THE ROAD TO BECOMING A SUPERTAR

Hamza, dressed and filled with anticipation, was all set for the party. His excitement was apparent, especially since he had resolved to express his feelings for Sofia. He had planned the scenario in his mind, preparing a song to sing to her, hoping she would appreciate it. With these thoughts swirling in his head, he bid his family goodbye and stepped out, only to find a black car waiting for him. The window rolled down, revealing David's familiar face, calling out to him excitedly, "Yo, Hamza! Get in, you don't want to miss the party."

Amused by David's enthusiasm, Hamza chuckled and entered the car, teasingly responding, "Oh, my friend David, why do you look so thrilled? Don't tell me there's already someone waiting for you at the party. Hehe."

Caught off guard, David laughed shyly, realizing he had been seen through. Trying to divert attention, he retorted, "Look who's talking! Your expression gives it away. And, I can't help but imagine what's going through your head—Sofia, perhaps? Ha-ha!"

Hamza, recognizing David's attempt to shift the conversation, chuckled in response, seeing right through his friend's tactics. The journey to Abayomi's house wasn't long, and they arrived at what seemed more like a villa than a regular home. As they reached the gate, Abayomi himself was waiting, presumably expecting their arrival.

Abayomi stood there, observing David poking his head out of the window and waving at him. Chuckling at the sight, he walked over. "Finally, bro, decided to grace us with your presence?" he quipped, glancing at Hamza. "And Sofia's already inside eagerly waiting for you, hehe," he added with a laugh.

Hamza chuckled in response as they made their way indoors. The party's living room came into view, ablaze with lights, pulsating with familiar and unfamiliar faces alike. Some were immersed in drinks while others were dancing, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Hamza scanned the room, seeking Sofia. A soft touch on his shoulder interrupted his search, prompting him to turn around. He couldn't help but smile upon seeing Sofia. "How are you, Sofia? You look stunning," he complimented, his gaze fixed on her.

Sofia noticed Hamza's smile and the admiration in his eyes, inwardly smirking but reciprocating with a smile. "I'm fine, thank you for the compliment. What took you so long?" she teased.

Hamza smiled warmly, adopting a gentlemanly demeanor. "My apologies, my lady, for arriving late," he replied.

Sofia appreciated Hamza's behavior, realizing Kennedy's earlier words were accurate. Knowing Hamza's intention to ask her to be his girlfriend, she teased him with a hint of amusement. "Very well, apology accepted. So, let's get this party started!"

The party continued, with boys swarming around girls and doing some funny act. Eventually, Sofia noticed a person approaching her—it was Kennedy—who walked over and whispered something in her ear which she gigled at before she followed him. Hamza, who was unaware of what was going on, was dancing with David and Abayomi till it was time for Hamza to sing and he had already told his friends why he was singing, so Hamza looked around and couldn't locate Sofia and began to go around to find her.

As everything was going on, Sofia and Ken were spotted together. Ken had his back to Sofia and was passionately kissing her on the face. His pants were already undone.

Hamza, who had been anxiously searching for his lover, suddenly heard a strange noise coming from one of the bedrooms. He cautiously made his way to the source of the sound and hesitantly opened the door. What he saw inside left him feeling a whirlwind of emotions. Confusion, surprise, sadness, and a deep sense of loss overwhelmed him. He struggled to catch his breath and fought the urge to faint as he gazed at the scene before him. In a barely audible voice, he whispered, "But... why... why?... why?" The sight in front of him had shattered his world, leaving him struggling to comprehend the heartbreaking truth.

Ken, observing the devastation on Hamza's face, felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. He couldn't quite explain why, but seeing Hamza's misery somehow fulfilled him. He chuckled at Hamza's distress, though he and Sofia hadn't intended for Hamza to find out this way. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Ken found himself feeling content. "What's with the 'why,' huh? You didn't really think she'd choose you, did you? Hehe," Ken taunted, his hand possessively wrapping around Sofia, who stood rigidly beside him. The tension in the room was palpable as the truth of the situation hung heavily in the air.

Sofia, conflicted by the situation, struggled to process her emotions. Part of her felt a twisted sense of satisfaction, while another part felt sorry for Hamza. She tried to push the conflicting thoughts out of her mind, justifying her actions by telling herself that Hamza deserved it for ignoring her in the first place. With a heavy heart, she leaned into Ken, seeking comfort and validation. She couldn't help but glance at the pitiful look on Hamza's face, the turmoil inside her growing stronger. Despite her inner turmoil, she chose to stay by Ken's side, ignoring the guilt that tugged at her conscience. The room was filled with tension as the weight of their choices hung heavily in the air.

David and Abayomi were getting worried since Hamza went to look for Sofia and had not seen him and everyone was already waiting for Hamza to sing they decide to look for him and they finally found where he was but looking at the present scenario the both of them were shocked beyond measures and disappointed at their friend seeing that Hamza just stood there His eyes were red put the tears refuse to fall Abayomi walked up to Him and said "Hamza I will not tell you sorry but I what I want you to know is as a man no slut of a girl is worth your tears brother" saying this he tapped Hamza shoulder.

David just looked around and his eyes landed straight on Kennedy, who didn't feel any remorse for his actions. David felt a wave of anger towards him and couldn't wrap his mind around it. How could he do this? This was what was on David's mind as he looked at Ken before saying, "Ken, I expected more from you. How could you stoop so low and dish out such a cheap blow to him? What exactly had he done to deserve this action of yours, eh?" He made a slight pause, and the look on his face was scary. Then his voice got louder, "YOU WILL DEFINITELY PAY FOR THIS. I PROMISE YOU!!!" With that, he turned his back and walked towards Hamza. The look on Kennedy's face showed he was scared, but he tried to buckle it up.

Hamza, who saw all this, made a self-mocking chuckle within himself. Deep down, he saw it but refused to believe that Ken would do something like this, and the same for Sofia. He felt that Sofia couldn't do it and wished he could just wake up from this slumber. He looked at Sofia and Kennedy for the last time and silently promised himself not to trust anyone as much as he trusted the duo. He felt betrayed, hurt, and pained. His eyes, which were always full of life and vibrance, now looked cold and lifeless.

Hamza walked towards David and Abayomi with a forced smile before saying, "Let's go. We don't want to keep everyone waiting. I still have to sing."

David sighed at Hamza's effort to push the whole situation, deep down he wanted to console Hamza but didnt know how to he just sighed and said, "Okay, let's go."

Upon getting downstairs where everyone was waiting and seeing the crowd, Hamza walked majestically as if the world was at his feet. He forgot all his worries and walked to the stage where Abayomi, as always the MC, took the microphone and said, "I can see everybody all hyped up." The crowd went wild and shouted. Then he said, "Now give it up for our next upcoming superstar, Ham_z." The crowd shouted at the top of their voices. This was because everyone now knew of Hamza's talent and how well he could sing, and the possibility of him becoming a celebrity, so they were all hyped up.

Seeing this, Hamza chuckled and collected the mic from Abayomi. "Thank you all for the loud cheer," he said, as the crowd cheered again. Hamza laughed before continuing, "I know we're all excited and hyped up, but a quick reminder to all of us: although we're going to graduate, let's cherish the memories we hold together." The crowd cheered again as Hamza sat down at the front of the piano on the stage. His mind was clear yet chaotic as he placed his hands on the keyboard and played right from his heart.

"I heard that you're settled down

That you found a boy and you're married now

I heard that your dreams came true

Guess he gave you things, I didn't give to you

Old friend, why are you so shy?

Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light"

Hamza's fingers danced on the piano, his voice soft, and his mind filled with pain, yet clear as the sea and calm as ever. His eyes couldn't be read as he looked around, and then locked onto two people, smiling with self-mockery.

"I hate to turn up out of the blue, uninvited

But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it

I had hoped you'd see my face

And that you'd be reminded that for me, it isn't over"

As the song progressed, the whole crowd began to sense a change as Hamza's voice softened and grew fuller. He remembered when his mind and body were all for Sofia, yet he ended up in such a miserable state. He just smiled and masked it up.

"Never mind, I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you, too

"Don't forget me, " I beg

I remember you said

"Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead"

"Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead"

As he sang this part, his voice reached a high pitch, and it felt as if the whole place was on fire. The crowd got goosebumps, and his eyes fell on Sofia again. He felt empty but, in a way, wished her the best, knowing that in life, not everything will go as planned. but he, felt pains upon pains.

"You know how the time flies

Only yesterday was the time of our lives

We were born and raised in a summer haze

Bound by the surprise of our glory days"

Then he played the piano for about seven seconds before singing, and he remembered how much fun he had with Sofia and the memories he felt he had with her. He couldn't help but feel resentment towards himself for being such a fool and not seeing the signs.

"I hate to turn up out of the blue, uninvited

But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it

I had hoped you'd see my face

And that you'd be reminded that for me, it isn't over"

At this point, the crowd sensed that something was amiss. They could feel Hamza's pain and wondered about the cause. Meanwhile, Hamza was driven back to a few minutes ago when he saw the girl of his dreams being intimate with his close friend. He wanted to step back and leave all the memories and pains, but he couldn't help the pain he felt was just too much.

"Never mind, I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you, too

"Don't forget me, " I begged

I remember you said

"Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead"

David, standing where he was, had red eyes, and tears were on the brink of falling. He held back, thinking that Sofia and Ken were not worth his tears. However, upon remembering who felt the pain, tears fell from his eyes. Then, he felt a hand tap him. It was Abayomi, with tears in his eyes. They probably felt the same way.

"Nothing compares, no worries or cares

Regrets and mistakes, they're memories made

Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?"

The looks on the crowd's faces showed tears in some of their eyes. Overall, everyone felt betrayed in some way. The song Hamza sang brought back memories they wished to forget, and they couldn't help but tear up, with some even screaming in pain. Hamza tried to forget the memories shared with Sofia and hoped he would heal with time.

"Never mind, I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you

"Don't forget me, " I beg

I remember you said

"Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead"

Sofia, standing with Ken, heard Hamza sing with such pain and felt a twinge of pain herself. After all, she had felt betrayed before, but still she refused to see what wrong she had done and felt nothing towards Hamza. It was as if Hamza saw right through her and he felt empty once again.

"Never mind, I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you, too

"Don't forget me, " I begged

I remember you said

"Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead"

"Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead"

Singing the last part of the song, his voice went low but still held a lot of meaning. Hamza wanted to leave all the emotion and pain he was feeling here and never look back to how he felt. The crowd, on the other hand, was literally screaming, with everyone having different emotions and reactions within them.