Double update because of the love I've been getting on IG because of this book. Love yall😩❤️
“I cannot believe you just upped and left like that without notice. And what did I get? A message while you’re on the plane? Seriously, Amina? Is that all out friendship is worth to you?” Came a voice from the other end of the phone, sounding annoyed if not even more.
Amina sighed, as she stepped out of the ensuite having taken a shower and adorned in a robe. A white small towel was wrapped around her now wet hair, having washed it as well as part of her de-stress episode. She definitely needed it, after the exhausting day she had.
And if it wasn’t enough, she got a call from the one person that matters the most to her the minute she had wrapped up her robe. If it was someone else, she would’ve ignored it. But since it’s her, she couldn’t bring it in her to.
When she parted her lips to speak, the woman on the other end could only hear string of excuses and nothing more.
“Come on, Inaya. Wallahi it’s not like that and you know it.” She suspired yet again, her feet carrying her in the direction of the vanity stool on which she rested her derriere. “I have been thinking of this for a while now and I only decided to push through with it. I processed everything in a rush, I couldn’t find time to inform you.”
“Really? That’s all you’re going to give me?” Inaya, her supposed best friend wasn’t willing to be bought that easily by such a flimsy excuse. She knows better. “We’ve been living together for a while, and just like how you make your unannounced appearances, you disappear just like that as well. You cannot do that.”
Amina couldn’t argue with that, knowing she’s right. She is a fan of making unannounced appearances and disappearing just as well without notice. This time around though, she disappeared like that for a reason.
“You have a lot to deal with.” She gave in, admitting in a low voice. “I didn’t want to burden you with my problems as well.”
A scoff came from the woman in the other end. “If you give me that excuse one more time, I’ll fly there and give you a piece of my mind.” Amina knows her best friend well enough to know she’s capable of doing just that.
The woman would board a flight and fly to Manchester just to give her a piece of her mind. She’s sort of nuts like that. But then, it’s Inaya Sa’id we’re talking about, she’s capable of things beyond one’s thoughts.
“Try again, give me a reason for you not telling about your out of the blue departure.” Inaya’s voice came yet again, sounding calmer than earlier. How she manages to change from one expression to another without so much as one taking a notice never fails to astonish Amina. “And you better give me a good damn reason.”
Amina could only sigh, her shoulders slumping as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.
The mirror faithfully showcased the captivating depth of her eyes, their rich hue appearing even more pronounced against her moist skin. The dampness caused her lashes to appear slightly heavier, adding a touch of allure to her already mesmerizing gaze.
The misty environment had awakened a fresh vibrancy in her complexion. Her dark skin glowed with a newfound vitality, displaying a youthful luminosity that was accentuated by the droplets of water that adorned her flawless surface. The moisture seemed to emphasize the smoothness of her skin, enhancing the inherent beauty that lay within.
As she tilted her head slightly, she observed the graceful curve of her eyebrows, now slightly dampened and perfectly framing her eyes. The water droplets traced a delicate path along her brows, their presence highlighting the meticulous shaping that enhanced her facial symmetry.
Her attention shifted to her nose, which appeared slightly dewy, emphasizing its petite and refined shape. The moisture lent an ethereal quality to her features, as if she had emerged from a mythical oasis, an embodiment of beauty and grace.
Finally, her gaze settled on her lips, now adorned with a subtle sheen from the shower. Their fullness and natural color were emphasized, drawing attention to their inviting softness.
Her lips tugged into a frown. “You have a lot going on as well. “ Amina admitted at long last. “With your recent accident and the work at Shiri, I didn’t want to burden you.”
“Amina---”
“Plus, I feel bad that I wouldn’t be there for you.” Amina was quick to interject before she’s cut midway again. “It’s a difficult stage in your life, and I’ve left you alone. Of course, I’d feel bad. I’d stay with you if I can.”
“I can take care of myself without you, and you know that. I’m not some fragile glass or something.” Inaya’s tone came, certain of her words. She and fragile don’t belong in the same sentence.
In fact, when the word saw her, it packed its belongings and ran in the opposite direction because of the chaos she came along with. Some of the things she’s capable of would leave one awestruck really.
Amina has never met anyone like her. And hell yeah is she proud of calling her best friend.
But at the same time, she knew she isn’t as strong as she portrays herself to be. Everyone has his or her own down days, and so does Inaya. She truly isn’t as strong as people depict her, but of course, she’d never admit that.
And Amina didn’t press it further. Instead, she hummed in a way that showed she hadn’t bought that statement, but she’ll give it to her nonetheless. “Yeah sure. I know you’ll take good care of yourself and give them all a tough time.”
“Already on it, and will continue to do so.”
Amina chuckled, her mood lifting simply by conversing by the woman she considers her soul sister.
Silence stretched between them for a few, calming seconds before Inaya’s voice came get again. “Take good care of yourself there, okay? I know you can handle it, but if you need anything, and I mean anything, I’m only a call away. You know that right? ”
“I do.”
“Great. And if anyone picks on you, hit me up as well. I’ll bring the big guns and a grenade if possible. I ain’t a former military personnel for nothing.”
Amina could only chuckle further, knowing better than to take the woman’s words lightly. “I will, don’t worry, wildcat.”
“Alright. Talk to you later, popcorn. Take care.”
“I will. Laters.”
“Laters.”
The minute the call ended, Amina dropped the phone on the vanity table, her smile morphing into a frown which depicts her actual emotions at the moment. She hoped Inaya didn’t pick up the sadness in her tone, because she doesn’t know how to explain it otherwise.
Against the voices in her head telling her otherwise, she picked up the phone yet again and swiped across the messages to read the one that came in earlier, one she has been trying to ignore.
-You think living on your own is easy? Go ahead and try, I dare you. At the end, we both know you won’t able to handle the harshness of the real world.
Amina swallowed thickly, locking the phone and smacking it upside down back on table in frustration. She hated how she was being undermined, as if she wasn’t cornered to make such a decision.
Would she have packed up and left home just like that? They left her no option but to do so.
It doesn’t matter what they say. She will prove them wrong. She can, and will survive on her own.
Just they wait.
***
Remember when Amina spoke big about how she would prove her family wrong about living her own life and whatnot? Yeah, about that…
She wants to take it back.
She didn’t expect it to be that hard.
Reality came slapping her right across the face no sooner than by the time she sat down and broke down her living expenses. She’d stayed at a hotel she already booked when she was back in Nigeria, but staying there would mean quickly running out of money.
Besides, it’s not like she has a bag full of money with her or anyone at home supplying her with it. Inaya is always an option, and she would give it out without a second thought but Amina wanted to do it on her own, with no ones help.
That means, she has to manage she small money she has with her, everything she has been saving up until the point that led to her moving out.
There were other things to consider though, that came crashing when she sat down and tried to narrow everything down.
Living expenses? Definitely need to find a cheap, but okay apartment to rent.
Food? On God, she needs food. It comes first, always.
Necessities? She’d need things sooner rather than later which meant she needs her pocket to be heavy.
And the most important one, a job. She needs a God damn good job that pays well because her expenses aren’t going to pay themselves.
Luckily, she’s had a few experience working back home at Nigeria, and a few connections she could make use of there so she tried to reach out the earliest she can so she can land a job.
And that how she found herself on the call with one of the people she’d work with, someone that she knows has a good connection abroad as well. She works with big brands that are international.
However, she didn’t expect the conversation to go South no sooner than they started it. It came with a statement she anticipated, but wasn’t quite ready for as well.
“Listen, Meena. You know I adore the talent in you sweetheart, but even modeling here requires a certain level of education and you…well, you know…”
She didn’t need the woman on the other end to finish, already knowing what would follow. She’s a dropout, one that everyone considers foolish for dropping out of a respected school to chase a carrier that many deem foolish.
It's a stupid decision really, she knows. But does she regret it? Nope. At least, not yet.
She folded her lips in, fingers drawing invincible circles on her bed before her voice came. “I know, I understand. But, it doesn’t have to be a big brand. Even if it’s a part time job, I really don’t mind.” Luckily, she had a few gigs back in Nigeria as a model.
She knows her way around modeling and does a damn good job at it as well. It’s the only thing she’s good at aside from writing, and is hoping it’ll be bring in the money until she gets a hang of writing.
At least, until she finishes her manuscript, find a publisher, and becomes a best selling author. That’s the plan.
The woman on the other end, an old acquaintance of hers sighed, and Amina could visualize her shoulders slumping due to the action. “Alright, I’ll look into it for you and share any information I get.”
Amina could detect the rejection in the woman’s tone, that was her subtle way of telling her that it would be difficult for her to get such a job, or any easily there for that matter. She was no longer in Nigeria, rather, in a country that does everything accordingly with nothing out of place, not a single strand of hair.
“Alright, I appreciate it.” She didn’t bother to hide the sadness in her tone.
The woman was quick to pick on it, making her response come faster than expected. “Look, in the meantime, why don’t you try applying for jobs in other places. I have a list of companies looking for models, I can send it to you if you want.”
Amina’s mood instantly lifted the minute she heard that. At least, there’s some hope left. “Yeah, sure. I’d love that.”
“Great. But for your information, some of them are based abroad. You okay with working in another country? I know you just moved and all, moving yet again would be hectic.”
Amina folded her lips in, thinking it over. Sure enough, it’ll be hard no doubt. But, if it means getting some money, she wouldn’t mind traveling again. Besides, it’s not like she’s moving there.
Modeling gigs don’t take long. It wouldn’t last longer than a month as well. She can handle that much.
Her response eventually came, the determination lacing it hard to miss. “I can do it. There won’t be a problem.” She was determined to truly prove them wrong, she would live life in her own, that’s a promise she made to herself.
If she has to work her ass for it, so be it. So long as it doesn’t cross her limit. She wouldn’t allow herself to lose a hang of her religious affairs in the journey of seeking a livelihood.
Just because she isn’t at home and has abundant freedom doesn’t mean so. She will make sure of it.
But at the same time, she has no idea what to expect. She’s ready for it though, whatever it is.
“Alright. I’ll send it right away.”