Yesterday's Future 2✔️

19. The sudden change of events.

2:32pm,
Simi's control room,
Abuja, NG.

Mr. Akay, the studio engineer, Bambam his new IT apprentice, Tony and AJ the co-producers all sat relaxed in front of the computers in the chilly control room—listening over and over to Simi's project. They hummed along, tapping the rhythm with attentive ears and narrowed eyes as the music boomed out one after the other from the monitor speakers.

Three years ago when she quit her job at the tech company to pursue a career in music, it had seemed impossible for so many reasons, but fast forward to now, it was the best decision she ever made in her life. For Simi who enjoyed writing, recording music and living in solitude; a built-in studio inside her house was a real pleasure, a dream come true—especially since it cost her all of her savings, supporting loans and, a thick skin putting it together. While she lived on the upper floor of the duplex, the down floor had been fully furnished and well-lighted for a standard recording studio—a lounge, a soundproofed studio area, a mini-office and a dance studio.

The lounge led to the studio area where the control room separated by a glass partitioning from the recording booth and a storage room were. Rolling chairs, computers, cans, multiple consoles, and mixers covered with buttons and knobs for the sound engineers made up the control room. And, it was always cozy in there due to the constant light and air con.

Simi's voice faded as the last song came to an end and, the sensuous mood of the room switched back to normal.

"Guys, you've all heard the final recordings of the songs on our girl's album...from track one to ten," Leaned back in his chair, Mr. Akay, the manager of the production crew broke the ice, before he asked, "What do you reckon about the production all together...before Bammy and I start working on the mixing? We've spent too much time on taking down the voicing." With his glasses on his face, he wheeled around back to the computers.

"Personally Oga," Bambam (Bammy) who just finished his cold bottle of Pepsi sat up taller in his seat, his eyes brightened as he commented first. "Me I feel this is it. She delivered on every single song. And her vocals are mental. Whew! It's a wrap. Right?"

"I think so too. Finally." AJ closed his eyes and cupped the back of his head with his hands, recounting in his head all the long and tiring sessions it took for Simi to get back in the game and finish the project and how it's all paid off eventually. A thin smile showed on his lips and then he stood up.

"Damn, when this album drops, it's going to be words on the street!" Tony exclaimed. "I mean...we've worked too hard on the project and it's already a ten over ten. It's no joke, she's back." He added equally excited, pivoting round about in his chair. Bambam bumped fists with him in agreement.

"She's back?" The four of them simultaneously turned their heads around to Ada standing by the doorway in her regular all black outfit and leather jacket, her legs apart and her phone clutched in her hand. Looking flustered, she looked left and right of the room.

Tony chortled. "Oh—oh not literally in that sense. I—"

Ada advanced towards them. "I've been calling Simi's phone but she's not answering. She's not in her apartment and she's not here too?"

"She was here. But Debbie came to drag her away some minutes ago, they should be at the other side." Bambam jumped in.

Ada frowned. "The dance room? Ugh! Didn't she get the memo I sent? We're supposed to start rehearsals for the wedding today." She explained but he shrugged and turned back to Mr. Akay and AJ whose attentions were now on the computers and mixers. She brooded. Why is Simi never where she's expected to be? What's wrong with that girl?