THE CIRCLE (Episode 2 - Lucky Stars)

Thursday morning
My Phone rings.
Hello Jay. Whatsup? Its Jennifer. Sorry I haven't called since. That 10k you loaned me six months ago, I have it now. Send me your account details.

Ok.. Ehmm. Yes.. Thank you.
I forward them immediately.
Twenty minutes later, I receive the credit alert.
Lucky stars I've got.
Wedding here I come.

I pick up my phone and dial Chiamaka Uwadineke.
"Amy, whatsup? Comman follow me to the market na. I want to get a dress for a wedding".

"Which wedding?"

"Na Chidi invite me o".

"Ok. I'm busy now. I'll be free by 3pm".

"Aii. 3pm then. Thanchu".

3pm
We board a keke. On our way we pass a dress shop full of lovely dresses.
"See fine fine gowns, Amaka".

"Yes yes. Keke stop us here".

We settle the driver and get down.

"Oh my lawd! These are lovely dresses".
We begin to search for a suitable one.

"Jor Jor check this one out".
"I don't like this one..."
"Oh! This one is too big!"
"Ohooo! This one is damn short. You want make I kill person".

"Jor Jor see..."Amaka has eyes for good clothes..
"Yes! Amaka thats it. Its so fine. I pray its my size".
The dress is royal blue in colour. My favorite colour.
I try it on. It suits me perfectly.

Wow! Jor Jor! This dress is very fine.

"How much is this one?", we ask the shop owner.
"Its #12,000"

"Wtf!!!"

"12 what?"

"How much na?"

"Oya bring 10,500".

"No o. Aunty its too much".

"See, this dress is italian. One is one. Original. You cannot find another like this in the market".

"Aunty abeg na. Reduce money".

"Last price #9000. If you no wan buy, leave".

"Hmmm".
We go outside.
I'm sad. I like the dress. "Amy what do you think?"

Its expensive oo but the gown is fine.
Do you like it?

Yes.
If you have the money, buy it. Shey you said you're attending one big wedding like that with Chidi.

Oya lets beg the woman small again.

We go inside
Aunty please na. Cut price for us.

See, I bought this gown 8500. Na #500 I dey use sell am. I can't lie to you.

Hmm. Oya pack it for us.

Friday morning
Immunology class holds.
The lecturer is speaking latin. I am not understanding.

Friday Evening is as usual.

7pm.
I pack my stuff. I'm not sleeping in school tonight.

Saturday morning
I dress up.
Bia, Ekemezie Henrietta na your shoe I go wear o. No time.

Wear na. Just catch correct bobo when you dey come back.
I don hear.

Ooh! Jor Jor keep your face naa, Nze Faithful Chioma  shouts. Ifeoma stop talking to Jor Jor.

Ugochi Chikezie is there. "Jor Jor's mouth wee not rest. Chu chu chu chu chu", she says.

Ehen.. Bar don show like chem path Nwabueze Ajaegbu says in his characteristic manners as he enters the room accompanied by Morah Chidiebere Marshall, Mayor Kingsley Chukwuemeka and Chukwuemeka Ambrose.
"Umu nwanyi", Mor Mor says.
Emeka is on the phone. Weakness things.
Omeh Johnson is listening himself away to some music. Rap most likely from the way he's nodding his head.
Emmanuel Ejimchi Otah is screaming downstairs. That one and big big grammar sef. I think I hear Nnanna Iko's voice.

Jor Jor, so you're getting married and you did not tell me, Mayor asks?
O bu so marriage ? Chinelo Ifekwunigwe chips in.
"Nelo, what are you saying sef?"
We all laugh

Its 2pm
Chidi isn't here.

Hello Chidi. Where are you na?

Bae, sorry I'm on my way.

Na wa o. Do and come na.

Sorry Jor Jor. Its traffic.

Chidi! Saturday traffic!
Hahaha. I dey show now.
Blessing Amaoge Adama calls. Bae, are you in your room?
No o. I'm not. I'm off k. Told you I was going for a wedding na.
Its true. Ok na. I wanted to come and check on you. Have fun o.

Aww! What a bae! Thanchu. Kisses.

Later na. Bye.

I'm chatting with Amaka Antoinette.
How is Kaima? I ask.
Kaima is now a big girl o. She keeps copying Kene.
Ehen na. They are siblings.
Judith says hi.
Aww! Tell her I said hi hi.

3:10pm
My phone rings. Its Chidi.
Jor Jor, I'm downstairs.

See your 2'oclock.

Jor Jor, you won't understand. Are you set?

Yes.
 Faithful applies a little more powder on my face.
"Phai phai it haff do o", Nelo screams.

"Phai phai want jor jor to collect the groom", Ugochi adds.

"Don't forget to bring chicken o", Ify calls out.

"Me too, I waant", Amaka C.U calls out as I shut the door.

"See this. one. Shebi you've been talking to man", I reply

I hurry down.
Chidi looks good. I tell him.
Choi! Jor oo. You're looking good abeg.

Thank you. Oya be a gentle man.

Who is upstairs?

Everybody

Let me go and holla them small.

Oya go na. Do fast o.

Oooooooo

3 minutes later, we drive off
The wedding is top class.
Celebrity crush performs.
I am thrilled.

Boo, you will free me small o, I tell Chidi

Bia Jor Iffa catch you eh. Connect dey here o so just maintain.

Eeehee. You no want make i get my own connect?

Why not? Just wait small. I will soon free you.

Hahaha. Bad shaide

6pm.
The wedding is over.
I meet someone. His name is Henry. He is very clean. He's a close friend of the groom. He tells me his surname. He's from a popular family. We exchange numbers and promise to catch up soon.

Chidi is talking with a governor of one of the states. Not too far, I can see some other governors. Walking up.
I smile. Bad boy. God help you I silently pray.

Celebrity Crush is getting into his car.
I hurry and catch up with him.
Hi. My name is Justina. I really like you and your music.
Crush thinks I'm a politician's daughter. He smiles excitedly. He closes his car and we talk.
We exchange contacts. I try not to scream from over excitement.
Crush, like me, like Chidi, is a hustler. Haha
We take a couple of pictures and hug lightly.
I'm feeling proud. Facebook and Instagram must hear this!

Its nearly 8pm. Chidi isn't through yet.

I give him the hottest flash ever...kpppprrrrr. it goes!
He looks in my direction, sees crush and smiles!
His smile says" finally"
He exchanges contacts with the big shots,  shakes hands and poses for a shot. I rush to join in the picture.
I can't be left out. It is a once in a life time opportunity. 3 governors, 2 ministers...


8:10pm
We are on our way home.
Chidi pulls over at Roban stores and gets me 4pieces of my favorite chicken pie and two 1L Chi exotic drink. He buys a whole prepared chicken too.
He is generous.

We continue on our way.
He drops me in front of the house.
Amy is downstairs talking with a boy from from volley ball.
Ify is with someone too. I can't see his face clearly but I think I know who he is.

When you girls are through, come and take your own wedding something.

To be continued...

#Diaryofahappychild