Chapter 10

We used one of Dad’s cars, and Mr Idris drove us straight to the venue. "Woah! Are you kidding me? Is this a carnival or what?"

"Whoosh! This was why I wanted us to come on time. Now, the whole place is filled up already," Zara grumbled as Idris found a place to park.

"Geez! This place is too rowdy. I don't like crowds." I protested.

“Durrh, you are his fiancee. You should learn to getting used to the crowds,” Zara snapped at me.

Zara held my hand as we maneuvered through the crowd, and I was amazed at how some girls were looking. Many wore customized shirts with Damian’s name and pictures. Eyeglasses, rings, necklaces, stickers, and even hairbands—all with his name printed on them. Oh heavens! Girls are crazy over my husband-to-be?

Zara led me to a spot by the entrance where customized items were sold. She bought a bangle and two light stickers with Damian’s name on them. Wearing the bangle on her wrist, she handed one of the stickers to me.

"Huh? What are you doing?” I protested

"Just take it, Sarah," she cut me off, forcing the sticker into my hand, and I scoffed.

Zara and I simply walked on; to the entrance. The security personnel recognized me, and one of them took us to the vip section. We sat and watched his fans stand to welcome him. 

Zara screamed in delights, as she get to witness everything.

Just then I spotted Stephanie and her friends; Kelvin and Tasha at the front line of the stage.

I haven’t seen my sister for a day, and here she is at Damian’s concert. Tssk. 

I turned to a lady who's been shouting from the crowd, the whole time. She had a tattoo on her neck and it was boldly written ‘Damian’.

"Come on, Damian!" she shouted at the top of her voice, and it kind of pissed me off. Another lady wore his shirt with "KING OF MY HEART" beneath his picture, while someone else declared him "MY KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR," and another boldly proclaimed, "I LOVE YOU, MY DAMIAN."

Okay, this is so dramatic. Suddenly, the walls echoed with screams.  “Oh our idol, Damian!!!!!” the crowd roared.

I lifted my eyes and saw Damian climbing up the stage.

Geez! I didn’t know people loved him this way.

He was putting on a black trouser and jacket with a white top and wore a shoe to match.

Stage light and sparkles kept flashing around him. The pure gold jewelries he had on further accentuated his glow.

He ascended the stage with a lady beside him. "Oh! That's Rijania, one of his top models, vixens," Zara informed me. "They've done lots of duets together and always go to concerts and performances as well. As a matter of fact, she's been touring the world with Damian and also returned here to Paia with him. And sometimes, I wonder what's going on…."

She kept mute when she saw my glare “Sorry,” she mumbled

"Go Damian!"

"I love you, Damian!"

"I wanna kiss you!"

Ewwwwwwwww.

The screams continued as Damian approached the standing mic, strumming his guitar, and believe me, the ovation increased when he did. He released a charming smile, and instantly, two ladies at the front stage collapsed. Ha! Attempting to wave the short hair over his left eye, it came falling back.

Bringing his lips to the mic, he spoke in a soothing voice, "Hi," and the ovation started all over. Oh, God!

I saw another lady being rushed out, and it struck me to my guts. I've always heard these rumors, but today is the first time I am witnessing it.

“Isn’t he so adorable? I wonder how you sleep at night knowing that he would be your husband,” Zara squealed dreamily.

Damian looked down and strummed some notes on his guitar, playing a soft, charming tone that had a calming effect on the crowd. As if wanting them to keep calm, he stopped playing when the screaming subsided and spoke into the mic.

“I am really glad to see you all. And I am happy to be back here in my hometown. I'm...happy you all love me this much to show up at my concert. Thank you,” he concluded with a smile, and another section of screaming and cheering took over.

"I love you, Damian!"

"You're the best!"

"Damian!"

This time I rolled my eyes unashamedly when something caught my eye. My sister had thrown something at him, and it seemed like her pink panties. 

My eyes zeroed in shock. She didn't just do that to my husband-to-be, did she???

***

While I struggled to process what Stephanie just did. Zara turned to interrupt me happily 

"Wow! He is an amazing artiste, and for once, I am super proud of a Classmate.”

 ," she exclaimed, and I glanced in her direction “

“Cool," I silently nodded before refocusing on the stage.

Other girls had started throwing stuff at him. They threw bracelets, lockers, bras, panties and so many other items. It was annoying and demeaning of them. 

Damian ignored the materials littered on the stage. I guess he was used to such acts from his female fans.

Immediately, the stage went dark. A low gasp ran across the crowd and a yellow light came up, shining just at the spot where Damian was seated.

Damian began playing the guitar—a soft, enchanting sound that brought a calmness to the whole place. He played for a while, blending his flawless voice with the music. Wow! It was so cool. I wasn't a big fan of music, but Damian’s songs made me appreciate it. Not like I'm fangirling over him or something; I'm just stating the fact—he's a truly great artist. The song was slow, romantic, and emotional, and I presumed he was yet to release it since no one in the crowd seemed familiar with it.

“Underneath the stars, where memories unfold,

Your laughter echoes, a story left untold.

In the silence, our hearts whisper so,

Yet the ending of our tale, only time will show.

Love's melody lingers, in the fragments we know…”

I folded my hands, captivated, as he sang flawlessly, truly leaving me bemused. He deserves all the awards he's gotten.

"Can you feel that, Sarah? How can you not fall in love with him?” Zara said dreamily, gripping my hand.

I gasped, freeing my hand from hers. Damian sang the whole song beautifully, and when he finished, the hall erupted in screams that almost brought it down.

He started a different song which was popular and this time around, the entire audience sang along with him, singing like they were in another world.

The place became so loud as everybody sang along with him. I observed Stephanie dancing seductively at Damian, and his eyes flickered at her repeatedly. Zara joined in the singing and jumping, beckoning for me to join, but I rolled my eyes at her.

While I enjoyed the song, I couldn't bring myself to start yelling and jumping like the others—it felt absurd.

He performed two more songs, then handed his guitar to someone, removed the mic from its stand, and started singing one of his hip-hop tunes, freely moving on the stage. The venue filled with screams again as everyone danced crazily and sang along. Those close to the stage jumped and stretched out their hands, hoping for a touch.

He sang two more songs, and the second almost made me jump and scream like the others, but luckily, I refrained. Stylishly concluding the song, the building almost went crashing with clapping and shouting, prompting me to shut my ears for a moment.

Ladies close to the stage kept screaming and falling on each other, reaching out for Damian to touch them. However, I heard he doesn't touch his fans during shows. I couldn't spot Stephanie anywhere.

He waved at the audience, then turned around, heading to drop the mic on its stand. The coordinators swiftly came to guide him and Rijania, who had danced with him. Together, they walked off the stage.

"Oh my god! Please don't tell me it's over. Your future husband is a bomb!” Zara exclaimed