An Apology that Matters

 

She walked onto the stage to a thunderous applause. She stood in front of the mic and acknowledged the huge audience. She bent down, picked up the guitar and put its strap around her neck. The audience became silent in anticipation. She confidently strummed the guitar and they went berserk again. She walked up to the microphone, while gently strumming her guitar. The audience waited with baited breath. She recited,

 

“Behind the wall,

I lived all my life,

To emerge from there,

A lot I had to strive.

 

Along he came,

And held my hand,

We crushed the wall,

To rubble and sand.

 

Like a rising sun,

Steady, though slow,

I reach for the zenith,

With ever increasing glow.”

 

The moment she ended, the drums kicked in followed by the other instruments and the concert was on its way. This is Natalie, lead singer of the band RPS, which is an abbreviation of Rock Paper Scissor.

It wasn’t always this rosy for Natalie though. She had a torrid childhood. Her father earned a petty income. Often, he would come home drunk and beat them up. Scared, little Natalie would hide behind the wall between the living room and the dining area. This torture continues for many years before her mother couldn’t take it anymore. Natalie was ten, when her mother took her and walked out. The horrible memories continued to haunt her though.

Natalie grew up and though she tried to move over her past, she somehow never could. Her father’s beating had left scars, not just on her body but on her heart and soul as well. She lacked confidence and labelled herself an introvert. She found solace either when she was in her mother’s arms or when the guitar was in her arms. Time seized to exist for her when she was with her guitar. She would play the guitar for hours without realising, while creating mesmerising pieces of music.

 

When Natalie was sixteen, she started her YouTube channel by the name ‘Behind The Wall’, which became an instant hit. She never appeared in any of the videos but the quality of her music attracted millions of followers. Everyone wondered though, who was this girl behind the wall? It continued this way for years and her followers continue to grow. Natalie was now in college where she had ample of opportunity to portray her talent but fear and insecurity were a still major hindrance. She was terrified of facing a crowd and was too insecure to step up on a dais.

 

One day, Natalie’s mother was talking to the mother of Adrian, who was Natalie’s classmate. Adrian returned from college looking disgusted.

“What’s the matter Adrian?” Asked his mother.

“I don’t think our band will be able to take part in the intercollegiate competition mom.”

“Why is that?”

“We can’t seem to find a female member. Rules of competition state you need at least one female in the band.”

“I think I can help you there,” said Natalie’s mother.

“How?” asked Adrian.

“My daughter is very talented!”

“Natalie?” Adrian looked perplexed.

“Yes,” smiled her mother.

“She doesn’t talk to anyone aunty; how would we know. Do you have an audio or video of hers?”

Natalie’s mom took her phone out but then hesitated.

“What’s the matter?” Asked Adrian.

“You see, she’s had a rough childhood and hence prefers to stay alone. She hasn’t told anyone about her YouTube channel either.”

“She has a YouTube channel?” Adrian gaped.

“Yes, with ten million subscribers!”

“What!?” Adrian was shocked.

“Have you heard ‘Behind The Wall’?” She asked.

“Oh yes! She’s awesome!”

Natalie’s mother just smiled.

“No way!” Said Adrian. “That’s Natalie?”

“Sure is!” Replied her mother. “But you must promise not to tell her you know. She’ll lose faith in me. I told you about it so that you gain confidence in her abilities. You can take her in your band but you will have to do it very cautiously.”

“Don’t worry aunty, I’ll take care of that,” assured Adrian.

 

Adrian started to think of ways to convince Natalie to play. One day he told Natalie the teacher had asked to meet her in the music room. Adrian strategically placed a guitar in clear sight and hid in a corner. Of course, no teacher had called for Natalie. Natalie waited in the room for some time, but couldn’t control her instincts anymore. She checked to see if she was alone. Once she was sure, she picked up the guitar and started strummed gently. Adrian was gaping at her from his hideout. In a few minutes she started to sing, she had an angelic voice. Adrian came out from hiding. Natalie was stunned and stopped singing. She put the guitar started walking towards the exit. Adrian ran up to her.

“Natalie, wow!” He exclaimed. “You have such a lovely voice. Would you like to be a part of our band?”

“I’m sorry,” she replied. “I can’t.”

“You must Natalie, I insist.”

“I can’t perform for an audience. I sing for myself.”

“Ok, let’s do one thing, we are performing this weekend at the Nearby pub, why don’t you join us?”

“But I can’t perform.”

“Just be there, maybe you’ll get confidence by looking at us perform.”

“Okay,” agreed Natalie. “I’ll be there.”

 

So, she went to the pub where RPS were performing. She was a little awkward at the beginning but slowly began grooving to the music. RPS were a big hit at the pub and she enjoyed the music.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” announced Adrian. “For our last song of the evening, we have a surprise.”

Natalie sensed what was coming, she got nervous.

“We have here, Natalie, who we wish would be a part of RPS. She’ll sing the last song and I want you guys to help me convince her to join us!”

“Yeah,” the audience said and applauded while chanting Natalie’s name.

At first, she refused to come up on the stage. But Adrian walked down, took her hand and walked her to the mic.

“All yours Natalie,” he said handing the guitar over to her.

She stood there for a couple of minutes and then innocently asked, with the mic on, “what should I sing Adrian?”

The audience loved her innocence.

“Whatever you like Natalie, the stage is all yours!”

She strummed and started singing. She sang her most loved and viewed song ‘Behind The Wall’, after which she had named her YouTube channel. The music enthusiasts recognised her to be the singer of ‘Behind The Wall’. As the audience swayed to her song, some took videos and posted them on their social media pages. The videos went viral, as they were finally able to see the face that was always hidden.

 

That’s how it began for Natalie. From the night at the pub, to performing in college festivals to being identified by a record label, there was no looking back. She shed all the inhibitions she held about herself. Her first official album with the record company was called ‘Emerging From Behind The Wall’. Natalie, a timid child had overcome her fears, with the help of her mother and friends, to become a youth icon. As people came to know about her past, they loved and respected her even more. She became a poster child for the movement against domestic violence too. Natalie never looked back again, success after success, she climbed the ladder of fame to become one of the most popular celebrities of all time.