It has been two years that Asa and I represented the college in local and international singing competitions. At this point, we could say that we have gathered so much experience. If you called us 'Boss! Boss!', you would not be wrong at all we would reply to you.
Meanwhile, it is not by mouth. There were many instances where both of us we're wrong and we made mistakes. No one is inevitable of making mistakes. The remarkable and costly mistake ever made was mine -- an experience we would never forget.
It was in year 2. We became famous after my victory the previous year. They all thought it was all my doing to beat all the singing experts on campus as a year-1-student. I also felt proud. I totally forgot how Asa would give up her will and attend my rehearsals, with a pair of earpieces stuck in her ears of course. I had forgotten that God made me win to pay for her mother's bills. I had forgotten everything.
All I remembered was that I was now a big singer. I could take a common song and transform it into a new piece. I could conduct a choir of students who were far older than I was in age and class. I could leave Asa in the dormitory without thinking of what she would eat when she would come back from her mom's place. All I knew was that the anointing was just flowing and I was just enjoying it alone.
One fateful night, I spent thirty minutes dressing.
"My hair must be kept neat. My gown must be short enough to make me move freely. My lips must be red enough to attract my audience. My neck must be..."
"And what about your piece? Where is the manuscript for your backup? What are the instrumentalists going to play exactly?" Asa interrupted.
That is true! Where is my piece? I was so concerned about myself that I left my piece in the library. 'Can I go and get it now? What is the time? Chai! Twenty minutes to the show! I cannot make it...'
"Faith! What exactly are you thinking about now? I am asking you, where is your piece?"
"I left it in the library!" I shouted at her and burst into tears.
"Of course, I know. I was with you when you left it on the bookshelf. I wanted to call you back but you were too busy and proud to even notice me by your side. What has got into you? I bet you have even forgotten that I have been your best friend since kindergarten." She sat and stared at me for an explanation.
"It Is just that I have been feeling proud that I don't need anyone's approval on both what and how I would sing like the last time, you know."
"Oh! I see! Pride! So, it is that pride that will teach your orchestra tonight on how to back you up while you sing your song all by yourself, right?"
"Yeah.....I admit that I made a mistake, a costly one at that. What I need is a solution, Asa. Please, help me."
"Hope you know that the guest-of-honor is the Dean of the Faculty of Music and Art at Harvard University."
"Now you are scaring me the more." Nervous! Nervous! Nervous!
"Nope! I'm not scaring you but telling you. What exactly are you going to do now? You have to sing gloriously than ever tonight."
"Asa, you have to help me. Please, sing a duet with me." Tears in my eyes already.
"What! No! No! No! No way! I can't sing. You know I can't sing. It's been ages since you heard me sing. I can't join you. I'm sorry..." Now she became nervous.
"No sis, you can do it. It is only you that can help me. What about we sing GOD IS GOOD by DON MOEN, your mom's favorite? Everyone, including you, knows that and the backups will settle themselves. Please, help me..." I gave up and wept bitterly on the bed.
Asa was moved with worry and compassion. She finally agreed and we went in to dress her up as well. We had to apologize and explain the whole situation to others. Thank God they all understood.
At the end of the day, we pulled it off. We were even awarded a hundred bucks for a job well done. Likewise, the dean gave me, Asa, the head of the orchestra, the pianist, and the drummer scholarships. This time, I shared the cash award equally, except Asa and me with a 5% rise. And that was when Asa became my partner in singing.