"Hmmm people. I wonder how they get so starstruck that they'll have to forget themselves and even run after the celebrity asking for pictures.” I never knew I said that out loud as my sister countered.
We were in the supermarket trying to get some groceries.
“Why? Because of those people running after that actor in this mall now?” my sister asked.
I nodded
“Don't worry, you'll still do it when you meet some of your favourites,” my sister countered, stretching as she tried reaching for something at the top counter. “Help me grab that, please,” she begged.
I gently reached for the pack of milk and handed it to her. "Naah, sis, not me. I might be starstruck, but I won't go all gaga," I argued.
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right! You'll totally lose it!" She threw the pack into the shopping cart.
"Nope, not gonna happen. I'll keep my cool," I insisted, trailing her gently with the cart as she kept reading through labels and dropping the ones she felt she needed into the cart.
"Ha! Just wait till you see... what's that her name again? eh...Mercy Chinwo. You'll be the first one running for a selfie," my sister teased.
Mercy Chinwo is a top gospel music minister in my country and my favourite too.
I giggled while shaking my head. "Nah, I'll still be chill."
"It's alright. So, she's coming to Port Harcourt, my church precisely; there's a music concert; wanna come?" she chuckled.
By now, we were done with shopping and were heading back to the counter to pay.
“All this just to prove me wrong,” I laughed.
“No! Since you'll still be around, I just thought of taking you along.”
“Alright”
Deep down, I knew Mercy was my favourite Nigerian gospel musician, but yet I doubted if I would lose my mind when I met her, just as people at the far end of the mall were behaving just because they saw a celebrity.
A few days later, we sat in the church auditorium, the venue for the music concert. Already, there have been music performances by other gospel musicians invited to the concert, except Mercy.
“I guess they're saving the best for last,” I asked my sister, who was seated beside me.
“You're meaning Mercy Chinwo, right?” My sister returned my question with a question.
I nodded.
“I guess so too.”
As the concert progressed, I felt a pressing urge to use the restroom.
"Point me to the restroom. I need to pee," I muttered to my sister standing up.
“Come on, I'll show you. I think I need some fresh air too,” my sister replied, walking behind me.
Hastily, we made our way out of the auditorium.
Just in the dimly lit walkway, we spotted a familiar figure making her way into the church. It was Mercy Chinwo! I felt my jaw drop. My heart raced as if it wanted to leap out of my chest.
I froze in place, unable to believe my luck. The golden voice, Mercy Chinwo was right before me! My mind went blank as I stared, starstruck, at her radiant presence.
"Guy, are you okay?" My sister's voice jolted me back to reality as she nearly bumped into me.
I shook my head, trying to gather my wits and pretend like I wasn't starstruck. "Yeah, I'm fine." I replied, still frozen. At that point, I knew I couldn't pretend anymore. “I think I'll get some fresh air with you first," I stammered, my eyes still fixed on Mercy.
"You don't want to pee again?“ my sister mocked me. “The restroom is in that direction,” she added, pointing to a tiny cubicle on the far left.
I didn't reply. In fact, I paid no attention to what she was saying. Instead, I continued staring at Mercy, who was almost inside the church auditorium by now.
My sister chuckled, patting my shoulder. "You're such a fan. Go on, take a picture with her just like others are doing if you want." Walking past me, she giggled and said, “Who's starstruck now?”
Before I could even process her words, Mercy had disappeared into the church. I felt a pang of regret for not seizing the opportunity.
Throughout the rest of the concert, I couldn't shake off the feeling of awe and excitement. I may not have taken a picture with Mercy Chinwo, but the memory of seeing her up close and watching her sing live on stage will stay with me forever.