WHAT HAPPENED IN ROOM 203?
I tried to find out what happened in Room 203 but Room 203 happened to me.
I knew I’d injure myself one day, considering how I constantly jump from one social media app to another.
After a long day of doing long jumps between WhatsApp and X (Twitter) like an Olympic medalist, I landed on IG.
I'm not an IG girlie, but I came online that fateful night and saw Laolu's story, featuring a sound I couldn't ignore. And I am a music enthusiast so I was thrilled.
Laolu was reposting the story, so I followed it to Syntax, the creator's page, to explore. His top post featured a group of young people asking one question— "What happened in Room 203?"
That piqued my curiosity.
"What happened in Room 203? I've got to find out!" I thought.
That was when I heard the last speaker say, "There's a whole story about it. Find out." And so I did.
ROOM 203
I stood before the door, hesitant and excited, as lights blasted and sounds raved. They charged the ambiance with an era long before I was born.
The era when our mothers wore afro and our fathers rode bicycles. The good ol’ time when juju music turned people into wiggling maniacs.
I wanted to know what that time feels like. So, I pushed the door open and saw…
READ ME
I walked in and was immediately greeted by READ ME, a voice as sweet as rain on earth. It felt like a warm embrace, the kind of hug that lifts you up in the air and holds you tight.
When he finally put me down, he watered me down with a smile. Then, he ushered me in.
Inside, I discovered a whole new world. Birds whistled, and crystals in the caves resonated in a harmonious tune, making me realize I had entered Mother Nature's own garden.
The clear blue sky, home to the golden sun, proudly domed us. Yet, we felt free. The air was easier to breathe here.
I closed my eyes, and I could hear the gentle gathering of dew at the hollow of flower petals and leaves. I envisioned God molding His finest creature yet. And I could taste… heartbreak.
That was when I listened and heard something I can't put into words. All I can say is — Please, Ololufe, treat him better.
ADENIKE
The chapter opened with the scene where I met Adenike.
With her, I found myself dancing to the melody, whining my waist and shaking my head.
Under the reddened lights, her smirk made my head swim as if I were under the influence of alcohol. She reminded me of a love song, the kind where you propose to her.
It was fun, but when it came to an end, I realized that I hadn't truly met Adenike. What I encountered was just a mirage. Not Adenike. She had left before I even started this chapter.
Dear Adenike, do you regret leaving? You should have stayed.
CTRL
[Lights up]
This part of Room 203 was definitely out of control. It felt like I had intruded on a moonlit nightlife party.
I heard what seemed like a pair of strong arms beating a local drum. But it wasn't a drum; it was the beating of my heart... our hearts, collectively.
I twirled my waist until it almost touched the floor. Like everyone else, I was out of control, dancing to a warning.
It was a gorilla party but we were the jungle. The beat reverberated through our bones, shaking and turning us like we’re puppets with free will.
This was beyond fun but… Every twist I turned and every turn I twisted, I saw her face. The Adenike that I didn’t even meet.
[Lights fade]
STILL
I put on my glasses and saw a six-year-old waiting by a road. The road was so long that it stretched farther than the River Nile.
What could he be waiting for? What could be so important that he stood and camped there, weathering the harmattan dryness, rain, and sunny periods?
I was about to ask when a guitar solo, my favorite part, rocked in. It played gloriously, revealing what he was waiting for. He was waiting for her.
As I adjusted my glasses, he had become a grown man still waiting.
Dear singer, was it worth the wait?
Side note: If I ever slump tomorrow, just play "STILL" for me. If I don't wake up to vibe to it, then I'm truly gone—like God had called me home, thinking I was a cool person to have around and refused to let me go.
Only a being as powerful as God can keep my soul from the call of a sound as divine as "STILL." So, if you think I died tomorrow, play "STILL" for me. It would either ignite my dead heart back to life or accompany me to the great beyond.
SOMEBODY
Here, I misstepped and fell into a dream. I knew I was dreaming when I witnessed three beat switch-ups before hearing a voice.
The voice and the beat were mellow, blending perfectly. You could pour it into a glass, and I'd gulp the whole thing down.
Mmm! Better than the best fruity cocktail!
While savouring that fine taste, the voice gifted me something. The voice's monological wisdom is something every creative (everyone) should hear.
"SOMEBODY" is definitely about somebody. Who is she?
Room 203 isn't just a walk in the park; it's an experience. That's why I keep going back.
