CHAPTER 56
Hamza wore a wide smile, elated that his piano skill had reached level 3. His fingers were practically itching to play, eager to test the melodies swirling in his mind. However, with the darkness of the night and the lateness of the hour, he refrained from indulging his musical impulses and settled onto his bed, allowing sleep to embrace him.
Meanwhile, the muffled sound of Mathew's voice could be heard from a distance, engaged in a conversation. "Yes, boss, they've agreed to the twenty thousand U.S dollars as discussed earlier," he affirmed.
The man on the other end of the call wore a smirk, his confidence evident in the upward tilt of his voice. "Very well, seal the deal."
"Okay, boss, I'll keep you updated," Mathew responded, his smile masking the knowledge that his own share wouldn't be substantial. However, he remained intent on impressing the man on the phone before the line went silent.
Returning to his chat with Todd, Bruno Mars' agent, Mathew aimed to finalize the agreement and initiate the signing process along with the transaction for the song's funds.
"My artist has agreed to the price you offered," Mathew relayed to Todd.
Todd, reading Mathew's message, smiled before deciding to hold off informing Bruno Mars just yet. "Alright, I'll start drafting the contract for the song," he confirmed.
"Do you have a copy of the song's copyright?" Todd asked, ensuring all legal aspects were in place.
"Yes, of course, we have it. I'll send you a copy for reassurance," Mathew responded, prepared for the question.
"Great, I'll be waiting for that. Bye for now; I'll focus on the contract and get back to you," Todd said, ending their conversation.
With determination, Todd set out to draft the contract promptly, aiming to finalize the deal as swiftly as possible.
As the morning sun filtered through the curtains, Hamza embarked on his usual routine, relishing his breakfast with thoughts of the day ahead. It was Sunday, a perfect opportunity to test the newfound depth of his piano skill. Seated comfortably at the piano, he poised his hands above the keys, a song surfacing in his mind. A smile graced his face as his fingers danced effortlessly along the piano's ivory expanse.
"What would I do without your smart mouth?
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down
What's going on in that beautiful mind?
I'm on your magical mystery ride
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright"
Hamza's fingers graced the piano keys with an expert touch, each note a testament to his skill. His voice, tender and heartfelt, carried a depth of emotion as he sang, every word echoing his feelings. Amidst his performance, his mind was singularly focused on one person—Sofia. Despite the room's ambiance, his heart and soul were tuned to her presence, each melody a whispered tribute to their connection.
"My head's under water
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind"
"Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose, I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh-oh"
In the midst of this part, Hamza poured his heart into the song, reminiscing about the radiant expressions on Sofia's beautiful face. Every note he sang was a reflection of his profound love for her, an unspoken declaration of his feelings. He longed to express the depth of his love, wishing he could articulate how much she meant to him and the extent to which he was willing to go for her.
"How many times do I have to tell you?
Even when you're crying, you're beautiful too
The world is beating you down, I'm around through every mood
You're my downfall, you're my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can't stop singing, it's ringing in my head for you"
As Hamza poured his heart into the piano keys and his heartfelt singing, the door to his room stood open, allowing his music to spill into the hallway. In a momentary pause, his gaze shifted toward the doorway, where he found his family, all wearing warm smiles. Undeterred, he continued to play, each note an expression of his deep emotions for the girl he loved, the music speaking volumes where words fell short.
"My head's under water
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind"
As Hamza played the piano with heartfelt dedication, a look of surprise dawned on Hafsat's face, struck by the stark contrast from the last time she heard him play. She recalled his previous attempts, characterized by a touch of clumsiness despite his genuine effort. Now, the difference was undeniable; she could sense the transformation in his skill and delivery, witnessing a remarkable improvement in how confidently and skillfully he commanded the piano.
"Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose, I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh-oh
Give me all of you, oh."
"Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts
Risking it all, though it's hard"
"Adekunle and Hafsat sat entwined, a serene smile adorning their faces, visibly moved by the depth of emotion Hamza conveyed through his music. It seemed the Heart Harmonizer had its enchanting effect. Meanwhile, Zara's gaze remained fixed on her brother throughout the performance, an unbroken connection as she watched him play. Love and pride radiated from her eyes, a testament to the deep affection she held for her brother.
"'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose, I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you"
"Amidst a whirlwind of emotions in his heart, Hamza flashed a warm smile at his family. With a mix of joy and love in his heart, he let his fingers grace the keys, albeit with a touch of clumsiness. Yet, the soft, slow tune he played seemed to work its magic, drawing smiles on the faces of his family members, evoking a sense of happiness and contentment in the room.
"I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh-oh"
As the song gently approached its end, the tempo slowed, but the room remained immersed in an aura of love. Hamza, guided by emotions, played and sang the final note with an overflow of heartfelt affection. The air seemed pregnant with emotions even after the last note faded, and in response, a round of applause echoed, a collective appreciation for the heartfelt performance.
*CLAP*CLAP*CLAP*
The sound of applause filled the room as Hamza's family applauded him, his face adorned with a wide smile. Zara, walking toward Hamza, expressed her admiration, "You sounded so good and loving." She then questioned, "Was the song you sang for me?" Her eyes reflected the deep affection she held for her brother.
Hamza, caught off guard by the question, stumbled over his words, "Uh, well…" He paused, reorganizing his thoughts, finally managing to say, "Ah, of course, it's for you, my lovely sister," after struggling to find the right words. However, Zara's expression hinted at doubt regarding her brother's response.
Adekunle and Hafsah, noticing Hamza's unease, chuckled knowingly. They could sense there might be someone special behind the song, considering the heartfelt emotions Hamza had poured into it. To rescue Hamza from his predicament, Hafsah intervened, "Of course, Zara, your brother definitely sang the song for you."
Zara, reassured by Hafsah's words, believed it and hugged her brother, saying, "I love you, Brother Hamza."
Hamza, aware of the lie but not wanting to upset his sister, responded with a smile, "I love you more, Zara," silently thanking Hafsah with a glance, met by a chuckle between them.
Hafsah was curious about Hamza's sudden improvement and asked, "How come you've improved so much in just a day?" She was nearly certain that Hamza couldn't play the piano this well just the day before and wanted to know the reason behind the sudden skill.
Hamza, taken aback by the question, was surprised that Hafsah had noticed his improvement. He looked at her with a mix of shock and curiosity, then responded, "I really don’t know how, but when I woke up this morning, things just became clear to me, probably due to David's teaching." It was the best excuse he could come up with on the spot.
"Oh, okay. That’s very good to hear. Keep up the good work," Hafsah replied, equally surprised but feeling a hint of skepticism about Hamza's explanation.
Adekunle, breaking the silence, praised Hamza's performance, saying, "That was a really wonderful performance, Hamza. As my lovely wife said, keep up the good work. I trust you’ll be the next superstar." His encouragement made Hamza grateful and he responded with a slight bow, expressing his gratitude.
"Thank you very much, sir. Thank you, ma’am," Hamza said, showing his appreciation before turning to Hafsah with another question. "Ma’am, have you played the piano before?"
Hafsah was taken aback by the question but didn't immediately respond. Instead, she asked, "Why did you ask?"
Hamza then explained why he asked about her piano-playing history, "David mentioned that if someone plays the piano often, they would have a certain mark on their fingers. I noticed it on yours, so I was curious."
Hafsah, with a sad expression, admitted, "Yes, I played the piano," hinting that the topic might not bring back happy memories for her.
Sensing Hafsah's discomfort, Hamza decided to change the subject, diverting attention to lunch. "Okay then, what are we having for lunch? I'm famished," he said, trying to ease the tension. Adekunle and Hafsah played along, smiling, noticing Hamza's effort to shift the conversation.
However, Hamza was still curious about Hafsah's piano skills and remembered his unique skill. He thought silently to himself, "Status checker," and glanced towards Hafsah, revealing:
[Hafsah Adekunle]
[Piano Level: Intermediate 8]