Picture generated by me using OpenAI.
"This is a terrible idea," I muttered for the fifth time as they dragged me to the bolt vehicle waiting for us outside my house.
"We know, but don't worry, you'll love it," Nneoma replied, not letting go of my hands.
"Guy, what kind of a human being are you? It's been a rough semester, and everyone is going out tonight to have a blast after their final papers, but you want to bury yourself inside your house alone. Nawa o." Micheal added, not giving my arm a chance as he pulled me into the back seat of the waiting car. Then he got in with me in the back seat while Nneoma sat in the front.
I could see the driver smiling from the rearview mirror. I guess he was enjoying the show my friends were putting up by bundling me into his car like a goat on its way to the slaughterhouse.
"He no dey like comot? (He doesn't like going out?)" He asked my friends, confirming my suspicion that he was truly enjoying the show. I heard the ignition kick, then the car started, and he drove off.
"I swear Oga. I have not seen this kind of introvert before," Micheal answered with a smirk on his face.
I gave him a killer stare before relaxing fully in the car. Then I took my face out the car window. If only they knew how bad I did in that final paper and needed to just sleep it off. I thought of all the efforts I put in before the exam, but somehow, I still didn't do well. If only they knew, maybe they wouldn't be dragging me to wherever they felt would bring joy to my life at that time of the night.
"Where are we even going?" I asked with a grumpy tone.
"It's karaoke night!" Nneoma spoke loudly and happily.
I quickly remembered how she was talking about a new karaoke bar she discovered weeks back on a date, and would love to go back there again with her friends.
"At least you'll get to sing," Micheal said, smiling and leaning over to tap my shoulder playfully.
"I can deal with you dragging me out of my house but you see that singing, no think am. (Don't think of it)," I warned, still grumpy and not giving him any smiling face.
The driver pulled up at the bar, and Micheal paid him, and then he dragged me out of the car. We waited for the driver to leave our path before we could walk into the bar but he didn't move. Instead, he kept staring at me.
"My man loosened up. E no easy to get friends wey wan give you joy. (It's not easy to have friends that want your happiness)" he said to me before zooming off into the night.
Then we made our way into the bar with Nneoma leading the way. As we got inside, we were greeted by a hefty-looking guy who guarded the door, with a neon light flashing overhead, setting the mood for the Afrobeat music, which was sung inside by a female singer with a rusty voice. There were jeers and laughter from the crowd.
We found a comfortable spot and sat down, then we made our orders. By now, the rusty-voiced singer was still on the microphone.
"If this was how Simi sang this song, I'm sure it wouldn't sell", I joked as Michael and Nneoma burst into laughter.
"I thought you were grumpy about coming here," Nneoma asked.
I had my face stuck to the singer, but somehow I could feel Micheal staring at me. "Are you going to keep looking at me or also say what's on your mind?" I asked.
"It's just crazy how a man loves indoors a lot," he said, folding his arms.
"It's not about staying indoors, my guy. I didn't do well in today's final paper. I just wanted to sleep and forget about it," I explained, at that point realising that I was loosening up a bit more than before.
"We know," they chorused.
"That's why we dragged you out," Micheal added.
I was speechless and didn't have any reply for them at that gesture but deep down, I was grateful.
The night moved slowly, and the drinks flowed well. I was gradually beginning to have fun and let go of the exam pressure when I heard the MC's voice over the speaker.
"Alright, next performance is special and goes to the guy over the corner!" he announced pointing to my corner. "Please don't bite me, but this was on request by your friends,” he added.
I turned as if to see if he was pointing to anyone behind me but we were alone in that corner. I looked from Michael to Nneoma, and they suddenly had this innocent look on their faces. I tried protesting not to go, but there was sudden cheering from the crowd.
"I'll deal with you guys later," I threatened them while reluctantly dragging my feet to the stage.
Standing on the stage, with the mic in my hands. I stared at the crowd gathered there that night to have fun too. All eyes were on me. I prayed not to disgrace myself because I was about to do that.
Then I heard Joy by WizKid on the speakers. I smiled and looked at my friends, they smiled back at me. They must have told the DJ which song to play because they knew how much I loved the song. Shutting my eyes and trying to shut out the anxiety pounding in my chest.
I let the song flow out of my heart with my hoarse voice and closed eyes. Lyrics after lyrics, letting each word sink into my soul, embracing the melodies and soon I felt myself giving silly moves and romancing the microphone.
And when I happened to open my eyes, I saw a handful of the crowd on their feet singing along and whining to the music with me. The joy on their faces, the joy in my heart, the pain from a bad exam gone, overpowered by the power of a song in my soul, setting me free.
I finished and the applause from the crowd was deafening. I walked back to my friends who gave me a high five.
"How do you feel?" Nneoma asked.
"Great", I replied, nodding and smiling.
"Do you want a go at it again?" Micheal asked, smiling mischievously.
"I think this Joy is enough". I declined immediately.
They laughed. We laughed.