My name is Diana.
I love sunrises, sunsets, stars and the moon.
¾ of my gallery is occupied with such pictures.
I am at my friendās place, Kisus.
KIMMIE: Dee are you ready? They will be picking us in 15 minutes!
Kimmie calls excitedly from the bathroom mirror where she is doing her make up.
DIANA: Am ready when you are ready.
I donāt need to do anything really. I am a nerd, my life sounds boring and weird, I donāt do make up ( because I donāt know how to), I keep short hair,, I wear sweat pants and t-shirts most times.
KIMMIE: Girl! Look at you, you havenāt done your make up yet and they will be here anytime soon.
DIANA: uuhm, am okay, I donāt need to do make up really tonight.
KIMMIE: The theme tonight is black and denim, did you bring any party dresses or should I get you one?
DIANA: I have a denim jacket,, my pants and tee are black so I think Iāll just fit in.
KIMMIE: Diana get serious, no offense, you looking okay but itās the GENERATION BAND performing tonight! There will be lots of people at AJ ‘s tonight, you need to look a little girly just for me pleeease*
Kimmie is my childhood friend and I decided to visit her after she moved to Kisus. She knows I have always been a tomboy but this girl is so persuasive I canāt always say NO to her. I let her do my eye make-up and lipstick on condition that I donāt wear a dress.
KIMMIE: Look at your girlish side poppinā now. I wish you stopped hiding those curves in sweat pants.
DIANA: Lol, thanks Kim but you know am not wearing a dress tonight.
CLAUSE: Hey you! We should get going if at all Diana wants perfect pictures of the sunset before the GENERATION BAND arrive.
Clause and Chris are Kimmieās friends. We are going to AJ’s together and they just came to pick us.
KIMMIE: You two look good. So are you excited about tonight?
CLAUSE & CHRIS: Thank you.
CLAUSE: Actually, I think the GENERTION BAND is overrated haha. Whatās so good about them?
KIMMIE: Dude! Are you jealous? I actually saw on their IG, those men have been working out lately and Ben trimmed his beard.
CLAUSE: Told you Chris, these girls love the GENERATION BAND because of those men.
CHRIS: Diana say something, youāve been so quite. Is it only the looks?
Truth is I have always loved the GENERATION BAND. I have a major crush on Ben, one of the band members since my adolescent years.
DIANA: Give them a chance, listen to their lyrics without taking in the fact that they are hot and make your girls go crazy,,, you will love the band. Their music is amazing for sure.
CHRIS: Uh ok. Iāll give you my feedback after tonight.
They argue about who is better and stuff on our way to AJ’s. Am quiet most of the time but thank God it doesnāt take long before we get there.
I take my camera and we head to AJās backyard. The scenery is awesome and breathtaking.
There are a few people already there just chilling. The band goes live in one and half hours and thatās more than enough time for me to get enough pictures.
Kimmie, Clause and Chris let me take a few pictures of them and with them.
After a few minutes,, the sun is setting already but I have enough pictures.
People start flocking in and we have to get in to book our seats.
Kimmie is the complete opposite of me and thatās fine. She is popular and outgoing. She is able to fit in in any crowd without effort. I know sheās had a crush on Ben too because she talks about it all the time. I never let anyone know who I like and whatās going on in my life except my diary.
KIMMIE: Come sit at the high table Dee, that way you will be able to capture the best memories when they start singing.
I sit next to Kimmie just on time as they get on stage.
Did I mention I am a terrible singer? I swear I am but I know the lyrics word by word.
DIANA: Whoooah
I mistakenly sigh aloud the moment I see them. Everyone looks my may and somehow I manage to hide my face under the counter for a few minutes before they drift back their attention to the band.
KIMMIE: Dee what was that?
DIANA: Am sorry,,, I ā¦. I didnāt mean to.
I know I am a nerd but this was uncalled for.
People sing along to their music but although I know the lyrics word by word,,, I canāt open my mouth because I am terrible.
KIMMIE: You havenāt taken any photos Dee, are you okay?
DIANA: I.. I⦠uuumh I got distracted am sorry.
KIMMIE: Why are you sorry about everything tonight? You acting weird Diana
I know I am weird but right now I canāt think straight. I take my camera I focus the lens especially on Benā¦
KIMMIE: DIANA! What do we call that?
Kim calls me just right before I sink into my silly thoughts. Apparently I focused on Ben more than I should have without clicking. I could see the Abs clearly under his hugging Tee.. I have several photos of him shirtless from IG and he is just so close to me right now I wanna touch him.
The moment Kimmie called me, I clicked without second thoughts and fortunately I just had a PERFECT SHOT of Ben. Taking a closer glance, I realized Ben was looking at ME winking and smiling when I shot it.
I have a perfect idea.
DIANA: Hey Brian, how much for an A1 print out?
Brian is a professional photographer, he prints all my pictures of Ben. He is the only one who knows I got several pictures of Ben because he has been printing them for the last 4 years.
BRIAN: Lady Dee ( I have not seen Ben upload any photo really today that youād need an A1 board,,, Itās Ksh 8,000 though.
DIANA: Okay am sending you the money and the photo tonight, I want it ready by Monday.
BRIAN: Okay Maāam, I already want to know what photo that is.
I snub Brianās message. I didnāt realize my camera was on the table allowing every interested being take a glance at the photo I shot.
KIMMIE: Dee, am sorry I read your diary, I know you like Ben⦠do you want me to write him a note just in case?
DIANA: You are not mad I have a crush on Ben?
Am not even mad Kim read my diary,, am trying to make sure she is sincere she is not mad.
When we were young, we promised one another never to crush on the same guy. I think I liked Ben first but just didnāt tell Kim. I broke our sister code for crushing on him silently.
KIMMIE: I am not mad sis, I have seen the way to look at him tonight, I saw his posters all over your bedroom on our last video call, the way he made you act awkward tonight lol.
She pulls me into a tight hug and whispers something I donāt hear.
KIMMIE: This is your chance just say it Dee.
I see the MC approaching us with the microphone. It hits me Kimmie had called him and whispered what I have to say but didnāt hear it.
I donāt want to embarrass myself anymore tonight and I do the least expected⦠I run out. I can hear people laughing and booing but I donāt care. I need to get out of this place before I say something I will forever regret.
I sit at AJās backyard once again. This time staring at the moon.
I take my camera and try getting a nice picture in vain. I scroll to Benās photo, the one I took when they were performing.
My eyes are glued to it for what seems like forever. I plug in my headphones and start listening to their music.
Before I realize, I am singing out loud in my terrible voice. For a minute I imagine am alone in my room doing what I always do,,, (singing along and doing what in my mind seems like dancing,,, am terrible at it too)
I stumble on something but some strong arm grabs me by the shoulder before I can fall.
GUY: Hey you, be careful.
I pause my music before I turn to see whoever my life saver was.
Once again. I made I scene tonight, I was making noise (singing aloud) and that attracted their attention. I can hear people talking behind me, I know there are tens of people around, I can feel it but I donāt want to see them.
GUY: Wow! Thatās impressive. I launched that song one day ago and I didnāt expect anyone out here to know the lyrics that well.
Tell me am dreaming. I know this voice, I cannot mistaken it with anyoneās. It should be BEN but there is no way Ben would even talk to me let alone recognize me.
He is still holding me by my shoulder, I can take in the smell of his cologne.
DIANA: sorry
I say as I turn around. The first person I see in the crowd is Kimmie. She holds out my camera and smiles my direction mumbling the words āperfectā as she gestures towards the camera. I can see she has taken a picture of me and Ben! This is a dream come true and am no longer embarrassed about what happened tonight. I smile back at Kimmie. I love this girl, I always have and will never hide my secrets from her.
BEN: Seriously why are you sorry?
BEN: I am sincerely impressed.
DIANA: Uhhmm thanks.
BEN: We spending two days in town, do you mind if I buy you a drink tonight? Iād love to know how you crammed them lyrics in a day lol.
DIANA: uhhmm
BEN: Itās okay if you donāt want toā¦
DIANA: NO, YES. I mean yes Iād love to buy you the world,,, I mean drinks tonight and always. Uh sorry, the answer to your question is yes.
KIMMIE: Hey Dork, you will need this camera and spare keys.
Kimmie hands them to me and winks making this silly face I have seen several times before when she is about to sin intentionally.
For the first time tonight, am not embarrassed about making a fool of me. Ben leads me from the backyard and I canāt wait to experience what the rest of the night has in store for US(Me).