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⊱𝙾𝚖𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚑𝚒⊰

"No."

My mesh top went flying across my room, landing on my bed.

"Definitely not."

Same with my body con gown.

"Hell no."

She repeated the same action to another of my clothing, then stood upright, hands akimbo and faced me with a loud sigh.

"You have nothing here to wear."

My brows furrowed in confusion as I left the corner of my room where I stood watching and allowing Adaora ransack my well arranged wardrobe just to find a perfect gown for me to wear for this night's annual charity dinner.

"What do you mean?" I asked, going through the already scattered wardrobe and the clothes scattered all over the lush carpet.

If there's one thing I never lack, it's clothes. From shorts, to dresses, to dinner gowns, track suits, to all kinds of jeans, and sundresses. You could name all and find them in my closet. Outfits for all and every occasion, so what Adaora was telling me wasn't making one bit of sense at all.

I picked up one of my brown halter neck dress and showed it to her.

"What about this?"

She just sighed, took the dress from me and flung it away like she did to the rest of my clothes, then made her way to the door.

"Trust me, you wouldn't want to wear that."

I scoffed.

The audacity of this young lady.

"And what makes you think that?" I questioned, trailing after my sister who did not say a word until we got into her room.

"I know how bad you have it for him."

What? How did she...

My eyes widened a bit just as I caught her smirk at me through her vanity mirror and instantlyI felt a sense of Déjà vu. Only difference was that this had actually happened before and I was starting to think this was payback from her. Nevertheless, I regained my composure.

"And what makes you think that?"

Adaora turned back to me amused. "I didn't say a name and you already want to defend yourself." She chuckled.

"You my dear baby sister, are whipped."

I rolled my eyes at her and turned to walk to her bed in a bid to hide the blush creeping up my face from her.

"I am not."

I denied still, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of being entirely right. It's embarrassing enough that she knows I like him, but it doesn't need to get any more embarrassing by knowing how far gone I am in that boy.

"You're not so subtle, you know that," She began, scattering her own closet just to find "The perfect dress" for me.

"At least to me you're not. Try to keep those little notes of yours hidden."

My eyes went wide in shock. I didn't know whether to be angry that she went through my stuff or to cover my face in total mortification that my big sister probably has an idea of how whipped I am.

As if she didn't know that before.

"You've been snooping around my stuff Adaora!"

"I wasn't. I was simply looking for my biker shorts you stole when they fell out of your wardrobe." Adaora Ines lied right to my face. And proudly too.

The way this girl underestimates me sometimes ehn.

"Something I hid very well is what just fell out abi? Is this payback for what I said to you that day?"

It definitely has to be, because why else would she suspect I like a boy and purposely go through my stuff to find something to tease me with?

Adaora let out a laugh and began to carefully access the blue gown she pulled out from her wardrobe. I recognized it to be the same gown she wore for a family dinner back in portugal like two years ago.

It was a brand new gown Dad got for her which unfortunately turned out to be a size too small. Dad had to get another dress for her, but Adaora being the spoilt brat she is didn't want it and she forced that gown on herself that night.

After everything she still didn't get to wear it the entire night, because it was so tight and restricted her from doing pretty much anything. A part of it even got ripped, so she had to change into the second dress Dad got.

Seeing the dress with her was quite a surprise. The tear wasn't there anymore, so it was fine to wear out. I only hoped that it was going to fit me without any hassle.

"Well, I think it's cute. And I think you should tell him about it this night."

"Ehn?"

Ment or what?

"He's your date for tonight which means you two are going to spend the entire dinner together. So use that opportunity to tell him." She spoke, like she hadn't just said something absolutely absurd.

I stared at my sister, totally convinced that a screw had gone loose in that big head of hers. No nau. Because it's easy to just walk up to him and say,

"I have feelings for you Umar Bello."

Imagine how embarrassing it would be. Even thinking about it was beginning to make me cringe.

God of Mercy.

"You are crazy." I said to her and she just gave a shrug.

"I'm known to be crazy. Try this." She handed me the blue gown and I took it from her.

"How did he even get to be your date?"

Taking off my joggers to put on the dress, I began explaining to her.

"He asked me."

According to him, there were no girls reasonable enough for him to take as a date, so I was automatically his only option. He asked me the day before yesterday, and I gave him my answer today. You know, because I wanted to do small shakara first like every other girl would do and not make it seem like I was desperate to be his date.

Deep down, I was high on happiness.

The strap hand dress was my perfect size. It showed just a bit of my cleavage accompanied by a front slit.

"His jaw is definitely dropping tonight." Adaora's words made me look up at her smirking face and I rolled my eyes at her, trying to suppress my own smile.

"Don't raise my hopes, Adaora."

Low key, I hung on to her words and hoped there would be an attraction after tonight. Even if it's little, at least let there be something.

Let Umar Hasan Bello like me.

"Isn't Kanye ready yet? He's supposed to have been down already." Adaora's voice filtered into my thoughts.

Kanye had been the one running around the entire house against our parents instructions since yesterday, making sure there were no undone house chores that would stop us from leaving the house in time. Mum had to even yell at him before he stopped.

He's the one who came to my room an hour ago, hurrying me to start getting ready. I wasn't even going to start doing anything till 6:30 pm and the red carpet kicks off by 7.

"Let me check on him."

I took off the dress and changed back into the clothes I previously had on, left Adaora's room, went to the room opposite mine and knocked. When I got no answer, I opened the door and walked in.

Kanye was lying on his bed with his back facing the door and whoever came into the room. Worry seeped in immediately. He only gets like this when he's about to have a crisis or was in a really sour mood.

Was he...

Oh no.

After all that running around today, he should have just listened and stayed put. I noticed his pills were on the table with a plastic cup half filled with water.

I hurried to his bed, sat on it and placed the back of my hand on his forehead and neck. His body temperature felt like nothing out of the ordinary.

"Why are you lying down? Are you okay?"

Kanye turned over to face me and I was taken aback. His eyes, those eyes that usually held so much brightness didn't at the moment. Sadness was all that was there and it made my heart race in fear.

What was going on?

"You remember Sharon, my friend? The girl I told you I met during one of my treatment sessions." He spoke before I could.

"Yes. What happened?"

"She died this morning."

It was as though everything came to a complete stand still. I knew Sharon, and the female version of Kanye was what she was. I stared at my brother in shock, unable to speak and still trying to process what I just heard.

Sharon is dead?

"She had Sickle cell, Oma. And it killed her."

I blinked, and in an instant, I realized where this was going. I moved further into the bed and closer to him.

"Kanye, this is not going to kill you."

He hoisted himself up and into a sitting position.

"Pretty sure that's what they said to her too. And now she's dead."

Nothing. Not a word. I couldn't say anything.

"I know it's going to, Oma. One day I'm going to die of this same thing that killed Sharon, and-"

"No." I stopped him. "Stop saying that. You're not going to die. I am not going to lose you."

It hurt to see Kanye this way, to hear him say these words. What happened to all the positivity, optimism, hope? Why was he speaking this way? Why did he think he was going to die soon?

I can't even imagine and I didn't want to imagine what it would feel like to lose him. We almost did once, and Heaven knows I wasn't myself for quite some time.

The pain I felt, the tears that soaked my pillow every night while Kanye was seriously fighting for his life in the hospital.

I never want to experience that ever again.

"Her funeral is next week and I'm going."

My response was at the tip of my tongue when I felt a vibration in the pocket of my joggers. I sighed, guessing it was one of the girls and took my phone out. Idera was calling just as I guessed.

"Madam bring your emergency makeup bag when you're coming." She spoke immediately, not even letting me say hello. With a sigh, I gave my reply.

"I'm not coming."

"Ehn??" She exclaimed.

"I'm not coming for Charity dinner, Idera."

There was a brief pause and the only thing I could hear was Beast boy's voice from their end. I guess her obsession with Teen Titans isn't ending anytime soon.

What happened?" Came Dami's voice from the background.

"Oma said she's not coming."

"Why?"

"She said something personal came up."

Silence again before Dami spoke.

"Put this thing on speaker abeg, cause I'm not understanding."

Idera did as told and Dami began interrogating me on why I was choosing to be absent from one of the biggest events in school.

"What about Kanye?" A different voice finally came through, and it belonged to Lora.

"He's not coming too."

"Ahh!" They all exclaimed. A reaction I quite expected from them or anyone who hears that Kanye DaCosta is missing a social event, and not due to health reasons.

"But you'll be fine bah?" Lora asked again, and I hummed with a nod as if she could see me.

"Okay then. We'll see you tomorrow bah?"

"Stop saying bah. What is bah?" Dami suddenly, snapped in irritation before I could reply, and she followed her words up with a long hiss.

"You be calming down sef. Why are you so irritable today?"

"It's okay oh. Don't fight because of me."

A scoff came from Idera. "Sister rest."

With a smile I said, "I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"No problem. Bye baby!" Damilare legit screamed into the phone, and I had to quickly pull my phone away from my ear before my eardrums would burst. Kanye's chuckle had me looking up to see him shaking his head at Dami's madness.

"We'll gist you about tonight."

"Okay." I chuckled.

"Byeee!"

The call ended and before I could place my phone down, Kanye spoke.

"What do you mean you're not going? It's the Charity dinner and our last one before we graduate."

I know Kanye. You don't have to remind me that I'm missing one of the biggest school events of the year to be with you.

I must say, I really surprised myself by how fast I ditched this event and without a second thought. I had already done it, and I didn't want anything or a word from anyone that was going to make me have second thoughts about this.

"I'm not leaving you. I'm staying here with you tonight."

Kanye shook his head, strongly disagreeing with me.

"You're not going to miss your fun because of me, Oma."

What fun was it going to be if he wasn't there? If I knew he was at home in his room crying over Sharon death and how he too was going to end up like her?

Charity Dinner was going to suck. Even with the girls there.

I held his hands and with a soft smile, I looked at him.

"You are my fun, spongebob."

That one name was all it took for his face to automatically light up, instantly dissipating that cloud of sadness and despair that hung over us.

"On second thought, I think I'll go."

A grin stretched across my face. And I watched as he jumped up from the bed, hurried to his wardrobe in excitement and brought out a navy blue tux which he proceeded to neatly lay on the bed.

Kanye stood with a wide grin on his face, looking at the tux on his bed like his most prized possession, then he turned his gaze to me.

"If I have a few days left, I'm sure as hell not going to spend them sulking."

Now that's my brother!

"Let's go and have some fun tonight, Sandy cheeks!"

Cringing hard at that silly nickname, I rolled my eyes. Growing up as children, we had nicknames from the spongebob cartoon, courtesy Kanye and Adaora. It was cool back then because we were little, but now it's not. I hate being called Sandy cheeks and I will not hesitate to strangle any of my siblings if they should ever call me that in public.

"Kanye." I sent him a warning glare but that didn't deter him one bit. Instead, he began wiggling his brows at me and poking my arm while he kept on calling me that silly name.

I picked up a pillow and threw it at him before walking out and going back to Adaora's room to get ready.

Heatwaves by Glass Animals was on repeat and blasting from Adaora's bluetooth speaker as she glamed me up for tonight's dinner. And while she did, we talked about a lot of things. From the latest happenings at school to her relationship with Simon.

Simon, her boyfriend of three years and in a few weeks their relationship was going to be four years. I can't imagine myself dating anyone for that long. Well maybe Umar, but still.

Her story was the typical dating all the wrong guys in the world before finally realizing that the right guy for you has been right there all along. Your bestie.

It wasn't surprising to me when they started dating. I have always liked Simon and have always wanted them together.

Adaora was wrapping up with my make up as we talked about the unfortunate and messy love triangle our cousin had gotten herself into when Kanye barged in.

His facial expression was expresses shock when he saw that I hadn't even gotten dressed yet. I hadn't even styled my braids.

"What are you still doing here?" He walked in and right to my front, blocking me from seeing myself in the mirror. "I have a red carpet to host by 7:30 and you're still on make up. You haven't even gotten dressed!"

I raised a brow at him.

"We're almost done. Chill." Adaora replied using her hip to slightly push him away from the front of the mirror.

"Just hurry up please. Me I don't know the boy you're trying to impress oh."

The boy is Umar. Your best friend is the one I'm trying to impress.

I could see the little smirk Adaora had on through the mirror and I scoffed.

"And there must be a girl you are trying to impress too, because I don't know why else you would be wearing this tux. Your special tux for that matter."

This tuxedo was Kanye's favorite clothing item, and in his words, too fine for him to wear to just any occasion.

"I'm hosting the red carpet Oma. LIC red carpet, and this part of the dinner is really important and is going to be on everyone's lips for quite a while. So, I have to make a statement."

As if that is the only reason you have.

"Everything you just said now is story, but it's okay. We are already done here." I said once Adaora applied the setting spray.

Unable to say a word and with a shake of his head, he walked out and closed the door behind him.

"Kanye likes a girl?" My sister asked, now clearly intrigued.

"I suspect so. But I'm not sure who."

"Better do your investigation and find out oh."

She didn't need to tell me. I wanted to know the girl who has my brother up most nights, chatting and laughing like the lovestruck teenager he is.

~•~•~

Once again, Adaora had done a great job in making me look absolutely stunning with the make up which was simple, yet beautiful.

I stood in front of the mirror as she adjusted the straps and the back of my dress. I was feeling a bit confident that I would get Umar's attention tonight.

"Do you want the braids packed up or let down?"

I shrugged. "Anyone you do will be perfect."

She nodded and did her magic once again.

"All done."

Looking back at my reflection in the mirror, I smiled, taking time to access myself. My edges were well laid and my braids were let down. Two simple gold necklaces attached to each other adorned my neck with a pendant dangling from each of them, along with simple cuff earrings from the same set.

My eyes dropped to my chest where I had a little bit of cleavage on display. I was pleased at the way the dress hugged my body, making my curves quite visible and even more pleased at the slit in front of the dress.

I really couldn't wait for him to see me.

Wow Omasirichi. May God save your soul.

"Wow! You look really stunning."

"I know." I said, pretending to bend my head and adjust my dress while hiding a blush. I could imagine him telling me those exact words when he sees me.

"Do you think he'd find me attractive?"

As much as I was feeling good about tonight, I still had little doubts that he wouldn't feel anything.

Wait, are you going for Charity Dinner or going to impress man??

"I can't guarantee you love at first sight, but I can tell you that he would be blown away. Cause who wouldn't?"

Here she goes again with her flattering. A flattering which I really needed so much at this point.

Because of man.

"Look at you sis. He's a guy with hot manly blood running through those veins you badly want to run your fingers over."

And immediately my imagination went wild. I felt myself heat up as sinful images of Umar Bello and his muscular veiny arms flashed through my head.

Oh God...

I let out a small chuckle, trying to stop my brain from conjuring those lewd images.

"Adaora abeg."

"Am I joking?" She laughed then moved to stand behind me and placed her hands on my shoulders.

"Just take a chill pill. Look at this as the first step, there are many more opportunities coming your way. And you too make an effort."

Make an effort...

"I'm not saying you should rub yourself all over him oh. You get what I'm saying sha. Use the DaCosta women charm." She ended with a wink and I smiled feeling lot more confident now.

"Adaora! Omasirichi!" Mama dearest's loud voice had us moving away from the mirror and me picking up my purse from her bed, and my shoes from the carpet. We left the room and made our way to the stairs.

"Which kind of make up were you two doing up there since?" She began to query as we descended down the stairs.

"She needs to take her time to look good my love."

"I do not take this long to look good Antonio."

We got downstairs and walked towards my parents who were all dressed up too. My mum looked stunning in a simple black sequin dress, silver earrings which dangled from her earlobes, a silver purse, and very little make up. If I wasn't standing close to her, I'd think she had none on at all. Her hair was just a sleek back ponytail which she had done in the salon two days ago.

Dad just had on a shirt and a suit with no tie or bow tie. His long hair was held back by a black hair band. A very simple look, yet he managed to pull it off so well.

Mum was almost the same height with her husband, thanks to the black heels she had on. Both of them looked so beautiful standing next to each other. So perfect.

Are these my parents??

Where are they even going to sef?

It took me a few seconds to remember that they were going out for dinner, something which has not happened for quite a while.

Dinner once a month has become a tradition over the years for my parents. This however was a bit surprising because they had gone out for dinner only twice since the beginning of the year. February and March to be exact.

So it's nice to see them picking it up again and I hoped they would continue.

Dad pulled me into a hug and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"Linda como sempre." (Beautiful as always)

"Thank you Daddy."

One thing Dad never failed to do was shower my mum, Adaora and I with compliments. He did it any chance he got, and it didn't matter where we were or what we were doing. A day doesn't go by without him letting us know how God has blessed him with three beautiful women, and of course, a very handsome son.

Mum pulled me aside, and just like any other typical Nigerian mother, began adjusting my dress to cover up my chest.

"I don't like the way your chest is opened like this oh." She pulled up the front for the fourth time and I whined trying to get away from her.

"Mummy it's not that open nau."

One simple glare she shot at me shut me up instantly and made me stay still with a frown while she continued adjusting.

"Do you face very well, osiso. You want the entire world to see your breasts abi?"

"Mummyyy." I whined again feeling quite embarrassed because Kanye and Dad were right beside us. But it's like they were in their own world with the way Dad kept on talking to him while straightening his bowtie and adjusting his collar.

"Adaora should go with you two." Mum said and Kanye and I countered immediately with a loud no. I don't need anyone monitoring me when I'm supposed to be having so much fun.

My mother on the other hand got the memo and didn't push further as she held on to her husband's arm and turned to the door.

"Biko, baby let's go.

"Wahala for who no get baby oh." Adaora teased as she followed us outside the house.

A deep chuckle left Dad. "Leave my wife and find your own baby."

"Ah! She already has a baby oh." Mum said and muttered a quick thank you to Dad who just opened the car door for her and she got in. "If it's not Simon then I don't want."

That had Kanye and I laughing and concurring as we made our way to enter the car behind them which was taking us to school.

As huge Sidora shippers, If it isn't Simon, then it's no one.

Adaora rolled her eyes at us and closed mum's door shut.

"Okay that's enough. You all can leave now, thank you."

We bade her goodbye as the driver got into the car waiting for my Dad's car to drive out before following behind.

Charity Dinner, here I come.

───────•••───────

More like, Umar Bello, here she comes.🌚

And so it begins.

This is an apology from the bottom of my heart for leaving you all hanging for plenty months.

I don't know if I dey go through a lot or a lot dey go through me.😩😩 I want y'all to understand my disappearance wasn't in any way intentional and I hope you all still love me.🤧🥺

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Oma is a gonerrrr😂😂

My darling Sharon is from this wonderful book called JASMINE by _melanin_xo ✨

I'm still going to flog her bumbum from taking my baby away from me.😭😭

How was this chapter???😩

Because of a few technical issues, I couldn't add the picture of Oma's dress. So the next update by God's Grace will only contain the characters outfit for the dinner. The girls outfits mostly.

Errors? Mistakes? Please do well to bring them to my attention.

That's it for now. Till next time.❤✨