AgainXI
Wale looked speechless, like the weight of everything I had become everything I had survived was hitting him all at once. I could tell I was touching the depths of his heart, but I didn’t stop.
I had worn my Andrea Iyamah bride dress with my ikuku .
Jummai wore a Cross River dress and stood like royalty, draped in culture and grace.
"Good morning, birthday king. Happy birthday, my love," between kisses.
Valerie wanted to blend in even though I reassured her that she could wear her Indian saree. She was a breathtaking fusion of tradition and modern elegance an Indian beauty draped in the rich heritage of Igbo and Yoruba culture.
I sense Chukwudera has a sad past. I don't know what it is, but something is keeping him from moving on. Sadly, some wounds never heal. Sigh
.its about to go down (Tony Montana Dbanj & Naeto- C
Nneoma's POV
The next day was a whirlwind of events. Joy soared through the resort like it had been released from its cage. I struggled to hold down my laughter as I watched a crew of kinfolk take their various positions, hiding with water guns. I was about to lure Wale from his room, propelled by my supervisor Chukwudera to bring Wale out so we could bathe him. For context, that's how we celebrated in Nigeria when you graduated or had any special occasion that's what we intended to do for Wale.
I dragged my luxe Barbie pink blindfold away from my eyes and practically raced to Wale's room. I had stayed with my girls and came into Wale's room in the morning. I cringed at the thought of doing anything sexual when our parents were around
I would not live that down from my mom, though I suspected they knew. I shuddered at that thought.
I was wearing luxe striped pink and white pajamas with my pink polka dot fluffy flip-flops. If care wasn't taken, all my clothes and house area would be pink. Wale hates when I go overboard with pink but still buys me pink items how cute.
I stopped at the door, then took a U-turn to the kitchen where Chukwudera greeted me and shoved the birthday cake into my hands. It was white and blue with Wale's picture on it. Wale was getting even more handsome by the day. I felt like this was a cute dream and I would wake up to continue crying about Diadem. The cake looked scrumptious almost too pretty to eat. A masterpiece, just like Wale.
I popped a light blue candle, lit it, and took it upstairs to the birthday king. I carefully placed it on the table where his long hands couldn't reach this man was huge. I kissed his collarbone to his neck. He tensed up a bit until he registered that it was me, then sleepily hugged me. A cute groan left my lips Wale was too cute. I loved it when he did this. It translated to a message saying, "I recognize you even though I haven't seen your face. I know what's mine." I was his and he was mine.
He wore light blue striped pajamas like mine. Thank God it wasn't dark blue, or he would have looked like he was wearing checkers uniforms. As I kissed him, I said, "Good morning, birthday king. Happy birthday, my love," between kisses.
Wale wasn't having it. He cupped my tiny ass and flipped me over so I was beneath him. I squealed, surprised by his strength. He said, "Starving the birthday king is not good, so I hear." He gently palmed my nipples through my pajamas. I saw him yesterday night, but I missed him. He never failed to send electricity down my spine when he did that. He slowly opened my pajama button-down shirt and kept kissing me.
I let out a frustrated groan people were waiting. The protest died when he swirled his tongue on my nipples. I moaned like I had been starved of him while he latched onto my breast as if I was the most scrumptious meal he'd ever eaten.
Sadly, I forced myself to say between laughs, "Come with me, my love. I have a surprise for you before everyone wakes up."
He paused, still kissing me. "I like the sound of that, but I have missed you. One more minute," he said, taking off my pajama trousers. His tongue did wicked things to me
I couldn't stop moaning.
Two minutes was up before I reluctantly stopped him. My chest was rising and falling like I'd run a marathon. Wale looked so handsome, but we had to go. I made him stand up while I wore my trousers back before Wale started again he was always hungry for me. I loved it.
I slowly brought the cake and opened the drawer to hand him the custom-made cufflinks I bought for him. They were in light sapphire color with his initials inscribed. I didn't even look at my savings again, but I know if my savings had hands, it would have slapped me by now.
Wale looked speechless. I could tell that I was touching the depths of his heart. It was hard to gift someone who had everything. I brought the cake to his front and popped the birthday hat Chukwudera had shoved into my hands earlier onto his head. He looked utterly scrumptious this morning the birthday glow hit hard. I was almost weak in the knees.
I asked him to make a wish. He closed his eyes, and I took a quick picture of him. I kept smiling while I made it my wallpaper. We prayed together, then he carried his cake downstairs, teasing me about the hundred ways to use the icing.
Before we headed out, I wore my black furry slippers I didn't want the pink one to get stained. When Wale reached the deep ocean blue pool that overlooked the cozy parlor with transparent sliding glass, our kinfolk attacked him with water while he blocked me with his body. I was a laughing mess before Wale hauled us to the corner where more water guns were laid out. The water attack turned into a full water fight.
My hair was wet I didn't care. All my friends were there. Suddenly time came to a halt. Our laughter bounced off the walls, and I was reminded of the little joys of life. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. I wished time would freeze and this moment would remain like this forever.
Wale jerked me from my thoughts and carried me with one hand like I weighed nothing. We ducked until we couldn't, then slowly we got so tired after two hours of playing nonstop. All good things came to an end.
Chukwudera gifted him a designer gold watch and said something to him that gave him that longing feeling. They gave each other the bro hug their friendship was so beautiful. A lot more gifts came from his basketball friends. Surprisingly, my friends bought gifts too, and it made my heart swell. Our parents everyone came prepared. I love that I had thoughtful people in my corner. I didn't force anyone to gift him, neither did I know they were going to be here.
We all had to go get ready.
Preparation
The girls' room was a beautiful mess. I doubt we would all sleep without arranging it. Yagi ran around looking for everything, which was hard to find.
I had worn my Andrea Iyamah bride dress with my ikuku (the headgear brides of Edo wear on their heads). When I say this felt like a wedding it was. After Andrea Iyamah wore this dress for her traditional ceremony, it went off the charts. It was intricately beautiful, red beaded from head to toe, pieced together skillfully. Hours of work went into it. The beaded beauty formed an amazing artwork sitting beautifully on my caramel skin. It looked too beautiful to wear.
I was a bit uncomfortable I hated headgear with passion, but for Wale's sake, I had to wear it. My mom says where you marry into, you marry into their culture and make it your own. That's why she always said to think and pray deeply about who you're going to marry.
My friends were going sassy today. I had expected them all to dress according to their tribes, but I was deeply mistaken. As the makeup artist added glittering gold eyeshadow to my eyes, my lips were lined in nude pink and brown lipstick. When I saw my reflection, my cheeks turned a shade of deep pink. I looked ethereal, absolutely stunning.
Jummai wore a Cross River dress and stood like royalty, draped in culture and grace. She was wrapped in a flowing onyonyo gown the fabric shimmered with every step, a rich blend of Barbie pink silk and gold embroidery cascading to the floor like a queen's train. Her shoulders were bare, glowing softly under the sun, adorned with a regal line of coral beads that rested gracefully on her chest.
Her hair was styled high, woven with intricate beaded strands and crowned with a delicate beaded tiara a nod to the elegance of her Efik roots. Around her neck, waist, wrists, and ankles, the bright orange coral beads clicked gently as she moved, echoing the rhythm of heritage and pride.
In her right hand, she held a fluffy feathered fan edged in gold and blush pink, fanning herself lightly with poise. Her face was a masterpiece bold-lined eyes, glowing brown skin, and a soft coral lip that matched her beads. Tiny dots of white chalk dotted her forehead and cheeks in cultural patterns, giving her a divine, almost ethereal presence.
She didn't just wear her outfit she embodied generations of Cross River elegance. Every bead, every fold of fabric, every glance was a celebration of beauty, culture, and pride.
Somkele, Ifunaya, Yagi, Kasarachi, Frida, and Emerald wore the essence of Igbo pride wrapped around them. They wore rich, deep wine-colored George wrappers embroidered with gold thread that shimmered like sunlight on water. The wrappers were tied securely around their waists, cascading in soft folds as they moved. Their blouses, fitted and off-shoulder, clung delicately to their forms a perfect blend of elegance and tradition, with stones and sequins catching the light like stars.
Around their necks lay layers of coral beads (ọkụkụ) thick, royal, and bold, resting just above their chests like queens' armor. Matching beads adorned their wrists, and striking beaded crowns sat gently atop their well-braided hair, styled in elegant updos. Some strands were threaded with gold, a modern twist to a timeless tradition.
In their hands, they held white hand fans trimmed with gold lace and small tassels that swayed with each graceful step. Their faces glowed with confidence subtle makeup, red lips to match their beads, and small nzu (white chalk) dots drawn on their foreheads, honoring their roots.
As they smiled, you didn't just see women dressed for a celebration you saw Igbo queens carrying the strength of their ancestors with beauty, pride, and poise.
Tamilore was a vision of Yoruba elegance, wrapped in richly patterned aso-oke wrapper with a matching buba blouse that shimmered with quiet luxury. Her gele stood tall and regal, folded with precision like a crown. Around her neck and wrists, beaded coral jewelry danced with every movement, and in her hand, a fan of feathers fluttered softly. She didn't just wear culture she carried it with pride and beauty.
Adesuwa had a velvety regal dress with layers flowing gracefully, while a red big bead rested on her neck. Her beauty was out of this world.
Valerie wanted to blend in even though I reassured her that she could wear her Indian saree. She was a breathtaking fusion of tradition and modern elegance an Indian beauty draped in the rich heritage of Igbo and Yoruba culture. Her attire was a pink George wrapper intricately embroidered with shimmering gold patterns that danced in the light. The blouse hugged her gracefully, its neckline framed by layers of coral beads, adding a regal weight to her soft composure.
Wrapped around her shoulders was a modern light pink and ash aso-oke, sleek and softly textured, catching hints of silver under the sun. On her head, she wore a perfectly tied pink nchafu, blending seamlessly with the tones of her outfit, nodding to the grace of Igbo queens.
Her eyes, dusted with soft pink eyeshadow, sparkled with calm confidence. Gold earrings peeked through her hair, which was neatly pulled back to showcase the harmony of cultures she carried with pride. She was not just dressed she was storytelling with her presence, weaving threads of India and Igbo land into one stunning expression of unity and elegance.
Our room was filled with gasps and compliments, each woman complimenting the others. We took pictures and did TikTok challenges my kinfolk were the craziest, chillest people. We were all queens. I felt so heavy moving around.
Kasarachi whispered in my ear, "Wale is going to have you on your knees and hands today for looking so beautiful in an ethereal way."
I was meant to be scared, but I was anticipating nighttime. Since we had the resort to ourselves, his parents and mine took the other wing alongside Imoh and Chioma, though Imoh came over for a bit to chat with us. Me and my comadres settled into talking about long figures with six digits and how to scale our businesses to greater heights. It was so beautiful I wanted it to be a video so we could press pause on it.
I let out a long sigh. Wale texted me saying, "It's showtime, baby."
We had to go downstairs. He said they were already waiting. I had a feeling Chukwudera was nagging him to see Emerald. I pretended to be blind, but let's see how things play out, I said to myself.
When I saw Wale, I sucked in a huge breath. Suddenly the world came to a halt when we locked eyes...
BARBIE as Narrator
Wow! I stood in the midst of these girls, dabbing blush to my cheeks and eyeshadows to my eyes. Phew, all of them looked stunning! Nneoma is such an ethereal beauty, but wait until all hands hit the ground promise! Y'all should have seen Valerie! Oh my goodness, Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, would be shaking. Gosh, she was stunning!
I sense Chukwudera has a sad past. I don't know what it is, but something is keeping him from moving on. Sadly, some wounds never heal. Sigh.
I can't wait to see the men! Nneoma would lick her lips soon. The next episode, I would bring Prince Charming as my guest. 🤭 Y'all, please like and subscribe, share as you read. It won't be bad if we had 68 likes, innit? Please let's encourage the writer! She says thank you, innit!