I sigh.
"Yes sir, I'll be there tomorrow. Exact seven."
My job as a fashion designer was really stressful. From drafting a pattern, to cutting, then sewing. And meet different people everyday.
It was past ten at night when I closed from work. I came out of my car and opened the door to my apartment.
The hot air and smell of rotten food, coupled with the lonely silence hit me right there in the doorway.
I haven't been at home for two days and all the food I bought and forgot to preserve have gone sour already.
I sigh again as I look around and switch on the light.
Everything was in place, just how I left it.
It was really quiet and lifeless in my apartment.
Where will I start from?
Cleaning? Cooking? Taking out the trash? Having a bath?
Or just ignore every other thing and climb my bed right now was a very good option.
If I'm not mistaking, I've been active for 72 hours? Taking body measurements... sewing and sewing and sewing.
"Ah, fuck." I shriek. The smell of rotten fish. I should probably take out the rotten food stuff. The smell was getting unbearable. I took off my jacket and hung it on the stick before going to pack all the spoilt food into a trash bag and went out to throw it.
The night air was chill and it caressed my bare arms.
My job has made me a night person. I did not only figure out new patterns of design at this hour of the day, I also used it for self reflection.
What was my life going to look like six years from now? I will be thirty- three years in six years time and I haven't achieved anything. My future hopes. My empty love life. My busy career. Will I marry and have children?
I figured out made ninety percent of me. Ten percent was for family and I had none for myself. My life was too much of a routine; a roller coaster.
When was the last time I checked out a cute guy or even went out with colleagues and friends. When was the last time I bought myself a pretty dress and decide to make my hair, and apply make-up. Or even look pretty for some one.
I didn't have friends and I was lonely and empty like planet Mars. I didn't even feel a special reaction towards any man at work. I was bland and boring. I was too busy making a living and supporting my family and forgot to look after my own pressing needs and desires.
Funny enough no matter how I try to ignore it and see it as unimportant. I know something was missing in me. It was love.
I obsessed about it all the way from the trash dump to my apartment and to my room.
I stood before my mirror, staring back at my reflection in total amazement.
Wow. Have I always been this ugly?
I took off my glasses and dropped it on the desk. I drew closer to the mirror and noticed how pale my brown eyes were. My nose was crooked and my teeth was beige.
Even my face had freckles. And my hair was so thick and tangled. It has not gone through a thorough shampoo bath for months now.
Just this bug boobs that I'll probably not show anyone anyway.
I stripped off and went into the bathroom and had a warm bathe. I'll just skip dinner. Tomorrow was another day. Work.
.....
I got up from sleep and it wasn't the alarm clock that woke me up. I was so tired I didn't hear when the alarm clock rang about twenty - five minutes ago. it was 6:30 now. I panicked. I can't go late, I was very punctual, desperate how sore I felt.
I planned myself and made sure to utilize my time well. From my apartment to Lofu fashion industry won't take me less than eight minutes if I speed along the highway. So I had a quick bathe for ten minutes. I wriggle into my tight jeans and a bland blue dress. I grabbed my big bag that I used at work.
Five minutes was enough to wolf down some waffles and a cup of coffee.
I took off to work immediately.
When I got to work I checked the time, it was 7:01.
Wow. I marveled at my punctuality. I headed straight to the corset room where finished dresses were displayed on different hangers. My boss was there directing people on what to do. When he saw me, he smiled and looked at his watch, then jammed his hands together, walking towards me.
"Wow Mary Jane, you're two minutes late."
I clutched my bag and looked down. It was just one minute.
"Cheer up." He slapped my arms lightly. "It wasn't easy I know."
I nodded. "What should I start with?"
"Ah, good question. Elena is waiting for you at the longue. Go take her measurement."
I nodded shortly and advance to the longue.
...
I took two steps back. This can't be true...or real. Was that actually Bronwen?
He called her Elena though. But the young woman I saw sitting on the couch was that same girl I knew in highschool who fought for me.
I should get closer and take a better look.
The red haired women turned her head instantly and my doubts was corrected immediately. It was truly Bronwen... the girl I knew in highschool.
"You're Elena!?" I couldn't help the squeak that came out of my mouth. I was so surprised it felt like a joke.
She smiled, equally surprised.
"MaryJane, is that yourself?" She asked full of excitement and shock.
"Yes." I replied admiring her mature appearance. "I didn't know your name was Elena."
She looked guilty. "I'm so sorry I never told you." She got up from where she sat and pulled me in for a big, passionate hug.
I may be twenty eight but when she hugged me, I felt fourteen again. I knew her as Bronwen. She was older than me with two years.
We broke out of the hug.
I took in her appearance. Bronwen has always been a pretty girl right from when I met her. She had fiery red hair and a nice slim frame with pretty blue eyes. Now she was more mature in face and in body. She was even more busty than me and her tallness remained. Her body shape had also improved.
A seamstress like me will call it a figure eight. That was the shape she had now.
Her mature face was hot and charming.
Wow. Look at me.
I frantically smoothed back my hair. "Wow Bronwen, I'm so impressed you've changed so much."
She blushed.
I looked at her left hand and saw a pretty diamond ring on her finger...Was she...
"Oh, that.." She saw what I was staring at and she played with the ring on her finger.
"Yeah. I'm engaged."
Something exploded in my heart. For a second I just went totally pale.
"Oh wow, I'm happy for you." I tried to keep my voice happy and warm but it came out as empty as my heart.
She got a quick notification and examined my face. " Everything okay, Jane?"
"Uhm yeah." I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and gave her a blistering smile. " We've lost connection all this time and now I'm seeing you and ... wowwww, I didn't see that coming."
A huge part of me wanted the hell out of here. The other part wanted to hug my friend again even though I wasn't going to tell her that I was not happy with the news.
The truth is that ever since Bronwen saved me from the hands of my bullies at highschool and started protecting me from any harm I began to like her.
Not just because she saved me. No, I actually began to stare at her while she was not looking. I actually began to think about her while I got the chance to and I enjoyed talking to her every day. She was always so warm and friendly.
I didn't want to admit that I had a little crush on her. It would be absurd.
"My wedding is next week Saturday. I'll be coming here often."
Again my heart took a dive into the ocean. She was making me feel worse.
"You are so lucky for Choo this company. We'll sew you the best wedding gown." I assured her.
"Not so fast." She gave me a skeptical look and pulled my arms. We both sat on the couch.
I looked at her.
"So tell me. Is there anyone?"
"Anyone, as in?"
She rolled her eyes, her lips turning at the corners. "You know, any guy that has taken the key to your heart. That has swept you off your feet." She enthused.
"Oh c'mon, don't be so dramatic." I laughed miserably.
They all wanted to sweep me under the carpet instead, I could have told her but I know that will only make her begin to question me and I'll eventually break down.
"Honey?" She took my hands. "Has no one done that for you yet?"
I shut my eyes. That did hurt a hell lot.
I shifted in my seat."I'm still waiting for the right guy to come around."
There was a minute silence.
She sighed. "I'm sure he's on his way. Don't worry."
I looked at her, I wanted to laugh. It was funny. No guy had even said hi to me since I started working in this company or ask me to join him in a coffee break.
"How would you know?"
She bit back a smile.
"I just know." She said assuring, studying my eyes ."I know that the person is not far away any more Jane. Just play your cards well."
I broke out of her gaze, feeling awkward. Why did that sound weird? Did she really know or was she just making me feel better?
"I pray so."
It was when she left my hands that I noticed the impact it has left on my skin.
I caught my breath and started rummaging through my bag, looking for a measuring tape and hotter and a pen.
"What do you do now,Jane?" She continued to study me.
I get up from the couch. "Work. Just work."
"Lucky you, this company is very lucrative."
I bit my lips. It may be giving me money but it's not giving me what Bronwen had; happiness and love.
"What do you do now?" I asked.
"I work in a spa company."
I nodded." Nice. Can see the proof."
She smiled.
"And I can see the proof of your own work on you too."
I cocked a brow. "Really?"
"Yeah".She replied shortly.
I folded my arms. "How?"
"You are obviously a workaholic."
I laughed."Yeah I am . I don't have a choice you know."
She nodded. "You see? When was the last time she attended to your hair? Or took yourself out at least?" She crossed her leg flashing me a knowing look.
I adjusted the rim of my glasses, groping for words.
She laughed ."You see? MaryJane I think you need a break at times or you'll turn old faster than me." She smirked.
I feigned a frown. "I don't have any thing to worry about when I'll come to your spa ."
" lol, okay darling. Till then."
"So finally can I take your measurement?"
"Yeah sure."
She got up and adjusted her tight fitting dress.
"I'm thinking it's a wedding gown, right?"
"Totally."
I clicked my pen and wrote the body parts I was going to measure down.
God,body parts. My breath hitched .
I took her shoulder measurement and jotted the figure down, I took her length. I took her waist measurement, her arm measurement, even neck.
Now it was time to take her bust, under bust and nipple to nipple measurement and hip measurement.
I dragged out my tape, settling it around her upper thighs where her high ass stopped and shifted it to find a balance and I took my record.
I stood in front of her. She was smiling at me, probably excited for her upcoming wedding.
How sad.She was going to give her love to someone else, the only person that has showed me affection.
I placed one end of the tape on top her shoulder then swiped down to where her breasts stopped. Her push up bra made her boobs stand our firm.I looked at her. She was pretty focus, watching what I was doing.
The tape lined across her breasts and under I placed the other end of her bust and took the measurements.
Hmm, that wasn't so bad. She was busty now unlike then.
Round two was to take her nipple to nipple measurement.
"Ready?" I asked her.
"Sure," she replied casually.
God I didn't know why I was acting this way. It was just a body measurement just the way I have measured other people. Why was her own different?
I prayed she couldn't hear my breathing.
I didn't want her to suspect I had a sort of reaction towards her. I will be damned for it.
I took my tape and ran my fingers across her left breast and felt her nipples. FUCK, I nearly wet myself.
They were actually stiff even through her bra. God help me before I do something stupid.
I placed my tape on her hard nipple and went to the other one and found it hard as well. I stole a glance at her flushed cheek but focused back on taking the measurement. As soon as I took it, I jerked away from her breasts.
God, did she also feel it? No it couldn't be possible. The room was cold anyway.
I hugged my arms looking like someone had taken something out of me. I felt so weak with an unfamiliar sensation .
"Are you through?" Bronwen looked lost.
"Yes. I'll show you some designs and you'll tell me which one you like. Come with me."
I took her to my office and brought out a magazine of bridal styles. She skimmed through them.
"Hmm, I really like this one." Her eyes sparkled.
I came to see which.
"Oh, I can sew that."
"Awwn thanks darling." She kissed my cheek.
I opened my mouth in a sign of a gasp, I was actually feeling hot, how did I look like now?
I was speechless at her action."it's just a peck, now come on I have to tell you something before you'll look like a tomato."
I flushed..she knew what she had done and she just told me I was blushing. I stood besides her.
She opened her phone and showed me the pic of her fiance.
"Awwn he's totally handsome." I told her.
"Right?" I watched her blush crazy.
"I have an offer for you. Will you be my bridesmaid ?"
I didn't know what to say, she looked at me worried. " Please don't say no. I feel so happy to see you again and this will make me even happier."
" I don't want to make you sad..just this feels strange to me, I've never done this before and all this marriage preparation."
She frowned a bit.
"But don't worry, I'll think about it." I added quickly.
She smiled at me again, warmly.
"Well in that case I say we hang out tomorrow." She reached into her handbag. "Here is my card, please give me a call when you get home tonight."
Words couldn't contain my excitement as I took the card and stared at it.
My mood changed instantly.
"Only one problem. I have work to do tomorrow and any other day, Bronwen."
Bronwen looked annoyed.
"You and your work excuses. I'm gonna talk to your boss to let me have you for some days."
"Really? " I became very happy again like a teenager.
"Yes, dear, someone needs to inject some fun into your life. Remember all work and no play makes Jane a dull girl."
I smiled at the memory. That was what she told me when ever she saw me reading and everyone else is doing something fun.
"See you later." She waved at me and blew a kiss to me .
God that was something that was definitely not my routine.
I still couldn't believe I'll see Bronwen again.