My Sweet Valentine #scholarship2020

Chapter Seven - Serenaded at Karaoke

At least in class the following day I saw Phillis. I knew she was safe which put me at ease, but I also knew she was probably staying with Jeff off campus. And that got on my nerves all over again. She didn't sit with me nor did she save me a seat. But at least she attended lectures. I thought I'd speak to her after class and persuade her to return to the room but she was already gone before I could say a word. I had lunch alone and dearly missed my friend. I decided to browse through my WhatsApp chat and reply to a few messages. Then I read in the class group that there was a karaoke organized for the class, as a little get together to celebrate the birthday of a classmate. And just as I was about to exit the group chat, I recalled what Phillis had said before she left. And she wasn't wrong. The only times I ever left the room was to class and church. And as much as I enjoyed that routine, I wasn't really living. And I could bet that half the people in my class didn't even know that I existed, especially since the only person I ever really spoke to was Phillis. So I thought it couldn't hurt to do something different. And if I didn't like it, I could always just get back to the room. It wasn't like I was being forced to do it.

So I went to my room and rummaged through my locker for a suitable outfit for karaoke. I wasn't sure what to go with but I thought I couldn't go wrong with the internet. I googled the correct outfit for karaoke and decided to go with dark high waist jeans and a short red sleeveless V-neck blouse that set perfectly on my jeans, with flats. But then I was worried I would be showing too much skin so I grabbed a jacket, just in case.

By nightfall, I saw the time the karaoke was supposed to start and I arrived two hours late, mostly because I changed my mind about going like a hundred times. But I arrived nonetheless. The mall was still busy and I entered the bar for the karaoke. I wasn't expecting to see so many people. The place was packed but Phillis wasn't there. I found my way to the few girls I spoke to once in a while and sat with them. People kept singing, some of them off key, and as much as I tried to enjoy it, it just wasn't my scene. I played on my phone for a while then decided to leave after the current song ended.

And then it did. But before I could reach for the push-out door, I heard something that paused my step. Just as the new song started, someone said gently through the microphone.

To my sweet valentine

I stood with my back facing the room and I knew that my secret admirer, whoever he was, was sitting on the stool behind the microphone, about to sing a song he had secretly dedicated to me. If I just turned around, I would finally see his face and know who he is. But my movement froze as I realized just how dramatic this would be if I turned to face him and he sung directly at me. The whole class would know and I was very happy being invisible. As I contemplated on my options, a deep voice begun to sing. The song had begun.

I can't count the times

Almost said what's on my mind

But I didn't

Just the other day

I wrote down all the things I'd say

But I couldn't

I just couldn't

Baby I know that you've been wondering

Mmm, so here goes nothing

In case you didn't know

Baby I'm crazy about you

And I would be lying if I said

That I could live this life without you

Even though I don't tell you all the time

You had my heart a long, long time ago

In case you didn't know

***
If you liked and enjoyed this story please don't forget to click on vote for it for this year's wattpad scholarship for the short story column.

And please feel free to comment on it. Your comments are very much appreciated.

God bless you!
Kisses