All through my life,I have just been known for one stuff and that was the crazy part of me. I was often tagged crazy because I acted awkward and weird most at times but nevertheless that was the thrilling aspect of me that drew me closer to Laura, my bosom friend.
Laura was a pretty girl as much as I was. I had met her in a youth empowerment seminar held at Ota in Ogun State. From there,we got acquainted. I learnt much more later that Laura was the only daughter of the famous Chief Omotola and Barrister Mrs. Tomiwa Olusegun. I knew her parents so well but I have never dated to meet them in person. I felt I wasn't up to their standard and as such could be humiliated.
Moreover, Laura lived separately in a duplex built by her father and given to her as a present on her twentieth birthday. Laura had two elder brothers whom I have never seen before except in photograph. Besides,both were studying abroad.
I wasn't wealthy or influential like my friend but I have gotten to know many people through her. We seldom visited them. Unlike my friend, I did not know who my father was, whether dead or living, I couldn't tell. I just had a younger sister Joana who was living with our mum in town. I usually sent them money from the city where I was living for their upkeep.
On weekends, I came to stay with Laura but returned afterwards to my house where I lived as a tenant.
This particular weekend, Laura was celebrating what she termed "HAPPY REUNION". I wasn't startled~that was Laura and her way of hosting parties here and there, every now and then. I didn't complain much as I happened to be a benefactor of it all. Besides, she'd got the money. She runs a multipurpose supermarket while I was still searching for an appropriate job that suites my certificate.
I got at Laura's place early so as to get the party venue (Laura's living room) in order. I wiped the upholsteries, dusted the furnitures and tried some decorations but Laura won't let me carry on. She said my fingers were some sort of blade because I had almost bursted the balloons she painstakingly blew up. So, I left her with that and watched her with keen. Few minutes later, Mirabel joined us. She was Laura's cousin. Mirabel headed for the kitchen at once. I came in to assist her. Laura had once told me that Mirabel was a great cook from the best catering establishment but that very morning, I was given a piece of hell. I chopped the onions, sliced the tomatoes, diced the carrots while "Great Cook Mirabel" sat at a corner ordering me around.
At exactly 10 o'clock, Laura's male and female friends started trooping in. To be quite honest, I didn't have a flair for parties whatsoever~God knows how much I detest such. I wasn't the social type of girl. This specific lifestyle has added up to my craziness and made me a bit shy to relate with others. On occasions like that, Mirabel teased me as"Mary Magdalene". She just had one way or the other of getting me annoyed.
While inside, Laura gave me one of her dress to put on for the party. Trust me! I used my eyes to scrutinize the dress and told her plainly but politely that I couldn't wear it. The dress was too skimpy and typically not for a girl like me.
"Come on," Laura began "Girl, you need to look sweet. Most of my friends would be here today. I need you to look awesome, tantalizing..."
"Perhaps she would put on her long sleeve turtlenecked shirt tucked into her long native woven skirt with a generational sandals to match. Mary Magdalene!" Mirabel interjected. If I had been given a knife, I wouldn't have hesitated to slit it through Mirabel's throat. Gosh! she was so annoying.
After much persuasion, I paid heed to my friend and wore the red dress with a silver heels to match. It wasn't that strenuous walking on it because I usually wore Laura's shoes, particularly high heeled ones for a Sunday service.
Laura's "HAPPY REUNION" party began at earnest with a lot of hullabaloo. I tried to fit in and play along, all to please Laura. For as long as I have known Laura, she had got no recent boyfriend. She had attempted five good times for five different guys only to get five heartbreak from each. All through those times, my vibrant and jovial friend looked forlorn. I tried as much to console her but stayed away when her parents came around. I so much hate to be disgraced. During one of those times, Laura had almost disowned me when I brought up the idea of dating a devoted Christian(who would certainly not serve her a 'breakfast') giving an instance of our church choir master. And that was me. I knew how best to start an advice I find terribly difficult to conclude or even portray. I myself had no boyfriend. Not that they didn't come for me but I wasn't interested. I had turned twenty-one though but I still felt I needed a decent job to occupy myself with before thinking of having one,a reasonable one. But Laura's "HAPPY REUNION" party changed everything anyway.
It all started like a dream. Everyone at Laura's party was engrossed in the blaring music and danced predominantly as well. I thought I was the only one left out until my eyes swept the living room and met those of a handsome young guy sitting on the sofa. The way he bored his eyes on me was terrifying so I instantly removed mine as timidness took a better hold of me.
After sometime, I withdrew myself from where I was and still found this same guy staring at me, smiling. What was funny? I asked myself. I flashed my teeth back to see if that will do but oh no! That did not help matter. Then, all of a sudden, I began to feel uncomfortable with Laura's dress and I could swear my walking step changed as I walked towards the dining room where the young man would at least not catch a glimpse of me.
Successfully but stressfully, I arrived at the dining table and sat to help myself with some meal. Laura and her friends could eat later on~ I was damn hungry for all I care.
Seeing that no one was around, I took some wraps of semolina and dished out a reasonable quantity of a hot thick melon soup. Laura and Mirabel had for the umpteenth time taught me on how to use the cutleries on food as such but I didn't fancy that.
As I began to savour and gulp down some balls of semolina, this same strange guy walked up to me unannounced and caught me red-handed munching with my bare hands. I felt instant butterflies in my stomach. Hot unshed tears welled up my eyes. Whether tears of shock or embarrassment, I couldn't fathom. One of the things I could remember doing was drastically reducing the size of the semolina ball I had moulded,after which I lost my appetite.
"Hi" the guy said.
That was the most awful moment for me. I tried to respond to his pleasantries but goodness gracious! I couldn't even look up to his face. As the scent of his cologne wafted through my nostrils, I knew he was right beside me. No doubt! I wished I could just faint.
"You must be Kate" the guy presumed.
This time, I tried hard to look at him but suddenly threw my face to West India. I was sure his gaze was still fixed on me.
"I am Kate. Did Laura tell you about me?" I found myself asking.
"Well, she did anyway and I have been longing to meet you. She told me a lot of fascinating things about you..."
Just at that interval, someone came in to call him. I silently heaved a sigh of relief.
"Can we talk after the party?" he quizzed.
"No, I'm traveling. I mean, I would be visiting someone. It's quite urgent" I lied. I wasn't a skilled liar and I knew within me that this guy knew I was lying.
"Alright then, can we meet some other time?" he perturbed.
"When precisely?"
"Let's see tomorrow at Deluxe Hotel Suite by 5pm conveniently. By the way, I'm Francis. Nice meeting you" he said and extended his hand for a shake but I declined politely. I had never felt so stupid and naughty at a time. Francis left, still beaming with smile.
Why on earth did I agree to meet with a stranger who had only but ruined my day? I asked myself after he had left. Unlike me, I found it hard to turn him down like others. But why???
After the party, I narrated my ordeal to Laura and Mirabel only to become an object of ridicule.
NEXT PART: Out For A Date.