Chapter 9 The Pearl from The East
Lisa woke up early the following morning and took her son to the examination hall. She made him memorize the model answers Neil had written when he got back last night. She also told her husband, but Shawn did not believe her. He said Neil was clutching at straws and trying to live in the countryside as a city boy. He thought it was all nonsense.
Even the teachers in the town had a difficult time predicting the questions. So, how could he believe an outsider like Neil?
Lisa half believed and half doubted it. She paced around outside the examination hall as she waited.
The first exam finished at eleven–thirty.
Tyler rushed out, lobbed his arms around Lisa’s neck, and shouted, “Mom! The question came
out!”
Lisa hushed him and said, “Be quiet. Don’t raise your voice. Tell me properly.”
“The essay question was as you said. Although there was a little difference between the two comprehension questions, it’s basically the same. I answered it according to the answer I memorized. I should be able to score well!”
“That’s great!” Lisa pressed a hand to her heart.
“Mom, math is my strong point. Don’t worry. Just wait! I’ll get into a good university!” Shawn exclaimed.
Lisa was so touched she started to tear up.
I can’t believe Neil predicted the questions. He gave us the best model answers, but he won’t be doing the marking. I must show my gratitude for him no matter what the results are.
Lisa hurried home and relayed the events to her husband.
Shawn felt weird when he heard it, but he was a just man. Since Neil had helped his son, he would also give him a hand.
“I’ll make a call. Tell Neil to get ready.”
Shawn called the people in charge of the competition. He told them to let Neil back into the competition, stating that his original song ‘Dracorea the Beautiful‘ would shine a light on their
town.
Thus, Neil got back his rightful place and privilege!
Neil departed for Remmington on the tenth.
Neil felt a sense of nostalgia while on the bus, looking toward the city’s landscape.
This was where I grew up! And where I met Ancira.
He hadn’t been back since his father committed suicide by drinking pesticide. He had even avoided Remmington during his tours in his past life when he was famous. This place held too many dark memories for Neil.
Since I have another chance in life, I should do right my wrongs! I shouldn’t escape!
Neil got off the bus and entered the inn where the competition would be held. The organizing committee did not arrange accommodation or food for the participants; they had to foot their own bill. Neil held in all in, in exchange for fame.
Neil went to the theater in the afternoon for rehearsals. He went through the whole rehearsal with a bowed head. Although he was good–looking, he was dressed in cheap brands. The workers there constantly side–eyed him as they knew he was from a small town.
I need to hold it in! I know I’m suffering from their attitude because I have no status.
The participants entered the hall at seven in the evening.
The competition was pre–recorded, so Neil had to try his best to get as much screen time as possible.
”
“Where’s your backing track?” A staff member came to ask him.
During the rehearsal in the afternoon, Neil noted the instruments in the theater. There was a piano, a guitar, drums, and other instruments. It was prepared for the participants and guest performers to use.
“I don’t have one. I will play the piano,” Neil answered with respect.
The staff scoffed and warned, “That’s brave of you. It’s very easy to make mistakes when playing and singing simultaneously. How about you prepare a track? It would be better for your performance.”
It was a cutting statement, but it made sense. Neil did not mind. He was adamant about playing his own music.
The staff caved in and registered him.
The competition began. It started with greetings from the emcee and the people in charge. They
welcomed the participants to Armoa and spoke some exuberant words.
Next was the opening act by a guest performer. The singer, Liam Channing, sang ‘Armoa, My Dream‘. He was a second–rate singer but had gotten popular recently.
It was difficult to invite a top–rate singer to a district competition as such.
The participants were all talented as they were winners of each of their town’s competitions.
Aneira must be thinking of me! Neil thought as he clutched his number.
I must win this competition!
Last night, Aneira had behaved unusually and cooked many dishes that were good for the throat. This morning, she prepared some snacks for him to have on the way. He could feel her hostility. toward him decreasing.
The host suddenly announced while Neil was deep in his thoughts, “Next up is number eight! Neil Grant from Cloubury! He will be presenting an original song, “The Pearl from the East“.”
Neil entered the stage. The crowd before him was a black mass. Occasionally, there would be flashes of light from the cameras pointing at him. The stage lights were bright and warm.
Neil breathed slowly and composed himself.
I’m a performer in my precious life. I’ve performed in venues bigger than this. What is there to be scared of?
All that mattered to him right now was not to let Aneira down.
He sat in front of the piano, and the stagehands arranged a microphone stand for him.
The audience started to discuss.
“Is he going to sing and play at the same time?”
“He must be good. It’s hard enough to sing live, but he’s going to play an instrument, too?”
“I’ve seen him during the competition in Cloubury. He’s very good. His self–composed songs are really nice.”
“He has the appearance of a star. I wonder how well he sings.”
Neil’s fingers started moving across the piano keys, and a warm melody flowed through the
venue.
The instrumentals sounded quite bare with just the piano. However, Neil was the only one among the participants singing and playing an instrument simultaneously. It attracted many people in
the audience.
Neil started singing into the microphone in a deep voice.
“The stream flows to the south
Let’s run to Armoa to mull
My love, the pearl of the east
Your beauty shines romantically.
The moon enters the harbor
Streetlights shine bright in the night
Deep in slumber, the pearl from the east
Keeping the promise of the land and seas.”
The voices of discussion slowly ceased when Neil started singing. The music was soothing and warm, and the lyrics were romantic and gentle, like a whisper from a lover. The audience. concurred Neil was brave to liken Armoa to a pearl in the east and symbolize it as a lover. It expressed the yearning of Armoa’s citizens wanting to return home!
The citizens had all watched the sacred ceremony broadcasted on the first of July. This song ignited the patriotism within them!
The following chorus stunned them even more. Neil sang from the bottom of his heart, expressing the hopes of the nation.
“Let the wind rage five thousand years
Every drop of tear shed for your poise
I’ll protect you with the waves
Never forget my unchanging face.”
This was composed by the godfather of music, David Loewe. It was his masterpiece.
Neil used a soft pentatonic scale during the verse to create a romantic yet classical melody. He used a sample from David Loewe for the chorus, which was opposite to his verse. It was a magnificent contrast to his verse.
The audience was not versed in the arts and could not tell the intricacy that went into the song’s composition. However, they knew the music was nice and resonated within their hearts. There
was no doubt about that!
When Neil finished presenting, the theater erupted in unending applause.
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