“You are not wearing these hoop earrings, Fikayo. If they had mouths they’d tell you to leave them alone. Haba!”

“Fire, leave me o. I love these earrings so much.”

“I’m sure your friends already know you with these earrings.”

“I don’t care,” Fikayo shrugged, pulling out a black body con off shoulder dress from her wardrobe.

“Whatever,” Fire dismissed. She sat on the edge of her bed, spreading her legs wide and rubbing her hands on her knees.

“You will sha wear heels, abi. It’s a birthday party.”

“Mba,” Fikayo eyed her and hissed. “I’ll wear my curly wig and sneakers. It’s not a party per se, just five or six of us hanging out to celebrate Lolu’s birthday.”

Fire eyebrows drew together in confusion.

“Huh? Who is Lolu? I thought it was Ike.”

“Ehn Lolu is his middle name,” she shrugged.

Her sister smiled like a Cheshire cat.
“Hmm okay o. You’re sure you’re not crushing on him? This one that you have a special name for him.”

She threw the dress at her sister. Fire ducked but caught it, laughing hysterically.

“It’s his middle name, not a special name.” She said ‘special’ with emphasis.

“You obviously like him. Ha! Look at how you blushed when you mentioned his name, aw.”

“Okay maybe I like him,” she lifted her shoulders in a shrug, her right palm faced up.

Her sister smile widely as she threw the black dress over her shoulder and stood up.

“I knew it. Aw, my baby is in love,” Fire cooed and made to hug her. Fikayo pushed her off and hissed.

“Come here jor,” she pulled her back and drew her to her side, rubbing her head. “You’re too cute. I love you, Fiks mama.”

Fire moved back to place her lips on Fikayo’s left cheek. She broke the embrace, holding onto her hand, a serious look plastered on her face.

“It’s a crush, don’t get distracted, okay? I know he’s a fine boy so I’m pretty sure you’re not the only one crushing on him. Keep your head straight, relate normally with him and don’t start getting romantic ideas in your head. It shouldn’t be a priority right now.”

“I know, I know,” Fikayo said, a frown on her face. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“Madam, I have to tell you. I’m your big sister, that’s my job. Now go and have your bath while I get one of my wigs and accessories for you.”

“I want to wear my hoop earrings.”

“Shut up!”

***
“Ehn see fine babe,” Tari hailed dramatically as Fikayo walked in. “Hey, you too fine abeg.”

Fikayo giggled. “Stop abeg, Tari.”

Tari hugged her briefly but held onto her hand and twirled her.

“How far na? You’ll dash me this dress oh!”

“Abeg go and sit down jare. You and Zoe got the best clothes from Aunty B and chanced Tanito and I.”

Ike heard a door open and tuned to see Abdul walking out of the kitchen and eating out of a bowl. Ike rose from the sofa and moved to where Fikayo and Tari stood.

She looked up at him and beamed.

“Lolu,” she drawled, rushing to embrace him in a brief hug. When she drew back, she said, “Happy birthday, Ikechukwu. You are such a light and your life has shined so much light to my life and that of others.”

His heart beat hard as the sweet words rolled off her tongue.

“Thank you,” he managed to let out amidst the pounding of his heart.

“Awwn,” Abdul wore a smile. “You guys are cute. Fikayo, you even ditched your hoop earrings today. Ike’s birthday must be really special o. Abi Jesus is coming today?”

“Oga shut up,” Tari feigned anger, sitting on the nearest sofa. Fikayo laughed and followed suit. He moved to sit beside her.

“Is mummy around?” she turned to him.

“Yes, she’s sleeping.”

She nodded. Kaima came down the stairs in her pink pajamas and Fikayo rushed to her. Abdul and Tari greeted her and she replied them.

“Kaima, I’ve missed you so much.”

Kaima drew her into a hug and pecked her cheek.

“I’ve missed you, too.” She put a hand through her braids and sighed. “I need to loosen this hair but I’ve been too busy. Can you help me with it tomorrow after service? You are coming back home with us, right?”

“Sure.”

“Where’s my baby, Koko?” Abdul asked, munching on some chin chin.

“She’s watching movies as always.”

“I think I need to go and drag her downstairs. She’s always watching movies,” Fikayo said, coming back to sit beside him. Her leg brushed his slightly as she sank into the chair and his heart set off racing again. She shifted, unlocking her phone.

Zoe arrived thirty minutes later with a cake. They had conversations over good food and cut the cake much later. Tari was the first person to leave with a large piece of cake she cut for herself.

Abdul and Zoe left together shortly after Tari since their houses were in the same route. Fikayo, Kaima, Kosi and Ike watched a movie on Netflix afterwards.

Fikayo’s mum called her halfway through the movie and she announced she was leaving. He paused the movie and offered to walk her to the gate.
As they stepped outside, the cold evening breeze hit him.

“It’s so cold,” Fikayo said.

“Yeah, so how are you getting home? A cab?”

She gave a short laugh, shaking her head.
“Unless you want to sponsor me, I’d enter keke oh.”

“Alright,” he brought his phone out of his pocket, unlocked it and tapped on the Uber app. “I’d order a cab for you now.”

She stopped walking and he halted his steps, too.

“I was just joking, Ikechukwu.”

She toyed with the earring on her right ear.

“I know, Oluwafikayomi,” he smiled at the frown on her face. “Just see this as a thank you gift for coming.”

She shrugged, suddenly feeling shy.

“Your ride is five minutes away. Let’s take some pictures.”

“We took like a million today.”

“But we didn’t take any together.”

“We did,” she countered, placing a hand on her waist.

“Those were group pictures.”

“Whatever,” she waved her other hand, rolling her eyes.

He smiled and opened his camera. They took multiple selfies before he took pictures of Fikayo. He promised to send them to her as she got into the Uber. She waved at him with a huge smile; his heart racing as he waved back. As the cab drove away, he laughed at his failed attempt at distancing himself from her. He just hoped the silly crush would fade away soon.

***
Fikayo was seated in the front passenger seat of Aunty B’s car after Sunday service, listening to her recount her childhood adventures. Tani was in the back seat, eating Aunty B’s leftover food.

“You were very mischievous as a child.”

“Ah, you don’t know the half of it, sweetheart.” She turned to Tani.

“Sweetheart, please bring the blue nylon bag for me.”

Tani handed it over to her. Aunty B pulled out a floral dress and placed it on Fikayo’s lap.

“This is for you,” she said and pulled out a pink jumpsuit, stretching it to Tani at the back. “And this is for you, sweetheart.”

“Thank you so much Aunty B,” Fikayo gushed over the dress as she raised it up to examine it.

“Aunty B, you’re the sweetest. I love you,” Tani said.

“I know you love me,” Aunty B beamed.

“I noticed those two rascals, Zoe and Tari took the nicest clothes the other day so I bought you girls brand new clothes to compensate you.”

“Aunty B, I don’t know what I did to deserve you.” Fikayo was on the verge of tears as she held the dress in her hands. “You are so good to me.”

“Aw my sweetheart,” Aunty B cooed, leaning forward to wrap her arms around her. Tears escaped her eyes as Aunty B stroked her back. She drew back and wiped her eyes.

“Aw Fikayo,” Tani said. “You guys are cute.”

“I love you, sweetheart,” Aunty B caressed her cheek. More tears poured out at the declaration.

“Aunty B, you love me like I’m your child. Why do you love me so much? I cannot understand it.”

“Come here, sweetheart,” Aunty B pulled her into another hug. When they pulled apart, she kissed her temple and wiped her tears with her fingers.

Tani laughed and said, “Look.”
Both heads turned to her. She held her phone to them and a picture of her and Aunty B hugging moments ago displayed on the screen.

They laughed and Fikayo attempted to snatch the phone but Tani drew it back quickly.

“You’re not serious oh. But the picture is fine sha. Send it to me.”

...
Aunty B is a sweetheart 😭❤.
Thank you for reading!

P.S: Listen to Chike's beautiful song in the media - Beautiful people.