Bola was tired and bored.
Weddings were currently the bane of her existence. She might have been relieved as the ceremony drew to the climax but she had to suffer through a similar fate the next weekend. If only Nigerian weddings were not so complicated. One wedding was exhausting, two was chaos.
She had woken up very early that morning, way too early in her opinion. As best friend to Toni Okafor and designated bridesmaid (the rest were younger female family members and two other friends), it was required for her to be present at the house a day before. They had all woken up at the crack of dawn to help in the remaining preparations. Bola didn't even bother to understand the logic or reasoning behind it. They had caterers and an event planner, but no, they wanted to be hands on.
She snorted as she remembered her mom's speech as she rounded them up.
"All these things that you are running from, it's your opportunity to learn and bond with family. One day you will come and tell me that you want to get married. I will see where you will run to."
Her mother had pointed at her, her body encased in a an Ankara Kaftan, looking very much her age.
The noise from around the room brought her back to the present. They were about to dance out for the bridal introduction, the part she loathed with all her might. She wished they could do something simple or not participate at all.
Her gaze landed on her parents. They sat by Toni's parents, huge smiles on their faces. She could imagine the topic for their next conversation: When was she getting married? Something she wasn't ready for. She'd already gotten comments from a lot of people.
"Bola, you're so beautiful today. Don't worry, you will meet your husband today.
"Ada kpekem, when will we do your own now? You're not getting any younger."
And her personal favourite, "Our oil well! One day you will nab fine man."
Oil well?? Like she was some sort of commodity to be distributed around. And it was so annoying when they did that in public and everyone smiled like it was some special endearment.
She thought of the book she had left behind at home. Barbara Delinsky's 'Blueprints' sure beat this by far. She just wanted to go home.
The music started and the women in front assumed their dance positions and moved to the music. It was time to dance.
____________________
Bola watched the proceedings from her perch on the front balcony. Her gaze roving round the front yard. The whole thing reminded her of a circus. Canopies were set up around the yard, Flavours' 'Ada' blaring through the speakers. Teal, peach and navy blue ribbons adorned the walls and the sides of the canopies, a wall of white flowers adorning the wall where the bridal canopy stood.
Bola could bet her entire month's salary that Toni and Dave (her beau) weren't familiar with half the people that showed up. Another thing she hated, the crowds. She gave a sigh. It would soon be over, she said over and over to comfort herself.
"Penny for your thoughts?" A familiar deep tone crawled behind her.
"Weren't you taught that's it's rude to sneak up on people?" Bola replied as she faced him.
"I guess I must not have listened." A smile graced the corners of his mouth.
Bola sighed. "My brothers are seated in the canopy over there." She pointed towards them. "I'm not exactly good company right now."
He chuckled. "I'm fine with us like this. Won't disturb whatever solitary thing you have going on."
She frowned at him, her hand toying with the beads on her yellow lace dress.
"You look beautiful." He said, bringing a glass of wine to his mouth as he took a sip, something she hadn't noticed in his possession earlier.
"Are you flirting with me?" She asked, a frown marring her features.
"Only you Bola would construe that as flirting. Only you." He raised his glass to her. "It's just a compliment, accept it."
Bola studied the man in front of her. Tejiri was a tall, dark hunk of a man. His features weren't what you would call strikingly handsome but his beard and his warm brown eyes were what drew the attention of everyone. She and Tejiri ran in the same circles but he spent more time with her brothers than he did with her. The few times they did talk, they spent the time egging each other on. They never had a perfectly polite conversation and it was not for her lack of trying. Tejiri rubbed her the wrong way.
"Didn't you come with a lady friend or one of babes? I'm not sure they would appreciate you talking to me." Bola said.
"I came alone. I don't bring anyone to these kind of gatherings. Less stress and safer." Tejiri waved down a server carrying a tray of gizzard and samosas. He took two plates and handed one to Bola.
"Thanks." She placed a roll in her mouth and moaned at the taste, her eyes closed as she savoured it.
Tejiri choked on his glass of wine.
"Are you okay?" Bola raised a brow in his direction.
"I'm fine. I'm fine."
"If you say so." She chewed her last roll. "So, why don't you bring anyone to family parties?"
Tejiri groaned. He dropped his plate on a nearby table. "I was hoping you wouldn't bring that up."
Bola smiled. This was the most fun she had in ages. Who knew the unflappable Tejiri had weaknesses. She waited for him to answer.
Tejiri rubbed his beard. "Its not like I hate it per se, it just saves me a lot of questions. You come with a female to a party, everyone assumes she's the one." He raised his hands. "It's exhausting explaining to everyone that she isn't."
"I hadn't pegged you as that kind of guy." She told him.
"Really?" He raised his left brow. "What did you peg me as?"
"You know, master playboy. Connoisseur of all things female. If you get my drift." She shrugged.
He dropped his glass on the table. "I don't get your drift at all, Bola." He rubbed his hand over his face. "Is that how you view me? You don't even know me."
She shrugged again. "I know enough."
"I can't do this with you today. I'm leaving you in peace."
"Finally!" She raised her hands heaven ward. She was glad he was leaving. She didn't believe for one moment that he was hurt by her answer. He was just hurt she picked up on it. Men, never changed.
She came out of her musings to find Tejiri had gone. Good riddance, she thought. Now if only the party would end, it would be a real victory.