REFLEX

#1: BROKEN HEARTS

It is a starry friday night in the city of Lagos. The weekend is just around the corner and Teni has the perfect idea of what her weekend would look like.

The regular schedule her whole life is welded into. Plans, drawing out lists. These are what got her to where she is and she is hell bent on keeping it that way.

The stars scattered in the sky, caught her attention prematurely, staring out her window, watching them bloom the night's view with how distinct each star is. She wonders how the stars manage to be content with their positions, each of them standing alone.

Teni has always been codependent. Whether it was her best friend or an acquaintance, the idea of being alone was always terrifying to her. Even going to bed at night is always a struggle. So is the idea of zoning out for a period of time.

Stars don't always show up. She wonders what is so special about tonight.

Or maybe tonight is special.

"Madam, what are you looking at? You just left your slave in the kitchen to wash plates for you abi?" Bolu joins her on the bed after making a mocking face at her best friend.

"Sorry. You already know I hate doing the dishes." She has always liked having Bolu over at her house. Homey. House-wifey type, the kind that helps her with all of her domestic needs.

It's the codependency.

"I pity you. What man will understand that you in quote don't like washing plates." She mocks her and Teni in reciprocation, responds with a tongue out.

Teni adjusts her pink camisole gown and lays her head on Bolu's thighs. "How is your fashion designing business going?"

Bolu plays with Teni's long hair. She lets out a little laugh. "You've asked me three times today already."

"I'm just trying to know how my best friend is doing. Shouldn't I worry about you?"

She chuckles. "Of course you can. I know what you're trying to do. You just want to get me to talk about it over and over cos you're really proud of me, hmm?"

"Yes!" They both laugh. "I'm pretty sure it's going to hit big Bolu. I can just feel it in my bones. Stella is just another rival who's jealous of you. That girl irks me."

Bolu grimaces. "I don't know why she turned out that way. Can't two women that are doing well be happy for each other? I mean I have nothing against her." She shoots her hands up as a form of surrender. "Some of her designs are like, really really good and sometimes I wish I had done that but I still respect her, you know?"

Teni sits up to give Bolu a slight push on her shoulder. "What design? What does she have?" She continues. "You are by far the best at what you do. No Stella can take that away from you."

"This one that you're just complimenting someone like this..." Bolu shoots her a suspicious look.

"Come on, what is that supposed to mean?" Teni looks at bolu, with her hand on her chest, feigning hurt. "I always compliment you, don't I?"

Bolu shakes her head no.

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Oh." Teni says, staring into space. "Okay well, from now on, I'm going to make sure to pay you thousands of compliments just like you deserve."

"You're lucky I love you Teni." Teni chuckles and just as she's about to tease her some more, her cellphone vibrates and the familiar ringtone blasts through the phone's speaker.

Teni traces the sound, her hands rummaging through her sheets. "Where is... Where did I put it?"

"Here." Bolu retrieves her phone from the shelf beside them and checks the caller ID, the name confirming her suspicion, it's him. "Here, your prince charming..." Sarcasm lacing through her bored tone.