I greeted Dad as soon as I got home, helped him with some food. Dad said he was sleeping out tonight. Apparently his company had a bridge construction to take care of. I broke the news of bayo's birthday party to him and he wasn't pleased with me.
"Birthday party ke? Is that what you are meant to be considering at this point after all that have happened" dad said angrily
Well dad wasn't particular about the idea of me going to a party after the incident that led to me relocating to Lagos.
A particular person I have been trying to forget suddenly flashed through my memory. I quickly dismissed the thought, I wasn't going to dwell on it, I wouldn't.
"Iris, I forbid you from attending that party!" Dad's voice thundered, his face reddening.
I stood my ground, my heart racing. "You can't control me, Dad! I'm going, and that's final!"
Dad's eyes blazed with anger. "You're being reckless and irresponsible, Iris! You're going to ruin your future and embarrass this family!"
I shot back, my voice rising. "My future? You're the one who's always living in the past! You're so afraid of what people might think that you won't let me live my life!"
The air was electric with tension as we faced off. Dad's fists clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might strike me. But instead, he turned away, his voice cold and detached.
"Iris, you're grounded. You're not going to that party, and that's the end of it."
I seethed with defiance, my mind racing with how I was leaving the house when he was gone. This was far from over. I kept quiet, after all there's no need to talk too much.
Is he not going to leave tonight?
What he locks me inside? With that thought, I quickly hurried to the key stand and took a spare key from the bunch.
I then freshened up and locked myself in my room till Dad was gone. And yes, he locked me in but who cares when I have the spare.
I had almost forgotten who dad was? The man who cares about his reputation more than the feelings of his daughter?
I put on light makeup after dressing up and left the house for Bayo's birthday party.
The music became louder as I got nearer. 'Tshwala bam' by Burna boy was playing.
The house was packed with teenagers who were dancing and grinding to the music. While others sang along with the music.
I spotted bayo in the company of his classmates. I contemplated whether to go over or not. Just as I decided to meet him later. He spotted me and called my name, drawing attention to ourselves.
"Good evening, senior bayo" I greeted as soon as I got to the couch he was seated on. I only knew the names of three people that were seated with him. Daniel, Hosea and Chikezie, the school sport's prefect.
"You're late" bayo said, feigning fake anger
"How? Am sure your party just started" I said jokingly. Let's say I was close to one hour late. I noticed senior chikezie kept staring at me the while time, as if he was trying to decipher something. I brushed it off lightly.
After chatting with him for some mins, I decided to leave him to his friends.
Only few of my classmates were invited. Some SS3 students were not happy about the fact that some SS2 were invited to the party. I sighted Leila having a chat with Senior Ella and of course Alicia. You mist be wondering who Alicia was. She is the famous tiktoker of my set and she likes to think that gave her edge over us.Always flaunting her killer shape and dance moves. She mostly associated with Senior Leila and her crew. And yes of course, most SS3 girls hated her. She wasn't in my class, she was an art student. But I heard she didn't talk to her classmates, only a few of them, the popular ones of course. She had two friends in our set, Titilope and maris, who were famous in LHS as well.
Titilope is the current school queen of LHS, the cheating girlfriend who didn't give fuck about how people looked at her. I mean this girl was flexing her life without apparent care about what people said behind her back. I even heard that she was the one who broke up with Jude when he found out about her unfaithfulness.
While, Maris was the most finest girl with the figure eight shape, who happened to be friends with Alicia and Titi. She was mostly famous for her beauty and shape.
I don't know what pushed me to go to the garden, but I found my feet moving there. Maybe, I could use some fresh air.
My feet slowed down as I got nearer to the garden. I spotted kelsin with a huge figure, who I couldn't point out. I could make out that it was a male. The huge man had a hoodie draped over his head.
They didn't notice me. Not yet.
It seems they were having a tense conversation.Here's a revised version of the scene:
"As I drew closer to the garden, I noticed Kelsin's stance was rigid, his eyes fixed intently on the person opposite him. The figure's face was obscured by the hoodie, but his voice sent a chill down my spine.
"'You're playing with fire, Kelsin,' the figure growled, their tone low and menacing. 'You think you can outsmart me? I'll show you what happens when you cross me.'
"The figure took a step closer, their massive frame looming over Kelsin. He stood his ground, his eyes flashing with a mix of fear and defiance.
"'Get out of here, now!' Kelsin warned, his voice firm but laced with a hint of tremble.
"The figure chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound. 'Oh, I'm just getting started. You'll regret ever crossing me, Kelsin.'
"The air was electric with tension as the two faced off. I could feel my heart racing with concern for Kelsin's safety. I knew I shouldn't be here, but my legs felt rooted to the spot, frozen in fear. I was distracted by my thoughts for some seconds before I suddenly heard
"'You're a just coward, hiding in the shadows" Kelsin spat, his eyes narrowed, his pupils constricting as he spat out the words, his jaw set in a firm line.
"The figure's expression darkened, his eyes blazing with anger. Without warning, he
swung his fist at Kelsin, striking him with a loud crack. Kelsin's head snapped back, his eyes widening in pain.
"I gasped, my heart racing with shock. My eyes widened, my breath catching in my throat as I watched the figure strike kelsin. My mind struggling to process what was happening. The figure raised his fist again, ready to strike. But then he withdrew his hands.
Kelsin's nose was bleeding now.
"See you at home, son" the figure then said with controlled anger and left.
Son? Who was that man exactly? Were his friends aware that something like this was going on?
My mind was a jumble of thoughts,what the hell just happened.
Kelsin's painful groan returned my attention back to present. I momentarily forgot that kelsin was still there, with a bloodied nose. My heart ached as I saw kelsin's bloody nose and I fought the urge to rush over and help him.
I really wanted to help, but knowing kelsin, he wasn't going to accept my help. So I eventually sneaked back in to the party.
After some minutes, I sighted Daniel hurrying off towards the garden.