Party
947 Words
The party was in full swing. High-life music blasted from the heavy loudspeakers, vibrating through the floorboards. Everywhere you looked, people were holding drinks, laughing, and chatting. In one corner, a group of mothers huddled together, eagerly whispering and gossiping, while on the other side, Mimi’s dad stood with his fellow men, clinking bottles and roaring with laughter.
At the far end of the yard, Mimi and Annie were seated at a table piled high with plates of smoky Jellof rice and golden fried meat, cold drinks held tight in their hands.
"Your parents don't joke when it comes to a celebration o!" Annie shouted, practically screaming to be heard over the booming bass.
"Like, ehn! And this is just for the JAMB score o! I haven't even secured the admission yet!" Mimi shouted back.
"When you finally secure the admission, they will throw a luxury gala!" Annie joked, throwing her head back.
"That’s exactly what I told them! These people never cease to amaze me."
Annie looked at her sideways, a knowing smirk on her face. "Tell me you don’t want this lie, na."
"I don't want it jare. It’s just a result," Mimi lied, biting her lower lip to hide a massive smile.
"Liar! See this girl o. Who are you forming for? Abeg, stand up let’s go and dance with the others!"
"I don't want to dance," Mimi protested, still fighting back her smile.
"Why?"
"Beg me first!"
"You are not serious," Annie laughed, violently dragging Mimi by the hand toward the crowded dance floor.
As they reached the crowd, one of their former classmates, Emeka, spotted them. "Congratulations, Mimi!" he called out.
"Thank you," Mimi smiled.
Emeka glanced past them toward the serving area. "Please, can I get more rice and drinks?"
Before Mimi could even blink, Annie sharply cut in, glaring at him with pure disgust. "No! Food has finished."
Emeka frowned, stepping forward. "Is it your food?"
"It’s my sister’s food, and I have every right over it!" Annie snapped, stepping into his space.
"Look at this one o..." Emeka muttered.
Mimi’s eyes widened. Sensing that this was rapidly turning into a real confrontation, she quickly stepped between them. "Um, Emeka, there’s no food left o. Pl—"
Annie cut her off, shouting over her shoulder, "Ehn! Good for you, beggar!"
"Annie, I wasn't talking to you!" Emeka yelled, his face turning red.
"Do you have the guts to talk to me?!"
The commotion was drawing looks, so Mimi quickly grabbed Annie’s arm and began dragging her away. Behind them, Emeka was still shouting insults. "I don't blame you, stupid girl!"
There was a bitter history between Annie and Emeka. Back in SS2, Emeka had caught feelings for Annie and asked her to be his girlfriend. She turned him down flat. Even after he begged multiple times, her answer remained a solid no. Bruised and humiliated, Emeka’s crush turned into pure hatred. He started spreading malicious rumors around the school, claiming Annie was a p********e who told him she "didn't follow small boys, only married men."
Being the no-nonsense girl she was, the moment the rumors reached Annie, she confronted him. The argument escalated quickly, and in a fit of rage, Emeka slapped her. Annie retaliated instantly, and a massive fight broke out. Mimi, standing nearby, couldn't just watch her best friend get beaten up. Besides, she knew if she just stood there trying to separate them, Annie would be furious with her later. So, Mimi joined the fray. Together, the two girls gave Emeka a thorough beating.
Though all three were punished by the school authorities, Emeka faced the worst of it for spreading false rumors. Worse than the principal's cane, however, was the mockery. The entire school—including the junior students and his own friends—laughed at him mercilessly for getting beaten up by two girls. From that day on, he was labeled a weakling, and his hatred for Annie intensified, extending to Mimi as well. But today, the aroma of the party food had been too irresistible to ignore, which was the only reason he had swallowed his pride to come over.
Back at the edge of the dance floor, Mimi turned on her friend. "Why would you talk to him like that?"
"He deserves it! Have you forgotten what he did to me in SS2?" Annie hissed.
"No, I haven't. But you ought to have forgiven him by now."
"Never! Enemies for life—that is what we will be."
"Oh God, Annie," Mimi said, dramatically rolling her eyes.
"What? What did I do? Don't tell me you actually like him o!"
"God forbid! Oh God, Annie, why would you even think such a disgusting thing? Me and that stupid boy? Never!"
"Better. Because I thought you were about to start playing Love in Tokyo with him."
"You are really a clown," Mimi laughed, her annoyance melting away. "Come on, let’s go and dance with the rest."
"No, I’m no longer in the mood," Annie grumbled, crossing her arms.
"Is it like you are mad? This is our big day o—your achievement and mine! Don't let any riff-raff spoil your mood."
Mimi grabbed Annie's hand, dragging her back into the center of the crowd. Within seconds, the rhythm of the music took over, and they began dancing and laughing with the rest of their friends, leaving the shadows of the past behind them.
- Writer
