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Haha. Not really.
I did pause to feel if my heart felt anything. But no, I just rooting for him to patch things up with his girlfriend.
I shook my head. Was I going to die single?
As I took a bite of my burger, I asked, "So, what's the plan?"
Kelvin shrugged, "Long distance relationships never work out." He took a swig of his beer, avoiding eye contact.
I studied him for a moment, then asked, "You've got trust issues, don't you?"
Kelvin's face twitched, and I knew I'd struck a nerve. He took a deep breath, his eyes clouding over with pain. "My mum left for a study abroad program and never returned. The next news is, she was married and she's sorry."
His words hung in the air, heavy with hurt and betrayal. I felt a lump form in my throat as I nodded, understanding the depth of his wound. I could relate to the ache of abandonment, the longing for a loved one who'd chosen to leave.
"I know the pain of betrayal," I said, my voice laced with empathy. "My dad cheated on my mum, got his mistress pregnant, and promptly divorced my mom to start a new family. He's now living happily ever after with his new wife and two kids."
Kelvin's eyes widened in understanding. "Sorry" was all he said, but I brushed it off with a wave of my hand. "No need to apologize. It seems we both have the dubious honor of calling assholes our parents."
Kelvin chuckled.
"Well, don't let your mom's mistakes hold you back from finding your own happiness!"
He teased, "Look who's doling out love advice now!"
I playfully rolled his eyes.
"And who's your happiness, huh?" Kelvin asked, curiosity piqued.
Clyde.
"No one. Single as a pringle."
Kelvin's eyes locked onto mine, and I could sense a secret lingering on the tip of his tongue.
"What is it?" I inquired.
He hesitated, then shrugged, "Nothing."
I raised an eyebrow, calling his bluff. "Oh, come on! I saw that look on your face – you were about to spill something. Don't leave me hanging like this!"
"You must have imagined it," Kelvin said with a smirk.
I raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "Are you saying I'm delusional? That I'm hallucinating?"
Kelvin burst out laughing,
~
After dinner, Kelvin hailed an Uber, and we zipped off to my hostel. As I hopped out of the car, a spontaneous idea struck me. "Hey, Kelvin, want to be my date for the freshers' night party?" I asked, grinning mischievously.
He maintained a poker face, "Nope."
I playfully rolled my eyes, "Idiot!" I teased, chuckling as I waved goodbye and skipped off into the night.
Before I knew it, the week had flown by, and Thursday of the following week had arrived. The excitement was building, as the location of the highly anticipated party was finally revealed in the group chat. The venue was none other than the luxurious Hotel Kuban, and the party was set to take place on Saturday night. My mind was racing with anticipation - only two days to go! The countdown had begun, and I couldn't wait to let loose and have the time of my life.
A text came to my phone.
KELVIN: I'm heading out of town to visit my girlfriend tomorrow so I won't be in school.
ME: Aha! This is what a man sounds like :D
KELVIN: LOL but don't worry I'll be back in time for the party by Saturday morning.
ME: Have fun, but don't get too carried away...see you on Saturday.
The door creaked open, and Mira walked in, her usual vibrancy noticeably absent. She was shivering, her eyes sunken, and her skin pale. I immediately sensed something was wrong.
"Mira, are you okay? You're shaking like a leaf!" I asked, instinctively reaching out to feel her forehead. Her skin was scorching hot, and I didn't need an answer to know she was burning up with fever.
I rushed to the nearby pharmacy to fetch some medication, while Brenda tenderly cooled Mira down with a damp napkin, gently stroking her forehead. Once I returned with the drugs, Mira weakly took them, and soon her eyelids drooped, and she drifted off to sleep. I softly covered her with a cozy blanket, making sure she was comfortable, and then turned off the fan to create a peaceful atmosphere, allowing her to rest and recover.
By Saturday morning, Mira was slowly on the mend, but still a far cry from party-ready.
"Fucking sickness," she groaned, her voice muffled by the blanket she was still snugly wrapped in.
I chuckled sympathetically, "Well, at least you're feeling well enough to curse the universe now!" I teased, trying to lift her spirits. "That's progress, right?"
"Poor Miracle is not going to Kuban Hotel tonight," Brenda said in a mock-sorrowful tone, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
I couldn't help but crack up at Mira's expense, and Brenda joined in, our laughter echoing through the room. Mira's gaze turned into a death glare, her eyes flashing with mock-anger.
After having breakfast which was nothing special but cereals, I spent the morning tackling the laundry.
It wasn't the most thrilling task, but it needed to be done! I finally finished around 1 pm and decided to treat myself to a nice long nap. I snoozed for about two hours, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
When I woke up, Brenda had already prepared a delicious lunch of macaroni and salad.
After lunch, I treated myself to a relaxing hair care routine. I started by washing my afro with a shampoo, followed by a moisturizing conditioner to detangle and soften my curls. Then, I indulged in a pampering session by applying a rich mixture of shea butter and coconut oil to lock in moisture. The soothing scents and gentle textures left my hair feeling silky, smooth, and utterly pampered!
After combing out my luscious locks, Brenda expertly braided my hair into sleek cornrows, creating a stunning base for my next look. I then unveiled my trusty long brown bob wig with fringe, and with a few swift passes of the straightener, it was transformed into a silky, straight masterpiece.
After Brenda finished her bath, I indulged in a refreshing shower. As I emerged, I slipped into my show-stopping outfit - a sultry halter animal skin dress that hugged my curves in all the right places. The daringly low neckline and exposed back accentuated my confidence, while the tight, short silhouette flaunted my figure. I completed my look with a gleaming gold bracelet and a few strategically placed rings.
As soon as I slipped on my wig, I was instantaneously transformed into a stunning diva! I felt untouchable, like a supermodel strutting down the catwalk. The fringe fell perfectly on my forehead, framing my face like a work of art, and the wig swayed seductively with every move I made.
I elevated my look with black high heels, a glossy pout, and a sleek black handbag, making sure to pack a comb to keep my locks looking luscious all night long.
"Wow, you're absolutely smoldering!" Mira exclaimed, her eyes fixed on us with a mix of admiration and longing. She looked like a puppy who'd been left out of the fun, her face a picture of adorable despair.
"Aww, my poor baby!" I cooed, trying to console her with a gentle touch, but she playfully swatted my hands away. I burst out laughing at her feisty response, enjoying the lighthearted moment.
Brenda stunned in a mini pale purple button-down dress, showcasing her impeccable style. The dress's elasticated waistline accentuated her curves, and she wisely avoided any bending to preserve the outfit's integrity. Her braids cascaded down her back like a golden waterfall, and she added a smoky eye effect with a precise eyeliner application. A nude lipstick, perfectly matching her skin tone, completed her makeup look. Elevating her overall style, she slipped on silver platform heels and carried a sleek silver clutch, exuding confidence and glamour.
Brenda was absolutely gorgeous, radiating a captivating blend of innocence and mischief that left me in awe. I marveled at how she effortlessly pulled off this contradictory look, making it seem like second nature. As we finalized our preparations with a spritz of perfume, I couldn't help but notice the striking contrast between our heights - I towered over her, thanks to my heels, which only added to the comedic effect. I chuckled at the visual disparity, feeling like a statuesque giant beside her petite frame.
Then I remembered. "Oh no, we forgot to book an Uber!" I exclaimed, suddenly worried about our transportation.
But Brenda just gave me a sly smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Surprise, surprise!" she said, her voice dripping with excitement. "Clyde is waiting for us downstairs, I invited him to be our chauffeur for the night!"
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