The birthday disaster
1260 Words
For the next three days, Adunni avoided everybody.
She stopped replying to messages.
Stopped checking social media.
Stopped answering Tami’s calls.
Most painfully…
She stopped thinking about Damian.
Or at least she tried to.
But no matter how hard she fought herself, memories of him still found their way back into her mind.
The way he used to hold her hand in public proudly.
The late-night phone calls.
The promises.
The soft version of Damian nobody else ever saw.
It all felt like another life now.
Adunni sat quietly beside the window inside her room while soft music played from her old speaker. Rain tapped gently against the glass as she sketched dress designs into her notebook, trying desperately to distract herself.
Fashion was the only thing that still made sense.
The only thing nobody could take away from her.
Her mother entered the room slowly carrying food.
“You haven’t eaten all day,” she said gently.
“I’m not hungry.”
Her mother sighed and sat beside her.
“Adunni… heartbreak is painful, but it shouldn’t destroy you.”
Adunni forced a weak smile.
“I know, mummy.”
“You’re stronger than this.”
But Adunni didn’t feel strong.
She felt empty.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed again.
Tami.
This time she answered.
“Hello?”
“Finally!” Tami exclaimed dramatically. “Do you know how worried I’ve been?”
“I just needed space.”
“Well, no more hiding because you’re coming with me tonight.”
Adunni frowned. “Coming where?”
“Femi’s birthday party.”
Her expression immediately changed.
“No.”
“Adunni—”
“I said no.”
“Damian won’t even be there.”
Adunni became quiet.
“You’re lying.”
“I swear,” Tami said quickly. “Femi and Damian are barely speaking right now.”
Adunni hesitated.
The truth was she needed distraction badly.
Maybe one night outside would help her breathe again.
After nearly twenty minutes of convincing, she finally agreed.
That evening, Adunni stood in front of her mirror adjusting her black dress nervously. It was simple but beautiful, hugging her body perfectly.
For the first time in days, she actually looked alive again.
Tami grinned immediately when she arrived.
“See fine girl,” she teased. “Damian will cry if he sees you.”
Adunni forced a small laugh.
“That’s not funny.”
But deep down…
A tiny part of her still wanted him to regret everything.
The party took place at a luxurious rooftop lounge overlooking Lagos at night. Bright city lights sparkled beautifully while music filled the air.
The atmosphere was perfect.
Expensive drinks.
Laughter.
Rich students everywhere.
At first, Adunni actually began enjoying herself.
People complimented her dress.
Some even apologized for the online bullying.
For a brief moment, she almost felt normal again.
Then the elevator doors opened.
And Damian walked in.
Adunni froze instantly.
So did he.
The entire rooftop suddenly felt smaller.
Damian wore an all-black outfit with a silver chain resting against his chest. Girls immediately surrounded him excitedly, but his attention stayed completely on Adunni.
She looked beautiful.
Too beautiful.
And for the first time since the breakup, Damian truly realized what he lost.
Tami cursed under her breath quietly.
“I thought he wasn’t coming,” Adunni whispered painfully.
“I swear I didn’t know.”
But Adunni barely heard her.
Because Damian was already walking toward them slowly.
Every conversation around the rooftop faded as people watched the tension between them carefully.
When Damian finally stopped in front of her, neither spoke immediately.
Then his eyes moved slowly over her dress.
“You look different.”
Adunni crossed her arms slightly.
“You don’t get to notice things about me anymore.”
His jaw tightened.
Tami quickly excused herself awkwardly, leaving them alone.
For a few uncomfortable seconds, silence filled the space between them.
Then Damian finally spoke again.
“You’ve been avoiding me.”
Adunni laughed bitterly.
“You humiliated me publicly. What exactly did you expect?”
Damian looked away briefly before speaking quietly.
“My mother shouldn’t have called you.”
Her heartbeat slowed slightly.
So he knew.
“She offered me money to leave your life.”
Damian cursed under his breath softly.
Adunni studied his face carefully.
“You really let her think I was using you.”
“It’s complicated.”
“No,” she replied painfully. “It’s actually very simple.”
Damian stepped closer.
“Adunni—”
“Do you know what hurts the most?” she interrupted shakily. “I defended you to everybody. Even after what you did to me.”
His expression softened slightly.
But before he could respond, a tall beautiful girl suddenly appeared beside him and wrapped her arms around his shoulder possessively.
“Baby, you disappeared.”
Adunni’s chest tightened instantly.
The girl looked at her carelessly before smirking.
“Oh… it’s her.”
Damian immediately removed the girl’s hand.
“Not now, Sabrina.”
But the damage was already done.
Adunni nodded slowly like she finally understood her place again.
“I shouldn’t have come here.”
She turned quickly and walked away before the tears in her eyes could fall.
“Adunni!” Damian called.
But she kept walking.
Fast.
Straight toward the elevator.
Damian followed immediately, ignoring Sabrina calling after him angrily.
He caught Adunni’s wrist just before the elevator doors closed.
“Let go of me.”
“Listen to me first.”
“There’s nothing left to say!”
People nearby stared openly now.
Adunni’s eyes filled with tears as anger finally exploded out of her.
“You destroyed me!” she shouted. “You made me feel worthless!”
Damian looked genuinely affected.
“That wasn’t my intention.”
She laughed painfully through tears.
“Well congratulations because that’s exactly what you did.”
The elevator doors opened.
Adunni stepped inside immediately.
Damian moved to follow her—
But suddenly Sabrina grabbed his arm angrily.
“Are you seriously chasing your ex in front of everybody?”
That one second distraction was enough.
The elevator doors closed.
And Adunni disappeared downstairs.
Outside the building, she rushed into the rain breathing shakily while tears streamed endlessly down her cheeks.
She hated herself for still loving him.
Hated herself for hoping.
A car horn suddenly sounded nearby.
Adunni looked up and saw a black car stop beside her.
The window rolled down slowly.
A handsome unfamiliar man looked at her with concern.
“Are you okay?”
Adunni quickly wiped her tears. “I’m fine.”
The stranger clearly didn’t believe her.
“It’s raining heavily. Let me at least drive you home.”
Normally, Adunni would refuse immediately.
But tonight she was too emotionally exhausted to argue.
A few minutes later, she sat quietly inside the warm car while soft music played in the background.
The stranger handed her a tissue gently.
“I’m Jayden.”
Adunni looked at him briefly.
“Adunni.”
He smiled slightly.
“Pretty name.”
For the first time in weeks…
Someone looked at her without pity, judgment, or cruelty.
Back upstairs, Damian stood near the rooftop edge staring at the rain angrily.
Femi approached carefully.
“You should go after her.”
Damian clenched his jaw.
“She left with another guy.”
Femi blinked.
“What?”
Damian’s eyes darkened dangerously as he remembered the black car driving away.
For the first time since the breakup…
Jealousy hit him hard enough to hurt.
- Writer
