CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT
***EPISODE 8***
I entered and kept my head down..I was extremely timid.. I couldn’t look up to her face..
“Bukky?”
She called out as she stood up from her chair and paced round me.. I was using my cornered eye to pry at her o..this one that she is pacing round me..anything can happen and I don’t want to die..
“Jeremy is my son..and I don’t joke with him..I don’t joke with both my sons”
Both? They were two? Where is the other one?..a question I didn’t dare ask..but it seemed she noticed the frown on my face so she explained
“They are not of the same father..my other son had chosen to stay with his father but he is back to me..my point is..Jeremy has convinced me that he loves you..the only problem is when you hurt my son..I will hunt you”
She was at my back..mehn my spirit has refused to come back from the spirit land..surprisingly she touched me and laughed
“Dont just hurt my son..case closed..you can go”
Eh? Just like that?
“Why are you still standing there..shuuhh”
I laughed..thanked her and hurried in joy back to my sewing machine..
But my Joy faded..the dress I was sewing had been torn to pieces..
****************
I had to look for somewhere to sit first and accept the fact that what I am seeing was real..you know that awkward moment when you don’t want to accept what you are seeing..but you know its real yet you don’t want to believe it. I stood up and picked up all the pieces I could reach..I had less than 33hours to the first stage of the competition, judging from the fact that it was late in the evening already..I knew there was only one person responsible.. Vodka.
No..I just can’t sit here and let her have her way..I got up and went thru my patterns..a tear fell from my eyes..I cleaned it off..now is not the time to cry..it would take me forever to sew this gown again..I had been sewing it for weeks now..but then..nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it..I sat and started sewing..I boiled a cup of coffee to keep me awake..but the sleep was strong sha. Anyway I overcame..I could here the sound of my machine reverberating in echoes when it was late in the night..when it was dawn I was half way close to finishing.. I picked up the buttons and some relevant pieces she had torn and put them back in place..
Time was against me now..the spectators had gathered at the table .and I could hear through the large speakers as the judges made their decision.
“Bukky.. What are you still doing here”
God knows I wanted it to be Jeremy..but he wasn’t even here..for two days he has not seen me and he didn’t even bother to dial my number..
Wait..does he have my number?..oops! He doesn’t..but at least he should have checked my training room..
Clarise had rushed to me..
“I am almost done please pass me that button” she hurriedly passed it to me.
“What happened pretty? Your eyes are all swollen..you don’t look good..you’ve not been sleeping?”
I nodded in affirmation..and explained how I met my gown torn to pieces..
“Oluwatoke Bisola”
That’s my name..!
“Hurry!”
Clarise hastened me..but I had not weaved the left-hand side of the dress
“There is no time!”
Clarise snatched it from me and led me to the hall..All eyes turned to me..’Mehn I looked horrible but I no send..no be today yanch dey back”
..I noticed Clarise sneaked to inform Madam Clara of my problem..
I told them the type of gown I sewed..the quality and the occasion it should be used for..I noticed Jeremy at the other end opposite Madam Clara.. Vodka was standing beside him..I ignored when he tried to signal me to look at his direction..
“Bukky please bring the gown for inspection?”
OK nah..see wahala..
I hesitated for a while..Vodka was smiling, I could notice her..God if this cloth gets into their hand they would surely find out that its not completed..
But then, I took a bold step and handed them the cloth.. The man sitting in the middle snatched it and inspected thoroughly.. He was smiling already.. But half way he frowned..ehen..I knew he had seen it..my heart was beating against my chest..he was about to say something but madam Clara was quick to get to him and whispered something I didn’t understand.
“You are not feeling well?..and that’s the reason you couldn’t finish the gown?”
Eh?..I looked over to Madam Clara who signalled me to play along
‘Yes..s..sir”
My swollen eyes was a blessing..it proved the lie was indeed sweet..
“You do look sick..have you taken drugs?”
He pushed further..I nodded in response..he took a minute and then finally spoke out.
“This gown is the best I have witnessed today..even if it wasn’t completed..and for the fact that you brought it this far despite your ailment..then my dear you deserve even more than a pass..you got a distinction”
I shouted for joy as everyone applauded..I know most of them didn’t want to applaud but they had no choice nah..
I could see Vodka as she walked towards me after the competition ended..she had that rage in her eyes..I had to quicken my steps but she caught up with me and held me back with force..
Don’t you think this is over pig!”
I waited and stared at her for a while..if I reply this girl she might tear me to pieces..I attempted to walk past her again but she hurried to my front again..
“Oluwa which kind wahala be dis?”
“Vodka please I don’t want trouble”
I spoke out and tried one last time to find my way but she wouldn’t let me..
“You think because Madam Clara likes you..oh you just wait.. Or you think its Jeremy?.. Though I promised him I wouldn’t tell you what am about to say but its better I let you know so you can stop fooling around. Jeremy and I had a bet that he would win you over within a week!..poor cheap girl..it seems I lost to him anyway”
What?!..I acted calm and did what every responsible young lady would do..I defended Jeremy..there was no way he would do that to me..Madam Clara told me he confessed he loved me..and the kiss? I let him kiss me. Not because I wanted it..
Wait, so he thinks because I let him kiss me I am now cheap..or he got me?..no no..I waved it off..Vodka had dared me to meet her up in her room where Jeremy would meet her that night since I didn’t believe her..and it was confirmed..I met Jeremy smooching Vodka..
“Jeremy?”
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