Lollipop

"Bestie? Seriously?" Precious said, throwing me a dark gaze as we entered the car.

"Hey, it was a pretty easy explanation at the time." I dismissed it with a casual response.

As we drove into the bustling city of Benin, leaving the banter-filled gaming den behind, I couldn't shake off the feeling of contentment.

"So, the plan is to swing by Becky's place to grab my friends; they're already eagerly anticipating our arrival. You're in for a treat meeting them, by the way."

The party awaited, but the memories of this lazy Sunday afternoon, filled with gaming triumphs and camaraderie, would linger on. The car faced little traffic in town as we made our way to Becky's house.

As we navigated the city streets, Precious began unraveling the tales of her friends. "Becky's the introverted one, you know? She's a sweetheart, a bit reserved, but once you get to know her, she's a gem. Abigail and Sandra, on the other hand, are the dynamic duo of chaos. You'll love them," Precious explained, mischief dancing in her eyes.

As we navigated through the city streets, I couldn't help but be intrigued by the tales of her friends. "Dynamic duo of chaos? That sounds interesting. What makes them wild cases?"

"Abigail is this free spirit, always up for an adventure. She's the kind who convinces you to do things you never thought you would. And Sandra? Oh, she's the life of the party. Where there's fun, you'll find Sandra. Together, they're a force to be reckoned with," Precious laughed, reminiscing about the adventures they shared.

Arriving at Becky's house, the air buzzed with excitement, I caught the sound of her words as she gracefully exited the car leaving me to await her return "Would you mind waiting here while I go get them? It won't take long," she inquired.

"Sure, no problem," I responded, assuring her that I could patiently wait. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and I took a moment to soak in the surroundings while Precious ventured inside.

A few moments later, The lively chatter of the girls echoed as Precious, Becky, Sandra, and Abigail, made an entrance.

There they were – a quartet of vibrant personalities.

Becky, a fair-complexioned girl, standing at about 5'5, stepped out first. She carried a slim-thick figure, her gentle demeanor, adorned in a striking yellow spaghetti-strap velvet mini gown dress. The rich color complemented her reserved yet elegant style, adding a touch of warmth to her presence, complemented by black heels and a matching bag.

As she approached the car, her eyes lit up with a welcoming smile.

"Hellooo," Becky's voice rang out as she stepped into the car.

"Hii," I replied lightly.

Sandra emerged confidently, showcasing her fearless fashion sense. She sported a leather mini skirt paired with a crisp white top, and her black heels clicked rhythmically on the pavement. Sandra's style radiated a mix of edginess and sophistication, a perfect representation of her outgoing personality.

Abigail stepped forward in a nightie-style slip dress, defying conventional outing attire with her unique fashion choice. The dress flowed gracefully around her, creating an effortlessly chic look. Her adventurous spirit was mirrored not just in her clothing but also in the lively glint in her eyes.

As they settled into the car, the atmosphere buzzed with the collective energy of our group. The diversity in their outfits mirrored the distinct personalities each friend brought to the dynamic. Becky, the classic shy beauty; Sandra, the trendsetter; and Abigail, the free spirit – together, they formed a stylish trio, ready for whatever the day held.

"Hey, Daniel. Precious has told me so much about you," Abigail said, offering a friendly handshake from the back sit.

"All good things, I hope," I replied with a grin.

Becky chuckled. "Mostly."

Just then, the three girls burst into a fit of giggles, causing me to crease my eyebrows in wonder about the kind of conversations Precious had with them.

"So, Daniel, how do I get to Greg's place from here?" Precious asked.

"Alright, let's get to downtown first."

Precious skillfully maneuvered through the turns, the afternoon sun rays casting a warm glow on her face as she drove. The car buzzed with laughter, anticipation and lively banter among the five of us as I gave directions to Greg's house, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie.

The car ride continued with stories and anecdotes, weaving a tapestry of shared experiences. The energy was infectious, and the anticipation for the evening ahead heightened with every passing minute.

"Yeah, Greg sure knows how to throw a party. Just keep straight for a bit, and we'll be there in no time."

Precious smoothly executed the turn at the junction to Greg's, and soon we arrived at Greg's house.

As we arrived at Greg's duplex, the exterior presented a grand sight. The imposing gate, adorned with intricate designs, opened to reveal a paved driveway lined with well-manicured hedges. Precious expertly parked her car just outside, and as we stepped out, the imposing structure of Greg's house loomed before us.

The pulsating music and the warm glow from the gathering inside welcomed us. The afternoon seemed promising, with entertainment, laughter, music, and memories in the making.

As we stepped out of the car, the camaraderie forged in those moments on the road set the tone for the vibrant night ahead.

Greg's lively compound, throbbed with the eager anticipation of an impending celebration as I guided the girls through the vibrant scene. Although the clock already read 3:23 PM, the official commencement of the party seemed to linger, echoing the familiar humor in our cultural practice of arriving fashionably late—how quintessentially Nigerian.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of our belated arrival, a subtle nod to the phenomenon known as "Nigerian time." The clock may tick, but the rhythm of the occasion adheres to its own temporal dance.

Navigating through Greg's lively compound, my attention was drawn to the bustling scene that characterized his role as the dynamic host. The atmosphere was charged with energy, Greg orchestrating the event with a fluidity that only a seasoned host could manage. As I observed, it became evident that Greg was in his element, effortlessly multitasking—moving from one area to another, seamlessly attending to details, all while engaged in a series of animated phone calls.

The vibrancy of the occasion mirrored Greg's bustling activity. His commitment to ensuring the event's success was palpable. The phone calls, a constant backdrop to his movements, revealed the behind-the-scenes coordination that was essential to the seamless execution of the gathering. Greg's adept handling of various tasks showcased his dedication, a testament to his passion for creating memorable experiences.

As I led the girls to settle at a cozy 5-seater table, the promise of a vibrant after-party lingered in the air, it was clear that Greg's role extended beyond the conventional boundaries of a host. He was not merely overseeing; he was actively participating, contributing to the vibrant ambiance that enveloped the compound.

"Hey, Daniel! Fashionably late as always," Greg playfully scolded, a grin on his face as I approached him in the lively atmosphere of his bustling compound.

"Guilty as charged," I admitted, offering a sheepish smile. "But seriously, why isn't the party in full swing yet? It's 3:23 PM. Your Nigeria Time strikes again.

Greg laughed "Some of the prominent elders who are close friends of my parents are yet to arrive. They requested a later start to accommodate their schedules. You know how it goes."

I nodded in understanding. "Ah, the elders' schedule. Can't argue with that. Let me guess, they'll stroll in fashionably late too?"

"You bet," Greg replied with a knowing smirk. "But don't worry; once they're settled, we'll kick off the party. In the meantime, mingle, enjoy, and blame it on my parents' influential friends."

Greg leaned in with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Speaking of kicking off, the after-party holds by the pool when all the formalities are done. We can turn up the vibe and keep the celebration going.

The idea of a pool after-party added a new level of excitement to the festivities. "Sounds like a plan! Let's make it happen," I agreed, envisioning the lively scene of friends gathered by the poolside, continuing the celebration into the night long after the elders and guests had concluded their part in the occasion and left.

Seizing the moment, I initiated the introductions, exploiting the perfect segue to present the lively quartet to Greg, our amiable host. With a grin, I orchestrated the formalities, extending a casual yet warm welcome.

"Greg, let me introduce you to these wonderful ladies—Precious, Becky, Sandra, and Abigail. They're good friends of mine," I announced, punctuating each introduction with a playful flourish of gesturing towards the respective ladies.

The girls exchanged friendly greetings with Greg, adding their own touch of enthusiasm to the lively atmosphere of the gathering.

Greg, embodying the epitome of the congenial host, reciprocated with genuine warmth. "Hey there, Welcome to the party. I hope you all have a fantastic time," he declared, his infectious enthusiasm adding an extra layer of excitement to the unfolding festivities.

"Looking forward to a fantastic time."Abigail said, offering a warm smile.

Sandra, with her characteristic boldness, chimed in "Hello! Daniel has told us so much about your legendary parties. We're excited to be here."

The camaraderie within the group set the stage for what promised to be a spirited and culturally resonant gathering.

I couldn't wait to see how the night would unfold, blending tradition, celebration, and a 'splash' of fun.