Woke up today ready for another round in Lagos. Slipped into an all black ensemble today, no bright colors. The office awaited, and I dived into my tasks, giving this presentation my all. It's a race against time with the deadline on Friday, and I'm putting in double the effort to outshine the competition.
The office buzzed with activity, and Rachel, my work bestie, added a touch of humor to our day. We chatted about the usual office drama, Rachel poking into my office space to tell me that the "lovebirds" were passing by and I should "look stylishly." This woman is a clown.
As the day settled into a calm evening, I returned to my hotel room. Called up Bimpe to make plans for our meetups the next day. We settled on a lunch break and an evening hangout after work.
After talking to Bimpe, I decided to freshen up, ordered some room service, and cozied up in bed to continue working. The soothing sounds of the Quran played in the background, keeping me focused. As fatigue started setting in, a call disrupted my quiet evening. To my surprise, it was Muhammad. We have never had a phone call before! We exchanged awkward hellos before the conversation started to flow better.
"I'll be in Lagos tomorrow night. Planning to find you on Thursday."He informed me, which kind of made me excited.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. I'm a busy woman, remember?" I responded.
He let out a hearty laugh at my response, "Alright, alright. I'll catch you when you're less busy, then."
The call lasted for over an hour, and it left me both shocked and smiling. It was refreshing, the easy flow of conversation between us. Eventually, I called it a night, looking forward to whatever Lagos had in store for me tomorrow.
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The following day, I decided to hit the office an hour earlier, gearing up for a productive start since I knew my lunch break was reserved for catching up with Bimpe. As the clock struck 1:00 pm, I made my way downstairs, where Bimpe stood outside her car, practically jumping with excitement.
"Bibi, my love!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my enthusiasm.
"Aishat of London," she playfully teased.
"Fool, you know I hate that name," I replied, rolling my eyes. Laughter filled the air as we embraced once again.
Bimpe had plans for our lunch break - a quick stop at Miskay and then Ashluxury for some shopping before satisfying our hunger. Bimpe's love for shopping knew no bounds, thanks to the dangerous combination of a rich daddy and a rich zaddy. I couldn't help but admire her unapologetic indulgence in the finer things. Love it for her!
As Bimpe and I embarked on the day's adventures, the car resonated with old Nigerian hits, creating a soundtrack for our journey. We caught up on each other's lives, discussing dreams, goals, and the essence of uplifting one another.
"I'm thinking of starting my own beauty line. It's been a dream." Bimpe said to me nervously.
"That sounds amazing, Bimpe! You've got the skills and the vision for it. I'll be your first customer honestly" I replied excitedly. Our conversation delved into dreams, aspirations, and how we could help each other achieve our goals.
Post-lunch, I returned to work, and Bimpe and I planned for her to meet me at the hotel after I closed for the night. A soirée awaited us, celebrating Bimpe's friend's 30th birthday at a bar.
Once home, Bimpe was already at the hotel reception when I arrived. We headed up to my room, where she revealed her extra touch – a makeup artist, Tennycoco, and a hairstylist. The next few hours were a blend of good vibes, banter, and some explicit jokes. The sassy hairstylist added a unique flair to the atmosphere, roasting us and keeping the laughter flowing.
"Bims darling, this hair is about to slay the scene. It's so good!" I heard the hairstylist saying to Bimpe while he admired his work making me chuckle. "Ladies, you know, my haircuts aren't the only thing that leaves people satisfied."
We burst into laughter, caught off guard by his bold humor.
"Well, you certainly know how to leave an impression!" I said laughing.
"Impressions, just like good haircuts, last longer than you'd expect."
"Mmm What else lasts long?" Bimpe said with a mischevious glint in her eyes.
"Oh please" Tenny said as she chuckled, stopping Bimpe and her hairstylist from continuing that joke.
The stylist continued weaving explicit jokes into the conversation, and soon we were all chiming in with our own humorous anecdotes.
As Bimpe and I hastily prepared to leave the hotel, the excitement lingered in the air, almost three or four hours later. Bimpe, adorned in a short Marianne Serre dress paired with silver accessories and heels, emanated a magnetic charm. Her bouncy curls from her new wig install was so beautiful. My choice was a black midi slip dress, and a black blazer embellished with intricate silver sequin detailing. I complemented the ensemble with black and silver accessories, a sequined scarf elegantly wrapped around my head, and a playful pop of color with Red heels. The red lipstick tenny put on me, a bold choice for the night, earned me a compliment from Bimpe.
"Your outfit will turn heads! That red lip is stunning; I could kiss you, really," Bimpe praised.
I responded with a light-hearted joke, "Sorry, I don't do girls, but I'll give you a peck." The exchange culminated in a peck between the both of us, capturing the moment in a burst of laughter. Simultaneously exclaiming "Weyrey," we bursted into another fit of giggles.
The infectious joy prompted a spontaneous photoshoot, capturing the essence of our glamorous outfits and the spirited atmosphere. Before stepping out, I couldn't resist sending a few snaps to Muhammad, offering him a glimpse into my night.
As the night progressed, I found myself immersed in the lively atmosphere of laughter, music, and dancing. The birthday girl, a joyous spirit, and I connected instantly, our conversation flowing effortlessly, forming an instant bond.
Yet, not all interactions were warm. Some girls shot judgmental glances and projected an air of rudeness, a familiar sight in the competitive social circles of Lagos and, at times, even Abuja. It made me wonder about the dynamics between women, questioning the necessity of defensiveness and the underlying sense of intimidation.
"Why do women feel the need to be defensive around each other? Why the intimidation?" These thoughts swirled in my mind as I observed the intricate dance of social interactions around me.
As predicted by Bimpe, I became a focal point, drawing looks and even receiving advances from some men. Uninterested in such attention, I gracefully declined and retreated to the bar as the party shifted into a dance-filled celebration. Seated with a mocktail in hand, I observed the crowd, captivated by the infectious joy in the air.
Amidst the vibrant scene, a text from Muhammad lit up my phone, complimenting my appearance. "You look breathtaking MashaAllah," his message read. Grateful for his kind words, I replied, and the conversation unfolded. I shared details about the party, explaining my choice to sit by the bar instead of joining the public dance floor. Muhammad, in a playful tone, teased, "Perhaps you're avoiding the dance floor because your moves are so extraordinary that it would overshadow everyone else. I understand, A'isha, not everyone can handle the spotlight!" His witty remark prompted a genuine chuckle from me.
"You have a beautiful smile," I heard a voice say from behind me. I turned to be met by a short looking man clad in a black suit.
"Thank you," I responded with a polite smile, a bit surprised by the unexpected compliment.
The guy continued, "I couldn't help but notice you from across the room. Mind if I join you?" He extended a friendly hand.
I assessed him for a moment, then decided to be cordial and maybe even adventurous. "Sure, why not."
He introduced himself as Tunde, and we engaged in a casual conversation. "Tunde, huh? Are you one of those notorious Yoruba demons I've been warned about?" I smirked, teasingly.
Tunde laughed heartily, admitting, "Guilty as charged! But I promise, I'm a friendly demon."
"A friendly demon sounds more dangerous than a demon that lets you know he's one from the offset."
"Don't deep it babe"
Babe? Ugh.
He asked about my connection to the birthday girl, and I explained that I was a friend of a friend, here to celebrate the special occasion. As we chatted, I couldn't shake the feeling of being observed by some girls in the vicinity, their glances ranging from curious to judgmental. I ignored it, maybe I was overthinking.
He then suggested, "Why not leave this crowd and join me for a quieter place? I promise it'll be more fun."
I couldn't help but chuckle, giving a sassy response, "Oh, Tunde, you must be mistaken. I'm not for hire tonight, and I don't do demon business. I'm just here to enjoy the party." I almost rolled my eyes at the implication, adding, "I'm not that kind of girl."
His expression shifted, realizing his misstep, but instead of acknowledging it, he chuckled, playfully telling me to stop playing hard to get. I responded with a polite but firm decline, emphasizing that I was here to enjoy the birthday celebration and wasn't looking for a change of venue. I will soon slap this guy with my handbag. He wouldn't budge.
"I appreciate your confidence, and it's clear you're used to encounters where your charm works wonders. However, let's establish that I'm not a girl that succumbs to such low approaches. I hold myself to a higher standard and look for the same in MEN. So, kindly retrieve your jaw from the floor, wipe away any residual admiration, you're literally drooling! I don't blame you, but it's disgusting, and then maintain a level of respect befitting both of us by leaving. Your dignity will thank you later." I responded with an assertive tone and wicked smile on my face.
I turned my attention back to my mock-tail. Feeling a mix of pride and amusement, I stood my ground, reminding myself that the old A'isha might have been too accommodating but I'd grown. People's stares and hushed whispers created goosebumps on my neck, but I shrugged it off. The need to leave overwhelmed me, and before I could turn around to search for Bimpe, she was already by my side.
Between laughter, Bimpe who was clearly a little tipsy, spilled the beans, revealing that the guy I had just shut down was the birthday girl's brother. Shocked but still amused, I muttered, "Ah! my bad. He kinda deserved it, though."
We bid the birthday girl farewell, surprisingly met with no hostility, and headed back to the hotel. As we unwound, talking about the night, we took off our makeup together, preparing for bed. Knowing that tomorrow would be a challenging day with work as we had gotten home at 3AM, I braced myself for the impending challenges.
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Hello dear readers!
A'isha ATE that Yoruba demon up! Love the attitude!! What're your thoughts?
Let me know by COMMENTing, LIKING, and SHARING❤️
-Aïcha