Twist Of My Fate

CHAPTER2

The harmattan season in Nigeria always brings with it a unique chill that wraps the air in a crisp, biting embrace. The branches of trees sway erratically in the wind. The streets are perpetually coated in a fine layer of sand, and the dusty haze seems to linger in the air, making every breath feel heavier. It's an unmistakable reminder that the dry season has arrived, but for all its discomforts, there's a certain beauty in its harshness.

Suddenly, I am pulled from my reverie by the loud, piercing honk of a car horn. The noise slices through the stillness, snapping me back into the frenzy of the city. "Stupid woman!" a voice bellows from a nearby vehicle. The shout, sharp and filled with frustration, echoes over the hum of the traffic. The chaotic energy of Lagos, with its ever-present hustle and bustle, comes rushing back to me in full force.

Lagos. It's a city unlike any other—constantly moving, always alive, yet unrelenting in its stress. The traffic, wild and unpredictable, mirrors the city itself. People hurry and hustle, their lives woven into a complex tapestry of noise, speed, and urgency. But despite the madness, Lagos remains my favorite city. It's home and I just got back

"Victoria, have you seen the latest challenge between the IJGBs and Lagos babes?" Mayowa asked, her laughter bubbling up uncontrollably as she spoke. Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she glanced up at me, clearly eager for my reaction.

Though I wasn’t exactly surprised, I hadn’t heard of the challenge she mentioned. Still, a small laugh slipped from my lips. "That’s what Christmas is all about in Lagos," I responded with a playful tone. "And we, the IJGBs, are going to paint the city red!" I shouted, my voice rising above the noise of the crowd. A few passersby turned to look, their cold stares briefly locking onto me, but I remained unfazed, the energy of the moment too infectious to care.

“There’s an event at Baylies Club, and PinkDiamond will be performing,” Mayowa said, her eyes widening with excitement as a grin spread across her face. "I’m pretty sure it’s going to be lit, Vicky. We have to go!"

Her energy was infectious as she continued, practically bouncing in her seat. “We need to swing by Kay’s closet to pick out some banging outfits so we can slay!” With that, she snapped her fingers in a smooth circular motion and added a playful shimmy of her shoulders, fully caught up in the thrill of the idea.

It had been a long while since I’d seen Kay, and the thought of her still stirred something in me. “True,” I said, a nostalgic tone creeping into my voice, “it’s been ages since I’ve seen Kay. I know for sure she’ll be over the moon when she sets her sights on me.”

I paused, lost for a moment in a trance of memories. The quiet stretched on as my mind wandered back to the last time we’d been together. Finally, I broke the silence. “You know, she kissed me the last time we were out partying at the beach—a year ago, now.”

A deep sigh escaped my lips, heavy with the weight of time. “That’s probably the last time I saw her in person,” I added, the realization settling in, as if the passing months had only amplified the distance between us.

Mayowa turned to me with a curious look, pulling my attention back to her. "Well, that's going to be awkward, or won't it?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I think it will be, though—except time has somehow made it less weird for the both of you."

I raised an eyebrow, glancing at her before responding. "Weird, as how? Abeg," I replied, slipping into the thickest Nigerian accent I could muster. "It was casual, plus we were both drunk. Anyway, Kay's closet—here we come!"

With that, I cranked up the volume, my voice matching the sudden roar of the car’s engine as I sped off, the tires screeching in protest against the asphalt.

"Kay, Kay, the Kay!" I sang out playfully, my voice taking on a rhythmic bounce as I moved in time with the beat of my own excitement. My body swayed with the motion, and when I reached her, we embraced, exchanging quick pecks on each cheek.

"Vicky, you look divine!" Kay exclaimed, a bright smile lighting up her face. She stepped back, taking a moment to assess me, then turned me around in a slow, appreciative motion, her eyes scanning every detail.

Vicky and Mayowa exchanged pleasantries as acquaintances, both acknowledging each other with a polite, distant air. Though they were my close friends, they weren't particularly familiar with each other.

"You both are going to the event at Baylies Club, right?" Kay asked, her tone certain. "I have the perfect outfits for both of you. Come this way," she added, gesturing toward a pathway that led directly to the changing room.

As we followed her, my eyes couldn’t help but wander around the space, taking in the vibrant atmosphere of the boutique. Kay snapped me back to the moment. "Here, Mayowa—this one's for you," she said, handing her a dress. "Now, both of you, change and tell me what you think."

It felt like a bit of a tug of war as I struggled to slip into the dress, but when I finally managed to pull it on, I stood in front of the mirror, my face lighting up with satisfaction. "Perfection!" I blurted out, unable to hide my sudden glow.

Mayowa, standing beside me in her own dress, squealed with delight. "It’s gorgeous!" she exclaimed, twirling in front of the mirror, admiring herself.

Kay gave us a smug smile. "You know I’m good at what I do," she said confidently. "I’ll be seeing you girls at the club tonight."

"Oh, that's great. I’ll see you there," I replied with a smile, quickly changing back into my original outfit. As I got dressed, I called to Kay, "Take the dresses, package them in a bag. We’re leaving now."

We walked out to the reception, where Kay handed us our bags with a cheerful expression. "Here, babe. Thank you so much for your patronage," she said warmly.

"Bye, love. See you at the club," I called over my shoulder as I turned to leave.

"I’ll be there with Raymond!" Kay shouted just as I reached the door. I pretended not to hear, my pace quickening as I ignored her. I had no business with Raymond—he hated me, and I returned the sentiment.