Better!

Lanre decided to hurry up so she can go fix the bride’s make up. She felt tired already having done make up for ten persons. She carried the box and left to the main house. She furrowed her brows wondering what Anita would have said after Ify had told her what she said.

Looking at the wall clock in the wall of the living room, Lanre smiled knowing she was fast. It was just about twenty minutes to nine o’clock. She will use a maximum of that twenty minutes and a minimum of fifteen minutes to do the bride’s makeup.

Lanre knocks on Anita’s door twice before opening it. She saw that Anita’s head was bent towards the ground while Ify seem to be consoling her. The first thing that came to Lanre’s mind scared her. She just hoped it is not what has just flashed across her mind.

“What happened?” Lanre asked. This time it was her turn not getting any answers.

“Anita why are you crying?” Lanre asked already feeling bad for her. Her prayer was that it shouldn’t be that the wedding has been called off or that something bad has happened. She was scared.

She had seen something like this before. She was not a family to the bride though. Neither was she a friend or a foe. It just happened that she was still training as a make up artist. Then they found the bride crying with her friends trying to console her. The groom had called her that morning and told her that he was not getting married to her anymore.

She didn’t quite follow up what happened until her madam told them that the lady committed suicide a week after. Sometimes she feels like joining the large population in saying, “men are scum”.

Like how can you be with a woman, and the best time you feel you do not want her nor can you be with her is in the day you guys are supposed to wed?

Lanre walked to where Anita was. She placed her hand on her back. “Anita, please say something. Why are you crying? What is wrong?” Lanre asked. Anita raised her head and pointed a finger straight up at Lanre.

“Lanre, do you have a heart? Today’s my wedding for heaven’s sake! I only asked for you to come fix my makeup and it is not like you won’t get paid. We will surely pay you for your services”. Anita said. She looked angry.

“But what did you say, they should use my face for practice. You know what, you are no longer the special maid of honour. I’m using my cousin”. Anita said.

“Better!” Lanre said. Then she took a deep breath.

“I wasn’t hoping to get paid for this. Was just doing it out of good will. But from maid of honour to makeup artist, what a promotion!” Lanre said trying to hide the hurt in her heart. At the moment, her heart eyes were extremely sensitive. Anything could trigger Lanre’s tears to fall.