Chapter 5 HARMONY CENTER
Saturday arrived with crisp autumn air and a sky streaked with soft sunlight . Ruth stepped out of her car in front of the harmony center, a modest brick building nestled between a community park and a row of aging shops. The scent of fresh- cut grass and distant laughter from kids playing nearby filled the air.
This wasn't the polished glamour she used is to. There was no valets, no marble lobbies,no flashing cameras. And yet, something about the place felt more alive- more graduated- than any Gala or ballroom she did attended. She wasn't really after the beauty of the place or hall or the glamour. This was absolutely different from the platform that she had attended. Harmony Center was a place where destinies and purpose are discovered, transformed, sharpened and refixed.
Hayden was committed in this vision of bringing teen's together, making their dream music career a reality. He was more focused on this job than anything else. The teens also cooperated with him, the teens also the platform of harnessing their potentials. A lot of teens have discovered their purpose here, a lot of teen have found their foot in life, a lot of them have been able to do what they could not do before. So. it was far better than any social gathering she had attended.
She adjusted her bag on the shoulder and took a deep breathe before walking inside. She was already beautifully dressed, she wanted to enter with confidence and boldness.
The hallway wall were painted in murals- colorful scenes of music, community and dream. At the far end of the corridor, she heard the low strumming of a guitar and voices raised in off- key harmony. She followed the sound. This was truly the first time she was appearing in programs like this. This kind of programs were the list in her schedule. But what made this program a special was Heyden Cole.
Hayden Cole stood at the front of a small stage in the main room, surrounded by a semi- circle of teens holding mute books and instruments. He looked up mid-chord and smiled,you made it," he said , setting the guitar inside and walking over.
" I said I would", Ruth replied, returning the smile. Her nerves eased with his calm presence.
Hayden said", I hope we didn't bother your busy day",.
Ruth replied,"No, you didn't, I am excited to be here".
The teens took notice. A few whispered excitedly, nudging each other. Hayden turned to the group. "Everyone, this is Ruth Maxwell- she's the reason we've got new instruments this year"." She's also the daughter of Mr Maxwell Kelvin, the founder of the foundation. They have done a lot, they have brought light to the dark hopes of the teens".
One girl raised her hand,"Are you like famous"?
Ruth laughed gently."Not really, I just care about programs like this". I love attending programs like this because it gives ample opportunity to meet with great destinies and great minds. Am more than excited to be here. " she concluded".
Another student chimed in,"you are really pretty, like a movie star".
"Thank you", Ruth replied blushing.
"But I came to see what you all do here".
Hayden clapped his hands. "Alright, team let's show her".
The next hour was filled with energy, music, laughter. Ruth sat in front raw watching performances that ranged from awkward to awe-inspiring. Hayden was a natural-guiding, encouraging, pushing them with care but firmness. Truly, Hayden is doing something unique in the life of the teens. It is not quite easy to mentor, coach, instruct, and bring out the best from these teens. Kudos to Hayden, "she saidquietly to herself".
After a soulful rap about self-worth, Ruth found herself wiping a tear. The boy performing , Marcus, looked surprised by the applause.
"You wrote that"? She asked
He nodded shyly."Hayden helped me out. I didn't think I could do something like that".
A girl came up next to perform by name Chelsea. She performed absolutely well with her fingers playing the guitar. The atmosphere was something else when she played. Everyone was surprised at her great performance.
"Ruth said, " wow, I am proud of you, Chelsea".
"Thank you, miss Ruth".
Later, during the break, Hayden handed her a bottle of water and led her outside to a picnic bench.
"So, he said," still thinking this id just charity work"?
She shooked her head. "No,its much more than that. This is ….hope in motion. He looked at her for a very long moment. "Why did you come"?
She hesitated", because I needed to see something real".
"I needed to see young talents display their gifts, she concluded".
He nodded, thoughtful, "And did you"?
" I did".
They both sat in companionable silence as the wind rustled through the trees. Inside the teens resumed their jam session, voices rising in rythmn that was messy, raw and beautiful.
Ruth glanced at Hayden", would it be okay if I come again"?
He smiled, you are always most welcomed".
Before she left , several of the students gathered around her. They asked questions about her life, her favorite must, even if she could set a small trip to a local music studio. She promised to.
One girl whose name was Talk quietly handed Ruth a crumpled sheet of paper. It's a poem I wrote.
" you said you love real things".
Another girl whose name is Taiwan also handed Ruth a short song she wrote.
Ruth unfolded them in her car and read the poem before she started the engine. It was raw and beautiful, about loneliness and dreams. She folded it gently and placed it in her bag. She also unfolded the short song written by Tiwan. She went through the song and wept silently. She was touched by the song written by the little girl.
As she drove home, the city lights blinking to life around her, Ruth felt something unfamiliar-a quiet joy. Ruth pondered why she hasn't met Hayden all this while. Her meeting with him made her feel complete and joyful. She always hoped to see him every time. She recounted many occasions, when she met some classy and rich men, she would always return home angry, rejected, abandoned. Truly, she has gotten to know that money isn't everything. There are things money cannot buy or get. Each time she was with Hayden, she feels totally different from the way she felt for others.
Because for once, her heart was leading- and it was finally headed somewhere real.
She got home almost late at night. She spent few minutes remembering all that happened at the Harmony center. She was gradually building a stronger connection with Hayden and the teens. The love she has for Hayden is gradually getting visible and concrete. No man has caught her attention in this way for a very long time.
She believes the future will be bright for her and Hayden.