Daffodil Sprouts🌼

Ch.11 ' The Party Way.

New York is beautiful; even more beautiful than I am, and trust me, I'm a very good looking person.

I fell asleep on the way from the airport, and this morning, I had been too busy bothering Jason to pay attention to the surroundings. Moreover, the journey took very little time. When Sam was driving me to her home from school, what fascinated me was the bustle. It reminded me of Lagos.

Now, as we drive to Rahman's house, I can't stop wowing at the architecture of the buildings we come across. After their fruitless complaints about my screams, Sam and Mal have kept quiet. Darkness brings out the beauty in everything; New York is no different. And it's just evening.

I plop down on the seat. "I can't believe Mom hasn't said anything about taking me for a tour."

"You're the one who wants a tour," Mal says. "Shouldn't you be the one to say something about it?"

"Hmm." I nod. "True. Sam?"

"Listening."

"I've been thinking, how do you know the way to Rahman's house?"

"A friend." She looks at me through the rearview mirror. "Why?"

"To know if there's a possibility of us getting lost. I can start keeping an eye on the road."

Sam clicks her tongue and goes back to concentrating on the road. Her lashes flutter constantly, glistening with blue mascara. Her lips are blood-red and glossy, like mine; the difference being mine is not as prominent, due to 'accidental' licking. The crocheted dress she's wearing is red, and the neckline is wide enough to let the cloth slip off her shoulder. Her hair is packed in a ponytail, and shiny pins adorn it. If I didn't witness the transformation myself, I wouldn't recognise her. Nor would I Mal either.

Mal's black, shiny hair which was packed in school now flows down her shoulder, the front styled into bangs. The pink gloss she insisted on adhering to, accentuates her childlike face and innocent gaze. She catches me staring and smiles. I grin back.

The car stops.

"Should I drive to the gate, or you can tell me you're joking now. This is the farthest you can go with this joke that I would still be pacifiable."

"Sam," Mal and I chorus.

We're this late because at first, she was sure I was joking. After several explanations and swearing, I can't believe she still thinks I'm lying.

"Were you tricked into your mom's womb?" I ask.

"I need you to understand me. I'm just . . . It's hard to believe that—" she turns to look at me. "Do you understand?"

"No, please drive."

She groans.

Mal chuckles. "I'm really excited. What if I get a boyfriend tonight?" She stares eagerly at Sam and me.

Sam groans again. I laugh.

In the little time spent at Sam's home, I've come to know Mal cherishes the idea of having a boyfriend. She complained endlessly about how she's never dated even though she's seventeen.

I lean towards her. "Do you know I have Enu Ase? It's a Yoruba stuff. Me having it means anything I pronounce comes to pass."

She leans back, eyes round. "Really? Is it like a supernatural power or something?"

Sam tilts in also, waiting for my response.

"Uhh . . . I don't know. It's— forget it. Just know that anything I say comes to pass."

"I'm asking if it's like a supernatural power or something so I can know whether to get my hopes high," Mal says.

"Do you want me to say it or not?" I ask.
Supernatural kuh.