Lekki Sisi - S01 E26

2 years ago

Lekki Sisi - S01 E26

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 26

Funmi frowned, her gaze resting on Susan. ‘Aren’t you taking too much?’

Ronke took the bottle away from Susan. She made a face before putting the cup to her lips.

Funmi turned her gaze away and brought it to rest on me. She smiled. ‘I don’t have much to say. I’m the last child and only daughter. My parents and siblings are all in the U.S. I was born there and only came back five years ago to manage one small firm like that.’

Ronke laughed. ‘Small firm keh. MD of a soon to become billion-dollar company is what you call small.’

‘Can we meet you?’ Susan asked. I froze.

What was I supposed to say? That my father was an electrician before he dumped my mother for a chief’s daughter? That my mum retired as a primary school teacher and now runs a pure water factory somewhere in Akure? I didn’t like that I had become the focus of attention. But I had to say something.

I cleared my throat and tried not to show that I was nervous. ‘My name is Tinuke. I work in a fashion house somewhere in Ajah. I’m hoping to learn so much there and then start my own fashion house.’ They nodded their heads and waited to hear more. When I didn’t say anything, they talked about their goals and plans and the trips for the year. I felt sick to my stomach listening to them.

The waitress brought the bill. Funmi took it.

‘I’m paying.’ She said. I wanted to cry. Why didn’t I just take a risk and enjoyed myself? Now I’d missed the steak and grilled fish. My stomach growled. I was still angry with myself when we left the restaurant.

Outside, I was the only one who didn’t come with a car. Funmi offered to drop me at home. I hugged the other ladies and climbed into Funmi’s Ford Ranger. It was a different car from the one I had seen on Sunday.

‘Let’s do this again.’ Funmi said, when she pulled up in front of Tola’s house.

‘Yes we should. Funmi thanks for inviting me.’

Funmi smiled. ‘My regards to Tola.’

I climbed down and waited until she drove off.

Tola was in the kitchen when I entered the house. My stomach growled again as sweet aroma of fried rice wafted through my nostrils.

‘How did the meeting with the customers go?’

I felt a pang of guilt for lying to my friend. But I shrugged. ‘It went well. All I saw today was money. Tola, there is money in this country.’

I opened the pot and scooped a spoonful of fried rice into my mouth. Tola laughed. I was already taking the third spoonful when she snatched the spoon from my hand.

‘Go and take off your dress first.’

In the room, I sat down and went through the pictures we had taken at the restaurant. I selected three and posted them on Instagram.

Caption: It was fun hanging out with my friends.

I waited for likes and comments. Nothing. I pulled off my dress and changed into my nightgown. I grabbed my phone again and checked.

5 likes.

I posted some of the pictures I took with Funmi inside Funmi’s car. I waited again. I reloaded the app. 10likes. As I stood up, a feeling of gloom descending over my heart, my phone beeped. I grabbed it.