Chapter Twenty

"Can you guys believe just how far we have come?" Vita asked the girls as they all sat in Munzi's living room eating pizza.

"It's crazy right?" Akila responded while Munzi just smiled picking at her food.

"Just two months ago, we were just teenagers with dreams. Now everyone in the country is seeking us. Speaking of which, we might need to get some managers." Vita added facing Munzi.

"Why do we need managers. Akila does such a wonderful job as it is." Was Munzi's response as she finally stopped staring at her plate.

"It's true that she's amazing but with school and everything it will become harder to balance. You should also get an assistant. You are biting more than you can chew girl and you and I both know that doesn't usually end well. What do you think Akila?"

"I agree with him Munzi. I also think it's about time I moved out. I can afford my own place and I know you don't want to leave this place before the lease is over. This place was prepared for you. I don't feel so comfortable." Akila finally confessed worried about her friend's reaction. But to her surprise Munzi actually felt the same way.

"You are right. This place is intimate and I also kinda like being alone. Sorry girl but I also think you should move out."

"That's a relief even if I'm a little offended. Don't you like coming home to me?" Akila asked feigning hurt.

"You I love you like a sister babe but we need some space."

"God you're harsh."

They all laughed at Vita's comment.

"Don't worry. We are not afraid of hurting each other. It's why we are perfect for each other." Munzi said and high fived Akila.

"Thats right babe." Akila seconded.

"Why do you guys call each other babe?" Vita asked genuinely curious. The girls laughed.

"Well, it's a short story. Munzi and I were walking from school one day. I had just finished applying for the course. She's like really super scared of crossing roads and streets. So when we reached the street between the supermarket and the school, I held her hand and helped her cross. Some dudes looked at us and approached. He asked if he could interest us in a threesome. Munzi said that we couldn't since she was with her babe. It stuck since then." Akila explained and she and Munzi chuckled reminiscing that moment of their lives.

"Damn. You two are really interesting." Vita said and Munzi shrugged.

"It's in born." Both she and Akila said.

"What happened to the guy when you told him that you were gay?" He asked taking the last piece of pizza from the box. Munzi glared at him while Akila just smiled.

"Well I will forgive you for taking my last slice and as for your question, he just called us leles and left."

"What does leles mean?" He asked eating the while slice in one go.

"Lesbians. How long have you been living in Elino?" Akila asked.

"Five months." He confessed.

"And you don't know shit about the slang used here?" Akila asked bewildered.

"Stop teasing him. You were just as bad when you first got here." Munzi defended Vita.

"Yeah. Stop it Akila, you know am a fucking saint." He said causing them to laugh.

"You are right. Some fucking saint you are. You may not know much sheng but your dirty mouth makes up for it." Akila said and continued laughing.

"I gotta go guys. I have a meeting with a client tomorrow morning. I can't be late. Fingers crossed, I will impress him." Vita said getting up and crossing his fingers.

"What if it's a she?" Munzi asked.

"I guess it's not a big deal. As long as she doesn't hit on me then I'll be fine. Disappointed that I don't get to ogle and touch, but still fine." He said and shrugged on his coat.

"You really are confident in your looks aren't you?" Akila asked also standing up.

"Well, I am the prettiest one here so yeah." He said walking to the door.

"I guess you are not wrong but don't forget that I am the one holding the Miss CHS crown."

"Bitch. Akila will you walk me out so that Munzi can clear the table." He said pushing away his imaginary hair and walking out.

"Love you too Vita." She said blowing him a kiss which he took and directed to Akila making them both laugh.

"I'll be right back." Akila said putting on her fluffy slippers and walking Vita to the door.

After they left, Munzi picked up the pizza box and threw it in the trash. Her friends and she liked dry food, so she didn't have any cups to wash. She looked at the calendar and began to think about him. Today was his birthday. April 1st 2001. He would be turning twenty five. She thought and smiled. Wondering if he still remembered her like she remembered him. She moved to the balcony for some cool night air and moonlight.

"What are you smiling about?" Akila asked from behind her. She wasn't startled since she had expected it to happen. They had been living together for far too long.

"Adrian Mitchell. It's his birthday today."

"He's turning twenty five?"

"Yeah. I wonder if he's having a party. I mean when he was back here he was still a church minister so we never got around that topic. But then I kinda got the vibe that he wanted to at least experience that side of life."

"Would he do it if he is still a minister?"

"I don't think so but last I checked, he was going to quit being a minister to focus on his true calling."

"He quit being a minister? You two are really perfect for each other."

"Yeah. We are. Speaking of which, the moon is shining brighter tonight. It's actually improving my mood and raising my spirits."

"What does the moon have to do with you and Adrian being perfect for each other?" Akila asked shivering from the cold.

"Adrian knew that I like to think of myself as Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon."

"Why would you do that?"

"I don't know. Just my name and sometimes I feel like I can reach out and touch the moon. It's like it speaks to me. When I see it, life just becomes better. It just makes me a better person. You learn alot by just observing."

"What made you choose Selene? There are other moon goddesses."

"I know but she is the only one who is considered the embodiment of the moon itself."

"I don't know how to respond to that. And I'm very cold. I'm going to sleep. Don't push me when you come to bed." Akila said finally not being able to stand the cold unlike Munzi whose skin seemed to be glowing. Perhaps the moon was a part of her.

"The moon reflects the sun's light. I feel very happy and less bitchy every time I think about him. I think he's happy because I just started bubbling with happiness." Munzi said turning to smile at Akila.

"You are weird you know?" Akila asked smiling back.

"I know. It's what makes me a goddess." Akila shook her head smiling.

"Will you be coming to bed soon?"

"No. I will soak in more of this light."

"Goodnight then babe."

"Goodnight."

Long after Akila had left Munzi stood there true to her word just looking at the moon. It was like she could see Adrian's face when she looked really intensely. He looked happy and she was happy that he was.

She kept observing and at some point the moon would be covered by the clouds but it would always rise back up. Illuminating the clouds and shining even brighter. Matter of fact, it shined brighter when the clouds were darker. Munzi took comfort in that. Things hadn't been going so well with her music career. She had so much work at school and even more due to the crown. All that added to the music, made her want to crumble but now looking at the moon, she learned that we shine brightest when it's darkest. This cloud in her life would pass and in ten years, she would look back and appreciate.

***The Fourth Dream***

She was sitting in class during an exam. After finishing her paper, she looked up and the roof disappeared. The night sky was so clear you could see all the stars. Suddenly the stars started exploding like fireworks dancing. They were very beautiful. After a while the stars disappeared and the moon took over. It started making shapes and letters. The most prominent ones were; letter M and her face in her dark color and a Labrador dog. They then disappeared and three moons appeared. Two were covered in clouds but the third was clear and shone bright. She was the only one who could see everything. Her classmates were all focused on their work.

   ***End of dream***

The three moons were her past, present and future. The bright clear moon was the future.