The cloud that never leaves

     Photo credit: bengaliclicker.com

Can I tell you about the cloud that never leaves?

The cloud doesn’t care about who you are. The cloud doesn’t care about how much money you have or what your family has. The cloud doesn’t care about how amazing you are or how much everyone around you loves you. It doesn’t care that you have a beautiful life. 

The cloud only cares about consuming you. About filling you with hopelessness too great for words.

It hangs and lurks. Hangs above you, never letting you out of its sight. Lurks, in the shadows waiting for the perfect moment to pounce and attack. Always waiting and always ready.

The cloud may leave you in peace today but it can’t promise you won’t have a category 5 hurricane tomorrow morning. 

When you are sad and you don’t know why because you have no reason to be sad, it’s the cloud. When you cry and you don’t know why because you have no reason to cry, it’s the cloud.

It’s not you, it’s the cloud. The cloud is a demon. The doctors call it depression but you know it’s a demon. A demon pretending to be a cloud. 

When the cloud releases what it is carrying, when it releases the thunderstorms, category 5 hurricanes, snow, rain and hailstones all at once, don’t fight back. How can you? 

Stand. Stand or sit or cry but don’t break. Don’t let the weight of it all crush you. 

You must not let it crush you. You must not break. You must rise up. 

Rise up and burn. Burn the whole building down, burn and keep burning till the flames go up into the cloud and the cloud leaves. Even if it is for a moment. 

What triggers this attack? What triggers such a horrible attack? A cruel word said innocently, an overwhelming situation, confusion, happiness, good things, nothing. 

But when the demon attacks, it attacks in full force. It pounces on your mind and devours it completely till you feel like you cannot breathe. 

People see sadness on your face but have no idea that the sadness in your heart is greater than what your face can ever express. 

People see you sad and think you just want attention when the only thing you want, is to disappear. 

“You have no reason to be sad” they say. 

“Well, tell that to the demon behind me or the cloud above me,” I think, but don’t say. 

To the people that know this cloud, this demon they call depression, know that everything will be okay. Maybe not today but someday it will be. 

And to the people that don’t know this cloud, the cloud that never leaves, thank God every single day.

With all my love,
Dara Rhodes

Tunji Braithwaite & Dara Rhodes

I lost my grandfather on the 28 of March this year and I still can't believe it. I have started and scrapped this post over a thousand times since then, unable to write about him in past tense.

All my life till that day in March, Tunji Braithwaite was just my over-involved-in-my-life grandpa. He wanted to know how I was doing in school, how I was doing at work, what I wanted to be and how I planned on getting there. I disagreed with him and he disagreed with me. When he upset me, I wrote him strong messages and when he gladdened me, I gave him big hugs. I lived with him, played with him, fought with him, prayed with him, followed him to places, learnt from him but most importantly loved him with all of me. He was the first person to tell me I'm gifted and the second person (only after my father) to tell me that there's "something" about me.

His death really shook me because I was always sure he'd be at my wedding, sure he'd bless my children at their naming ceremonies. I assumed he'd be the one that will pray over my own mansion. I assumed, he'd always be there,  fighting and loving. Yes, he was 82 but death never crossed my mind whenever I thought about him. I worried about him turning 90 and prayed that he'd never loose his strength but I never ever worried that he might die soon.

He called me Dara Rhodes before I even knew what that meant, read every article I wrote, constantly told me to be fearless and constantly reminded me that I am his granddaughter. So today, I am nothing but grateful. Grateful to have known you as well as I did and grateful to have your blood in me. 

Since that day, I have read and listened to hundreds of people and articles talk and write about my grandpa. And even though I'm sure you didn't know grandpa, your people really loved you.

This one is for you Olatunji Akintunde Braithwaite, thank you for every single thing and I promise to never forget.

From the bottom of my heart,

Dara Rhodes

Abimbola Elizabeth Rhodes (nee- Da Silva)

To Lagos,  Abimbola Elizabeth Rhodes (nee- Da Silva) was the Iyalode,  queen of all its women. 

To Ile- Ife, she is Yeye Apesin, a goddess. 

To her husband, the sun rose and fell at her feet.

At every party she ever attended or hosted, her presence drew attention like the earth draws light from the moon at night. 

To her sisters, she was the imperious voice of command.

To my mother's father, she was very mischievous and literally one of a kind.

All her staff remember her as, the madam that took absolutely no nonsense. 

To her sons and daughter, she was the entire world.

but, to me, a shy little girl, she was only my grandmother. My grandmother who behaved like Queen Elizabeth and whom I loved and adored with all my heart.  

As I grew and silently watched her though, I saw that she wasn't just my little grandma, I saw that she was a powerful lioness that no one in the country dared to cross.. The writing of this post began at the start of this year and I still have no words to fully describe her because of the sheer complexity of her nature and because the more I thought about her, the more I wished I had spent more time with her. 

How could God have given me one of the fiercest women Lagos has ever seen and I didn't spend time with her? How could God have given me such a precious gift and I never opened it? Yet, as if telling me that we are not our mistakes, I feel her so strongly around me. All the time. Reminding me that she gave me all her names for a reason. Reminding me that she was me and I am her. 

I feel her telling me that as long as there is life, there is hope. I feel her telling me that real family is everything. I feel her telling me not to make the same mistakes she did and find God early. I feel her telling me that I am a queen and queens never crawl. I feel her telling me to never lose my dignity and pride. I feel her telling me to never despair and never give up. I feel her telling me to live and learn, to love deeply and fight fiercely for what I believe. I feel her telling me that I must never forget who I am. These words carry me when I get weak and as I remember her on this day, I hope they carry you too when you get tired.

My phenomenal grandmother left us on the 9th of February 2013 and today, three years after her departure, my heart whispers that, Lagos might have lost its first Abimbola Elizabeth Rhodes but Abimbola Elizabeth Rhodes 2.0, an improved, faster, sharper and tad bit less ferocious version is currently in the works. 

I love you forever and ever grandma and Lagos will never forget you.

With all my love, 

Dara Abimbola Elizabeth Rhodes

Nigeria Concerns You!!!

I just watched something that made me cry. Tears of anger and pain and tears of deep sadness. As a media student, you are taught to be almost skeptical of the industry and to analyse every information you receive via the media so my mind subconsciously approached the video with guarded caution.

However, half way through it I caught myself, let my guard down and just watched it. Not with my head or media brain but with my heart and then it made me cry. I know the video had a motive but at this point, I couldn't care less about that because it said the truth. The truths every Nigerian has lived through, or seen or heard. I've written it over and over again on this blog and I will keep writing it till it is no longer true. Nigeria is a mess! A huge mess and even more than the government, the people that think it doesn't really corncern them (the middle class and upper middle class), are the biggest contributors to this mess!

It concerns you! Everything about Nigeria concerns you! The politics of the country corncerns you! Yes, you reading this! IT CONCERNS YOU! It concerns you if you are Nigerian (regardless of if you live in the country or not), it corncerns you if you have Nigerian children, it concerns you if you live and work in the country. It concerns you!

I am sick and tired of middle to upper middle class Nigerians constantly behaving like the affairs of the country don't corncern them till it starts affecting their very personal pockets! Those classes are the most selfish if you ask me! The upper classes could easily pretend it doesn't concern them too but many of them are even the most corncerned. 

I've said it before on this blog and I'll repeat it again now! All is NOT well with Nigeria! Don't be deceived! If you think that you are okay because you have a nice little house in Lekki or Banana Island now and your children go to a better school than you did, I pity you! You better be worried! Yes! Maybe if we were all worried about the country, maybe something would have changed. I write about Nigeria because I'm constantly worried about the country. I wasn't born in America, so how can I not be worried?! I literally don't have another country. (Another discussion entirely).

I've seen that the moment I leave my house and family, everybody else in the city seems to be fine with the unfineness (permit my use of this word) of the country! Stop suffering and smiling! I grew up listening to Fela and I am tired of seeing all his 'prophesies' about Nigeria come to pass! Stop pretending like our sick, sick country is well! Drop the fascade, start actively behaving like everything concerns you and maybe, just maybe, our sick country will slowly start getting better. 

Now, watch the video; http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/how-a-cancer-of-corruption-steals-nigerian-oil-weapons-and-lives/ 

With all my love, 

Dara Rhodes 

Well done, England.

              Photo: Duks arts

Clap for yourselves! You have successfully deported 500 Nigerians! Congratulations! How do you feel? I hope you feel wonderful! I can't even be angry with England. No, I can't, you have to protect your own country. 

My real anger is at my country. Nigeria. Would all those people have illegally clung to England if Nigeria valued their lives? Would they all have refused to voluntarily go back home if they knew they had something to go back home to? I love Nigeria but truthfully, Nigeria disgusts me! Fela was right as usual. We complain of racism but we treat ourselves worse. I wonder what would happen if all the Nigerians in England left and boycotted the country. I wonder if Tatler Magazine would have to write an article titled, "The Nigerians have left" in response to the one they wrote titled, "The Nigerians have arrived". I wonder if the boarding schools and unis in England would suffer but most importantly, I wonder if Nigeria and the Nigerians at home would be ready for all the 'I just got back' people. 

My grandparents on my paternal and maternal side destroyed (burnt) their British passports when they were a little older than I am now. That was how much they believed in their own country and their generation. It is so sad that the country they proudly rejected is now disgracefully rejecting their own fellow Nigerian citizens. I feel sorry for the deportees but this is not the end. No, far from it, in fact this is the beginning.

Sure, you are allowed to feel all the initial emotions from shame to fear of the unknown but don't get stuck there. You are home now and no one can take this one away from you. If you hadn't been to Nigeria in a while, I have good news. Nigeria has changed and is changing in amazing ways. Not necessarily because of the new government (far from it to be honest) but because Nigerians are changing. The landscape is changing. There are numerous opportunities now, you just have to be open to them and be willing to work. 

I love Nigeria! Yes, I said I'm disgusted by her but I love her nonetheless. And I hope you all fall in love with her too! I pray for strength for you and I pray you see that the Nigeria you left all those many years ago is not the same one you have returned to. (Though it may seem so at first) 

Have a wonderful evening/day you all! 

With all my love,

Dara Rhodes

100th post.

Hello beautiful people,

I spent the 1st of November 2015, reflecting. The biggest most important lesson I've learnt this year is, all things go. Good, bad, dynasties, governments, people, friends, family, jobs, problems etc go. All things go. 

Cherish every moment and every person because they will go. And you will never get them back once they are gone. I leave you with the words of Nicki Minaj from her hit song.

Photo: typewriterquotemeup.com

With all my love,
Dara Rhodes

Kings and Queens

Hello beautiful people, 

                                                 Photo credit: hbansari.wordpress.com

A queen/king can fall, fail and lose but that doesn't mean she/he is not a queen/king. 

You can lock up a queen/king, beat her/him and maltreat her/him but that doesn't mean her/his throne still isn't there. 

A queen/king can get her/his hands dirty but it doesn't mean her/his hands no longer belong to the queen/ king.

You can even take away her/his crown and keep her/him in the darkest part of your house for months and years, she/he is still a queen/king. 

No matter what you do to a queen/king and no matter how far away from her/his throne you take her/him, she/he will survive because she/he knows that her/his throne is waiting. It will always be waiting. 

You may not have a kingdom or be born into royalty but are the queen/king of your life never, ever forget that. 

With all my love,

Dara Rhodes

Breathe. Just breathe.

"I wake up everyday and I think, 'I'm breathing! It's a good day.'"- Eve Ensler

                                                 Photo: americanpregnancy.org                                                     

I woke up one day and realised something very scary. I had stopped breathing. I was alive (of course) but I wasn't breathing. My breath was constantly held waiting for the next minute or trip or (not so important) very important thing I had to do. When I got into the car, I didn't notice the streets or the people around me anymore, my breath was held and my eyes fixed on the road before me like I was the one driving. When I entered buildings, I didn't notice anything or anyone around me and just went straight up to the reason why I was there. When I lay in my bed at night, my breath was held as my mind planned all the trips I had to take and things I had to do. When I ate my dinner, I held my breath as my head churned and churned over my plans for my 21st birthday this year. (1st of August)

 In all honesty, my 20th year was difficult. I lost people that were very real to me (for the first time in my life), I had to deal with constant changes like I had never had to before and whenever I thought I couldn't deal with another change, another change happened. (on the bright side, I dealt with them all! :D). Today as I think back on this past year, there's only one word that seems apt and that is, breathe. Breathe.

 Many, many, many times, we forget to breathe. I think of Bobbi Kristina (may her precious soul rest in peace) and my heart breaks. Maybe because she was just a year older than me or maybe because I'm a lot more aware of death now but that could have been me. I could have been the one that died yesterday. It didn't have to be the way she died but I could have died. All her hopes, fears and dreams don't matter now. All our hopes, fears and dreams won't matter once we are gone so why do we spend so much of our time here holding our breaths? We really are only here for a short time even if you die at 100 years old, so please breathe. I know breathing may seem like a difficult concept for some us to grasp but believe it or not, your body is doing it every second of the day. You just need to remind your mind to do the same. 

I woke up today and decided to cancel all my very OTT plans for my 21st this year and just have a very simple and nice dinner with my immediate family. I refuse to not breathe this next year of my life and my other plans would have ensured that. That's just the first battle, I'm sure next year is going to be ridden with so many other breathing battles but hey, as long as I breathe, I win. So, here's to the next year of my life and to all you beautiful beautiful people that read my little blog, breathe.

                                                               Photo: mycamera

Have a wonderful day beautiful people.

With all my love,

Dara Rhodes

New Money? Really?

Hello beautiful people, 

At the start of this year, I took a break from tv, not because I was addicted to it or anything like that, but because I found it a complete waste of my time. 

     Photo: tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com

Anyway, yesterday morning, I decided to see what I had missed if I missed anything at all, and put on my television. After scanning all the DSTV channels and coming up short of anything vaguely interesting, I settled on E. And what happened? Two minutes later (I kid you not, it was exactly two minutes later) an advert came on for a show called "New money". New money, guys!!! E! Couldn't even conceal the show's intentions in its title.

I stopped twiddling with my phone and focused on the screen for the entirety of the ad, desperately hoping that the name of the show isn't literal. If you've never seen it or heard of the show, well, it's exactly what it says. It's an "unscripted" show about newly moneyed people spending/flaunting money in that disgusting manner only new moneyed people can. I thought "Rich kids of Beverly Hills" was bad but I guess bad can always get worse. 

Maybe that's even the moral of this story. Bad can always get worse. If you think you have it as bad as it can get, I'm sorry to be the one breaking the news but darling it can always get worse (a lot worse). Thus, as Monty Python ever so wonderfully sang, always look on the bright side of life. Because your bad, is still really the bright side in the grand scheme of things. While you are busy groaning about Rich kids of Beverly Hills (or what you think is bad), E! (Or life) is cooking up a "New money" show (Worse). 

So yes, I watched tv after six months and saw an advert for a show called "New money" that showed me that what I thought was bad "rich kids" could get a lot worse and I (ever so lovingly) thought it best to share this tiny nugget of wisdom with you all! Lol!

Have a wonderful day y'all!! 

With all my love,

Dara Rhodes

Travesty (6)

"There's only one side to every story in this city and don't tell me you think the slut may have a valid point. How can someone just heartlessly destroy another person's happiness?" Funke asked dazed. "Where has the child been? She obviously didn't need Desmond before now so why did she steal poor Susan's joy?"

 

Lara nodded as they entered the elevator, all the while her heart thumping in her chest and her mind praying that Tolu had not returned from wherever she went. Funke sounded and looked like she'd kill them both if she found her in her flat. The elevator doors opened to a spotless living room. Lucy must have moved her suitcases into one of the spare rooms.

 

"Good afternoon madams," Lucinda said hurrying towards them. "The food is ready, I was just setting it out."

 

"It's okay, we are not hungry," Lara said dismissively, carefully looking for signs of Tolu and praying for none at the same time. "I'm going to my parents house earlier than normal," she said and Funke stared at her confused.

 

"I hope you are not going earlier to tell them what I've just told you," She said and crossed her arms. "That information is the definition of confidential."

 

Lara grabbed her arm and led her out of the living room, scared Tolu may appear at any minute, "Let's go to my room."

 

Funke jumped on her bed and smiled, "I love your bed. It always smells like what I imagine heaven smells like," She said and sniffed her pillows.

 

Lara forced a smile and changed out of her church clothes. "Surely they are not going to announce the annulment of the wedding yet. That will be too shameful,"

 

"You disappoint me constantly, Lara." Funke said and pouted. "Don't you know where you are. Of course not. Apparently they agreed to fake the marriage for two years. Susan is relocating to New York next month since Desmond can't leave his business in Lagos and she doesn't want to be in the same country with him,"

 

"Wow! My best friend is really a gossip whore," Lara said and pulled one of her silver evening dresses over her head. "There is no way I'd know all this information if you were not my best friend."

 

Funke shrugged. "All is ask in return is that you pray for long life for me." She said and rolled unto her tummy. "It'd be such a pity to die young, life is too wonderful and there is still so much to experience," She paused and studied her friend, "Are you sure you are alright? And isn't it a bit too early to be getting reading for tonight?"

 

"Yes and no. Yes, I'm fine and no, its not too early to be getting ready." Lara said and re-did her make-up in the mirror. "I need to get there early so I can speak to my father alone," She turned to face Funke, "are you coming tonight?"

 

"As much as I would love to, I literally don't have anymore strength in me to smile my way through a three hours dinner," She replied and rolled her eyes. "But don't worry, I'll make sure Tim is there," She gasped and grabbed her phone from her bag, "Speaking of which, I'm sure he'll tell me he has forgotten if I don't get home now and lay out his suit for him like his little maid." She rose from the bed and groaned. "Boys are babies, never forget that and your marriage to Ade may just be successful,"

 

"Boys are babies," Lara repeated. "Got it and thank you for the mighty words of wisdom."

 

Funked laughed and pecked her cheeks, "You know I love you honey, but I really must go now."

 

Lara breathed relief, "It's okay. Just tell Samuel to drop you." She pecked her best friend and watched her leave her room gracefully. She stood still and waited to hear Lucy say goodbye. Once she was sure Funke had left the flat, Lara crept out of her room in search of Tolu.

 

"Lucy, has my friend arrived?" She asked when she saw her clearing the dinning table of all the unused cutlery and uneaten dishes of yam, eggs and beef stew.

 

"No, ma." Lucy replied and Lara exhaled. "She hasn't arrived yet but I have set up Mr Danteta's room for her,"

 

"Why did you do that?" Lara asked with irritation. "She can't sleep in Ade's room, move her upstairs."

 

"I'm sorry ma and okay, ma, I'll do that now,"

 

"Once Samuel returns, let me know, I am going for dinner earlier than normal,"

 

"Yes ma," Lucy replied and Lara left her and went back to her room to finish getting ready. 

With all my love,

Dara Rhodes

Travesty (5)

Elizabeth smiled at her daughter and squeezed her hand back as the pastor ended his prayer. 

"Amen!" They all chorused. 

 She was immediately torn away from Lara by all the people that wanted to 'greet' her and Femi, the same people that 'greeted' them every Sunday. Lara watched her parents smile and laugh with their friends and wondered if they ever got tired of playing the almighty king and queen.

 

"Let's get out of here before those lost causes swamp us with their vile invitations."

 

Lara spun round to face her best friend and couldn't help herself but laugh. "Don't be so mean Funks" She said. "The least we can do is collect the invitations."

 

Funke dragged her arm and led her towards the door, "Well, not today. We have things to discuss."

 

Lara looked back at Timothy talking to some of his friends, "Funks what about your husband? Are you just going to leave him?

 

"What about him? Is he a baby? We came in different cars and I told him I was leaving with you."

 

Lara shook her head when they reached the door, "Don't you want to at least say goodbye?" She knew the moment Funks left her, all the people she didn't want to talk to, would pounce on her and start silly conversations but she didn't feel it was alright for her to just leave her husband.

 

"That's your problem," Funke said as she stopped and looked at her, "You are a hopeless romantic. The children are not back till tomorrow evening so we don't have to eat together tonight." She grabbed her arm again, "Come on, let's go."

 

"To where? You just keep saying let's go. Where are we going?"

 

"To your flat of course. We have things to discuss."

 

Richard rushed to them as they descended the church stairs amid the 'paparazzi' frenzy. Lara leaned in closer to Funke and whispered, "Like what?" while maintaining her smile.

 

"Shhh. Not here," Funke replied. "God forbid somebody hears what I'm about to tell you."

 

They both slid into the back seat of Lara's car and once they were out of the church compound, she turned to her friend but Funke pointed at Richard and Samuel in front and shook her head. "Not here either. Wait till we are in your room. I promise you, it'll be worth it." Lara thought hard about what Funke could have to say but came up clueless.

 

"My God, I love Lagos," Funke said suddenly. "The energy, lies and scandals in this city are unmatched."

 

"Don't taunt me." Lara replied dryly. "We are nearly at my flat."

 

Funke smiled playfully and put her hand over Lara's hand. "Alright, I'll tell you now," She glanced at the driver and body guard and moved closer to her friend. "You know Desmond Dorset?"

 

Lara nodded. "Yes, Susan married him yesterday. I was there without you remember?" She said and smiled.

 

"Now is not a time to be sarcastic, Lara. This is very very serious" Funke scolded.

 

Lara sat up in her chair and tried to feign seriousness. "You are really full of it, Funks. Just spit it out already."

 

"Okay, well, the wedding you attended yesterday is already on the rocks." Funke said smugly and blew her manicured nails.

 

Lara furrowed her eyebrows, "What do you mean? They seemed happy and in love."

 

"And if there's anything you know better than anyone in this city, isn't it that looks are very deceiving?"

 

Lara nodded and swallowed, "What happened or what is happening?"

 

"Well, it turned out Mr Dorset, isn't as single as he claimed."

 

Lara put her hand over her mouth. "No way. Please don't tell me he has a wife and three point five children in London"

 

"At this point, that might even be better." Funke said and smirked. "On the bright side, at least now we know why Tolu Abebe is in Lagos."

 

Lara froze. "Oh my gosh! Is he married to Tolu?"

 

"No honey!" She exclaimed and then whispered, "Tolu has a six year old boy for Desmond."

 

Lara's jaw dropped and she stared at her best friend. "That is impossible."

 

"Close your mouth honey, that is so un lady like. And this is Lagos remember? Nothing is impossible."

 

Lara shook her head vigourously. "Oh Lord, please tell me this isn't true,"

 

"It is darling. And the worst part? Desmond never told Susan so when that little bitch Tolu sent the undeniably cute baby's pictures to their hotel room last night along with the DNA results, in typical Susan manner, she exploded and told her mother to annul the wedding. So that has either already happened or is probably happening right now,"

 

"oh no. This is terrible."

 

"I know. I don't like that Susan girl but my heart goes out to her, nobody should have to go through this. God help that useless Tolu I ever lay my eyes on her, I will kill her. Lara, ha! The heart of man is desperately wicked oh. Apparently, she is very loose, you should hear what the boys are saying about her, all of them had met her somewhere in the world. I guess it's only us girls that wondered where she was all these years."

 

The car pulled into Lara's garage and she felt like throwing up. She stepped out of her car and her legs felt like jelly, the most hated girl in Lagos was probably in her flat right now.

 

"Are you okay?" Funke asked. "I know you like that Susan girl and that was why I wanted to wait till we were in your room, so you could cry for her freely,"

 

"I am fine." Lara replied. "And I am sure there are two sides to the story."

 

With all my love,

Dara Rhodes

Travesty (3)

She closed her eyes and when she opened them again, they were pulling into the driveway of the Oriental Hotel. She sat up and gathered herself together. She stuffed her phone and the huge ring into her bag and checked her makeup and smile in her small face mirror. The car stopped at the entrance and Richard opened the door for her and as she stepped out, she smiled at the lights from all the cameras around her as the cameramen all shouted "Madam Lara DaSilva or Lara DaSilva over here!" Richard warded them off and led her into the gigantic lobby. Chandeliers hung everywhere and the marble floor shone as stewards served glasses of champagne and d'eovres. She smiled politely and kissed everyone's cheeks as they made their way into the hall.

 

The table with her name was right at the front of the hall and because she had forgotten to cancel Ade's reservation, the seat beside hers still had his name on it. Daisies and roses sat at the centre of all the tables and red and yellow silk drapes hung across the room. She and Ade were the only young people on her table and as the elderly people filled all the other empty seats, Lara wondered what the planner was thinking when she set the seating arrangement. Nonetheless, they were all her parents friends so after they asked her where Ade was and she said London, they settled into easy and light chatter. The music by the live band blared over the speakers too close to her and gave Lara a throbbing headache but she smiled and waved or smiled and hugged whoever spotted her. The stage had two huge golden chairs that were set up like thrones surrounded by about ten dozen roses.

 

The main doors closed in preparation for the couple's entrance and Lara already wanted it to be over. She smiled and clapped as the couple made their way to the front and when Susan saw her, she stopped and hugged and kissed her cheeks like they were good friends. She looked like a little girl trapped in a candy shop, the excitement on her face was plain for all to see and Lara couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealously at how happy she was. They shared a room in year ten at their boarding school in Taunton for one term and while she didn't love her, she didn't mind her either. She thought Susan cried too much and suffered severely from the poor little rich girl syndrome. Her husband or the man she was marrying wasn't really in the Lagos circle. His family had money but they lived in London instead of Lagos thus even though he moved to Lagos when they all moved back after university, he still wasn't fully accepted. The circle looked down on people who lived in London or New York or Paris no matter how much money they had and although it was a very small circle, it was divided into two groups, the political dynasties that ruled the country and the social families that threw the best and most frequent parties.

 

Lara's family, the DaSilva's were the leading political family and Ade's family, the Danteta's were the leading social family. Ade's Sr was the first person in their entire lineage to delve into public politics. The entire family believed they were higher than the politics of the country even though everyone knew they got all the money for their lavish and ludicrous parties from the behind the scenes politics. All the other families in the society fell under either family and unfortunately, Susan's husband, Desmond, didn't belong under either.

 

She congratulated Susan and Desmond and he thanked her with his strong posh British accent that only excluded him further. Once they seated on their thrones, the crowd settled and the ceremony begun. The M.C, Flavour, had officiated the last seven wedding receptions Lara had attended and when he strolled unto the stage in his Armani suit, she rolled her eyes. She had really hoped, he wouldn't be the one at this wedding again. She only ate the finger foods and drank water, she wasn't feeling festive at all, yet she smiled and carried on talking and laughing with her elderly table mates. She kept her eyes on the time and the moment she had spent three hours at the reception, she kissed everyone on her table goodbye and lied that she had a meeting with her mother. They all sent their greetings to her and she snuck out of the room as inconspicuously as possible, returning waves and blowing kisses back till she was out of the hall. She exhaled and as she spotted Richard walking towards her, her heart sank, she wanted a moment to herself.

 

"Lara DaSilva?"

 

Lara fumed that somebody wanted to engage her in meaningless conversation again and contemplated pretending she didn't hear but her curiosity to see who owned the sweet and strong voice over powered her, so she turned. A tall, trim fair skinned pretty woman wearing a black evening dress stared at her with a smile playing on her lips. Lara, didn't recognise her but there was something strangely familiar about her and she was sure she wasn't at the reception, she knew everybody there. She tilted her head sideways and smiled a half smile, "That's me but I'm sorry, have we met before?"

 

The lady stretched forth her perfectly manicured hand for a handshake and smiled again, "I'm Tolu Abebi. I knew that was you, you haven't changed much."

 

Lara's mouth dropped as she stared at the woman in front of her, "Oh my gosh! Tolu Abebi?" She said finally and shook her hand firmly, "It's been forever, we were ten years old the last time we saw each other! I mean I just heard you arrived in Lagos this morning and now you're here," She said and smiled.

 

"You heard I arrived in Lagos? I don't remember announcing my arrival," Tolu said jokingly.

 

Lara laughed, "Oh, you know." She said shrugging, "This is Lagos, everything you do here is announced," Tolu laughed back and Lara smiled, "I'm really pleased to see you again Tolu. What are you doing here?"

 

Tolu blinked rapidly and smiled, "Well, my father is from Lagos you know, I think that makes it mine too, Lara,"

 

Lara laughed again, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean what are you doing in Lagos, I meant that what are you doing in this hotel now? You look like you are attending a dinner party, but the wedding i just left is the only event here today,"

 

"Oh, no, I'm staying at this hotel, I was on my way out actually," She replied and winked, "Believe it or not, I'm here on a mission and every second counts."

 

Tolu's strong charm drew her in and Lara was certain that if everyone in their class that bullied her saw her now, they'd be just as drawn to her as she was. "That sounds very interesting." She said and then said something that surprised her, "If you don't mind me asking, would you like to stay at my flat? I know I haven't seen you in donkey years and you are not sure if I'm a serial killer but my flat is relatively new and awfully lonely and I have about four extra rooms," She said all at once.

 

"First of all, I would love to stay at your flat, secondly, I am certain you are not a serial killer, I have heard your name almost twenty times since I've been in Lagos in all the most glamorous places and it's not even been a full day and lastly, I am very sure your new flat is awfully lonely," Tolu replied and smiled.

 

Lara smiled back but was taken aback a little by her confidence and certainty. She hadn't expected her to accept the offer and a tiny tiny part of her told her to withdraw it but she was in a weird mood today, so she ignored it. They exchanged numbers and Lara said she'd send Samuel to pick her up the next morning. They hugged before they parted, and Richard appeared at her side the moment Tolu was gone. She smiled at him genuinely for the first time that day and he led her to her car.