Me ✓

#35

I placed my hand onto the metal handle and sighed, I needed to do this. The more I hid things from her, the heavier my heart got. She didn't deserve this, not at all.

I pushed down the handle and pushed open the door, my eyes searching the room, only to fall on the two girls who seemed to be embracing each other while laying on the floor.

I furrowed my brows in confusion and almost laughed as they both scrambled onto the bed. I recognized one of the girls as my disheveled daughter and sighed for the umpteenth time today, this girl just kept surprising me.

"Daddy? Do you need something?" My daughter managed to sputter out awkwardly while her cousin apparently found a sudden interest in the flower print note book beside her.  If not for the love I had toward them both, I would have cut the awkward tension with a laugh. But teasing the children was my sole purpose as a parent so I kept my face neutral.

"I need you both to get ready, we're having a guest in a couple minutes. Mercy, I'm sure you wouldn't mind borrowing some dinner outfits from your cousin?" My niece nodded her head firmly as an affirmative and I gave a nod back. "You girls should hurry up, they'll be here soon. You can continue your hugging after."

Both girls widened their eyes as a wide grin broke out onto my face, satisfied with the embarrassed looks on their faces, I exited the room. I wasn't sure why I always got some sort of spur of joy whenever I teased my daughter but I sure did like it.

Minutes later we were all sat at the dining table, both girls had decided to dress up as twins like they used to do back when they were kids. They sported black sweaters with an Emoji imprinted on them and black skinny jeans.

I glanced at my wrist watch for a second, before looking back up at the girls. I couldn't help but smile as they showed each other things on their phones. The door bell's ringing was just enough to snap me back into my senses as I headed towards the door before either of the girls could go.

Pulling it open, I smiled at my guest, also getting a smile in return. Stepping aside, my friend gave me a nervous glance and gulped in fear but I gave a reassuring nod back.

There really wasn't anything to be scared of, it was just a meal with Kolupo and her cousin. Shutting the door, we both headed towards the dining table. I swallowed a lump that had formed in my throat and heaved out a sigh. Ripping it off like a band aid.

The moment the girls got a glimpse of us, the voices toned down and the room was a graveyard. "Good Evening Ma." The girls coincidentally chorused, they both gave eachother a look before turning their attention back to us.

"Nifemi this is my daughter Kolupo, Kolupo this is my friend Nifemi." My daughter's face paled and she seemed to have frozen for a second. "Kolupo, I've heard so much about you. Nice to meet Daddy's Little Princess."

I wasn't sure what was going through Kolupo's mind but she seemed to have recovered from her shock instantly and was able to give a smile. "Nice to meet you too ma."

Nifemi turned to Mercy and smiled once again. "Wow. I didn't know Kolupo had a twin sister." Mercy instantly reacted with a grin, shoving Kolupo lightly. "Even now as we're mature people still call us twins. Gosh! Like, can't they see my hotness."

Amused smiles lit up the room as soon as the words escaped form Mercy's lips. We could always count on that little rascal to lighten up the atmosphere anyday. I pulled out the seat beside me, allowing Nifemi to sit before pushing it back in.

I took a seat beside her, having the girls right opposite us. No one being on the two heads of the table, just as I liked it. Though Mercy had lightened things up, the tension hadn't immediately faded away just yet.