The train arrived at Blitz train station at 5.45 am. Chidera scrambled to get her belongings as she prepared for the second leg of her trip. As she walked out the train station, she was taken aback by the colossal buildings in the city. She had always envisioned Blitz as a busy and boisterous city yet it was quiet and calm since it was still early in the morning, and the city’s inhabitants were still asleep. While she was still taken aback by her surroundings, a red taxi slowed down and the driver beckoned her to get into the car. After showing the driver the address of where she wanted to be taken to, the driver asked her “Oh, so you are part of that singing festival?” Chidera responded affirmatively as the reality sunk in- indeed, she was on her journey to being a superstar and she had to be accustomed with displaying her talent in public. As the drive commenced, Chidera reached for her phone to catch up with her messages from the previous night. Her friends and family were all cheering for her from her hometown and for her, that assurance was enough to keep her going. The taxi dropped her off at Prima Residence, the soho apartment were the contestants would camp for the week.
As soon as Chidera disembarked the taxi, she was ushered to her designated room by Lia, the programme coordinator and as they parted she was told, ‘Be ready by 4pm in the lobby, we have our first briefing for all contestants.’
Chidera rushed for the gigantic bed which was before her. The tension in her muscles from all the dancing practice limited her range of motion, and she immediately remembered she had to rest well if she was going to give her best performance. Uma shouted from the corridors, ‘Another girl will be joining you.” “Argh, a roommate,” Chidera thought to herself as she rolled over into some much needed sleep.
The 4pm briefing was short and straightforward. All the contestants convened in the lobby and they were ushered into the auditorium for the introductory ceremony. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, hope and an underlying sense of nostalgia- that feeling you have when a lifelong dream is finally coming true. In this moment, all the contestants were like a group of old friends- kindred souls; tormented by the same thirst. The pianists, as usual, had already separated themselves and were hurdled round the keyboard which was aesthetically poised in the middle of the room, giving each other turns to play a few lines.
Chidera spotted several familiar faces from her social media feed but she was reluctant in making any first move. Instead, she took advantage of the good lighting in the auditorium and snapped endless selfies. As the briefing closed, the week’s programme was shred and the contestants returned to their rooms.
A sense of elation overwhelmed Chidera as she walked back to her room. She preferred early nights as she was used to waking up early for her morning routine. After exchanging pleasantries with her roommate, she retired to bed.
The next morning started on a mundane note. Chidera quickly went through her morning routine, which she had religiously mastered by now. Her discipline was impeccable, and she had built an aura of professionalism whenever she was around fellow musicians. She faced the day with enthusiasm, and was determined to make her mark in the competition.
However, Chidera’s enthusiasm and newly founded bliss came to an abrupt end when an incident which occurred during one of the workshops shifted her entire trajectory in the days leading to the auditions… Why was this happening now, after so much effort and preparations to get here?
Chapter 3…
Many Stories Matter 
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