“Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold.”

—Zelda Fitzgerald.

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C H A P T E R 33:

It was because of her best friend's engagement party, she found her self checking out her very own self in front of the mirror. She wanted to look at least, something close to being called 'looking perfect' all for the sake of this day.

It was the day everyone was anticipating or waiting for. It was marked on the calendar of her home to be a special day, but it was more special and important to Efua. Since she was the one getting engaged.

For the first time in a long while, May actually agreed to the fact that she wasn't ugly or pretty.

Pretty was too rare or far too used, she was gorgeous.

She loved the way her bottom pink lip was plump, her cheeks, rosy from the pink blush she had on. With her black pimples that looked like freckles almost now invisible under her light make up. Her full, dark brows were perfectly lined, her lashes more long and thick with mascara. Then, her eyes were of course, heavy with kohl just like she liked it.

The black mole close to her nose, was well, still there. Even if she didn't exactly like it, she didn't hate it either. It was how God had created her and if anything, it made her look more gorgeous.

Her eyes drove down her body which was now graced on the black dress Iby had picked for her, she couldn't help but be sure that she was God's most beautiful art.

It felt good actually loving and appreciating her body.

After a final touch of nude lipstick on her lips, she made to tye her hair—which was the only thing yet to be done— with her ribbon into a lose ponytail.

But then, decided against it once Iby's words flashed across her mind. He had told her before that
She would look more beautiful if she had her hair swept over her shoulder. So she let her hair fall freely over her shoulder and then styled her hair just like Iby had.

Her manicured fingers trailed from the side of her face to her ear where she tucked few strands of hair behind it. The simple act, caused her to smile so broadly that she almost forgot about Efua's party.

............

The rickshaw driver stopped at the address she had given to him after which, she gladly paid him off. Just in front of her, was a big banquet hall with people dressed so elegantly in their various attires walking in and out.

She drew in a long breath and with shoulder raised high she walked towards the door.

"Ma'am, where is your invitation card?" asked one of the security men.

May searched her purse for it but couldn't find it, "Uhm, I cannot find it. I must've forgotten it at home due to hurry."

The security man who had stopped her, shook his head in negative, "I'm sorry but you cannot go in without showing me your invitation card ma."

May's lips parted to explain that the bride of the occasion was her best friend, one that she had done so many silly things with when they were younger, but then, she had a second thought. By the way it would be of no use. By the look of things, she was sure the security man wouldn't believe her anyway.

She thought it was better she dialled Efua.

Already getting frustrated when Efua didn't pickup after so many rings, she called Esther.

"Pick up. Pick up, please..." She pleaded, looking like she would cry in no time.

Her prayers were answered when Esther finally received her call. "Hello?"

She sucked in a breath of relief, "Hello sissy. I'm outside the hall. They didn't let me in cause I forgot my invitation card at home."

"Oh that's bad.. Sorry." Esther sympathized, "You're getting in without the card. I'm coming to get you right away."

True to Esther's word, May entered the hall. It only took Esther the little stress of whispering few words that held so much power into the security man's ear and that was all.

The interior of the hall was beautifully decorated with flowers and the dim lights made it look like it was already night, meanwhile, it wasn't exactly dark outside.

If not for her newly found confidence and self love, May would have had doubts about her beauty on seeing ladies that were far more beautiful than her but now it was different.

She had come to accept that they'd be someone out there who would be more beautiful than she was no matter what and there would be someone out there more wealthy than she thought. Also that there would be a dress worn by some lady that would be more prettier than hers. But she wasn't going to let that bother her because she knew it was met to be that way.

She knew the importance of acceptance more than anything. She knew that by accepting her flaws, no one could use it against her. Everyone was born with their own beauty and her beauty, she had come to love and appreciate. She couldn't even believe it took her this long to.

Even if she noted that other ladies in the hall were prettier or hotter than she looked, she didn't fail to notice people's eyes on her as she followed Esther to where she was to seat.

The sleek and stylish gown in black on her body was sure to make both single and married men heads snapping her way. It was an incredible one–shoulder gown which features a single shoulder neckline and a side slit. Her matching silhouette heels clicked on the tiles as she walked and her purse, she clasped tightly.

"There," Esther pointed to a table of six, "That's where we would seat. It is a table for only our high school classmate and friends whom were invited. Go seat now, I'll join you later. I've got something to do."

"Okay," May said.

In a flash, Esther had left that even May wondered if she had heard her reply.

Immediately May was about to seat down, a familiar voice stopped here, "Hey! That's my seat."

"Oh! I'm sorry," She quickly apologized, moving to another seat but the stranger held her hand, stopping her yet again.

"What's your problem?!" She half yelled, snapping her head towards the stranger whose face was surprisingly familiar. She couldn't place where she had seen this face before.

His brows knitted together as he asked, "Excuse me, do I know you?"

May flared up, "Excuse me, is that even a question?"

The young man with prescription  glasses sitting on the top of his sharp nose, seems to be wondering where he must've known May as he continued turning his head to his sides.

Meanwhile, May struggled to twist her hand out of his hold.

"Yes!" He excitedly exclaimed, shocking her for a minute. He wiggled a finger towards her, "I know you. You are May Felix, right? Please tell me if I'm mistaken."

Now, May became more confused than ever, "Who are you?"

"Dah! Thought you would never ask. Have you forgotten so soon? We both attended Cedar court high. We were classmates and I can remember clearly that I asked you to be my date but you ditched me for Frank, our class prefect as of then."

Mouth opened agape, May exclaimed on remembering, "Oh my God! No way! Tega Johnson is this really you? Is this really your face I'm seeing so?"

Tega gave her his award-winning smile, "Yes o. Infact this is my nose. It is not only my face you're seeing." his failed attempt at humor.

"Is that so?" May asked, still baffled, "Because you have changed so much. Just look at you, look at the way you're dressed so cooperate and looking more handsome."

He gave a short laugh, "Yes. That's for sure I've changed. But people change constantly," He checked her out, "and you, you're not looking bad yourself. Just a look at your face has already made my day perfect. Infact, I wanted to come over and say hello to the pretty lady until I recognized it's you."

May didn't believe him, "You? You that came over here to argue over your seat?"

"Oh no, seriously." He denied, "That was just a stunt I pulled just so I could talk to you but then I found out the lady was you. My high school crush that year whom thought I wasn't good enough so she left me for Frank."

May cheeks flushed and so she shyly looked away, "Tega, you and stunts, you'll never change when it comes to that. And.. please let's not talk about what happened between us in secondary school. Let by gone be by gone."

"Yes. I'm sorry about that. Just it was so heartbreaking at the time.."

"Tega..."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

It suddenly felt awkward, making them realise that they'd been standing all along and distracting others. It became quite embarrassing especially since Tega was still holding her hand.

"Uhm, Tega?" She shook her hands, asking to be freed and so he let go of her hand.

"Thank you," she said and they both took their seats.

"So how has life been?" Tega asked trying to stir up a conversation.

"Well, life has been life." She answered, "What about you?"

"Well, it hasn't been easy but I'm coping. I now work in a law firm. You know, I got my degree as a lawyer." he said with a tint of pride in his voice.

"Wow! That's so good to hear. Congratulations man." She shook hands with him, "I hope you don't pull stunts at the office?"

Tega's sexy laughter filled her ears for some time before it subsided, "I only do when need be."

"Oh, really?"

They got distracted by the groom and her family dancing in. May spotted Efua rocking a champagne and rose gold–color attire, heavily beaded with pearls and embroidered flowers. The gele— a fabric folded into an ornate shape atop a woman's head— was high and beautiful.

May loved the way her best friend walked with grace like the gele on her head was an heavenly crown.

Just when she was loving what was going on, Tega drew back her attention.

"So tell me, what did you study in the University?" He asked.

Normally, May would have been ashamed to discuss about how unfortunate she was to get pregnant at seventeen and get disown at the same time. But that would've been, if not that she no longer considers her daughter as a mistake but rather, a blessing.

"I didn't go to college. I couldn't further my studies because I got pregnant. Decided against abortion and got married to the guy responsible for it." She briefed.

"Wait." He drew a little bit closer to her, "Don't tell me Frank impregnated you and you both got married without my consent. Woah!"

"No, no, no. I didn't get married to Frank. We broke up like a year before I got pregnant," then, she laughed.

"Who then? Is it someone I know of? Someone who attended our school or was in our class?" He questioned, certainly interested.

"No. He was our gate man's son," May waved it off, "let's not talk about him."

"By the way, have you heard from Frank since you dropped out of high school?" He inquired.

"Nope." She replied.

May's attention divided back to the aisle, where Efua's groom, Tunde, petitioned in with his family. He was sure a fine, young man with his well sewed agbada attire draping over his shoulder and his fila hats that matched his bride's ensemble.

May behaved like she was concentrating on the occasion as both bride and groom took blessings from their parents but using the corner of her eye, she could see that Tega wasn't concentrating as well.

His eyes were focused on her as he kept stroking the pimple on the lower part of his cheek with his finger. Tega had the feeling that it wasn't totally coincidental that they met again but that their paths had crossed after so many years because of reasons unknown to them.

~~~~~

Another chapter up.
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*A little spoiler* Edric is coming home soon.

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