UYAI ✔️

Uyai (thirty-two)

Uyai's hand drummed nervously on her thigh as she sat on the sofa, her back armoured straight and her thighs locked tightly while she stared at Mrs. Chance who looked down at her through the lens that jutted down her nose bridge threatening to fall off with further facial contortions. Already her facial features was schooled in incredulity as she stared at Uyai as if she'd gone insane.

Uyai held back a sigh and caught her lower lip between her teeth, forcing her gaze to stay still and not waver to the intricate drawings on the flower vase that sat comfortably on the mahogany table.

"I seemed to have heard wrongly, correct me if I'm wrong but did you say you're quitting the contest?"

"Yes." Uyai nodded releasing her lip.

"Well why? I need an explanation!"

"M-My parents won't allow it." Uyai stumbled out a reply

"Explain please." Mrs. Chance muttered tiredly, her manicured fingers pushing the glasses farther up her nose then moving further to massage her temple. It was at that point she noted Mrs. Chance makeup free face letting Uyai for the first time glimpse the stressed wrinkles, the drawn lines by her lips that could pass for laugh lines. It was more prominent now especially with the way her lips slanted in a frown. She looked stressed out and Uyai was uncomfortable with the fact that she was adding an item to the lists of her worries.

"They're not comfortable with beauty contest because of what it entails." she mumbled the latter shifting uncomfortably, her back ached with the position that was deemed proper posture when all she wanted was to either slump her shoulders or lean comfortable on the sofa. Unfortunately she couldn't afford to do that now, she was in a dire situation and she felt she had to be alert and-- minus being alert she couldn't even relax if she wanted to because she came with her a delicate news that was sure to incite some level of fury...

"Pray tell what does it entail?" Mrs. Chance titled her head to the side, her arms were crossed beneath her breasts as she leaned back on her chair. Though she appeared calm, the ticking muscles in her jaw gave away the knowledge that she was irked and was trying with all her might to conceal that fact.

Uyai gulped nervously, still squirming, her hand went to scratch the back of her neck as she forced a reply. "T-The part where we model in bikinis..." she trailed off, her voice raspy.

"Is that it?" Mrs. Chance said with gritted teeth. Her eyes flashed in annoyance as she glared at Uyai.

Uyai flinched at the sudden glare. When she nodded in affirmative to her question, it was a stiff and tentative one.

"And when did they get that information? I thought they're back in the village." She inquired, suspicion marred her expression.

"They came yesterday to visit, and somehow they're familiar with that fact." Uyai grimaced with a slight shrug.

"How can I possibly accept that you're quitting?" Her nose wrinkled as she pushed back her chair. Uyai watched as she stood up and reached for the phone on the table, tab a few buttons and placed it back on the table

Uyai heard a loud ring and knew she had placed it on speaker. Uyai leaned forward a little with squinted eyes and read the name that appeared in reverse. It read Caro.

She was calling Mrs. Ekpenyong.

The phone rang a few times before her voice came through.

"Arit." She said in greeting.

Still frowning, Mrs. Chance bent her head a little and without mincing words spoke "Caro good evening." she greeted out of courtesy, and continued without a pause "What is this I'm hearing about Uyai quitting the contest? I thought we discussed this already."