A Nigerian Christmas: Twelve Days Before Christmas (IN WORKS)

°FRIDAY°

    Hope you guys are enjoying the story so far.
    
             ~17th December, 2021~

I woke up from a ridiculous dream to the voice of my family's early morning prayer. Wondering why I wasn't woken up, still didn't get up and join them for prayer. I didn't know when I fell asleep, looking down at my clothes realized it was probably as I got into the room as the clothes I was on were still my airport outfit.

I don't know how to describe the ridiculous nightmare of a dream. All I know is Tolu and I were in a hair fight, you know how girls fight, dragging each other's hair, yeah that kind of fight. What led to this fight is beyond me, one minute we are talking trying to solve our issues the next we are raising voices at each other then we are pulling each other's hair.

I almost thought it was real, you know how those dreams are like. I wasn't actually ready to see my sister, I had dealt with seeing Stephen but seeing Tolu, someone who had my back and I had hers, who was always the sister to talk girly stuff with when Victoria moved to her husband's house. Tolu and I used to be close, when I lost my boyfriends to them being ugly men, spent days indoors Tolu would drag my butt outside and we go clubbing and have the time of our lives. Then the person you trusted does something terrible to you a serious zero to hundred case. I put my issues with Tolu behind me and faced my reality.

I picked up my phone to find so many messages from my two best friends who I forgot to call as I got to Lagos and also a message from Francis.

I quickly got up from my bed and got to arranging before 9 am when the advert would be premiering on all television channels and radio stations. I quickly sent a "God let this be the best ever" prayer before offloading my box. Thankfully the room was neat, just arranged my clothes into the wardrobes and let it feel more like home as it would be for two weeks before I am back at work as the new assistant chief editor.

When clothes were hung and neatly arranged, jewelry was carefully placed in the glass tray on my vanity table, and creams, perfumes, deodorant, makeup bags, hair products, and skincare products were placed into different drawers of the white vanity table. Satisfied at how nice the room was looking I get into the bathroom with my shower bag and take a beauty shower before starting my day.

I first reply to messages on our three-person group, then look at Francis's message.

Today is the day... Good luck.

I smiled as the message was a little comforting after all our back and forths. Before I can reply to his message another comes in.

Didn't need your gift.

I shook my head. I had to give him a gift I am that good, gift giving is a thing for me, and as long as I know you, a little closer than Hey hi you would always get gifts from me on your birthday, Christmas holidays especially and I get picky with other holidays.

Open it on Christmas hope it makes you happy. 💀

The day started as soon as I left my room some minutes before 9. My parents Mr and Mrs Olaseni owner of Light Foundation, a foundation to help single parents and abandoned children. It's been over ten years since they founded the foundation and it has seen a lot of downs more than ups. And the family suffered from most of it but it was always easy as a family.  They are both seated on the three-seater grey couch side by side talking more than watching the news they had on. My Mum first saw me and the big smile that spread on her face could buy land. She stands up and pulls me to her mama bear hug.

"Omo mi." she pulls back for a brief second admiring my face before hugging me again. "It's been a while since I have seen this beautiful face." I smile looking at my dad whose smile matches mine. "Oluwatumininu Toni Miriam Olalemi welcome home."