As soon as Titi and I strutted out of the kitchen, we settled on the grey couch in our living room.

I remembered that I hadn't shown my flatmates my new gown. I smirked, picked my bag that was lying on the couch and went to my room. There was two bedrooms in this flat and one bathroom. We have to fight to get a chance to shower. I shared my room with Josie while Titi and Chi-girl share a room. I got to my bedroom, flung my leather bag on the bed and began to take off my clothing. I was wearing a yellow top under a black jeans. The shirt came off first and I dropped it on the bed. I struggled to get the jeans off because it was tight.  With more effort, it came off. I wore the new silver gown and rushed to the living room.

"Check me out!" I exclaimed and sashayed in.

"No way!" Chi-girl shrieked and ran to my side. "Where did you get that beautiful gown?"

"Omo! It fit you oo! See the way you come fine!" Titi whistled and winked at me.

"Is nice, right?" I asked.

"You look gorgeous," Chi-girl replied.

"Turn around," Titi said and whirled her finger. I nodded and spun around. "Sexy Mama!"

I heard someone cough behind me. I cocked my head and I hopped farther away when I saw Josie spit out a drink from her mouth.

"Eww!" I cringed.

"Sorry! The drink went the wrong away and came out from my nose!" she sighed and rubbed her nose.

"I hope that drink didn't stain my dress. What drink is that?" I queried and folded my arms across my chest.

"Zobo!"

I turned to Titi. "Did it stain my dress?"

She stared at me and shrugged.

"It stained your dress," Chi-girl hissed.

"Don't lie. It didn't stay her dress. Don't koba me!" Josie snorted and rolled her eyes.

"Titi? Did it stain my dress?"

"No na! Your dress still looks brand new!" she replied in a heartbeat.

"Baby girl," Josie chirped. "You look amazing in that dress".

"Thanks! Don't even dream that I will lend it to you. It's mine and I won't be sharing," I yelled.

"Anita, wear it to my boyfriend's birthday party. It's next week. You will get to meet handsome guys," Chi-girl voiced.

"I don't know!" I glanced at the gown that stopped above my knee and clung to my slender, curvy figure.

"You better know!" Titi said. "This girl likes to live a boring life. No fun! You know, Anita. All work and no play makes Anita a dull girl".

"Nah! That's not how I roll," I waved my hand at her.

"Ah!" Josie placed her hand on her mouth. "Among the four of us, aren't you the one that always crave for fun? It's just your job that is stopping you. I know you are capable of throwing a party right now".

"Azin!" Chi-girl added.

"Alright! I will go to the party," I smiled.

"That's my girl!" Chi-girl gave me a thumbs up.

"Take off your dress. I will keep it safe for you. I don't want you to ditch us that day," Josie said.

"Yeah! Give it to her," Titi added.

"Okay! I want to check the mirror first"

"Nope! Remove it now!" Josie exclaimed and extended her hand at me.

I nodded and took it off. I was still wearing my singlet and black tight. Josie took the gown, folded it and went to our room.

"Anita, you are preparing dinner today! It's your turn. Tomorrow will be mine," Titi said to me and relaxed on the couch.

"Don't put Josie's share oo. She has eaten this night. The biscuits and that zobo drink is enough. Don't prepare dinner for her".

"Why na?" Josie walked into the living room. "I have not eaten. That was just snacks!"

"Yeah! Snacks that you can't share but everytime we will be sharing all our properties with you".

"Don't worry! I will just prepare dinner for everyone. I don't want to start fight"

After dinner, the girls sat on the couch with a cup of orange juice. Chi-girl pressed play to a movie on the television. They all smiled and focused their attention on it.

"Movie night?" I inquired.

"Yeah! Tomorrow is Saturday. No work! More rest," Josie replied. "Join us".

"I don't know! I want to sleep"

"Everytime 'you don't know!' What is there not to know?" Chi-girl snapped.

"Firecracker, chill na. Was I talking to you?" I retorted.

"Don't call me that," she grumbled and pouted.

"Baby girl, just join us. You won't regret it one bit," Josie persuaded.

I glanced at the clock. 9:08pm "Alright! Now, you guys should create space for me to sit on".

They adjusted and I sat on the free spot.

"What movie?" I asked.

"Korean!" Josie squealed.

"I hope it is not those kind that have season 1, 2 to...who knows how many. Let just watch a two hour movie".

"Too late. I just pressed play," Chi-girl smirked.

I spent a total number of six hours watching that korean movie. Josie was right. I didn't regret it but I was sleepy. I gave up and rose to my feet.

"I'm going to bed," I said to the girls that were starting to look like zombies. Their eyes were wide open and anchored on the television. They didn't even blink. "Goodnight!"

Chi-girl waved a dismissive hand. I sighed and went to bed. I slept long and woke up at 11:23 in the morning.

So close to 12pm.

I cleaned my room and had my shower. The weather was strangely hot.

Who am I deceiving? Nigeria is hot! The sun eh! Chai! No mercy! There is no light again! Now how will I switch on the fan?

To prevent myself from dying of heat, I wore a crop top that Chi-girl had designed for me. Chi-girl and Titi are fashion designers.

Sincerely, they are tailors who call themselves designers. But I won't lie. They create beautiful designs. I just hope their business grows.

So this croptop is the kind that stops free inches below my breast and exposes my belly. It's red with some Ankara material at the middle. I wore a jeans short under it. This jean short was an old trouser of mine that Titi cut into a bum short. The bum short made my butt look bigger than usual. I looked exposed today so I decided not to wear it if I wanted to leave the house for any reason. I don't like to expose my body. However, to prevent heat, I am willing to do anything. I bond my long braids into a ponytail and strolled to the living room. I was surprised to see all my flatmates energetic. Chi-girl and Titi were dolled up in casual but cool outfits and were on their way leaving. Josie was sweeping the living room. They were chatting cheerfully with a smile on their faces.

"Good morning, guys!" I greeted.

"That's if it is still morning," Chi-girl chuckled.

"What time did you guys sleep?" I asked.

"Did we really sleep?" Titi directed the question to Chi-girl and Josie.

"If two hours is enough to be called sleep. Then we slept," Chi-girl replied.

"Two hours?" My brows shot up.

"Yeah!" she squealed.

"You guys tried oo. For me, I can't do that. My body needs it's appropriate sleep. You guys shouldn't deny yourself sleep. It's wrong"

"Yes, doctor!" They chorused.

I rolled my eyes. They do this a lot. They call me doctor whenever I spoke about their health. Sometimes it feels like they are mocking me but I know they are proud of me. They appreciate the effort I make toward maintaining their proper health. I had created a food timetable that has balanced diet for each day.

"Josie, confess now. We need to go," Chi-girl hissed. "You should be grateful that I haven't said anything".

"Where are you guys going? And what does Josie have to confess?" I asked.

"We are going to Lagos island to get some materials for our shop," Chi-girl said and pointed at herself, then at Titi.

"Alright, fashion designers!" I smirked.

"Anita, I have a confession!" Josie whispered.

I rolled my eyes. "What have you done?"

"Your dress!"

My eyes went round in dread. "My silver gown?"

"Err...um...Yes!"

I gripped the collar of her shirt. "What happened to it?"

"You know when you asked me if it was stained, it was. I signalled to Titi and Chi-girl to lie".

I swung my piercing glare to them.

"It's not our fault. Josie signalled to us and she mouthed that she will pay us," Titi exclaimed.

"Yeah! She said she would give us money for the shopping of our supplies," Chi-girl admitted.

"And she did. We love you. You know we do. Forgive me for lying," Titi said and sent an apologetic look.

An angry frown creased my forehead and my blood boiled. I clenched and unclenched my fists as my eyes flashed with anger.

"She is about to erupt. Titi, let's go," Chi-girl gripped Titi's hand and they ran out.

"Goodbye, Josie. Carry your own cross. It is not me that send you to stain her gown. Anita, don't kill her for us. Bye! Be good!" Titi's voice rang in the hallway.

I heard their heels click on the tiles as they ran down the stairs.

"Where is the gown?" I growled.

"I washed it this morning"

"WHERE. IS. MY. GOWN?" I yelled.

"Downstairs. I hung it on the rope to dry"

I ran out of the house, down the stairs and to the long rope where neighbors hung their clothes to dry under the sun. My silver gown was the only cloth on the rope. I picked it and scanned the dress. At the back, there were splotches of wine color stain. Josie destroyed my dress with her Zobo drink.

Simmering with anger, I stormed back into the house. My stomping feet echoed in the hallway. I glanced back at the dress and angry tears blurred my eyes.

I just bought this dress. This is not fair. Why is Josie so annoying and reckless?

I slammed into a brick wall– Wait! The brick wall is falling.

I felt an arm on my waist as I descended to the floor. This is not a wall. A wall doesn't fall.

I shut my eyes as I crashed into the person below me. My hands flung and hit the floor. I stayed still for a moment and then, snapped my eyes open. They grew wide when I saw my lips on someone's. The warmth spread to my lips and down to my body. I slammed my hand on the person's chest and pulled myself up.

I sighted the individual's face and my jaw literally dropped.

What an anatomical wonder!What an amazing male human specie.

His features are perfectly symmetrical, which was something I've rarely seen. Smooth, chocolate skin draped over impeccable bone structure - high cheekbones, a forehead I felt like I could flatten my palm on, a prominent nose, full pink lips and a square chin that competed with Superman's. This was a man endowed with beauty. He had trimmed hair that coated the lower half of his face. That didn't hinder his beauty. In fact, it made him more handsome.

I am not a fan of beard but now I change my mind. Hello, Mr Handsome.

       ----------------------

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That's right!
It's Mabel✌