WHERE THE LOTUS GROWS

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Karen

"Everyone I welcome you to this 22nd birthday celebration of my beautiful, loving, caring and gorgeous daughter, Karen Adebayo. Happy Birthday my dear daughter! Or like the French will say, 'Bonne Anniversaire ma fille!' Also, congratulations on your graduation from college!" I heard my father's voice boom loudly throughout the house as he welcomed guests to my birthday party and wished me a happy birthday.

I was a most peculiar celebrant and host though because I wasn't out there in our large living room receiving and entertaining guests like any normal human being would. Instead, I was hiding out in my room upstairs still debating whether I should put on the emerald-colored dress neatly laid out on my bed or not. My mum had practically dragged me to the mall to buy it for this occasion and I didn't feel the least bit inclined to wear it. I really didn't want a party but being the first and only daughter of my parents didn't always work in my favor and my two sets of grandparents had been in support of having the party so I never even really had a say. Sensing that a search party consisting of my twin brothers, Desmond and Denzel and my mother would soon be sent up to find me, I decided to just wear it and show up long enough for each of them including my father to see me so that I could safely say that I had attended my own party if I was asked tomorrow.

And yes, in case you are wondering, I have boycotted some of my own birthday parties in the past without a single trace of regret but I always hated the scolding that came after. I wasn't really a fan of parties, I much preferred a small gathering of close family and friends with light refreshments but my 'darling' parents wouldn't hear of such.

Drawing a deep breath, I stepped out of my room into the corridor leading to the stairs while bracing myself for the lights and noise awaiting me at the bottom of the stairs. I truly hated the parties my parents organized. They were always stuffy and filled to the brim with stuck up rich people who knew only about their 'reputations' and all that crap. Just as I turned towards the stairs, I ran into my mother who had a very stern and determined look on her face. My brothers were also with her and I knew in an instant that they had been coming to drag me out of my room like I predicted. When she saw me though, her expression immediately softened and she smiled at me warmly. "So young lady, you finally decided to honour us with your presence at your own birthday and college graduation party. How gracious of you." She said in a highly sarcastic tone.

"Boys, you can go now. I got this." Within a heartbeat, they had sprinted down the stairs and out of sight most likely to attack the chocolate fountain and snack tables that were a tradition at all Adebayo parties.

"I'm sorry mum but you know I never really..." she stopped me with her raised hands and I looked at her hopelessly knowing that there was no use trying for the umpteenth time to get her to see things from my own perspective. "Save it. Just go and greet your guests and join me in my room for a minute. I have something for you on the bed, okay?" Her tone brood no argument so I nodded though I didn't really mind her orders. I was already eager to get away from the party and I hadn't even gotten in. Besides, I was curious about the gift.

In less than ten minutes, I succeeded in enduring sickening ten-second exchanging of pleasantries with everyone on the guest list. And yes, there was a guest list. Only a handful of guests managed to get more than twenty seconds of my time because I only actually knew like five percent of them. Squeezing my way through the crowd, I headed back upstairs but before I could get to the stairs, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and smiled when I saw who it was even though I wasn't expecting him to be here. It was Brian, my best friend since I was in ninth grade and he in tenth. Ours was a friendship like no other. He was a real gentleman and I loved him like a brother but lately he had been acting kind of weird. "Brian! I thought you were on a business trip." I gave him a suffocating hug before pulling back to really take in his appearance. He actually looked really nice in his off-white dress shirt and pants but then again, he always looked nice. He was one of those guys who didn't need to try too hard to look good. I didn't tell him that of course, it would only feed his extra large ego.