Our cab made an halfturn at the roundabout which had bougainvillea scrupted to form the name "Royal Resort Hotel". We were now up against the nondescript gates that had sentinels and security men stationed at them. Making a full turn Will lead us into another road that runs beside the encamped hotel which we allow one to appreciate how lengthy it was. Our cab man rolled down the window to speak with one of the securitymen. They motioned to him to open the car booth for them. After some through search, they handed him a pass and beckoned to us to go in.
Just when the gates were opened,my breath caught in my throat as I beheld the ethereal view that lay beyond .Royal Resort Hotel was the exact denotation of paradise on earth. The sophisticated car park was something to shout about. Vehicles , which types were rare and which would hardly be seen plying Lagos roads crammed it up. Nigerian flag and foreign flags were hoisted up on the walkways. Water shoot up and down the big fountain that adored the main entrance into the hotel.The waters shimmered in the light of the moon. Darkness was already upon us and the sun had travelled down the horizon paving way for the moon. The Uber driver pulled over in the car park. He took some readings on his car and estimated the transport fare. I gasped at that huge amount of money. Christy who would always be Christy made some transaction on her phone and after the driver confirmed that he had received the money, she hurriedly stepped out and headed for the entrance of the hotel. Chineye and I followed on her heels.I looked over my shoulder to see the driver reversing out of the car park and heading for the maingate. My gaze was still on the car until it was out of sight.
" Welcome to Royal Resort Hotel," the security man bowed as he opened the door for us.
We walked straight to the reception and Christy spoke with a lady ensconced behind the desk.
" Good evening." She flashed her teeth at us trying to be professional in the way she had been groomed. Her eyelashes batted under her spectacles. Her makeup was minimal and her crisp white shirt fitted perfectly on her small bodice
" I made a reservation here. Christiana Ademola," said Christy.
" Chriiiistiana Ademoooola," the receptionist drawled, her fingers tapping on the keyboard , trying to look up the name on the system..
Christy legs started shaking. She glanced at her wristwatch, stared at her phone and mumbled some words to herself.
" Sorry, what was the name again?"
" Christiana Ademola," Christy said. She was already growing impatient and her voice was giving that away.
The receptionist tapped on the keyboard again. " I am sorry. There is no one by that name here."
" Kayode Williams. Try that one," Christy said--more like barked at her. But the receptionist did not flinch. She was still as composed as she was earlier on.
" I can't see any Kayode Williams here."
" What's going on here?" Christy's suppressed anger was on the verge of bursting out. I prayed silently that she would not lose it." My boyfriend made a reservation here for us. Why is it taking you so long to sort us out?" Her raised voice attracted the attention of a lanky man clad in suits. I assumed he was a big force to reckon with when dealing with the running of the affairs of the hotel.
" What's the bone of contention here?"
Christy's turned to him. " She hasn't been able to figure my name out on your system."
" Peace, what's taking so long?"
" There is no Christiana Ademola or Kayode Williams here."
" Ma'am, are you sure you booked with this name?" Said the man.
" Actually," Christy rolled her eyes. " My fiance made the reservation."
" Good. Why don't you put a call through to him to ask on whose name the reservation was made." That was the smartest thing I had ever heard. The man was right. That should have been the first thing to do before making a scene. But I couldn't blame Christy. She was really nervous about her bridal shower.
" Hey Kay...at the hotel akready...just some misunderstanding... Christy what? Did you say Christy Williams." She laughed. " Calm down baby...we are not married yet...we still have until tommorow and I will be yours forever..." She giggled. " Alright, bye. ...I love you too." When she hung up the call. She faced the receptionist to apologise.
" The reservation was booked under the name Christy Williams. I am very sorry for my actions."
" It's all good ma'am," the lanky man answered on her behalf.
" There is a Christy Williams here," the receptionist called out. " It says you are here for a bridal shower. Your room is room 34. On the third floor. That's the second room to the left." She reached out for a key hanged on the key board. " Here is the key to the room."
" Thank you." Christy collected the key from her. " And you too sir," she said after the man who was already taking his leave.
" You are welcome," he replied.
We headed for the elevator, Christy dragging her traveling bag along. A backpack that was filled with Chineye and my stuff was strapped to my back. We entered the elevator which dropped us on the third floor. Right by the left laid our room. Christy's put the key in the keyhole and open the door. Chineye and I rushed into the exquisite apartment. Beige and grey were the colors put on display. A queen size bed lay in the center of the bedroom. It was well laid. Grey curtains draped the gigantic top to bottom glass widows. A beige sofa sat at a corner in the bedroom. When Christy went to draw the curtains, overlooking the windows was the asthetic view of the city beyond. Lights flickered from different sources, buildings and structures such that the city looked like an ignited Christmas tree. Vehincles roared and groaned on the highways. Hooting sounds were everywhere. Christy pull away from the windows and plopped into the bed. She started dailing a number on her phone.
" I am at the hotel already and I expect you, my makeup artist to be here. You should even come before me. You know how long it will take to apply my makeup...."
While she was at it, I turned for the room that adjourned the bedroom. That was the bathroom. It was sparkling clean and oozed out a good smell. My favorite thing about the bathroom was the mirrors hung on the walls from which I could glimpse my reflections. I stared at my image in the mirror: my caramel, once so smooth face, was already sprouting out pimples. I squirmed in disgust. My boobs shot out of the black gown I was wearing. They had grown bigger. My body had really changed. I pitched the middle of my nose and rubbed my thumb and index finger together to feel the oilness. Yes, my face was oily. I ran a finger through the cornrows on my head. They were neat and they had longer lengths. My afrohair was thick, black and long and would bring out the beauty of any braids made with it. I tilted my body half way to get a look at my bums. I figured they were getting bigger and more shapely. Chineye's compliment earlier on made me realize that I wasn't hallucinating or being delusional about my bums getting fleshier. I giggled to myself. Then, I saw a image in the mirror. I almost had a panic attack. When I turned around, Chineye was leaning against the bathroom wall.
" What are you looking at?" She asked.
" You startled me." I grabbed my chest with my hand. " Why did you just sneak up on me like that?"
She pushed off the wall and headed for the sink. She opened the tap and water gushed out. She washed her face under the running water, picked up a towel hanging on the rail and damped her face before returning it back. " Christy's mad. I can't stand her madness. She has been shouting on the phone."
" We can't blame her, can we? None of her friends are here already. These are the people she hold in high esteem."
" Should I say I am happy that is happening to her. It is because of them that Christy will not put me on her bridal train."
" Chineeeeye," I cautioned. " Don't let her hear you say this. Otherwise, she will throw us out of this place. And that's the end. Just let's cooperate with her tonight. She's already frustrated." When we returned to the bedroom, Christy was still on the phone yelling.
"...Sandra, you know I wouldn't do this to you if I was the one....You are my chief braidsmaid for goodness sake...for how long am I supposed to wait for...the decorations have not been .done...I am still expecting the photographer that Kay sent....I ....o gosh..." She tossed her phone angrily to one side on the bed. Then, she lay flat, staring at the ceiling, more like staring into nothingness. Chineye and I went to take our seat on the bridge sofa and both of us know better not to disturb her. Silence descended on the room that one could here a pin if it dropped.
Few minutes later, Christy's phone rang. " ... hellooo...did you say a makeup artist... please send her up . She's with me."
Few heartbeats later, someone was knocking on the door. When Christy opened it, a young lady stood outside. She had a box in her hand. " Hello," she smiled at Christy. " Bride -to -be. I am your makeup artist. I am sorry for coming late."
" You are the one from Sandra?" Christy said, more of a statement than a question. " Sandra recommended you and I wouldn't have chosen you if she did not insist. Your coming late is not professional at all. When are we going to be done with the bridal shower if you have not started making my face?"
" I am truly sorry," the makeup artist apologized once again." Let's get you started. I am pretty much fast. " She tilted her chin to one side informing Christy to get out of her way.
"Oh," Christy sighed when she realized that she was standing in her way. She stepped aside. The lady came in and set about doing her work. She opened her box, picked out her makeup materials and fixed her ringlight within a twinkle of an eye. Christy was sitting on a chair provided by the artist. And she set about crafting her brows. She was doing this like she was made for it. I admired the deft movements of her hand. In a minute, Christy eyebrows were already done in two perfect arcs. She started filling them with the eye pencil. Chineye and I sat on the biege sofa looking at them. Our eyes were keened on them. She started concealing the brows.
" To think that Sandra who wants to see to my makeup is not here is a big slap on the face," said Christy.
" Aunty Sandra is not that kind of person," the makeup artist cut in. " She must have been caught up in the middle of something."
" She..." Christy's phone vibrated. " Speaking of the devil," she said. " Hello... please come up already. I am really mad at you."
" That was Sandra," Christy hissed.
" Helooooo, Did I hear someone mention my name?!" A beautiful voluptuous lady dressed in denim pants and a white shirt with a pair of Adidas sneakers said. The smell of her cologne saturated the entire room. It was smouldering. Her sleek black wig ran down her shoulders.
" That was fast," I said to myself.
" Bride-to-be, you are already looking gorgeous." Sandra made to hug her but Christy held out a hand to stop her. She stopped in her tracks. " You have every reason to be angry with me. I was held back at work. I had to settled some issues that sprang up. Come on girl, you know I don't joke with you."
" I am frustrated already, " said Christy.
" Don't be girlfriend," Sandra said. " You are about to have the perfect bridal shower ever!"
She turned to Chichi and me. " Come on girls,let's start with the decorations."
Sandra started unpacking the contents of her box. They were balloons that spelt " bridal shower" if put together, some ribbons, bridal robes and crown and fans with inscriptions. We started decorating the bed.
" You have every reason to be mad. Even, Sade, Princess and Deborah are not here." Sandra was standing on the bed trying to fix the balloons on the wall.
" It's like my girlfriends decide to ditch me on my bridal shower ."
" No, we can't do that. They will be here soon. Hopefully. Pass me that balloon." Sandra motioned to me. I crawled on the bed to give her.
" What about the photographer, " Sandra asked. The balloon that was handed over to her fell as she tried to fix it on the wall. I leaned back on the bed and stretched to reach for it so i could hand it over to her, but she beat me to it. She crouched and picked it up. " Thank you." She said. Then she asked Christy: " what about the photographer?" Christy only reply was that he was on his way. She said Kay got her the best photographer in town. She decided that she would let his lateness pass as he could not do anything if the girls were not fully ready.
" You can make the eyeshadow cool. I prefer a cool color," suggested Sandra.
" Which is why I want you to be here early," Christy said.
" I know right. Nude make up will pop up your face and bring out your beauty. Kayode is one hell of a lucky man."
Christy blushed at the compliment.
My attention shifted to Chineye who was already up on her feet helping Sandra to pick one thing or the other. She stood beside me and watched Sandra with keen interest as she continued decorating.
"So," Christy started. " What's the order of today's program?"
" Sade is working on that," Sandra answered." And why is Kayode not here?" Sandra asked.
" He's out with the guys. They are having their own bachelorette party," said Christy.
" Probably," Sandra drawled," in the club with some chicks." Sandra teased
" Stop that. Not my baby," Christy giggled.
" I hope Sade organize some hot guys for us too." Everyone erupted into laughter.
" News flash," Christy started, " the girls are here."
" Let the party begin!" Sandra screamed.