Another Friday arrived, and my friends Tayi, Shade, and I were dressed to impress in our matching outfits, complete with neon-colored leg warmers, oversized sweatshirts, and high-waisted jeans.
At the bus stop, we boarded a vibrant, music-blasting danfo bus, adorned with colorful stickers and flashing lights. The bus was a party on wheels, and we were excited to get the night started.
After a few hours of dancing and singing along to the bus's playlist, we finally arrived at the club. We joined the long line of people waiting to get in, but our excitement kept us going.
When we finally entered the club, my eyes began to scan the crowded room, searching for a familiar face—Tenisola. I checked the dance floor, where people were grooving to the music, and the seating area, where groups of friends were laughing and chatting. I even looked at the table where I first met Tenisola, but she was nowhere to be found.
Tayi snuck up behind me, making me jump in fear. "How does this mysterious girlfriend of yours look like, hmm?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
I turned to face her, a bit defensive. "She looks like a man."
Tayi's expression transformed from curiosity to confusion, and then, suddenly, she burst out laughing. Shade, who was standing nearby, joined in, and soon they were both giggling uncontrollably.
"What happened?" Shade asked, still chuckling, as she looked at Tayi.
Tayi wiped tears from her eyes. "I asked our lesbian friend here how her girlfriend looks, and she said she looks like a man!"
The two friends exchanged a glance, and then they erupted into laughter again. "Are you sure it's not a man?" Tayi asked, still grinning.
I shook my head. "No, at first, I thought it was a man, but she told me herself that she's a woman."
Shade chuckled. "Which one is that? She looks like a man, but she says she's a woman?"
Tayi and Shade looked at each other, and then they burst out laughing once more. "Shey no be ghost, our friend see that day!" Shade added, chuckling.
I rolled my eyes, feeling a bit exasperated. "I'm not joking, guys."
Shade patted me on the back. "Well, let's enjoy ourselves. Maybe one day you'll find her again, or maybe she'll magically reappear."
As we walked into the crowded dance floor, the sounds of "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey filled the air, and we lost ourselves in the music and the moment. We danced and sang along, surrounded by the pulsating lights and energy of the club.
We left the club a bit early and waited for a bus to take us back to campus. After arriving, Tayi and Shade invited me to stay in their room, but I declined. "No, don't worry, people are still walking outside. I'll go to my room and sleep," I said.
Tayi gave me a hug, followed by Shade. "Ok, go safely ooo," Tayi said. We exchanged goodnights, and I headed towards my hostel.
As I walked, I noticed a car parked in front of me, seemingly out of nowhere. "How stupid can you be?" I asked the driver, irritated. My frustration stemmed from not finding the girl from the club and being teased by my friends all night.
The driver apologized, rolling down the window. I looked inside and was surprised to see Tenisola. "So, you're the one who wants to run me over and take my life away from my single mom abi?" I asked, still annoyed.
Tenisola remained quiet, looking at me with an unreadable expression. "Where are you going?" she asked after a moment.
"To my hostel," I replied.
"Come in, let me drop you," she said, opening the passenger door.
I hesitated, but she insisted. After a minute of back-and-forth, I reluctantly agreed.
As I got into the car, she said, "Spend the night with me at the hotel." I looked at her, taken aback. "Haaa, no, I'll pass," I said, glancing out the window.
Shade's earlier comment about Tenisola being a ghost flashed into my mind, and fear crept in.
Tenisola smiled, as if reading my thoughts. "Come on, I don't bite, and I'm not a ghost."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Hmmm," I said, still scared.
Tenisola chuckled. "Oh, you're just tensed up, like you're in a car with a ghost."
I relaxed slightly, feeling a bit silly. "Oh," I said, releasing a deep breath.
After what felt like an eternity of her asking, I finally agreed. "Ok, fine, let's go."
It was a silent ride back to town to where she was staying, but we finally arrived at the hotel, the famous "Evergreen" hotel.
"Welcome to my room," she said, pushing open the door to reveal a luxurious suite. The room was adorned with bold, colorful patterns, and the furniture was sleek and modern, with gleaming chrome accents. A large, boxy TV sat on a stylish wooden console, and a boombox on the nightstand played soft, sultry music. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and hairspray.
I sat down in one of the plush, velvet armchairs, and she asked me what I'd like to drink. "Water," I replied.
She nodded and headed to the minibar, returning with a chilled bottle of water. We sat together, chatting about everything and nothing, the conversation flowing easily.
As the night wore on, I glanced at my qaqwristwatch and saw that it was only just past midnight. "I should get some sleep," I said, yawning.
She nodded understandingly. "Let me find something comfortable for you to wear."
She disappeared into her closet and emerged with a soft, silky button-up shirt. I took it from her and headed into the bathroom to change.
As I came out, I crept up behind her, dragging the duvet with me. One conversation led to another, and before I knew it, our lips touched, sending a shiver down my spine.
She wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me close as our lips met in a passionate kiss. Her hands roamed over my body, sending shivers down my spine. She kissed my lips, then trailed her mouth down to my neck, her warm breath sending goosebumps over my skin.
Before I knew it, the silky shirt I had just put on was slipping off my body, and I felt her hands exploring my skin. The sensation was intoxicating, and I couldn't help but surrender to the moment.
We made passionate love, our bodies entwined as one. She adored my body with each gentle stroke, caressing me with tender care. I felt myself melting into her touch, surrendering to the pleasure she was giving me.
As we moved together, I couldn't help but respond, planting soft kisses on her neck. My body felt every bit of hers, and it was as if we were connected on a deeper level. I could feel our hearts beating as one, our souls tied together in a way that transcended words.
As I moaned softly into her ear, I felt our connection deepen, our love becoming a living, breathing thing that pulsed through every cell of our bodies.
We had just finished making love, and I was too lazy to get up and clean up, so I fell asleep while she wrapped me tightly in her arms, as if letting me go would mean never seeing me again.
The next morning was a bright and sunny Saturday. She woke up before I did, took a shower, and then woke me up with kisses all over my face. I woke up with a gentle "good morning," and she smiled, saying "good morning" as she kissed me on the lips.
After that, she pulled me up and asked me to go freshen up so we could get breakfast and she could take me back to the hostel. She had a class at 2:30 pm, she said, and I didn't want her to be late.
I went into the bathroom, letting the warm water hit my face as I inhaled deeply, and then exhaled slowly as memories of the previous night flooded back into my mind. I took my shower in silence, lost in thought.
After dressing up in my neatly ironed clothes, I wondered how she had managed to get them clean. We headed out for breakfast.
I savored a crispy plate of chips accompanied by scrambled eggs, paired with a steaming cup of coffee. While Tenisola indulged in a slice of toasted bread topped with rich avocado spread, and a cup of black tea.
As we finished breakfast, Tenisola took me back to the hostel. I got to my room, and three angry faces welcomed me with scowls.
"Where have you been?" Tayi asked, her voice angry but laced with concern. "I was worried about you, like, what happened?" she added.
I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of guilt and relief. "I'm sorry, I ran into Tenisola yesterday," I explained.
Tayi and Shade exchanged a knowing glance, and their expressions softened. Ada, however, looked puzzled. "Who's Tenisola?" she asked, her tone neutral.
Shade intervened, aware of Ada's tendency to judge. "No one, really," Shade said with a dismissive wave.
Tayi stepped forward, her eyes locked on mine. "Please don't ever do this again. We were worried sick about you."
I nodded, feeling a twinge of regret. "I'm sorry, guys. It won't happen again."
Tayi's expression softened, and she pulled me into a warm hug. "Good. Now, let's get ready for that 1:30 pm lecture. Probably a test," she reminded me.
I nodded, changing into something more comfortable as we prepared for the lecture.