It has been a tumultuous year.
Morenikeji could attest to that. One minute she was having the time of her life with him. The sex was mind-blowing and in so many instances, Sola had her quivering just by the way he called her name in full, the way he licked her ears and clasped her breasts. He lifted her during sex like she weighed nothing. Everything was perfect and then one day, he told her he needed a break and because she knew that a break was only a breakup in disguise, she ended it herself there and then. The days that followed rankled in the misery of heartbreak, but they passed like all days do.
The months have flown by and harmattan is finally here, accompanied by Christmas. The air is dry and she keeps licking her lips because she forgot to apply gloss. People decorate everywhere with the colours red and green. There is a vibrancy in the air, whether real or manufactured, she does not know.
She feels her phone vibrate so she reaches inside her backpack for it.
“Keji,” Peju cooed, “are you there yet?”
“No, babe, I’m actually in a Bolt right now and I will send you my location.”
“Oh, okay dear, please call me when you get there.”
“Sure, babe. Thanks for calling, it slipped my mind.”
“I know, it happens. Enjoy yourself at her place, okay?”
“Yea, I will.”
With Labyrinth’s Imagination blasting at full volume in her ears, she reminisced about how the year went. It was all a blur. When her mom said she should go visit her aunt staying on the Island, she was looking forward to the trip before it even happened. Aunt Sayo is a woman filled with life and boisterous. The first time Morenikeji saw her, she was enthralled. She had long, cream braids on her, full lips with shiny red lipsticks and red nails.
She later found out Aunt Sayo’s favourite colour was red.
“It screams danger,” she told Sayo in a conspirator’s voice. She felt like she was in on a secret. Her aunt liked travelling outside the country for Christmas because she liked seeing how other cultures celebrated Christmas but she was staying in Nigeria this year.
Getting down from the Bolt, she gave the driver five stars, and she got her box from the boot. Dragging it behind her and clomping on her heavy boots, she knocked on the big white gate.
Static filled the air, and she looked to her right, seeing the speaker just above her head.
“Who you dey find?” someone said gruffly.
“My aunt, Ms. Adelebo, I called her just now.”
“Wetin you d—“ a pause ensued, then she heard heels. Morenikeji smiled because her anxiety was already about to get the best of her. She didn’t want to imagine what would’ve happened if this hadn’t been her Aunt’s place.
The gate slid open and her aunt’s perfume encompassed
her in a warm welcome before her Aunt did. Hugging her fiercely, her aunt let her into the house while the gateman helped with her box.
Three days later, her aunt called her line. This always amused her because she was right downstairs.
“Baby girl, get dressed. We are hitting the beach soon!”
“The beach? But I didn’t bring any swimwear!!”
“Thought you’d say that I shopped ahead. Come upstairs and pick any one you want.”
Morenikeji chose the orange one. She loved sunsets. The beach was close to the house, and in thirty minutes she had sand in places she’d rather not think about, but she was sipping on many cocktails so she had few complaints. Her short locs rested behind her neck, she liked this length so she could pack them easily. Lost in the beautiful haze of the December evening, she jostled when she heard a voice:
“Nearly all the men in Lagos are mad, lol. That’s interesting.”
Morenikeji wondered who the husky voice belonged to, and why was the person reading out the title of her book. She intentionally picked the book so she can repel men and sip her cocktails in peace.
“Yes, by Damilare Kuku.” She responded snidely, willing this person to move along.
“Oh, I’ve read it.”
Stunned, she lowered her shades. This man had her attention. He had a broad chest with a dark skin and a dazzling smile. Closely cropped hair, his eyes stood out and they look sincere. His nose bridge joined the arches between his brows ever so smoothly, leading to the cutest nose she’s ever seen. And the lips. They look so soft and succulent, Morenikeji wondered
what it would feel like to snack on them.
“Oh, you came with a chaperone?” he asked with a
“Really? What part was your favourite?”
“I can’t remember her name, but the part where that babe stood up to her boyfriend’s mother? Yea, I liked that.”
“I liked it too. That was brave.”
“Yea, I know right.”
“Umm”, he cleared his throat, “my name is Biola.”
“I’m Morenikeji, that’s my Aunt behind me.”
slight glint in his eyes, and she burst into laughter. It seems he also has a sense of humor, sweet!
“Yea, something like that,” she responded.
“You know what? I know somewhere they sell nice gelato here. Will you be willing to come with me?” he asked.
“Okay, let me tell my aunt.”
The walk was enchanting. He had a soothing way of talking. She realized she could listen to him for hours.
At the Gelato hub, there was a queue so they decided to hang around after telling the people in the queue they’d be back. They strolled to a not-so-populated part of the beach.
The sun started its descent.
The clouds slowly curled and
unfurled, revealing the yolk-like sun. It burned a bright orange, like a candle flame. It set the clouds stretched away from it aflame, its reflection glowed and beamed on the sea.
Watching her, Biola felt his
heart kick. Her dreads looked soft and fluffy, her smooth caramel skin, shiny. When he spoke at the beach, he wasn’t prepared for the beauty that hit him. She had curious eyes, and the little mole underneath her nose made him sigh.
She yelped, remembering the gelato. Luckily, the queue already dissipated and they were able to place their order. She ordered the strawberry and he ordered vanilla. They licked their spoon with giddiness and laughed back to the spot.
“So, any chance I can get your digits?”
“Yeah, sure,” with a grin, she rattled off her number while he typed with the speed of a typist.
“I’ll call you, okay?” he said as he slowly backtracked.
“Alright Biola.”
“Who’s the fine bearded man?” her aunt asked.
“A friend, Auntie.”
“A friend and you were shining teeth like that? Be deceiving yourself,” her aunt snickered.
It’s been a week now. They’d been chatting a lot and she couldn’t stop smiling at her phone. She liked him, she knew it.
She was watching “Archer” on Netflix when her phone vibrated and displayed “Biola” on the screen, she picked it.
“Would you come for a party on the beach on Christmas?”
“On the beach? Jesus was born in a manger, wasn’t he?” she quipped.
Chuckling, he replied, “Yea, it’s just a small get-together
between friends, and I’d like you to come with me.”
“Aye, captain, I’ll be there.”
Grinning, she wondered how she’ll tell her Aunt. “Ugh, what if she says no?” she thought sourly.
Turned out she had no reason to worry. She was seated amidst the yellow flowers, her glasses perched on her nose while reading a novel.
“Just be careful and get back home in one piece okay?” her aunt replied while blowing her kisses across the garden.
The party was already in full swing, the latest Show Dem Camp’s album was playing, and the atmosphere was groovy. She saw Biola after calling him that she had made it to the beach. He was wearing a palm-patterned shirt and shorts. They hugged and lingered.
Biola couldn’t believe she came. She was wearing the most beautiful things he’s ever seen on a woman. Short flowing gown, colourful bangles, and a diamond necklace. Her legs stretched on forever and he was having wild thoughts he was struggling to restrain. And she smelled heavenly. Who smells like that?He wonders dreamingly. I should get her a gift the next time we meet, he notes to
himself quietly.
They started the party games like “Truth or dare”, “Ping Pong” and “Never Have I Ever,” amongst others.
“Merry Christmas!” The drunk and semi-drunk voices rang out when it clocked at midnight. Biola grabbed Morenikeji’s waist gently, pulling her into his body. Her body felt like a liquid volcano,
melting to his touch, look, everything.
The kiss was an explosion. Their lips touched and Morenikeji got a revelation. No one has ever kissed her like this in her whole life. He kissed her lips slowly, guiding his hand down her body, flicking his tongue across her lips, he devoured her. She kissed back as passionately, eager to feel this beautiful sensation.
Smiling sheepishly, Biola rested his forehead on hers and said “Should we get some gelatos?”. Grinning, Morenikeji nodded. The waves crashed against the beach softly as they walked hand in hand, grinning from ear to ear.
