The entire surroundings was quite. The current of anticipation was sending shockwaves through their veins. In the massive darkness, the flashlights from the phones were like dazzling stars of a rather starry night- all awaiting to welcome the one they admired with such passion. It's already a miracle that she had decided to return. Now, they couldn't miss the glamorous welcome of the phoenix back in the industry for the world.
The clicking of heels on the hardwood stage had everyone's heart pulsing with excitement. Their eyes were glued to the platform, waiting anxiously to catch a single glimpse of the goddess-like figure.
The clicking came to an abrupt end yet the person they didn't see. The bright spotlights flashed at the centre of the stage. The quite concert hall burst with a scream- they had finally caught sight of her. Her fair skin glowed under the bright lighting, the lithe figure showed beautifully by the maroon bodycon dress with a flared skirt. Her shiny raven hair framed her face like that of the goddess of beauty. Her eyes were shrouded in a black veil hiding what she wanted none to know. Her plump red lips opened to say,
"Hello New York, hope you didn't wait too long," came a serene voice like a flow of the most magnificent music. A voice fresh like a rich wine and intoxicating like an old one; and that's how all were acting, drunk in the potion of admiration.
The screams of people echoed all around the hall along with the rhythmic chant of 'Lilia, Lilia, Lilia'.
"Now, now, who would like to listen something new", the screaming seemed to increase in acknowledgement, "Something that tells of a story, a real one at that." the crowd went crazy with her words. The screaming continued but among all, a string of words were more prominent 'whose is it?'.
Lilia laughed teasingly and said, " But that's for me to know and for you to find. So, who wants to listen?"
The masses screamed out, "We want it", but Lilia was in the mood to tease, "Huh, I can't hear you", while her tone was full of confusion, she leaned a bit forward feigning to try and hear better.
She chuckled at their enthusiasm, "In that case, what are we waiting for? Let's begin!".
With that all the stage lights went out except for the centre light focusing on Lilia. An eerie music began playing, gradually putting the crowd in a melancholic silence as the lyrics flew out in an angelic voice.
"In the darkness where the light doesn't reach,
And I have been bent on my knees,
The bright hope drifting away from me
There, I see it going..."
She turned her face away from the microphone and took a deep breath, letting the audience soak in the music.
"The memories burnt to ashes-
Is what's keeping me sane.
The fire burning the moments-
That are caged in my brain."
The music became more prominent, increasing in tempo. Lilia walked forward, the lights guiding her path. The crowd cheered out loudly wanting their idol closer but she stopped after a few steps. The music had increased in intensity, everyone could feel the devastation in the air; and she continued,
"But now what...
I have nothing to burn,
My memories blowing with the wind-
Like ashes, gone.
I am losing myself in this darkness,
Where do I find any memories, when I have none."
The heartbreaking music had stretched for a while, the longest seconds for the audience, when an unexpected tune started playing through the previous one, using that as a backdrop to highlight the contrast between hope and lost. The music now remained of the fresh dew of a bright morning, full of hope and possibilities for the day ahead.
Then came the voice of someone who shouldn't have been there.
"Oh, you forgot the day we met.
You forgot how our eyes linked.
You forgot the sun that shone bright,
And you know that I am right."
Ben Brontë's arrival on Lilia's concert was, to say the least, unexpected. He walked next to Lilia with his easygoing smile radiating handsomeness. His blond hair shone in the light. He wore a maroon suit and dress pants, matching with Lilia.
"Isn't that Ben?" a girl from the audience said, fanning herself at the sight of the treat they knew as Ben Brontë.
"God! Ben is part of Lilia's new album!!" her companion was equally excited at the surprising turn of events.
The girls were losing their breath at the sight of Ben
while they continued with the lyrics, The next lines again came from Ben,
"The wind blew pass my hair
And touched your face with love.
You were before me,
Tending to my wound with care, my beloved.
It's the first time I saw you,
It's the first time we met,
But still at nights, it keeps me awake."
The song was washing over everyone. The music had mellowed down and they were swaying with the music taking in emotions the song portrayed and also trying to keep their emotions contained. Many were reminded of their first love- their first meeting, and Lilia's bittersweet tone for the next lines only strengthened the reminiscence of the past.
"Oh no, I can't forget the day we met,
I can't forget the birds sing-
Picking celebratory tunes.
You seem so right but you're so wrong
So wrong..."
Everyone looked forward to what was coming next. The pain this song gave out was drawing them in like moths to a flame.
They listened intently as the melody began dying down slowly and Lilia's voice started in a mild whisper,
"It was our first meet
That I remember with my heart and soul
But I can't burn it
Even if it means ruining myself whole.
I can let go,
But I won't..."
Nothing of the music remained now, only Lilia's voice conveyed the emotions that the song carried.
"That time I saw you in the park,
Hmm, our first meet-
I will do everything to live it
Again..."
The words lingered even after coming to an end. Everyone was silent for a while, not knowing how to react to the story Lilia and Ben brought in front of them.
The clapping, whistling and cheering came after that- in a burst. They were enthralled by the impressive song their idol just sang from her, hopefully just as impressive, new album. Who would miss out on the album after such an impactful song?
The fans were back to chanting Lilia's name but this time, along with Ben's.
"I hope everyone enjoyed the song as much as I enjoyed singing it," Lilia said smilingly to her fans who screamed louder in acknowledgement.
"We love you, Lilia," was being declared all around the concert hall.
"Poor me, seems like nobody here loves me!" Ben exclaimed with self-pity dripping from his voice.
"WE LOVE YOU TOO," came back from the audience.
Lilia rolled her eyes at her new friend's antics and went back to addressing the entire hall.
"So, my dear friends tonight I have returned from my two-year break and am back to you better than ever! After this break period, I feel lighter. I feel like I have left my burdens behind and I'm ready to my everything into music. From now on, there will be no shying away and no disappearances. I will be what you will see in front of you. And to start this new, a better and closer relationship, I have brought this new album 'Evergreen- a love that never dies'. For that, I'm collaborating with Ben Brontë to make a album more beautiful with his, as you all know, charming voice," Lilia gestured towards Ben who gave everyone a handsome smile before taking the microphone, "Hi..." he gave an awkward laugh and continued, "I didn't introduce myself properly at the start but what could I do? This girl, Liliana D'cruz has a knack for the whole aspect of mystery. She wanted my identity to remain a secret till the last moment. So here I am helping Lilia bring perfection in this album 'cause I'll be honest, she did the most work which isn't complete even now. She is the lyricist of the whole album, I've seen her stay awake at night to write ideas just 'cause she was getting them then", Ben was smiling and staring at Lilia with admiration.
"Thanks for the high praises, Ben," Lilia said with a smile tugged at the corner of her lips, "It's an honour to be able to work with you. Let me tell you guys, Ben Brontë's passion for music is really very inspiring. And I'm already enjoying working with him very much, so hope we have more collaborating to do in the near future, Ben." Lilia looked at Ben joyfully yet her demeanour maintained the formality of addressing a colleague.
"Definitely, you think I'll let go of the chance of working with you? Who knows, I might be the one to propose a collaboration next time. Anyway, that's for the future but now we would like to hold a question-answer session with our friends from the media here. I know you have many questions about Lilia herself and this new album so we will answer all of them."
"Yeah! I didn't even hire any emcee for today just so we could have a more direct conversation," Lilia smirked and winked at the fans, "Tonight, it's just you and me," she gestured back and forth towards the audience and herself. It has been two years since they last saw her in person and they had a lot of questions for her. This arrangement that she made, they understood was an way of her answering all their questions. It warmed their heart that she didn't forget them after all.