Chapter 04: The birthday party

My 25th birthday is in two days! All plans are set! I'm super excited! I'm earnestly anticipating the party and celebration. My room is now subtly beautiful with the new revamp it went through. I now have a-three-step-well spaced-bookshelf at the wall end of the room —reading is one of my few leisure hobbies. A mini sunset lamp on the bed side stool just beside my bed. Two wall-illuminating flowers vases sitting pretty on the all-white-painted wall—I so much love white and illumination when it comes to decor.

It's a Friday evening and I just returned from my fashion stylist's where I went for my cloth fitting and collection—An ox-blood long dress with an eyelet-laced back and a lengthy bow tail.My nail technician is coming in tomorrow to get my nails fixed. My hair stylist would be coming in to get my hair attachment installed on Sunday morning immediately I'm back from church—I will be attending the first service so as to get back in time to prepare for the birthday party.

The party start time was fixed for 4pm on the invite. We have got one of Zara's best host to anchor the event—she is more into events so she knows the best for the gig.

Our expected guests still remains ten—well only if any of the invites decides not to show up but apparently everyone already confirmed their reservation as at an hour ago.

It's few minutes to 6pm.

"I should take a walk once it's 6pm." I said to myself as I rolled over in bed.

Zara has gone to see the mystery guy again so I'm all alone since I got back from work few hours ago.

I'm going that same route I went the last time that gave me the idea for my birthday gift—hopefully I find some luck today as well.

Taking a walk has become really therapeutic for me especially when I discover my head is clouded. It relieves me of the stress in my head and also the stiffness in my bones and muscles.

I'm fifteen minutes headed down the street hoping what today's luck would be—Hahaha

I left the house wearing a rather stylish than casual outfit I do wear for an evening walk.

"Hi!" I heard a voice holla at me from the back.

"Hello." I replied as I turned sharply to see who it was.

This lady is super pretty!—yes I love fine stuffs.

"You live around here?" She asked as she catches up with me.

Okayyyyyy who do we have here miss.

"Yeah. I stay two streets away from here." I replied.

"I'm Zoe. I just moved into the neighborhood few days ago."

"Oh I see."

"Yeah. So I'm just taking a stroll to see what the environs looks like."

"That's pretty good. The estate is a peaceful one if you ask me."

" I didn't catch your name."

"Well maybe because I didn't throw it—hahaha. My name is Biara."

"I must say you have a good sense of humor." She said smiling.

"Thank you Zoe. You seem friendly too." I replied smiling back.

Zoe looked more of a mature person than I am physically which is making me have a guess that she might be older in age. She seems like a friendly person.

"It's getting dark. I need to start heading back home." I said as I stopped to make a u-turn.

"Oh it's fine. We should catch up some other time over drinks if you don't mind." She said.

"It will be my pleasure." I replied.

"I'm not with my phone but I was hoping we could exchange contacts." She said.

You are not with your phone? What happens if you miss your way Miss—well it's not really my business.

"Oh yeah, do you mind dropping yours? So I can give you a beep." I said as I stretched out my phone to her reach.

"That's a good idea." She replied as she collected the phone to punch in her number.

"See you some other time!"

It's few minutes past 7pm when I got home and Zara isn't back yet. I guess the mystery guy has no emergency meeting this time.

This Saturday morning seems brighter than every other—maybe because tomorrow is my birthday. Winks.

***

My nail technician is coming in by 11am. It can't be only me whose hands feels useless while in artificial nails especially if long. I better get my house chores done before she arrives.

You might be wondering why I'm having a home service for my nails and hair—-Have you been to Lagos? The busyness on Saturday is always a special—feels like almost every body in Lagos has an event to be. So why stress myself ahead of my big day if I can get home service done with just one or two extra thousand.

I almost forgot my accessories delivery was fixed for today—I ordered a set of rose gold-tone zirconia earrings and neck piece with bracelet to match with my beautiful ox-blood dress.

"I need to remind Zara to do the last minute check with every vendor before evening," I said to myself as I reached for the bed to pick my phone.

Zara had gone for a quick meeting with a client for some party planning gig she has been pursuing.

Just about few minutes before 4pm Zara walked in looking all glowing and smiling—I smell some good news.

"A million dollar for the good-news." I said teasingly as she settled into the sofa.

"Babe! I'm super happy!. She screamed in excitement.

"Bring it onnnnn!" I replied excitedly too.

"I got the event planning gig for the wedding of the governor's son!"

"Yeeepeeeee!" I screamed loudly almost calling the attention of everyone in the compound.

I'm super happy for my girl. This gig is a major and big win for her brand and I know how much she has wanted that showcase of all her trainings and self discovered talent in the event industry.

"We have a double celebration for tomorrow."

"Yasss girl we do."

"Have you done the last minute check on the vendors?" I asked.

"Sure I have. Everything and everyone is set for tomorrow."

I'm beginning to feel this is a good sign that my 25th birthday is birthing goodness.

It's past 7pm. What do they say about early to bed…early to rise. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

***

"Happy birthday!" I heard voices scream from my sleep.

I'm definitely not dreaming. Isn't that my sister's voice? And my cousin too? Wow!

This girl actually planned a surprise right under my nose and I had no idea?! I doubt if it's even 7am yet.

"You girls are a bunch of surprises." I said still struggling between my sleep and the surprise.

"Happy birthday big sister." My younger sister said as she hugged me tightly.

"I thought you were in school girl."

"Yeah I got to Lagos yesterday evening."

Apparently Zara lodged these girls in an hotel not too far from my estate so they can surprise me this early before I leave for church.

"Happy 25th birthday baby." Zara said as she handed over the birthday cake in her hand to me.

"I never thought I would receive gifts this early." I said giggling as I unbox the gift box the girls brought for me. Look at this! A Zara designer shoe! My day is made!

"I so much love this!." I shouted at the top of my voice while jumping at the same time.

These girls sure knows my taste.

Now I know why my cousin requested for the last invite. It's because of my sister—favorite sister at that. I didn't want to disturb her in school reason why I didn't tell her about the party.

Oh my! I almost forgot today is Sunday. This is 7:35am and first service starts by 8am.

I rushed to the bathroom to have my bath while I hurriedly dressed up afterwards so I don't get late. My church is 30mins drive from my resident and today being Sunday the streets should be traffic free.

"See you guys later." I said as I hopped out of the house to catch my Uber.

I needed these exact words from today's sermon. God bless my pastor really.

It's party o'clock! Few minutes to 4pm and we have 8 of us present already at the venue. Myself, my younger sister—Tiara, Zara, my cousin and her close friend, my ex school mate—Beatrice, My nysc lodge mates who ended up being couples—Bolu and Joy. So we are expecting Zara's mystery guy and his friend.

The serenity of the subtle décor and the environment is so easing and relaxing. The Anchor sure knows his onions and was already making everyone settle into the atmosphere of a party.

"You sure your guy is still coming?" I whispered to Zara.

"He texted they are few minutes away from here." She answered.

A part of me wish he actually turns up so he can erase a part of the impression I have generally about Lagos men. Well it's up to him now.

"He is here." Zara whispered in excitement.

Here was me about to start sampling the various dishes right in front of me. I looked up almost immediately to see our mystery guy and his friend.

Guess who I saw?? Not my heart racing fast! It's him! My eyes are seeing well!

To be continued

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