There was a thick smell of wine and sweet perfume that clung to every part of me. The stench of cigarettes hung heavily in the air as wisps of smoke obscured my view. The bar was loud, noisy and disgusting to say the least. The dim lights did nothing to illuminate the path before me, causing me to trip more than a few times. I hated this place, yet for some otherworldly reason I was drawn here.
All around me were the silhouettes of strangers which lurked in every corner of the room, their rambunctious voices booming from one end to the other. Expletives punctuated the air as shady figures drifted throughout the room. Crudely crafted wooden tables and stools littered the place, creaking under the weight of the burly men that sat upon them.
Right smack at the front of the room was an old withering stage that had clearly seen better days. The boards had been worn down and the red maroon curtains were covered in a thick layer of dust.
I wanted nothing more than to dash out of the place, yet still I stayed, grasping old John tightly against my chest. My only comfort in the hellish room.
Suddenly a rough voice echoed over the speakers and at once the room became silent. Not a single soul spoke. Slowly the stage curtains slid apart, revealing a small sized girl standing right in the middle of it. A small condenser microphone lay in front of her and the spotlight was focused upon her, covering her in a dazzling bright light.
She was 25 year old, clad in a pair of torn jeans and a red T-Shirt. Her chestnut brown hair flowed freely past her shoulders and her beautiful dark blue eyes scanned the crowd. A trickle of sweat rolled off her porcelain smooth skin.
The crowd stared expectantly at her, yet she was unfazed. Not a shred of nervousness could be observed as she stood upon that stage. At that point, it was clear. She owned the stage.
A soft melody started to play and the sweet sounds of a piano graced our ears. The piano man had started to play. Every single note was a treat to the ears and a slow jazzy beat had started to build.
The singer, grasped the microphone that lay before her and for a moment I thought that an angel had descended to the earth. Her voice was so soft, yet so strong. I was absolutely enthralled by her singing. Her every note, every word was perfect. She was an oasis in this desert, making every moment that I spent here worth it.
Now I finally realized why I was drawn towards this place. She was the reason.
She bathed in the spotlight savouring every minute of it. It was no doubt she took pride in what she did for a living. Despite the shoddy environment that she worked in, she never questioned herself, but instead plowed on. She did not just survive, she thrived. When she was on the stage, nothing else mattered. It was just her and the music. She was fearless.
The way she stood on the stage. The lights, the smoke. The way she held the microphone, the way her hair flowed all blended perfectly into a feast for the eyes.
It was a picture perfect moment.
I gently raised my camera, slowly adjusting the focus and took a few steps forward. But before I could snap the photo, the singer seemed to stare right at me and she smiled shyly. I blushed and for a moment I was thrown off.
I once again gathered my bearing and focused. I steadied myself and aimed. Slowly I exhaled and... Click.
