THE BATTLES

"Now Coach Ezioma, it's time for you to make the big decision. Which of the contestants that performed tonight would be going straight to the battles and which would be going home from here?" Nkem threw the ten million Naira question at me. I quickly blew out my cheeks, then released. I ran my hand through my hair and exhaled deeply. "Ehm, this is a tough one," I muttered under my breath. Then, I tilted my head to the side and bit my upper lip. Indeed, I was almost drowning in the ocean of confusion and God knows my swimming skills are appalling.

I glanced around, as if seeking out different handwritings on the wall that'd convey the message I needed the most, but I saw none. Instead, I saw the beautiful Nkem, holding the sleek microphone and my eyes fell on "THE VOICE NIGERIA" boldly inscribed on its body. Yes, I was a judge in the most prominent Nigerian TV show (THE VOICE NIGERIA).

Nkem the presenter, was smiling ravishingly and looking stunning as always. She was clad in deep plunging neckline metallic shirt, paired with a blue skirt with a thigh high slit. She accessorized with a gorgeous pair of high heeled sandals from Dolce & Gabbana. Standing between Uduak and Chideziri, the two elegant contestants in my team, she urged me to pick the best out of the duo.

Uduak and Chideziri were not left out in the glamor. The former stepped on the stage looking chic and exuding a floral scented aura. She was adorned in a crop top, baggy pants and a kimono and she paired her look with black boots. While Chideziri on the other hand, wore a pink monochrome two-piece. The peplum worked wonders for her body and she accessorized with a pair of black pumps, simple earrings and a very dope hair do. My gaze ping-ponged between the duo and noticed Uduak's unsteady stance. She crossed and uncrossed her hands rapidly and then closed her eyes, as if to send the unsolicited tears sent by nerves, back to where they belonged.

Meanwhile, Chideziri appeared quite calm for someone whose destiny (at the time) laid in my hands. She maintained a strong posture; shoulders back, chest out and chin high. Still wearing the same captivating smile she wore on her auditions, she formed a steeple with her fingertips.

I gaped at my fellow coaches ; Foluke and Osas and Dalu, they were excited and anxious to know my decision.

"Foluke, so this is how you felt last week?" I asked my colleague who chortled. "My sister, it was a cumbersome dilemma. I had to make the toughest decision of my life. Do you know I nearly cried when I sent Otito home? She was such a darling and I was in love with the texture of her voice. But what to do?" She spread her hands and shook her head, as if physically showing her regrets would bring the unfortunate contestant back.

I was fiercely plunged into the abyss of thought. "Whom should I pick and why?" I continously asked myself. I opened my mouth to talk, but shut them immediately, as I struggled to find the right words.

"It seems Coach Ezioma is having a hard time making this decision. Therefore, we'd go for a commercial break and when we're back, we'd watch a brief recap of the amazing performances by our two talented contestants. Let's give it up for Uduak and Chideziri!" Nkem who was my saving grace, put me out of my misery. I heaved a sigh of relief, Alas! I'd have some time to think.

*

Uduak adjusted her outfit as she prepared to take the stage. Her legs wobbled beneath her shiny baggy pants as she walked that walk that'd somersault her to either greatness or home. The makeup did a satisfying job hiding her blushing beneath, a blanket of white and starlight. She heard the chunk and I guess her heart skipped a beat as the spotlights came on. The squeak of the wheels made her jerk, as the curtain pulled open. I could literally watch fear grab her from behind, as she took her first tentative steps on the stage.

However, the moment she opened her mouth and flexed her vocal cord, her fears melted and vanished into thin air. The words rolled off her lips as though she had known them her whole life. The coaches sat mystified by her angelic voice as she sang the words of the song that would forever send me the chills. It was "Goodbye" by Rihanna.

"I'd write a note and tear it up

There are no words that could say enough

I know I'm gonna hurt you when l walk out that door

But I swear it's gonna hurt me even more..." She sang sweetly.

I let out a tear that has been struggling to break free from my face box. The song flung me down the memory lane and I remembered the last day I saw Eche. The song was playing on the background when he approached me in slow motion, hugged me, handed me the divorce papers and whispered; "Let's get a divorce, I can't do this no more." Uduak sang that song beautifully and triggered all the emotions in me.

When I stared at her, I didn't see Uduak no more, I saw a star, she'd been replaced by Rihanna. She made the song hers and sang passionately. Holding the mic dearly to her, she shut her eyes and sang out her soul, thick veins popping on her head and neck and sweat engulfing her whole being. My essence was plunged into the sea of goosebumps as I listened in awe, mouth agape. I hurriedly left my seat and engaged her in a warm embrace, immediately she dropped the mic and turned to face us. I really loved her song choice and the way she interpreted it. Then, it was time for the second contestant to perform.

*

Chideziri strode into the stage with the swagger of a super star. She sparkled with glitters all over her ebony skin, coiffed and spruce. She stood like a model, her left hand on her waist and on her right, the mic relaxed firmly, while she waited for the spotlight and the buzzer. The buzzer beeped as the spotlight came on. Then, she fiercely stripped herself of Chideziri and wore a whole new regalia (Music cloak). She sang "Try me" by Tems and I gave out a small yelp as soon as the sound of her voice hit my auditory nerves.

"So why you wanna try me, yeah, try me

You out to destroy me, destroy me

You try to challenge me, challenge me

You try to distract me, distract me..." She sang powerfully.

The texture of her voice was yummy, I could feel it going smoothly down my throat, like the yogurt I drank the previous day. I placed both my hands on my chest, fingers splayed out, then suddenly squealed dramatically,

"Damn! This is surreal!" She sang in a yodel, a powerful crescendo and diminuendo. I glanced to see if others were experiencing the same thing and they were. They were as starstruck as I was, I even saw Dalu blowing kisses at Chideziri and screaming "You go girl!"

Chideziri drove every single one of us to Santorini and back. My eyes widened and I suddenly became still, while sucking quick breaths. Her stage performance was spectacular, she literally owned the stage like it was hers. She'd bend, sway her hips to this side and that with a heavy balance and she controlled the stage, like she was born for it. Soon, she warbled, like a bird chirping melodiously and I couldn't help but wonder how she did that. How she was able to switch notes, to fluctuate rapidly between the normal chest voice and falsetto. This is the "false" (singing) voice in any human, usually airy and lacking a purity of vowels; created by utilizing the next highest vocal folds above those used for speech and normal range singing.

If Chideziri could pull it off effortlessly, then she deserved a standing, clapping and screaming ovation. It was as if Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Nicki Minaj were all performing at the same time through her. I never wanted for her to be done, so I could keep drinking from the river of euphoria her voice was swimming in. However, she soon concluded and I, having long lost control over myself, bounced from foot to foot. Whatever it was that possessed me through her voice incited screams of "Wow! Wow! Wow!" from me, like I was some sort of an ambulance.

*******

"Coach Ezioma, please make your decision now. Who is going straight to the battles and who is going home? Would Uduak make it to the battles or would it be Chideziri?" Nkem asked the final time. From her voice, I could sense she was convinced I had made up my mind, but had I?

"My beautiful and amazing superstars, Uduak and Chideziri." I started, beaming with a beautiful smile which radiates like the sun. I paused and threw a quick glance at them and continued. "I have never been more proud of being a coach in my life." I honestly connected to your songs, the vocals, the textures. Uduak, when you sang, I was mesmerized. You transformed before me, I saw a Rihanna version of you singing passionately and immediately, I knew this was it. I am convinced you're a superstar and baby girl, I need you to strip yourself of fear. It has no place in you, clad yourself in confidence always, the sky is just your starting point. I love you my darling and I heart you big time."

I watched her exhale in resignation and a clapping ovation from the coaches ensued. When the clapping died down, I continued. "Chideziri my sweetheart, please how did you hit that note at the ending? I'm serious, you modified that song and killed every single line of it. You personalized it even more than the original artiste and to be fair, I thought that song was made for you. I've told you before and I'm telling you again. You're a star, you're the best, baby girl, you're made for this. Music is what you should be doing, I see you winning a Grammy's and I strongly believe in you."

She smiled and blew a kiss that meant, "I love you right back." The coaches clapped and hailed her and when the stir subsided, the light flickered. The atmosphere became tense as that was the moment of reckoning, everyone has been eagerly waiting for.

I cleared my throat, wore my imaginary wig and held my hammer of judgment. Then I gave out my final verdict, I had ultimately made up my mind.

"For every competition, a winner must emerge. Though you both are winners and I'd love to take you straight to the battles, but my hands are tied. I can only go for one person and this has to be the toughest decision I'd forever make." I paused and bit my upper lip, inhaled deeply, then exhaled and continued. "Uduak you're the best singer in this world no doubt, but Chideziri, I'm sorry I'd have to send you straight to the BATTLES!" I squealed in pure delight. Chideziri simply slumped to the floor and the tears flowed down her cheeks like the August rainfall, she couldn't believe she won, but she did.