#SACRED_OATHS

Author: Samuel Frederick

Episode 8: DANCE GONE WRONG.

__________

I avoided Boma for the rest of the week and focused more on my studies, especially after what my father told me concerning his dream. I became very cautious ever since then.

Even though we both had frequent chats on WhatsApp, I still ensured that I didn't take too much of his calls nor give him any reason to get intimate with me.

I also avoided going to the cafeteria to meet the others as usual. I purposely isolated myself from everyone.

However, on this boring Friday afternoon-after we had concluded our papers for the day, actually-I was busy preparing lunch in the kitchen when Mimi suddenly barged in from nowhere, panting.

"Have you heard?" She asked excitedly.

"Heard about what?"

"So you haven't heard about the latest gist in town, for real?"

"Mimi, if you have anything to say, I'll suggest you just go ahead and say it now, 'cause I'm not really in the mood for silly games, as you can see."

"Like seriously, you really haven't heard about it?" She persisted, ignoring my obvious lack of enthusiasm in her melodrama.

"Heard about what exactly? Stop pestering me, please!"

"Today is Jovita's birthday!" Mimi screamed with sheer vigour, almost crashing the walls of our compact kitchen with her ridiculously high-pitched voice. "And she's throwing a party! Yay!!!"

"For real?"

"Yeah." Mimi affirmed with a vibrant smile plastered on her face. "She even gave me two invitation cards specially designed for us. Here's yours!"

She handed me the envelope containing the card. I scrutinized it and saw my name boldly written on it, alongside Jovita's signature.

"What does she need all this for?" I asked with my eyes on the card. "I mean, this is way too fancy for a birthday."

"Honestly? I don't know. But there's going to be heavy security at the venue, that's for sure. She's obviously just taking caution, just in case anything goes against her plans." Mimi explained clearly. "Can't blame the rich kid."

I shook my head, removed the pot from the stove, turned off the stove and dished our meals accordingly. Mimi refused to eat the meal, saying that she'd rather take her lunch, dinner and if possible, her breakfast as well at the birthday party. I didn't argue with her. I just laughed.

Later in the day, after I had taken a well-deserved nap, I woke up to see Mimi all dressed up already. She was applying make-up and simultaneously wearing her earrings. From her lipstick to her necklace, to her dress, to her bag, straight down to her shoes, everything matched perfectly.

"All this for a regular birthday party?" I jolted her out of complacency. She turned around and held her chest dramatically.

"My goodness! You scared me!"

"Sorry."

"How long have you been awake?"

"Just now." I answered and stood up.

In the blink of an eye, I was done preparing. I wore a simple blue gown that stretched slightly below my knees, styled my hair with gel, packed it in a hairband and applied light make-up. I had my casual sandals supporting my simple dress, just how I liked it.

"You look like a village woman." Mimi taunted me, laughing.

"Thank you." I played along, smiling at my reflection in the mirror, completely satisfied with my appearance. "When your fellow woman throws snide remarks at you for your looks, just know that you're damn pretty and that she's jealous of you."

"Me? Jealous of you?" Mimi rolled her eyes amid laughter. "You wish!"

Eventually, we left the house at 7:13 PM and took a cab to the venue. It was an astounding hotel large and spacious enough to contain almost any event. I personally didn't fancy hotels and the likes of it, but merely stepping into this particular one, I changed my view at once!

"Are you sure it's the same Jovita we both know that's hosting this party?" I asked Mimi, still barely able to believe my eyes as I continued looking around, admiring the serene environment. She smiled and nodded affirmatively.

"Don't you believe she can afford this place?"

"Not that I don't believe it. It's just that I didn't know that she was this influential." I said, meaning each and every word of it. "Damn!"

"Haha. Get used to it." She said, nudging my arm. "Jovita is a big girl baby!"

We made our way to the hall and met some friends and some familiar faces along the way. Three hefty bouncers stood by the entrance for clearance. We showed them our invitation cards and went inside.

Barely had we entered when someone screamed from nowhere and hugged me from behind. It was Oluchi! Mimi and Jovita also exchanged pleasantries and embraced each other.

"I didn't think you'd both come." Oluchi said, sounding excited.

"Neither did I." Jovita added, making gestures particularly at me. "What a pleasant surprise!"

"Happy birthday!!!" Mimi and I chorused as we both embraced Jovita tightly. She literally shrieked and wriggled a thousand times in our arms until we let her go.

Moments later, the party got heated up. Firstly, the DJ mixed several tracks from the old school Jackson 5 tunes and other popular classics, before gradually switching into African jam. The crowd went haywire! Everyone lost control and danced like complete psychos.

Alcohol was in surplus as well as several other delicacies and snacks to grub on. Mimi, Oluchi and Jovita soon diverted into the crowd and left me behind. I was all alone. Sighing, I strolled around until I found somewhere to sit and chill on my own. I wasn't much of a party freak or a talker, so I knew absolutely no one would pick interest in me tonight.

Believe it or not, I'd much rather chill at the comfort of my house than party with friends or go clubbing, unless it's REALLY worth it like today, for instance. Socializing just isn't my thing!

However, being oblivious of my surrounding due to the mobile game I was engrossed in, someone tapped me twice on my shoulder and I snapped back to reality.

"Hey, pretty." He said with a husky voice that made me look up at him. Honestly? What I expected wasn't what I saw at all. He was too short for my taste, very dark in complexion and bald-headed. To worsen matters, he was dressed in shorts and a cheap T-shirt which exposed his pot belly. Which, in fact, happens to be a total turn off for me!

Like who actually wears knickers and a worn-out tee-shirt to a private party, for goodness' sake? Absolutely gross! If I were him, I would've enrolled for a fashion class a long time ago.

The gruesome sight of his figure was just too much for me to take in! I almost puked right on the spot, but somehow I composed myself. Maintaining calmness didn't erase the blank look on my face, though.

"You wouldn't mind if I joined you, would you?"

Out of pity, I agreed and he sat beside me. Biggest mistake of my life! Why? He was the cocky type! He instantly ventured into silly, pointless and fatuous tales just to win me over, but I made his efforts stale on purpose. I showed no interest whatsoever in his cock and bull stories.

Frustration soon kicked in and he left, stating that he wanted to use the restroom or something, but I knew he wasn't coming back for sure, so I refocused on my mobile game, revelling in the peace of mind I'd just recaptured.

"Is this how lonely you usually are?" A familiar voice said to me, and I smiled. I didn't have to look up to know who he was. His radiant aura already told me.

I still had my eyes on the screen when he sat close to me, and I had no intention to look up, but he pulled my phone from my hands very gently and slid it into his pocket. I frowned out of annoyance, taken aback by his confidence.

"What was that for?"

"To gain your attention."

"Well played. You have my attention now. Can I have it back, please?"

"No," Boma shook his head, wagging a finger for emphasis. "Unless you heed my one and only option."

"Which is?"

"Dance with me."

What the hell?

It sounded quite absurd, but I seemingly had no choice than to heed his demand. In all honesty though, deep down inside my fragile heart, I also wanted it badly, so I just swallowed my pride and seized the opportunity by nodding affirmatively.

And with that, Boma stood up, took my hand and pulled me up with ease, and then we both waltzed to the dance floor, eyes locked all the way through.

I felt timid and shy at first, but with time, I relaxed. Boma's gentlemanly aura gave me this soothing assurance that drew me even more to him.

He held my waist and I held his shoulders as we both moved slowly to the soft blues playing from the speakers. Our eyes were in perfect harmony with each other's gazes. Our bodies swayed to the rhythm of the cool music.

All of a sudden, however, while we danced away our sorrows, someone ran up to us and dragged Boma violently. He spun him around and knocked him down with a very hard kick.

Quickly, two other guys joined in from nowhere and they all ganged up against him with several hard kicks and blows on several parts of his body. He groaned with excruciating pain while I stood there, watching in horror!

I was unable to do anything to help him but scream! I screamed like his life depended on it!

As a matter of fact, it actually did!