Hold

𝑵𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏

Thirty minutes before the Nairobi show, I was a mess of nerves and was struggling to hide it from everyone as the makeup artists wrapped up their work backstage. I excused myself to the bathroom but really went into the green room to gather my thoughts and really prepare to get the ball rolling again.

The internet had been running wild for more than twenty-four hours since pictures of my face started doing the rounds. I may have gotten so comfortable about Note(d)'s identity being unknown that I took pictures as Towani believing that no one would ever know. Toya had a few posts on her personal pages with me by her side in random selfies, or out with her on a date or something. I had pictures with my parents, with Dom, with friends and acquaintances I'd made over the years, and people were making connections, reposting pictures and tagging me.

I experienced a whirlwind of emotions whenever I hopped back into my apps, agitated over the different stories that were being spun, and appreciative of the people who responded to it all with kindness. For every few horrible remarks about my scars, there was a rebuttal thrown at the naysayers in my defence, supportive fans coming through for me.

I was on X, scrolling through a thread that was started with a picture from Latoya's page. In the picture we were at Artfrikah together, my hand around her waist as I hugged her from behind. I'd dipped my head to kiss her cheek and she captured that exact moment with the right side of my face exposed. People had loads to say about the picture, the repost and comment count increasing by the second.

Can't believe he and Neveah are a thing. I wonder what she sees in him?🤔

Nna I genuinely don't care. Ke rekile ticket yaka and I can't wait to see @Note(d)_official at the Kirstenbosch gardens.

Yoh hai ke sana, I can't get over the face. uNeveah is probably in it for the Ungweru Nkhata money coz asoze😂😂😂

Sutheth'ikaka sisi✋🏾 lomtu uyatshisa shame🔥🔥🔥 You guys are just mad you didn't get to him first.

Right?! Am I tripping, or do the scars make him finer?🌚

Idk y'all... let them people be. Shoot, some of y'all are dating flawless attractive niggas but they treat you like shit anyway!!!🤨😒🙃 Anyway chile, @Note(d)_official, when are you touring the US?😊

I think it's cute, I love a good Beauty and the Beast story.

You raise a good point... It all started because the beast kidnapped beauty... Noted is probably holding Neveah hostage while you here calling him hot👀😂👩🏾‍🦯

It went on and on. Some of the arguments these people were having would have been so hilarious if I weren't the topic of discussion. The truth was, this situation had brought about insecurities I thought I'd gotten over. Back before the incident happened, I may have been a little vain. Having gotten my parents' good looks, I'd known from late primary school days that I stood out in a crowd of boys. In high school my looks and my musical inclination earned me loads of attention from the girls, so it was easy to get lost in the sauce.