The night was unusually quiet, except for the soft hum of the television echoing in the living room. The fluorescent light in the hallway flickered faintly, but inside the parlor, the glow of the large flat-screen TV painted Chisom's eager face with shifting shades of color. She sat cross-legged on the sofa, eyes wide and unblinking, fingers nervously clasping a throw pillow she hugged tightly against her chest.
The award show had been going on for hours, but this was the moment she'd been waiting for—the announcement of the Best Actor of the Year. Her heart thumped, her breath shallow with anticipation. Every year, she watched this particular award show, but this year was different. This year, David Isaac, the man who filled her dreams, the man whose movies she watched repeatedly without getting bored, was nominated. In her mind, no one deserved that award more than him.
The sound of the front door creaking open startled her slightly. She didn't need to turn; she already knew who it was.
"Chisom," her elder sister, Daniella's voice echoed softly as she stepped into the living room, "you're still awake? At this hour?"
Chisom's lips curved into a playful grin. She didn't even glance away from the screen as she replied, "Yes, I'm waiting for the most important moment of the night. Come, sit down and watch with me."
Daniella chuckled lightly, placing her bag on a nearby chair before settling down beside her sister. "What's so interesting that you can't just sleep like every normal human being?"
Chisom turned, her face bright with excitement, eyes shimmering like stars. "What's interesting? Sis, don't you know? They're about to announce the Best Actor of the Year. My heart is telling me that my romantic, cute, light-skinned guy is going to win tonight."
Daniella raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess... David Isaac?"
Chisom giggled, nodding enthusiastically. "Who else?"
Daniella shook her head, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. "This your crush on David Isaac ehn... you'd better not let Dad catch you awake by this time. You know how he feels about staying up late on a school night."
"I know, I know," Chisom waved her off, eyes darting back to the screen, "but tonight is special. I can't miss this for anything."
On the television, the MC stood center stage, holding the microphone with poise and a dramatic flair, while the envelope containing the winner's name sat delicately in his hand. The camera zoomed in, the tension palpable even through the screen.
"And now," the MC's voice boomed, "the moment we've all been waiting for... the Best Actor of the Year goes to..."
A deliberate pause. Chisom's grip on her pillow tightened. Daniella leaned forward slightly, caught up in the suspense despite herself.
"David Isaac!"
Chisom screamed. A loud, shrill, uninhibited scream of pure joy erupted from her lips. She jumped off the couch, both fists thrown in the air.
"I told you! I told you, Daniella!" she squealed, bouncing excitedly. "I said it! I knew he would win!"
Daniella winced, waving her hands frantically. "Shhh! Lower your voice! Do you want to wake the whole neighborhood? If Dad hears this, you're finished!"
But Chisom didn't care. The elation bubbling within her couldn't be tamed. She spun around, clapping her hands and beaming with pride as if she herself had won the award.
"Oh my God! He did it!" she kept repeating, her face glowing.
A stern, familiar voice rang from the hallway, stopping her mid-celebration.
"Chisom! Daniella! What is going on here? Why are you both still awake?" It was their mother.
Daniella shot Chisom a warning glare. "I told you!"
Chisom bit her lower lip, trying to contain her excitement as their mother appeared in the living room doorway, her hair wrapped in a scarf, eyes sleepy but sharp with maternal authority.
"Why is the television still on? Don't you both know tomorrow is Monday? Chisom, you have school. Daniella, why are you encouraging this?"
"Mummy, I wasn't—" Daniella tried to explain, but their mother waved her off.
"Off that TV and go to bed now," she commanded.
Chisom pouted but didn't argue. "Okay, Mum," she said softly.
Satisfied, their mother turned and walked back to her bedroom, grumbling about girls and their obsession with movies.
As the hallway darkened again, Daniella sighed and stood up. "I told you not to scream."
"But... but he won," Chisom whispered, almost defensively.
"Good for him," Daniella retorted, stretching. "Anyway, I'm going to bed before Mum comes back again."
Chisom reached for the TV remote and quickly lowered the volume instead of turning it off completely. She wasn't ready to miss David Isaac's acceptance speech.
"Just watch quietly then," Daniella muttered as she headed to her room. "If Dad wakes up, that's your business."
Chisom chuckled under her breath, moving closer to the television, sitting directly in front of it as though proximity would make her feel closer to the man on the screen.
David Isaac stood on stage, wearing a perfectly tailored black suit, his light skin glowing under the stage lights. His smile was warm, his eyes sincere as he took the microphone.
"I really want to thank you all," David began, his voice smooth and captivating, "to my fans who believe in me, to my family for their unwavering support, and to God Almighty who makes all things possible. Thank you for this honor. I will keep making you proud."
Then he chuckled lightly, raised his hand, and blew a kiss to the crowd.
Chisom clutched her chest dramatically. "Awnnnn! So cute... my gosh, his lips," she whispered to herself, swooning. She could barely breathe as her mind conjured vivid imaginations of what it would be like to meet him, to stand close enough to hear his heartbeat.
"One day," she whispered to herself, eyes misty with dreamy hope, "one day, I'll meet you in person. And you'll see me. You'll know I'm the one."
The program ended, and Chisom sat still for a few seconds, reluctant to move. She didn't want the feeling to fade. Slowly, she picked up the remote and turned off the TV. The room was instantly bathed in darkness, save for the soft glow from the hallway nightlight.
She stood up, stretched her arms, and let out a deep sigh, still smiling.
As she padded softly to her bedroom, she paused by the door, glancing one last time at the now-dark screen.
"I'll meet you, David Isaac. That's a promise."
Inside the room, Daniella was already lying down, the bedsheet pulled up to her chest, her breathing steady but light, indicating she wasn't fully asleep yet.
"Welcome, Miss," Daniella muttered without opening her eyes.
Chisom chuckled. "You're still awake?"
"I was waiting for you to come lead the prayer," Daniella responded.
Chisom laughed. "Me? Lead the prayer? Okay, okay, no problem."
They knelt by the bedside, Chisom leading a brief but sincere prayer, asking for a peaceful night's rest and success in their studies.
After the prayer, Daniella settled deeper into her pillow. "Goodnight, Chi."
"Goodnight, Sis."
But Chisom didn't lie down immediately. She hugged her pillow, eyes open, mind still replaying David Isaac's speech, his smile, that kiss he blew into the audience. She smiled to herself, shaking her head.
"Soon," she whispered to the pillow, "I'll be the girl standing beside you."
Daniella, half-asleep, chuckled. "You're really gone with this your celebrity crush."
Chisom only smiled wider, finally lying down. The room grew quiet, but inside Chisom's heart, fireworks still went off.
For the first time that night, she didn't feel like the dream of meeting David Isaac was impossible. Somehow, someway, she believed fate had something special in store for her.
As sleep gently claimed her, the last thing on her mind was the image of David Isaac's bright smile and those soft, pink lips.
And in her dreams, she ran into his arms, as if the universe was already conspiring to make her fantasy come true