Broken Birds

Ten

Like I promised I brought Laila along with me to Abba's birthday.

The girl is undoubtedly gorgeous and calm but I've already met the one for me and I'm not giving up on her just yet.

It's been three days since I rushed to the hotel after I was informed about her arrival, I got really disappointed hearing her talk smack about herself and now I'm just waiting for her call, which she will.

Hopefully.

I can't deny that Laila looked gorgeous today and the white floral dress she wore looked even better on her.

Plus Ma seems to like her. I mean I never doubted it. She's beautiful, from a good home, stylish, wealthy, well mannered and smart. Technically, she strikes every parent's box.

So while she conversed with my mother I sneaked into my former room to rest a bit. I was working all night and all morning as well, all I want to do is sleep.

Abba wouldn't mind as the man doesn't not care about parties but the issue is my dear mother. She'd probably keep calling me so we'd take pictures as a family, as if we don't do that every year.

Someone knocks on my door.
Thankfully it's not my mother because she would have barged in. I think one of the biggest blessings was leaving this house. My mom would barge in while I was working and try chatting me up, can you believe she gets offended because I continue working?

She'd leave and still come back when Abba eventually falls asleep, something he does a lot. At that time my sisters were in boarding school and my brother, wasting his life.

"Come in"
The door opens and Laila walks in slowly.
I kinda wish Anwar is as confident as she is. I would give everything to have had her beside me today but I know Anwar, she'd hide in a corner somewhere because all this is 'above her level'.

"You ran back here?" She asks smiling, looking around my room.
I nod "Yeah, kinda tired"

She giggles "You should have let me put on that face mask for you. Your face would have looked better"

I shake my head "My only facial cream is Vaseline"
She laughs "Then you're lucky, somehow your skin still glows".

I nod.
"Did Ma ask you to call me?"
She shakes her head "No. I was looking for you so your sisters pointed me this way"

She walks around and lies down next to me, looking at the ceiling.
"Why don't you like me?"

"I do like you, just not the way you want me to"
She huffs "What is it about me you don't like?"

"Nothing, you're so perfect it's scary"
She chuckles "But not perfect for you"

I stay quiet.
"Did Faisal beg you to invite me?"
"No, he didn't. Not really"

"I'm going to give up but I should let you know that, you're exactly my type and I pray she likes you back"
I turn my head and look at her, she was still looking at the ceiling.

"Let's go enjoy what's left of the party"
"Ok" she gets up smiling "And your mother's meatballs are heaven"

"She didn't make them"
She giggles.

::

I needed advice.
Like real advice from other men.
Where better than my barber's shop.

We tap hands "I thought you dropped me"
"No. This, this is for life"

He chuckles "You're right on time, sit"
"You still dey this world?" Tunde asks as we tap hands.

Bola is my barber but I get along with Shola, Francis and Roscoe too, they're also barbers there.

"I would have come greet you but as you can see, I'm busy" Francis says.
"I think he has eyes" Shola hisses at his cousin.