Simi’s Musings 2 – Go Out

It’s almost noon and I haven’t been out of my room which is unlike me because I go jogging on Saturdays. Today, my love handle or muffin top is the last thing on my mind. I heard Tayo knock on my door yesterday and once this morning before heading out for her worker’s training in church. I can’t remember what time I finally went to bed yesterday, the melted ice cream and cookie wrapper is a reminder of last night’s binge.

I’m not being overly dramatic because my younger sister is getting married.Here’s why:

I’m supposed to get married first; we talked about my wedding while growing up and how Tayo would be my maid of honour and how she would organise my bridal shower. I’m five years older than Tayo; she’s just about to turn 22 in four weeks and I’m already 27. Tayo and David have only been together for a year and this is her first serious relationship unlike me who was in a three year relationship which ended terribly.

The tables have turned.

Roles are going to be reversed.

Will I plan her shower? Be her maid of honour?

Don’t get me wrong, I love my sister dearly, she’s my only sibling. Not once did it cross my mind that she would get married before me. I mean I was already out of secondary school before Tayo got into JSS1; I taught her how to use a sanitary pad, bought her first bra, told her to break up with the lousy guy she dated in her first year in university. I’m her big sister.

I can only imagine my mum’s reaction when she finds out. I think that’s what scares me the most because already she lectures me almost every day about how it’s good to get married early and not get carried away with my career. I remember a recent conversation we had; she came into my room just before we left for church on a Sunday morning.

She sat on the edge of my bed watching me apply my make up in front of the mirror.

“Simi… Simi… Simisola, how many times did I call you?” I catch her reflection in the mirror, she tugs at her right ear as she calls my name.

My mum is a bit dramatic.

“Three times mum… I know this is about marriage… again.” I move from the front of the mirror and kneel right in front of her, looking into her eyes. “Mummy, God will bring him at the right time, remember what He says in Jeremiah 29:11, that His thoughts towards me are of peace and not of evil, to give me hope and a future.” She nods and I continue. “In Philippians 4:6, I should be anxious for nothing…”

“I know my dear, I know. Time is ticking my daughter.” She uses her index finger to gently tap her wristwatch. “God is not going to drop the man from the sky Simisola, you have to make an effort, go out more… it’s not just about work and church all the time. Meet new people.”

“Mum, you say this all the time and I’m really trying.” She rolls her eyes.
“Yesterday, you stayed indoors all day watching movies. Is that what you call trying?”

My mum and I have convos like this all the time and I’m tired. Fine, many of my friends are married, some with kids already but it’s not like there’s something wrong with me. I’m an achiever in other areas of my life- I have a promising career, just last month I got promoted, well ahead of my mates that were recruited at the same time. I’ve bought my first car and I can afford to get a place of my own if I choose to, which I’m seriously considering at this rate. Daddy on the other hand, is so proud, he brags about his successful young daughters all the time.

The sound of my phone brings me out of my reverie. I check the screen and see Susan’s name and choose to ignore it but then it keeps ringing.

“Hi Sue, what’s up?”
“I’m good. I sent you bbm messages since yesterday and you haven’t replied.”
“Oh really? Sorry I haven’t looked at my phone.”
“Should we go see Amazing Spiderman 2 later this evening? I heard it’s really good.”

I think of turning down the offer, but knowing my best friend, she won’t have it. She wasn’t asking if I wanted to go, she was telling me we were going to see a movie.

“Sure. Why not?” She fills me on a blind date she had yesterday and promises to give me the rest of the gist when we see. She hangs up after we conclude she should come pick me up since it was her idea in the first place.

Susan and I met in University and we just clicked because we had a lot in common. We are both single and mum thinks we are bad influences for each other because we spend too much time together instead of meeting men according to her. Unlike me, Susan has never dated anyone; she has an endless list of what she wants in a man.

I get up from my bed and walk into the bathroom. A look in the mirror and I see my puffy eyes; I hope the puffiness goes away after a shower because Tayo would notice and ask questions. She’s very observant.

******

I walk into the kitchen to make a bowl of cereal and had just settled to eat when Tayo walks in.

“Hi sis, you just locked yourself up in your room yesterday. Hope you are okay?”
“Hey Tayo, I’m okay, I was just a bit tired yesterday.”
“Eya, pele, Lagos is too stressful I tell you.”

Tayo walks towards the table and sits across me. She reaches for the cereal and pours a handful. How she manages to remain a size 8 with all the snacking she does baffles me. We sit in silence for some minutes; I glance at her from time to time as if to remind myself again that she would soon be engaged.

“So I got two dresses yesterday for my birthday and I wanted to ask you which one you prefer. I got them from that boutique close to my office, they were on sale.” Tayo says.
“Oh really? I thought you had gotten a dress already?” I take the last spoon of my brunch and take the bowl to the sink.
“Yeah but I’m no longer sure I want to wear it. I’ll wear both of them so you can choose.”

Idowu comes into the kitchen with some bags; she has just come back from the market. She greets me pleasantly as if what transpired yesterday didn’t happen. I feel bad about the way I spoke to her yesterday.

“Idowu, sorry about yesterday, I had a really long day and I was tired.”
“No problem aunty, I kept your ofada sauce in the freezer.”
“Okay thank you.” We make some talk about her sewing classes and her family till Tayo walks back into the kitchen in a sleeveless sequined blue dress that stops just on her knees. The dress sits on her slender frame like it was custom-made for her.

“So what do you think?” she does a catwalk round the kitchen.
“I loooove it!” Tayo can wear a sack and still look gorgeous with that body of hers.
“Aunty this dress is very fine, I like it.” Idowu adds.
“Thanks guys.” She takes a bow and leaves the kitchen and shouts from the living room.

“Wait for Outfit 2!”

Tagged: birthday, christian, church, dating, faith, family, God, lagos, marriage, mother, Nigeria, prayer, relationship, singleness, wedding