Nadir

I walk back to the living room and Martha has reduced the volume on the television. It looks like she was eavesdropping on my conversation with Ems.

‘What was that about?’

‘What?’

‘You guys are not getting married anymore?’

I am not sure why I am blushing. I have always found him attractive but for the longest time, I was in love with his brother. This is not even healthy.

‘We are taking it slow, we want to get to know each other. And we might get married.’

She laughs and I don’t know why I feel shy but I go over and sit next to her, laying my head on her shoulder.

‘You know, that day two years ago when you found out that you were pregnant.’

‘Yes?’

‘I thought you and Ems were perfect together.’

‘What?’

‘Remember how we were chatting in the kitchen at Jackie’s place? How he held your hair in the bathroom and took off his shirt so that you couldn’t smell his perfume anymore.’

‘Yes what about that day?’

‘I thought the two of you connected, like you had a good thing going you just needed to build on whatever that was.’

I breathe out deeply.

‘I don’t want to dwell on the past, I have told myself that I should just move on with my life because it wont do me any good being in the past.’

‘I love you Nandy and you are one of the strongest women I know.’

‘I love you more child and I pray every day that you never go through what I have.’

‘Speaking of which, I want us to do something.’ She says excitedly.

‘What?’

‘If we are putting everything behind us I would love us to completely cut off Jackie and Peggy.’

I lift my head.

‘Where is this coming from?’

‘The best way to punish them is pretending that they don’t exist. We wont even ask them why they did what they did, we won’t even bother with them because they are mean and we are far much better than them.’

I wrap my hands around her and hug her tightly.

‘I love you.’

‘I love you.’

..

The days have been going really fast and I have been dreading this day because I haven’t been on a date in a long time and I am not sure how I am supposed to behave.

‘Still looking for clothes?’ Martha asks walking into the room.

‘Sadly.’ I say with defeat looking at the mess on the bed.

She looks through the heap of clothes, picks an azure body fitting dress and black stilettos with a matching clutch.

‘Isn’t the dress too much?’

‘Nothing like that.’

‘Take a quick bath, the make up and hair stylist is on her way.’

‘The what?’

‘You really think I am going to let you go out there looking like a pumpkin? Boo you are going to knock Ems out, if he doesn’t marry you after tonight then he is a fool.’

‘You are the fool Martha.’

‘It’s okay.’ She says before laughing and walking out of the room.

I pick up the dress and hold it against me and stare at myself on the mirror. I like how the color makes my eyes glow. I only wore it once and I didn’t like how my lower belly was showing but with the weight loss the past two years I know I will nail it. I take a quick shower, apply lotion then wrap myself in a clean robe and go to Martha’s bedroom where the makeup artist has set up her equipment.

‘Good afternoon.’ I greet her.

‘Good afternoon ma’am.’

‘Nandy this is Katie, Katie Nandy my elder sister.’

‘Nice to meet you.’ We say in unison.

‘Katie I will allow you to do your work, please work your magic because tonight is very special.’

‘I will do my best.’ She responds.

I take a seat on the chair that she has set up. I am skeptical at first because it looks like it can't hold my weight but she assures me that it’s okay so I sit down and true to her word the chair doesn’t give.

Before she starts to work on my face she asks that I make myself comfortable. She is gentle and makes light conversation asking if there is anything that I am allergic to so that she knows what can go on my skin and what can’t. I am not a fan of makeup, I usually go for work with a face that has just been washed and with a coat of face serum and some lip gloss. Growing up I had a terrible breakout on my face which took years to clear out so now I am conscious about staying away from chemicals afraid that it might come back.

Katie dolls me up. We go for a subtle look with little lipstick but I must admit that I look amazing and I haven’t felt this good in a long time. I usually wear my hair with curls because I feel it makes my face look good but she suggests we straighten it. I am not sure about that but she manages to convince me and when finally done I now understand why Martha brought her in.

‘How do you like the make over?’

‘I love it.’ I respond and I mean it.

‘I am glad you do. Is it okay if I can take some photos of you for my page?’

As much as I would want people to see how good I look I decide against it. I will take my own photos and probably get a whole lot of messages and calls because I have been silent the past two years people must think I am sulking or something.

‘Girl.’ Martha says excitedly when she walks into the room.

‘I swear Ems will go nuts.’

‘Well, I am going nuts because Katie is a magician – look at me.’

‘You are beautiful Nandy, I just enhanced that beauty.’

I read the message that has just popped up on my phone, it’s from Ems saying that he is on his way.

‘Time to get dressed.’ I say to the two ladies excusing myself with a huge smile on my face.

..

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

🙇🏾‍♀️