Zee's diary: Girls Day out

 

It was a biannual tradition for my friends and I to have a girls day out. The next hangout was already due and we were all excited; everyone making suggestions for a better and more interesting time together. Personally, I was twice as excited as others because it had been a long, stressful six months at work. I needed to unwind and release stress, plus I was single too. 

The date for our day out was slated. It was fixed for the last Saturday in the month of June; it was just the 15th day of the month and we had about two weeks to prepare. Footing the bills wasn't an issue; we were a clique of four well-to-do ladies. 

I looked into my closet to get the best outfit for this special time with my girls and it seemed like nothing in there impressed me. Getting a new dress was out of place because I had only realized the previous week that I hadn't worn seventy percent of the dresses in my closet. I searched further and found a short, black gown. The material glittered. "Perfect", I said to myself. "A pair of nude block heels would eat this whole look up", I thought.

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It was Friday and I had taken the day off work. The next day was the outing with my girls. I was super excited. I went to a spa to get my veejay waxed. It wasn't like I had an appointment with my lover but I needed to feel fresh inside out. A little bit of pain but just for a few minutes of waxing. I got manicure and pedicure done. White polish on my toes, and my fingernails having a glass of cocktail look. I also got my hair in a ponytail. Oh how I looked like I came out fresh from an oven! Ponytails were definitely made for my face and body.

The following day, which was the D-day, I woke up late. I had a hangover from the drinks I took the previous night. I literally had a party in my sitting room with a bottle of vodka. I hurriedly got dressed because I had just two hours to prepare and leave for the outing. I put my dress on and did my makeup. My eye-shadow had the same colour as my nails. I was really hungry, I got into the kitchen and heated up the jollof rice I cooked on the morning of the previous day. I ate it in a hurry, making sure to not smudge my lipstick and face. 

I was done in ten minutes and drank a glass of water. I felt refreshed. I took my bottle of perfume and sprayed it on my arms, wrists, behind my ears and neck. Oooh! I smelled like a blend of berries.

I ordered an Uber ride and in twenty minutes, I was off to Crescent Royale. I met two of my friends there and we had to wait for Layo. We ordered food, enough food. I got a plate of Chinese rice with Turkey, salad and a little crabs. I got a glass of cocktail drink too. In a few minutes, Layo arrived. As my best friend, she ordered for the same food as I was having.

We ate happily and had a very lengthy, funny and indulging conversation. It pleased me to know I wasn't the only single one in my clique. Temi and I were single but the difference was that she was happy with her status, and I wasn't. Sheila and Layo talked about the troubles they were facing in their relationships. "This man never ceases to amaze me. He brought his mother and older sister to stay with us in our two bedroom apartment", Sheila complained. I was surprised. What was his motive? I didn't say a word, I only stared in surprise. "I've spoken to him about it several times and all he says is 'mama isn't disturbing us na, neither is my sister. Besides we have our room to ourselves', can you imagine?", she continued. I felt pity for her. I can't imagine being deprived of my privacy like that. 

It seemed like they took turns to complain because immediately Sheila stopped talking, Layo took over after some minutes of silence. "Mine has been trying o, but he seems intimidated by my level of success. Lately, we've been talking about starting a family, although he hasn't proposed to me yet. But what bothers me is his suggesting I become a full-time housewife upon marrying him. Where is that done? How do I let the career I've been building for over five years go down the drain? I told him very bluntly that I wouldn't agree to such terms and it's okay if he doesn't want a career woman as a wife. "Eja po nu okun"(there are many fishes in the sea), she said. We all supported her for this decision. I mean why would a man ask a grown woman to quit her career because of him? We're in the 21st century for goodness' sake. It's not done. Well, that makes us three single women, but she's not been able to bring herself to face this truth yet. Love scares us, but it also gives us courage. She has to show that she loves herself and quit that toxic relationship.

Temi mumbled "love na scam" amidst devouring a head of catfish in her pepper soup. She sounded so foreign with the way she said those words in pidgin. I chuckled. We've all obviously had our fair shares of relationship tantrums.

After eating, we played games at the game lounge. There, Sheila suggested that we went to see a movie at the nearest cinema. We all agreed. She drove us to the cinema and bought tickets for all four of us at the counter. I opted to get popcorn for everyone.

We saw a comedy movie. We laughed at the top of our voices and had people turning to look at us. A perfect way to wash away all the pains we vented over food. I was a shy person but with these ladies, I was confident. I felt as free as a bird with them.

The movie ended at about 5pm and we all decided to call it a wrap. 

We took pictures at every point; from when we ate at Crescent Royale to when Sheila drove us to the cinema and to when we were at the cinema. Great memories to hold on to till the next hangout. 

We hugged each other. Sheila and Temi were getting teary; we don't get to see often because they stay in a different city from us.

"Sheila let's drive to the shawarma spot on the next street before we all say goodbye", I suggested. We got the shawarma, I paid, and everyone went their separate ways.

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It was 10pm and I was laying on my bed, putting on pink, flowery pyjamas and wearing my big satin bonnet. I got a group video call; my girls. Everyone was in their beds and we chatted a little about how much fun we had.

We said goodnight and in a couple of minutes, I was in dreamland.