Newfound Destination

~ 16 ~

"Wow..." The girls chorused.

At the moment, we were getting ready for the wedding. Me, Halimah, Habibah and Salma.

I stared at my reflection through the mirror as I did my makeup.

"A part of me feels he made all of that up just to get to you." Halimah said.

Habibah tutted, "Kai this girl! You're such a bad bele. Is it hard to just smile and say Alhamdulillah?"

I saw Halimah eye her through the mirror, "Abeg, don't attack me for being the only realist in this room. All of you here are dreaming on a cloud of fairytales."

Then, the two girls started verbally attacking her in a playful manner.

However, I stayed on my own and didn't even say a word on the matter. It was quite entertaining, if you ask me.

"Guys...Oya it's okay. Mustapha is a nice guy but that's all. His age is a little out of my league and I'm definitely not intent on starting anything with him, not even a minor crush. I'm just going to work and get paid. I'll laugh with him when there's a need to do so." I finalized.

"Period!" Halimah added.

"Ai dama(of course), there's no wrong in doing that so it's fine." Salma shrugged.

Habibah then said something completely different, "Sha look good tonight oh, because you might bump into him again. After all, he's the bride's brother."

"Yeah...but they'll be on another side so I wouldn't have to come across him if I don't intend to." I told her.

She nodded, "True."

Though, I actually wanted to come across him.

"Still, you have to look good. Let me help with your head tie." Habibah said as she approached me.

I kept my head still as she styled it.

Once she was done, I looked in the mirror.

For once, I really admired my looks. I don't mean to boast though.

A knock came at the door, "What's keeping you girls long now? Everyone is already in the car."

Amir's voice came from the other side.

"We're almost done, just wait." I told him and he seemed to have left as he didn't respond.

I got off the stool where I sat facing the dressing mirror and made my way to the walk-in closet.

There, my lace maroon dress hung and I put it on without wasting any more time.

It flowed down freely all the way to my feet that it literally swept the floor.

I loved how it fit me like a glove and I just felt, it was made especially for me.

"Wow, you look gorgeous." Salma commented as she came in.

"Thanks." I gave a little smile.

"My own dress is tight so I'm really going to need your help zipping it up please." She  told me right as I was about to leave.

I helped with her dress and managed to zip it up, not without struggling though.

"I like it... but can you actually breathe in that thing?" I asked her.

"Of course I can, I'm just used to wearing tight clothes." She replied.

I nodded and we put on our high heels before stepping out at the same time.

Habibah and Halimah were already dressed so we all just took our belongings and walked out of the room.

We got outside the house and to our surprise, Amir was actually waiting for us.

"Sorry!" We apologized in chorus as we got into the car.

"I would have left if they didn't tell me to wait for you guys. As you can see, everyone is already gone." He still complained.

We just remained silent.

What? We're supposed to fall on our knees and beg again and again.

Abeg jor.

Silence...

"By the way, you look good Salma." He suddenly said.

"Oho, waton mu(so we) we're the background." I rolled my eyes.

The girls burst into a fit of laughter and I joined in causing Amir to join right after.

In little time, we were out of the car and making our way towards the entrance of the venue.

It was an outdoor event.

We got seated at a table while Amir went off to another table.

We just listened to the MC make the usual dry jokes and I soon got bored. Sleepy even.

Then my phone pinged.

Mustapha: I see you.

I looked around hopelessly with an amused smile. No results.

Me: Lol, I don't see you.

Mustapha: Then should I come to you?

Me: Don't bother. I'm actually with my friends rn.

Me: PS, they're really weird.

Mustapha: I'm coming towards you.

Me: I don't think that's such a good idea.

For some reason, I still couldn't see-

"Oh hey." Salma's voice rang in my ears and I snapped to look at her.

In front of her, was Mustapha.

Gorgeously dressed.

Oh wow...

"I'm Mustapha. I'm here to have a little chat with Karimah. Do you mind if I steal her away for a moment?" I heard him say snapping out of my trance.

"I don't know, do we?" Halimah asked.

He was visibly confused.

"Please, don't mind her. She's the weirdo of the group..." Habibah chimed in.

Awkward...

"Oh, you guys have the same face. You must be-"

"Let's go." I immediately stood up and pulled him away with me.

I sighed as we got far enough.

"I warned you, you shouldn't have come-"

"You look stunning." He interrupted.

My words suddenly got stuck in my throat as I felt a blush creeping onto my face.

"Don't try to hide your blush, it only makes it more visible." He told me.

I turned around, heaving deep breaths and just waiting for the blush on my face to fade away.

"I have to say, I'm flattered that my words made you blush." He added.

"I should go now, I've stayed away for too long." I said, turning to face him.

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why are you always so tense? And anxious?" He asked.

"I don't understand..."

"Okay. I just want you to feel free when you're around me. I actually get uncomfortable when you act like you're uncomfortable." He said, straightforwardly this time.

"I..."

"Is it because of the age gap?"

"No I-"

"Just see me as your age mate then."

"No. It's not about that. This is just how I am, I'm sorry. I need to go now."

Then I walked away.