked home with a downcast heart and crushed hopes because I didn't see my sweet stranger. My Deep didn't show up. I was able to work on the song with Nick smoothly and attended the evening show. Time seemed to drag, because I still found my mind wandering at the sea, asking if he came after I left. Eventually the show came to an end, and we called it a night.

I dragged myself to my room, feeling so down. I felt disappointed and angry. After tossing and turning on the bed for the better part of the night, thinking about nothing but Deep, the morning arrived. I jumped out of bed so angry because I was so damn tired of that bed. After breakfast, I made a quick rush to my sweet spot at the sea again. Call it childish, madness, desperation, or crazy. I did it anyway, and I have no regrets whatsoever. I waited for one hour, but like yesterday, I left without seeing Deep. I came back tired and hopeless, but I had to compose myself and prepare for the studio. I am done looking and waiting for Deep; I did all I could. If we don't meet again, my conscience will be clear. I don't know about him, but at least I tried.

Apparently, we finished writing the song yesterday and booked a studio. We were lucky they managed to fix us today despite our short notice and their busy schedule. The recording was amazing. I must say, I was worried that we would have a difficult time adjusting our voices to come up with a good mix, but I was wrong. Nick has a good voice. An excellent voice for a man. We didn't even struggle to balance the voices. As early as now, I am eagerly awaiting the TILL THE END OF TIMES song. We also made preparations for the video shoot on our way back, and we agreed to do it here. That means I will have to extend my stay here for a day or two. I haven't reported to Ejay, and I am not doing it any time soon. He can do his worst; just not drag me back to the club.

As for Nick, well, they are extending their stay with his girlfriend for another week, and they are touring Rwanda for another week too before returning home. I love their union. They seem so open to each other, and the love they have for each other is adorable. Ana even invited me to their wedding, whose preparations are yet to start, and she made me promise that I would not fail for anything in the world. Of course, I couldn't turn her down. I will be their guest artist.

It's now a few minutes to four in the evening, meaning the show is about to start. I am all dressed up in my royal blue Flora dress and red heels, which are well hidden by the dress. I will be performing my second song tonight, and as always, I will do it the best way I know how. I take out a phone I bought today and dial Mayleen's number. I have not talked to her since I arrived, and I feel so awful about it. She might be wondering what happened.

"Is it a good time?" I ask the moment I hear her voice on the other end.

"Yes. I am in my room. You've been so quiet. I was beginning to worry."

"Sorry Mayleen. I thought perhaps Ejay hacked my phone, so I had to look for ways to get a new one that I could call you with." I say.

"You thought wise. How is everything over there? Having a good time?"

"Well, yes. Everything is going well. But I might have to extend my stay for a day or two. I have a video shoot coming right after our seventh day here. The problem is that I don't know how Ejay will react."

"Gia, that is your career. He is running his dirty business without you interfering, and so he should let you do your own thing. Just text the bastard and let him deal with his anger."

"Okay. I will do that. How are you doing?" I ask.

"Me? I am comfortable in your house waiting for you so that I can supposedly be Ejay's eyes on you. You kicked out his other bitch, remember?"

"Well then, make yourself at home."

"I will. Have you made up your mind?" She asks.

"One thing I know is that I don't want to return to that horrible life. But there are no plans yet. I will let you know asap."

"That's alright. Have fun over there, okay? You might as well find your knight in shining armor there." She teases, and a very familiar face flashed through my mind, making me smile a little—a smile that faded after the thought of never seeing him again crossed my mind. If only he wasn't just a passer-by. Maybe I will really never see him again. That hurts so much, but I must keep my mind open to anything.

"Alright, Mayleen. Please be safe, okay?"

"I will. You too. Stay safe."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

Knight in shining armor? If only that was possible. But it's like my happiness is always limited. Maybe I should avoid being attached to things to avoid getting hurt in the end. Whether Deep is coming back or not, I must keep doing what brought me here. I take my purse and walk out, heading to the hall.

People have filled the place as usual, exchanging a few words before getting inside. I join them, shaking hands and saying a few words of complement. The flattery is too much; I am almost getting tired of saying thank you. Jeez!

We get into the hall, and the show begins. Ladies and gentlemen are taking the stage one after another, showcasing their talent and doing what they know best. I love how unique everyone here is in their own style of music and how confident they are, apart from a few. When it's my turn, I walk to the stage with courage, confidence, and energy, like always. These are the tools that I never let down whenever I am walking to the stage. I might as well use them in my personal life for a change.

In the middle of my performance, I see someone with curly hair who reminds me of someone. I close my eyes to avoid distraction, and I release all the energy in me to the song. The song comes to an end, and as I hand over the mic to the person who will be closing the show for us tonight, I cast a quick glance at where I thought I saw the curly-haired guy, but he is not there anymore.

Is he a ghost? Or maybe he was never there. Nobody even has curly hair around that area. Oh, God! Let it not be that I am hallucinating. I need to stop this madness as early as now.

We walk outside after the show, and we spend a few minutes wishing each other a goodnight, and after what felt like an eternity, I found a way to sneak out of these people. They don't seem in a hurry to leave, and I am in no mood for talking. I turn on my heels and start walking, only to be stopped by a man's voice.

"Gia Wilsons." Is that a hallucination too? Am I really running mad because of a stranger?

I turn around slowly, my heart pounding in my chest, crossing fingers in the hope that I am not going insane. Deep down in my heart, I am hoping that it's him. I want to believe it is him even before I turn around to confirm. I say a short prayer as I turn around, asking God not to disappoint me this time. I shoot my eyes at the tall figure standing in front of me. Cool like a cucumber, composed, and confident. Shining under the lights above us. My heart skips several beats with excitement, my knees become so weak, turning me into a trembling mess, and for a moment, breathing turned out to be something so hard for me to do.