SING ME A SONG - CHAPTER 21&22
***
Lani and her friends walked together on the street. Lani was seeing them off, after Lonnie successfully chased them out of his house.
Their noise were too much and he couldn’t take it in any longer.
“Do you think Lonnie will agree to train us for the audition?” Posy asked.
“I’m sure he will. No one sings, dance or rap better than us” came Rory’s voice.
“I think he was displeased by our performance. He’d have complemented us, if we did well”
“Stop ki||ing our vibes, Lani. This is how trainers are, they don’t always complement you, so that you will do better. We did well and I have no doubt that we are going to win in the audition”
“That’s the spirit, Dami” Rory did a hand five shake with her.
“I hope so” Lani muttered.
“I will be separating myself from here” Posy said.
“We haven’t gotten to your house yet, so where are you going?” Dami asked.
“I saved up a little money and I want to get new sneakers”
“You never get tired of fashion?”
“I am not a tomboy like you, Dami. Anyways see ya soon, let’s practice more to win Lonnie’s favor” She was about leaving, when Rory held her hand.
“I will come with you” He said.
Posy nod her head, and both left, holding hands.
“I think their friendship is getting out of hand. It doesn’t look like they’re just friends” Dami said.
Lani smiled and said. “Are you jealous?”
Dami scoffed. “Jealous? Of who? That Rory that doesn’t know his left and right? Oh please Lani, even if I dumb and poor, I have spec”
“So what’s your kind of guy?”
“Hmmmm, someone like Camren” Dami said, blushing.
“Camren? Lonnie’s band mate? Since when?”
“I have always like him, is just that I don’t say it loud like you always do when it comes to Lonnie. I am hoping he also comes to the countryside just like Lonnie did. What kind of person do you think he is?”
“I am not a fan of Camren, so I don’t know anything about him”
“I forgot that you existence is because of Lonnie. You’re lucky, the guy you love is just few steps away from you”
“Love?”
“I thought you are in love with Lonnie?” Dami answered her question with a question.
“When did I tell you I am in love with Lonnie?”
“I thought you’re, cuz you always cry anytime something bad happens to him”
“Isn’t that what a fan should do for her idol?”
“You’re slow witted with books and even when it comes to matters of the heart. I’m heading for my part-time job, see you in school tomorrow” Dami said and runs off.
“Matters of the heart? Am I in love with Lonnie?” Lani muffled, licking her lower lip.
******
•SEOUL, THE UNBREAKABLE MANSION•
Miles could be seen pacing around as he tried to call someone. He was sweating dreadfully despite the working air condition in his room.
After few minutes of calling, the person from the other side of the phone picked up.
“Hello Miles, oh Miles is your stage name. What’s up Clinton?”
“Don’t be informal with me!”
“Why shouldn’t I? We have come a long way right?”
“Stop joking around! I paid you handsomely few days ago, so what’s the thr_@tening message from you about?” He asked shaking.
“I need more money”
“Are you crazy? Do I look like your ATM machine!!!” He yelled at her.
“I should be nice if I were you Miles, cuz one word, just one word from me will ruin your entire career. You have been a K-pop idol for ten years and you’re just starting to gain recognition from the public. This is what you have always wanted, will you be able to bear losing everything you have worked so hard for?” He asked,
Miles tightened his hand and the veins in his neck were showing.
“I will have the money transferred to you”
“Who are you transferring money to?” Camren asked, entering the room. That was the only thing he heard.
Miles ended the call and looked at Camren. “Have you lost your manners? Why can’t you knock!!” He shouted at him.
“I am not the cause of your problems, so don’t shout at me. You might be the oldest but you’re just a year order. One of your fans delivered this to you” Camren dropped it on the floor and leaves.
Miles sighs and picked the package from the floor. He opened it and it was a smart watch.
📝 It’s from one of your fans, Palmer. I hope you like it.
Miles smiled after he read the short note. “I won’t be able to bear losing everything. I can’t lose my recognition” He said to himself and quickly transferred the money to the man he just called.
***
Camren came out from his room and Sage poured confetti on him.
“Congratulations, Camren”
“What is the congratulations for?”
“Haven’t you gone through your phone?” She asked and he shook his head.
“After our comeback song, the whole of Seoul is talking about you. You’re getting more popular, Camren!” She squealed, but Camren didn’t seem to be happy.
“Why are you not happy about it?”
“This should have been Lonnie’s, if he didn’t lose his voice. I became the main vocalist because he lost his voice”
“Camren”
“It’s not something to celebrate about, Sage. Have a good night sleep” He said to her and went inside his room.
“It feels different without Lonnie. This mansion used to be fun and lively to live in, but not anymore. I miss him so much” Sage said and her eyes became misty.
******
•HADONG COUNTY-SIDE OF KOREA, HOSPITAL•
Eloise patiently waited for the doctor who went to run a test on her. She has been suffering from series of pains in the heart and decided to find out why.
She has been hiding the pains from Lani, so that Lani won’t have to worry about her. Lani isn’t someone who takes observations about someone, so it was easy for Eloise to hide her pains from her.
The doctor entered the office and Eloise stood up to her feet.
“You can sit down, ma’am”
“What does the result says?” Eloise asked.
“The test confirmed that you’re have a tumor in your heart”
“Tumor?”
“Yes. It’s still in the early stage, so it can easily be removed without a 50/50 chance of surviving”
Eloise gulped her spit and held the hems of her dress. “How much is the surgery?”
“You already know here is the countryside, we don’t have those facilities here. If you’re ready to remove the tumor in your heart, I’d recommend you go to Seoul. They have the best facilities and experience there, but it’s going to be expensive”
“Is there something you can do to reduce the pains? I have a granddaughter, she will be rounding up with high school soon, and I am saving up money for her upcoming exams. I don’t want to touch my savings, it’s for her”
“That’s the more reason your granddaughter should know about your condition. Since she is her final year in high school, it means she can work to assist you”
“No. Lani is my precious and I don’t want to stress her. She lost her parents at a very early age, so I want to make sure she is always comfortable and not stressing herself”
“I understand where you’re coming from. I am going to give you some medicines that will reduce the pains , but it’s not going to be forever. I’d advise you to get the tumor removed before it grows bigger than it’s now, cuz you might lose your life”
“I am going to be fine. Lani is my priority” Eloise said.
******
•LANI’S HOUSE•
Lani folded her legs against the other as she sat on the bed, thinking about what Dami told her.
She laughs and shakes her head. “There’s no way I have romantic feelings for Lonnie right? I only like him because he is a k-pop star and he has a very nice voice. This is what fans are meant to do right? Feel pain when their idols are in pain and cry when their idol is crying. It doesn’t mean that I love him”
“Why are you talking to yourself, Lani” Eloise asked. She just came back.
“Grandma!” Lani rushed to her and hugged her.
Eloise smiled and hugged her back. “Why are you back from school at this hour? You normally close by 4”
“The dismissing hour in school was changed to 2pm”
“That’s strange? Why?”
“I don’t know either” Lani lied.
“Have you eaten?”
“Not yet”
“I will prepare something for you to eat” Eloise said, and Lani hugged her happily.
“I love you so much, grandma. Don’t ever leave me okay”
“I won’t. Go and check who is knocking at the gate” She said.
Lani pecked her grandma’s face before going outside.
“I love you so much too, my precious” Eloise said with a sad smile, before going to the kitchen, trying to suppress the pains in her heart.
***
Lani opened the gate and sees Palmer resting in her car. She was dressed hotly as always.
“I thought you weren’t going to come out”
“Why are you here Palmer? From what I can recall, we are not friends”
“I know that Lani. If it was up to me, I don’t want to talk to you, because we have nothing to talk about”
“So why are you here, then?”
“It’s because of Sean. Don’t use my brother”
“I am not using your brother”
“Really? Then why did you tell him to change the time of closing hours in school? My brother is ready to do everything for you, don’t take him for granted”
“I am not. Sean is my friend”
“But he doesn’t see you that way. I am not a fighter neither am I a troublemaker, so if you don’t like Sean, stop leading him on. I don’t want to see him in pain”
“I will”
“Good. Have a nice day” Palmer said. She entered her car and drove off.
“This is my first time speaking with Palmer, I thought she’d be arrogant” Lani sighed and entered the compound. She looked at Lonnie’s house and sighed again.
“What do I really feel for him?” She muffled.
******
•TWO DAYS LATER, LONNIE’S HOUSE•
“Really? You’re going to train us for the audition?” Rory asked and Lonnie nodded his head.
The four friends jumped in excitement.
“I will train you as long as you don’t sing the rubbish the four of you sang two days ago”
“But if was our best masterpiece” Posy said.
“Should I change my mind?”
“No!!!” The four of them screamed at the same time.
Lonnie smiled and said; “The only way for you to become a K-pop stars is to start from the base. What I mean to say is to start from the scratch not jumping to conclusions that you are the best in this particular field. You can start by singing first, that’s how a particular person in a group becomes the main vocals of his group, because he sings better than the rest. The same also applies to dancing and rapping. During the times I was a trainee, my friends and I all rapped, dance and sang together, and that’s when I realized I was more of a singer than a rapper”
“What about dancing? Where you good at it?” Dami asked.
“Yes I was, but Camren was a better dancer than us, and that’s why he got the main dancer position”
Dami smiled on hearing Camren’s name.
“I accepted that the four of you don’t have sense, but don’t show it off during trainings, you will be eliminated. You can only do that on stage where fans are watching you live. The only way to succeed is to be determined. I won’t have a K-pop idol if I wasn’t determined to become one”
“We are determine to succeed” Lani said, and when Lonnie looked at her, she quickly looked somewhere else, making Lonnie wonder why. She has been avoiding his eyes for hours now.
“Okay fine. I wrote a short song for you all, let’s see if any of you can get the tunes right” Lonnie said and gave them a paper containing the song he wrote.
He is also a songwriter too, his solo song from four years ago was written by him.
Lonnie shook his head when they got the tunes wrongly.
“You’re not getting it right?”
“Give us an example. You’re the golden voice of Korea, give us a hint on how it should be sang by singing it for us” Posy said, and Lonnie quickly back them.
“Lesson is over. You all should leave”
“But we’re just getting started”
“I change my mind. I can’t train you all for the upcoming audition” Lonnie said backing them. He had tears in his eyes.
He forgot he won’t be able to sing anymore, and that’s why he offered to train them, but how can he train them when he can’t sing. He needs to sing in order for them get a hint.
The house was quiet after a few minutes, Lonnie slowly turn his back only to find Lani. The rest left already.
“You should leave as well” He said, cleaning the tears in his eyes.
“What’s your problem, Lonnie?”
“What are you talking about?” He asked in low voice.
“Sing me a song” Lani said, and Lonnie backed her again.
“Just go home”
“Why are you hiding it from me, Lonnie? Do you possibly think I am going to h@?? you or dislike you because of it. Why did you think that way towards me!!!!” Lani shouted at him.
Lonnie turned to look at her.
“I already know you can’t sing, Lonnie. You lost your voice in singing” Lani said and Lonnie staggered backwards, looking at her with wide open eyes, and balls of tears falls down from his eyes.
……
TBC