OMARI

1: OMARI

✨ Disclaimer✨

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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15 years ago

"...and I want you on your best behavior, Omari. Do you understand?" my mother, Mrs Saidi, pointed out as she bent over to fix my bow tie.
"Yes," I mumbled.
"Yes, what?" she piped.
"Yes, ma'am?" I answered, which was more of a question.

"You know he's going to cause trouble," Laurie, my eldest and only sister, mocked.
"Not while he's in tux and tie," my mother said confidently, smoothing down my tuxedo.
"Tuh," she rolled her eyes and walked out to the car.

While most kids my age were known for being jolly and playful, I was infamous for being a spawn of satan. Part if not all of the town of Hoover Hillside knew that there was a black family which lived past the Mews Square, down Kenyatta Street and in what had to be a white neighborhood of Chestnut Estate, that had a son who caused mischief- any chance he got.

I just knew I was having fun.

My family knew I had manners, I did have the potential to be well behaved. They also knew that when shit went south, best believe I'd be caught in the mess.
The good thing was the trouble I caused wasn't gravely that it could take me to jail.
What juvenile detention center would take me in for shaving the neighbor's cat? Exactly.

"I have been blessed with beautiful babies! You look so handsome, my son," my mother praised, "Just pair it with a great smile and even greater courtesy."
"Yes, mum," I responded.

"Its time to go! We're going to be late!" My father yelled from outside.

That evening was an annual charity event for Hoover Hillside's children living with disabilities foundation. Despite the cause, events like this one were just one of the many reasons affluent people showed up to show off. My parents were no different.
The talks at round tables involved how much who earned and in what space of time. Who had this or that, or whatever it was they formed competition from.

I really didn't give two shits back then as to what adults discussed over bottles of wine and caviar on the side. I was most interested in getting home and ripping off the tux I was forced to wear.

There were different tables for different people. I sat amongst other kids while Laurie sat at a separate table with people her age.

As the evening progressed, more people showed up and filled more tables. Eventually a family friend of ours showed up; the Tembo's.
They embraced my parents while their children walked to the respective seats. Amongst them was none other than Yandi.

Yandile Tembo. She was one sight for my sore eyes; beautiful ebony skin, rich black hair in short wavy curls, her face "beat to the gods" as they like to say. I never really cared much for her body or what she looked like physique wise, I was just a kid. All I knew was she was the prettiest of all at that table.

That table, she sat at that table. She laughed with everyone at that table. I wondered what they talked about at that table. It sure looked nice being an adult- or close enough. They looked nothing like adults.

Yandi and Laurie were close friends. They were in their second year of law school and had their whole life cut out for them once they were to graduate- literally.
With the connections they had plus the demand for attorneys from every corner, it was certain that they'd get the best jobs from the top firms in the city.

As I sat at my table, I couldn't help but immerse myself in the conversations at that table. I had only gone as far as reading their lips, I really didn't care. All my attention was on one person and that was Yandi.

Further into the evening, after all was said and done, people began making their way to the centre of the hall to dance.
It was nice seeing couples dance and publicly display their affection, my parents included. I sat there admiring them before turning to that table.

I was going to ask Yandi to dance with me.

"Would you like to dance with me?" I turned to my side where the voice was coming from. It was Simi.
She was around my age and was actually related to the Tembo family, but that was besides the point.

"No," was all I said.
"Why not?" She questioned.
"Why should I?" I retorted.
"Because everyone else is dancing with someone," she answered.
"So?" I gave her a duh look.

She simply stomped her foot and stormed off. I bet she was fuming because she didn't speak to me for the rest of the night . I really could care less.

I was determined to ask Yandi to dance with me and I had a plan. I slowly stood from my seat and made my way to that table.
My palms were clammy and my tuxedo felt restraining. At some point I thought twice to turn back, but that was a dumb idea.
Ever seen a person walk in a public space- say a mall, and they looked like they didn't know where they were going? That was definitely not the look I was going for .

"Yandi," I finally said with a crack in my voice.
"Omari, hi!" She beamed, leaning over for a side hug. She had on a lovely scent, she smelled of cocoa and berries, or vanilla or something. She just smelt good.
"Omari, what do you want?" Laurie asked nonchalantly.
"I wanted to ask if Yandi would like to da-"

I was cut off by a tall guy, probably six foot four. He had long hair in thick locs with an edgy face and a short goatee.

"Yandi, let's go dance," he reached his hand out and she obliged, sparing no second to say goodbye me.
"Don't hold her hostage on me, Justin!" Laurie gave them a warning look as they vanished into the crowd.

Justin.

He was the guy that ruined my evening, and that was definitely not the last I was going to see nor hear of him.

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Helluuurrr !!
New story I'm working on and its bwbm[black woman black man]. I plan on publishing a few chapters and hopefully you will enjoy it ✨
Like my previous story, this one is based in an African setting but very urban/contemporary.
And I know how it sounds now with the age difference but listen- its all imagination and I just want to see how it goes😂👐🏾.
Please please if you continue reading have an open mind or something, I don't know 😂😭 but hopefully you get it.
Bless!