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

°AFTER CHRISTMAS°

~26th December, 2021~

I know I haven't forgiven Moyin, what was there to forgive anyway, she stole my boyfriend, and even though they fell in love he was my boyfriend, what happened to the girl code? And Tolu, I am still considering because why she hates me so much just baffles me. Egotistical I want to be like, it isn't my fault your boyfriend found beautiful but then again the boyfriend wasn't someone I could waste my ego on. I didn't like him and not even in the near future.

Back to my reality, had the best Christmas. It wasn't as expected but I'm happy I came home for the holidays. I cleared out my doubts, and my mind now I can have peace of mind because the few days in Lagos was like 1 year in Abuja. Speaking of Abuja, I had work starting tomorrow, I'm still on leave so there was no need to rush back to Abuja, the advert did well thankfully, still doing well according to Francis, who has been working nonstop.

Francis, I remember having a dream or maybe two about him. He's been on my mind of late, and thinking about him made me smile, even when I try not to think too much about him, he still manages to cross my mind. We spoke nonstop last night, he somehow made me feel better after listening to those explanations that didn't exactly make sense. I didn't tell him about the day I had but he could feel I wasn't exactly happy. How we even got friendly is beyond me but that too made me smile. It was step by step, and I knew I was starting to catch feelings for Francis, something I couldn't develop after talking and seeing Kolade. I am wicked yes I know.

I texted Francis Good morning before checking the messages I got from my friends, those ones wouldn't let me rest on the Tolu and Moyin problem. I had told them, they were my best friends, I thought they would make me feel better but Miriam put on her advice cap and I wasn't interested. I may or may not have snapped at her last night.

Her message made me smile, she was apologising for wanting to advice at the wrong time when I just wanted to hear her support me even though I may be wrong too. I apologised too before starting my morning routine.

The house was about to be quiet that's why there was a lot of noise from the kids especially as they would miss Papa and Mama, as Nifemi would call them. Sam and his wife were the first to leave, their quarrel hadn't ended. I remember seeing Sam sitting in the dark living room alone when I got back from talking to Moyin. He looked really sad. I had been obliged to sit next to him and ask.

"I didn't mean to keep it from her... I was going to make sure we had the best Christmas and after I would tell her what had happened. Now she won't talk to me. She won't even look at me." I was sad for him, I had no advice for him, and I too was dealing with a lot.

When they left in the morning today, Sam still had that look on his face, they hadn't progressed and Tana looked the brightest like she won the lottery. I hope they handle it well.

After everyone said goodbye to Sam and his family we also left for church, the service was very short and by the time we got home, Sewa had already prepared Sunday's best of jollof rice, chicken with zobo and plantain. Getting into the compound one could smell the food coming from inside. By the time everyone finished breakfast stroke brunch, we dispersed like staying together any longer would cause disease.

Stephen went out with Tolu, and Mom and Dad went on their date which they needed. It was just Eli and I at home and the workers who had resumed in the morning. Mofemi and Victoria are obviously in love with themselves we're happier than Sam and Tana. When they left later in the day Victoria had said to me in the kitchen.

"Don't marry someone just because they told you they love you. Know if he's the right man." She said smiling. I understood that message. She married her trophy, Mofemi is her trophy and things that she thought would be a problem weren't.

The house was quieter than before, maybe cause some that left won't be coming back. Even Tosin had gone on a date. Just Eli and I sitting in the living room, my laptop on my legs as I worked while he was on his phone chatting or whatever he was doing. The TV was on, but no one was watching, it was just filled with the new silence of the house.

"Sis Toni." I look up to a now bothered Eli, his phone sitting next to him on the couch he had to himself.

"Hmm..." I say looking at him and the new message that popped up on my laptop.

"I don't want to drop out of school, I just love music more."

No one needs to tell me more, I know I was his favourite sister. He didn't open up to anyone like he opened up to me. "If you love music I support you. if you drop out and your parents send you out, I may have space in Abuja but not enough money to send you to music school." I smile. If anything I believe, no one should be forced to do what they don't feel like doing. That's one thing my parents never did. You chose your course they paid the fees.

"You know your parents will support you as long as you want to be the next Anendlessocean or Lawrence Oyor."

"I'm more of a lyricist and producer than a musician don't have the voice for that." He chuckles

"Okay, then I'm sure you would get the hang of it. I just want you to do what you love but then again it's advisable to finish school. You can be working in an Engineering office and be doing music as a side hustle because the music industry doesn't look all that promising. Don't make a mistake you will regret."

"Thank you, Sis. You've always had the best advice. I love you." He comes to hug me. "I'm happy you came home, the house isn't as divided as it used to be." He starts to leave but stops abruptly like he has forgotten something.

"Kolade is the nicest human being but you love Francis. Why not go out with him." I squint my eyes in confusion. I can't remember telling anyone about Kolade and Francis, how did he know? Had he listened to our phone conversations? "Francis and I may have talked one time."

"What do you mean may have talked?"

"He called you but you were outside with Bro Tosin."

"How did you deduce I love him?" My brother was confusing me

"I just know. You saved his name with Francis with the red heart emoji. And Kolade is saved as Kolade."

"You were snooping around?"

"I wasn't, it was just a coincidence I'm sorry." He says smiling before running upstairs.

As if on cue, Francis's message came in.

Hey beautiful,
Working??

That message brought a smile to my face and nothing I did could erase that smile. I was in love.

Time passed and the bright sun outside was beginning to set. Kolade had texted for us to see, when he said see I was thinking too much of the probability he would bring up the love he has for me but he had been a good sport so I wasn't about to be too bothered.

I introduced him to Mum and Dad when he came to pick me up and we left in his car. When he said see I wasn't thinking it was going to be a Kiss Daniel's concert. It was the sweetest gesture, I might think he was trying to win me over. He knew how much I loved Kiss Daniel. We had the VIP tickets and I knew Kolade was a keeper just that between us it was friendship keeping. The thought of introducing him to a girlfriend of mine passed through my mind and I immediately shut it down because it may sound nice it wasn't one of the greatest ideas. He would definitely find the one for him.

He knew most of the songs, we sang along, and he made videos of me singing and shouting like a crazy fan. This was one of the best Christmas holidays I've had in a while. It was more than I could ask for. If anyone had told me this was how it would turn out, I would have laughed in their face calling them a liar.

The tight chest pains from being scared around my sister have somehow gone, and the anxiety and everything that has been an issue for the past four years had all faded in just twelve days before Christmas. Thankfully I came home and here I am singing Lie by Kiss Daniel at the top of my lungs.

"Mama mia é, ma mama mia
Mama mia é, ma mama mia
Mama mia é, ma mama mia
Every, every, everybody know say omo me I no dey lie
Pick up, pick up, pick up my call
Bami soro, bami soro"

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Hey guys.
The book is finally coming to an end. I'm hoping to finish it this month. Hopefully, fingers crossed 🤞🏽
See you soon