"Oh my goodness," Bassy exclaimed in disbelief, her eyes widening at the shocking revelation. "How can I possibly use my entire one month salary just for the gate fee of a show? Those people are wicked."
Nsisong nodded solemnly, confirming Bassy's worst fears. "Yes, it's true. The gate fee is a whopping forty thousand naira per person."
Bassy's hand instinctively went to her head, scratching at her scalp as if trying to alleviate the burden of the hefty fee. "That's an exorbitant amount! It's like they want to bleed us dry."
"And nobody will be coming for the show with such a steep price," she continued, her voice tinged with frustration. "That money is too much for most people to spare."
Nsisong chuckled, teasingly poking fun at Bassy's disbelief. "Oh, come on. Just because you and I are broke doesn't mean everyone else is. To some people, that money is like pocket change."
"But do you realize how big the name Edual is?" Nsisong interjected, a hint of admiration in his voice. "He's a superstar, and he commands a high price for his performances. We can't expect him to charge a measly hundred naira for his gate fee and risk attracting a crowd of unruly individuals."
Bassy bristled at the implication. "Are you indirectly calling me a thug?"
Nsisong quickly shook his head, his expression earnest. "No, of course not! I'm just saying that not everyone can appreciate the value of such an event. You, on the other hand, are simply not accustomed to the modern entertainment culture."
Bassy sighed deeply, her thoughts turning to her financial woes. "I don't think I can afford that money. How will I be able to pay for my son's school fees next term if I use such an amount just for a gate pass?"
Nsisong's demeanor softened, a sense of empathy creeping into his voice. "I understand your concerns, Bassy. But I've tried to make things easier for you. I offered to pay the same amount for myself, just to be helpful. You know I have my own financial responsibilities to take care of too, besides, I have two children and a wife to feed and you know this. you just have one don't be too stingy."
Bassy's mind raced with conflicting thoughts as she weighed her options. On one hand, the prospect of seeing Edu in person was undeniably eating her up. But on the other hand, the financial strain it would place on her was daunting.
The realization hit Bassy like a ton of bricks as she contemplated the exorbitant price she would have to pay just to catch a glimpse of Edu. Memories flooded her mind of a time when Edu's attention was a nuisance rather than a luxury, back in the village where she had repeatedly brushed off his attempts at closeness.
Now, as she found herself on the brink of spending her hard earned salary for just a chance have an encounter with him, she couldn't help but question if it really worth it. Was it truly worth the financial strain she asked herself unable to figure out an answer.
Nsisong's voice broke through her inner turmoil, snapping her back to reality. His words were a stark reminder of the decision that lay before her.
Make a choice please.
Are you paying the mortgage or not? let me know my stand Nsisong questioned.
"I'll transfer the money to you this evening," Bassy finally conceded, her voice tinged with resignation.
After Bassy had sent Nsisong the money, her heart couldn't stop racing at the thought of meeting Edu. She tried everything to distract herself, but her mind kept drifting back to the upcoming event.
As the days passed, Bassy found herself making unusual mistakes at work, her thoughts consumed by anticipation and anxiety. Her boss took notice of her distracted behavior, but Bassy brushed off her concerns, insisting that everything was fine.
However, on Friday evening, disaster struck when Bassy realized she had forgotten to pack the lunch she had prepared for her boss's children to take to school the next day. The oversight earned her a stern warning from her boss, who reminded her of the importance of her job and the consequences of her actions.
The mention of being sent back to the village where she had come from if she doesn't stop making unnecessary mistakes struck fear into Bassy's heart, motivating her to redouble her efforts and focus on her work. But despite her best efforts, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling of unease that lingered in the back of her mind.
Finally, the long awaited Sunday arrived. Bassy woke up with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, her thoughts consumed by the impending encounter with Edu. She couldn't help but wonder if the meeting would live up to her expectations, or if it would only serve to remind her of the painful memories of their past interaction on phone.
As she prepared to leave for the show, Bassy took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead.
When sun sets, Bassy and Nsisong headed to the fanciest hotel in town for a big event. The hotel was like a palace, with a red carpet leading to the main hall. Bassy held onto Nsisong's and her son Gabriel tagged along in her own arm, with a catual dress.
Inside, the place was buzzing with people dressed to the nines, chatting and laughing. Soft music played in the background, adding to the fancy vibe. Bassy couldn't believe how fancy everything looked, with sparkling chandeliers and beautiful artwork on the walls, she was astonished because it was the first time i her life to be in such an elegance environment.
They finally made it to the main hall, where the real party was happening. The room was lit up with twinkling lights and candles, and the tables were decked out with fancy decorations. At the front, there was a stage all set up for the main event.
As they settled into their seats, Bassy felt her heart pounding with excitement amid fright.
While the night went on, everyone got more and more excited. Then, the room got super quiet and dark, and suddenly, Edual, the big celebrity everyone was waiting for, appeared on stage. People went wild with excitement as he started performing.
Bassy felt a mix of emotions as she watched. She was thrilled to see Edu up close, but also extremely scared and angry about everything that had happened between them in the past.
The crowd went crazy, cheering and clapping as Edu sang and dance. It felt like everyone in the room was totally into him.
While everyone else was on their feet, cheering, Bassy stayed in her seat, feeling a bit jealous and resentful of all the attention Edu was getting.
As the applause died down, Bassy was left feeling a jumble of emotions – excitement, fear, anger, and jealousy all mixed together.
After the final chords of Edu's performance faded into the air, Bassy's heart raced with an urgency she hadn't felt in years. The desire to reunite with the father of her child, the great celebrity who had been absent from her life for so long, consumed her every thought as she made her way towards the backstage area.
Beside her, Nsisong walked with a supportive presence, her son Gabriel nestled in Bassy's arms, unaware of the emotional turmoil swirling around. Nsisong had offered to help, his own heart heavy with the weight of the exorbitant gate fee they had paid just for the chance to see Edu perform.
Each step they took was laden with a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and desperation. Edu's presence on stage had reignited a flame within Bassy a longing to reconnect with him, to share with him the chaotic challenges of raising their child all alone.
But as they approached the backstage entrance, their hopes were dashed by the formidable barrier of security guards. Their stern faces and imposing stature served as a harsh reminder of the distance that had grown between them over the years.
Despite their fervent pleas and heartfelt explanations, the guards remained unmoved, steadfast in their refusal to grant them access to Edu. Their words echoed in their ears, a cruel reminder of the barriers that stood between them and the man they so desperately longed to see.
Anxiously feeling defeated and undeterred, Bassy and Nsisong retreated to their seats in the ballroom, their hearts heavy with the weight of missed opportunity. Yet, beneath the disappointment, a flicker of determination burned bright. They vowed to find another way to reach Edu, to bridge the gap that had separated them for far too long.
As they sat amongst the crowd, their minds raced with plans and possibilities. Bassy's desperation to reunite with Edu grew even larger, to share with him the love and longing that had filled her hearts in his absence despite how mad she was with him.