Chapter 14: Chapter 14

December…

"So, have a wonderful holiday and we'll see you all in January." A round of applause erupts in the large auditorium as the principal steps away from the lectern.

"Now students, stay put while your class teachers share your report cards," a teacher passes the instruction. There is a sitting arrangement for us in which every class has a special group of chairs for them, making it easy for the teachers to find their students.

"I can't believe we are the only ones having to write JAMB and remain in Nigeria," Melody whispers to Lima to the hearing of me and Alice. "While these two get to leave us." I snigger and Alice sticks her tongue out at them.

Regardless of the fact that I am smiling, I don't feel so good on the inside. I will be leaving for New York university next year and that is a little heart-breaking. Alice will be going to Felician university, New Jersey.

"Isabella Ene Smith," the teacher finally calls my name. I raise my hand and she passes my card to me. I nervously open it a little and peek inside. The air I have been holding in finally escapes my lips when I see my math result. B. Better than before.

"Girl, I thought you said you are bad at math," Melody says, looking at my result.

With a smile, I say, "I was. Most of the questions came from the topic Jasper helped me with." Recollection registers on her face and she smiles.

"I got a C in agriculture. I hate that subject," Alice mumbles from beside me and we pass her understanding looks.

"Well, bottom line is, none of us failed," Lima chips in and we laugh. My phone buzzes and I fish through my bag and take it out. No, I am not a bad student. Phones are allowed on the last days of school after exams. It is a chat from Osita.

Osita:

Hey, I'm celebrating my birthday next Saturday by 6p.m. I'll pick you up.

Me:

Where?

Osita:

You'll see

I shake my head when I see his reply. Observing the phone, I look up towards Jasper and remember the night of my birthday in October.

~ He leaned in.

"Bella! Where on ear- ooh. Am I interrupting something?" I was surprised at the ease with which Jasper pulled back and smirked because I was almost dead from embarrassment.

I was grateful it was night and I had make-up blush on my face because I did not know what my actual face looked like at that point. Hopefully not a tomato.

"Oh my world, is that a phone?" Nes ran to me and snatched it, almost dropping the pack.

"You bought this?" she asked, scrunching one part of her face jovially and he winked at her. They fist bumped casually. Nes straightened up as if she just remembered something and a sly smile spread her face.

"Let's go back inside," Jasper spoke up before Nes uttered a word. I noticed that an unreadable expression had marred his face and he looked ready to leave quickly.

"Yeah, s-sure," I agreed in stutters. When I moved to follow him, Nes pulled me back, a bright smile on her face.

"I can't believe I just ruined your almost first kiss," she squealed the last part and my eyes grew wide. She grinned.

"We weren't going to kiss," I whisper-yelled and she pouted.

"Of course. You were not going to kiss, he was going to kiss you."

"What?! That makes no sense. Nothing of the sort was going to happen," I retorted.

"That's a lie."

"I mean it. He was only taunting me." A confused look registered on her face but before she blurted another nonsense, I walked away.

Later on, I proved to Jasper that I am not a baby by accepting Patrick's invitation in his presence. I finally saw surprise on his face and to say I felt proud would be an understatement.

The next Saturday, I almost regretted saying yes to the party when I realised it was at a club but Titi, Ego and Patrick managed to convince me to go in. It turned out better than I expected apart from when Patrick tried to cajole me to taste tequila.~

"Do you guys think I should use my wig for the wedding?" Alice asks as we walk out of the rowdy auditorium. The four of us including Nes and her friend Eno were asked by aunt Oya to be part of her bridal train.

"I don't think that will be necessary. Since we will use turbans that day," Melody gives.

"You could just apply some edge control and that'll be all," I suggest and Lima nods in support.

"So, Jasper's family was invited?" Melody asks and I nod.

"Yes, they were," Nes says, catching up with us with Eno by her side.

"Your aunt is quite social, Bella. The moment she came to Nigeria, she made friends with practically everyone that came her way," Eno comments and we all laugh.

"Hey girls," Tola, the artist of our entire class, greets, walking towards us with Ousman by his side.

"You," Lima starts. "I called you yesterday but you didn't pick up. Why?"

"Sorry. You know my phone is having issues. Now that we are on break, I am definitely getting a new one," he explains.

"Hey," Ousman greets me and I smile. "Um, the wedding. I am not sure I will be able to attend. I will be travelling with my father," he explains with an apologetic look on his face. On my birthday, he couldn't come because he was sick so he was the first person to give me a gift. Now he is travelling.

I pout and guilt registers on his face. Not wanting to make him feel too bad, I smile and say, "it's fine. Where are you travelling to?"

"Frankfurt. My father has to meet a business associate there and he wants me to come with him," he expounds.

"Oh." I am short of words. "Safe travels," I wish him and he nods, grateful for my understanding.

"I'll call you," he says before walking away with Tola.

"So, as this is a festive season and considering my position in this group as the holiday planner, I have some awesome plans in mind," Alice declares and curious faces turn to her.

"Spill," Melody says and Alice begins to tell us of how she plans for us to spend Christmas as we walk to the parking lot. To say the least, Alice has a beautiful sense of imagination and from what she is saying, I sense that the furnishings in her house may have all been her idea.

***

"Ahhh! You look great," Melody squeals when aunt Oya rises from the chair to face us. Two makeup artists just finished working on her face and to say she looks stunning would be an understatement. She is still in her milk coloured bathrobe but we, the bride's maids are all arrayed in our peach and gold coloured, straight long lace dresses with bold frills on the left.

"Time for the dress," Mary chirps, running towards the white ball gown encompassing the whole bed with the back of her own white ball gown trailing on the floor behind her. Her beautifully styled hair is studded with white flowers here and there, making her look like a true little bride.

I walk over to an empty winged chair and plop down, adjusting the off-shouldered sleeve and tugging the normal one for balance.

Aunt Oya dresses up and after fifteen minutes of some more touch-ups, we proceed to church.

The pianist plays Amazing Grace slowly as we walk down the aisle. I move side by side with a guy named Donald. He is the brother to aunt's close friend here in Nigeria. He is wearing a navy blue tux with a golden tie just like the other groom's men.

To be honest, he looks really handsome especially with his neatly carved skin fade dyed blonde on the top. With smiling faces, we walk to our seats but not before I catch sight of Mr. Lawrence and his wife. My eyes travel to their sides but disappointment settles in when I see unfamiliar faces.

We remain standing as the little bride and groom walk to the altar and take their positions on both sides of the priest. They are both carrying small white pillows on which the rings are. Adebayo -the groom- is already standing at the altar with his best man, looking nervous and anxious to see his bride.

The pianist heightens the pitch of the tone, indicating the bride's entrance. All eyes fixate on the door as the chief bride's maid -aunt's best friend- walks in, leaving a trail of flowers behind her.

Then she steps in and mouths begin to fall open in awe.

Her feet are completely covered by the huge ball gown which is even longer behind. But that is not the lengthiest feature of her outfit. It is the veil. The part covering her face falls just below the hem of her illusion neckline but the back is widely spread and trailing on the ground, a few feet behind.

I espy how she tightens and loosens her grip on her colourful cascading bouquet and I smile. Of course she's nervous.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Adenuga. You may now kiss the bride," the priest says cheerfully and the groom pulls his wife in for a kiss.

Claps and cheers erupt in the church making the bride blush. The couple did not want a full mass celebrated so everything happens fast and in no time, we are at the reception venue.

"Oya Lillian Ogah, now, Oya Lillian Adenuga. I don't know how to start to congratulate you two. Dayo, I'll tell you something about Oya. This lady seated beside you today is capable of suffocating you with her loving personality. I mean it on a positive note…" People laugh briefly and Mr. Kenneth -a distant relative of ours and a senator- continues with his opening remark.

I am currently standing at the back of the grand hall with Melody.

"I'm so happy for her." I sip from the glass of non-alcoholic wine in my hand and thoughts of Jasper fill my head immediately. I hark back to the day he gave me wine and I blush. What am I doing?

Unable to help it, my eyes scour through the seated crowd for him. I ignore the guys throwing charmed looks my way and focus on Melody when I don't see him. Why am I looking for him? I don't know.

Fortunately or unfortunately, he never shows up. I ask his parents and before his mum answers, his dad tells me that he is sure he is somewhere gallivanting with bad friends. That answer is enough to chase me from there. No seriously, I practically scurry away before he thinks I am one of the bad friends.

I think the problem between Jasper and his dad is deeply rooted.

***

Majesty by Peruzzi is blasting from the speakers in the hall. This hall is not as large as the one we had the reception in yesterday. The couple is throwing an after-wedding party and the guests are mainly family and close friends.

Considering the fact that Dayo resides abroad, I am super shocked at the amount of friends he has in Nigeria. And not normal friends, really rich and affluent ones. He, himself, not exempted.

People are dancing in front and although I love the songs that are being played, I remain rooted to my seat, sipping my wine. Heck, I am a sucker for wine these days. I chuckle when I see Melody trying to make Alex dance while he puts on his man-don't-dance vibe, as he would call it.

His eyes widen when she turns around and starts making dance moves and he looks around suspiciously. When he feels safe, he starts to dance with her but it is short lived when his eyes land on mine and he stops abruptly. I drag my thumb across my neck indicating that I'll kill him and he scratches his head, pretending not to see me. Seriously, what's with these two?

"Hm," Nes mumbles as she swallows her drink, gesturing with her head to my right. My head whips in that direction just before Jasper looks at me.

He is wearing a white dress shirt tucked into dark brown pants. His hair is combed backwards, giving him a formal look. He looks completely different in formal outfit and I can't tell if he looks hotter in it compared to his casual look. Yes, I'm being honest for once. I look away slowly when Tosin walks up to him. She and Kemi have been pressurizing me to hook them up with him but of course I have ignored them. Don't ask me why.

"May I sit?" a deep voice comes from beside me and I look up to see Donald. He flashes me an alluring smile which I return. I bob my head in approval and he takes the empty seat beside me.

"I know this is going to sound cheesy but these lashes really complement your eyes," he comments and I pass him a flushed smile. I am a bit shocked at the unique point he starts the conversation from.

"Thanks. You don't look bad yourself," I reply and we both laugh lightly. We engage in a light conversation for about ten minutes during which he takes my number.

Someone clears their throat from behind me. The scent around them is kind of familiar. We turn our heads in the direction of the voice.

"Uh, Audrey? I wanna talk to you," Jasper states nonchalantly. I glare at him and he cocks a brow.

"I'm sorry, Audrey?" Donald asks, looking at me and I realise that Jasper has just succeeded in making him think I lied about my name. Jasper! I open my mouth to explain but Jasper beats me to it.

"It's her name; her middle name," he says. "And oh, pardon my manners. I'm Jasper." He stretches his arm and Donald takes it with an uncertain smile. What is this guy's problem? I face Donald, making up my mind to ignore Jasper but he clears his throat again and places his hand on my shoulder.

"Um, maybe you should go with your boyfriend. Whatever it is, don't be too upset at him," Donald admonishes with a chuckle, rising to his feet and my eyes almost pop out of their sockets out of shock.

He looks at us as if we are this cute teenage couple having the usual unnecessary fight. He did not just call this obnoxious raccoon my boyfriend! He pats Jasper on the shoulder before leaving. WHAT?! Putting on my best scowl, I rise to my feet and face Jasper. His smile disappears as he feigns fear. Looking down at my feet, he says, "I love your shoes." He wears a childish grin. My scowl deepens and he tries again.

"Okay, I love your jumpsuit. I love your blazers. Yellow is the perfect colour for you? Geez, what else am I gonna say?" The statement progresses into a question. I mentally laugh at how whiney his voice comes out.

"Try, you look sexy," Nes whisper-yells from beside him and he smirks deviously at her.

"Nes!" She scurries off on her boot heels to meet Lima.

"You look gorgeous," he says instead.

"You made that guy think we're dating!" I pout in annoyance.

"Oh, is he the one you wanted to say yes to?"

"You're impossible." I shake my head and he laughs. He gestures for me to walk with him and I reluctantly follow.

"So why weren't you at the wedding yesterday?" I ask as we make our way to the back of the hall.

"I had work to do."

"What kind of work is that?"

"The kind I love." We find an empty table at the back and make ourselves comfortable. The rest of the evening sees me and Jasper chatting, laughing and at times, arguing. This is the second time I am having a normal conversation with him and I must say, if you are able to overlook his obnoxious and arrogant nature, you might just enjoy his presence and never want the conversation to end.