Chronicles of Jasmine 5

‘I can’t wear that, its too sexy’

Continued from last week…

Knowing Jaz, whatever she had planned would not be boring. I give that to her. Jaz sure knows how to rock a party. 8pm on the dot, Jaz showed up as promised. Dressed in a sexy, clingy, above the knee dress with a deep cleavage, in front and back.

I took one look at Jaz and whistled in a very unladylike fashion. ‘Jaz, on the prowl’, I hooted. Are we going out like that? ‘No, we are not’, she says. You are not yet dressed. ‘Jaz, I like what I’m wearing’, I said, looking down at my simple black dress which even though was clingy, didn’t reveal too much.

“Tobs, I don’t know why you keep hiding your assets.” If you have got it, flaunt it. Haven’t you ever heard of that? She goes to my wardrobe and throws it open. ‘Where is that little number we bought when we traveled to Paris last year?’

‘No way Jaz, I didn’t pick that… you did.’ Yeah, I bought it for you and its not going to wear itself you know. She rummages amongst my things and finally comes out with it still neatly packed in the box, just the way it was handed to us. ‘Jasmine’, I said in exasperation. ‘I can’t wear that!’

‘Why?’ she asked. ‘Its too em em… sexy?’ she inquired. ‘Yeah! Well Tobs, that’s precisely why I want you to wear it.’ Now, when Jasmine is determined it’s a Herculean task resisting her. She can be very persistent and it was no different tonight.

‘Ok… Ok I will wear it’, I said. Finally giving in after we had gone back and forth for like ages. ‘You win but, the minute I don’t like what’s going on, I’m out of there… agreed?’, I said. “As if I would try anything bad”, she said. Giving me that innocent smile and look that could melt the hardest of hearts.

Jasmine had hired a limousine for the night. According to her, we deserved to be treated like princesses. ‘So, where are we going?’ I asked. “You’ll see in a short while. It’s meant to be a surprise, so I can’t tell you.” We lapsed into silence, each with our thoughts. Jaz had that secret smile she always has, when she is up to something.

After driving around a bit and taking some twist and turns in Ikeja, we finally arrived at our destination. It was a bungalow like building surrounded by a high fence.

‘Jaz, where are we and what’s going on?’ I asked. “That’s the problem with you Tobs. You ask too many questions. Learn to be spontaneous and flow with the groove. I think it’s that profession of yours.” ‘Stop cross examining me; she grumbled.’ Relax and enjoy yourself. “That is what I promised you… a good time, right? Well, here we are.”

We got out of the car and went to the side gate. It opened as if on cue and Jaz stepped in, dragging a reluctant me along. The bungalow was hidden from view by the garden. It was one of the most beautiful and well-tended gardens I had ever seen anywhere in Nigeria. ‘Jaz’, I whispered. ‘Where are we and who owns this house’, I asked. “There you go again. Tobs, be patient my friend, you will soon find out.”

A man stepped out of the ‘Mini forest’ revealing a pathway I had not seen before, and he led us to the front porch. Standing on the porch was Daniel, our friend of many years. We hadn’t seen him in ages. I screamed in delight; ‘Danny Boy!’ What are you doing here?

‘I hear someone needs some cheering up, who better to do that than Danny’, he said. I looked at my friend. She sure knew how to brighten my day. ‘So, where have you been?’ I had a million questions for him. Jaz jumped in; “Cool it Kiddo, allow us in… in good time your questions will be answered’ “Welcome to my home!”

‘Your home?’ I asked. Lets go in he said. We stepped in to see he had a private party of sort going on. “Hey everybody!” Daniel called out in his deep baritone voice. Everyone stopped talking and looked our way. ‘This is Jasmine and Tobs, my good friends from college… and guess what fella's… they are available.’ I looked at Daniel in horror.

Yeah, I was available but not desperate. He made me feel cheap and desperate. I didn’t like that. I plastered a plastic smile on my face and excused myself. Jaz and I went to the ladies. “Jaz, what was that all about? Dan didn’t have to say that. He made me look desperate and cheap.”

‘My oh my… we are touchy tonight’, Jaz said. Dan was only trying to be funny. You know him. ‘Well, I wasn’t amused’, I shot back. “Baby there is nothing desperate and cheap about you. You are successful and beauty, with brains is not cheap to come by. You my friend have an abundance of both.”

‘Why are we in here? We came to have fun and in that dress, the guys will go crazy.’ That’s the problem Jaz; I don’t want to drive any guy crazy. ‘Look Tobs, quit whining and have a good time. I thought we left Temi in that “box” at home.’ You are going to ruin your evening if you continue like this.

‘Daniel…I will tell you about later, but tonight I just want you to relax and have a good time… ok?’ I nodded my head and she said; ‘That’s my girl.’

When we got back in, I looked around and did a mental head count. There were about 25 people all together. They all looked successful and well dressed. Some of the ladies wore scandalous dresses that in my opinion… I wandered why they didn’t just come nude.

I chose a secluded spot, took a glass of wine and sat down, hoping I will just have a quiet evening unnoticed. If the truth must be told, I was tired and emotionally drained. I just wanted to go home, but I didn’t want to disappoint Jaz and Daniel, so I smiled and decided to try and have a good time. At least, for Jaz’s sake.

I looked across the room at Jaz. Good old Jaz, the cynosure of all eyes. Oh yes, Jaz loved to be the center of attention and at this point, she had claimed center stage. The guys were busy drooling over her, I didn’t blame them, I probably would have done same if I was a guy. Jaz is fun especially when she sets out to be charming and tonight was not an exception.

“So this is where you intend to spend the evening. If I promise to bring you back to your safe haven, would you dance with me” I turned around sharply and was struck dumb for a few minutes. Standing really close to me (it’s a wonder I didn’t sense his presence) was this gorgeous hunk of a man. A bit above average height, dark and extremely good looking.

I felt a tingly sensation run up my spine, which I detected as sexual attraction. I had not had that kind of feeling about any man since Temi. I just stirred at him as if he was a juicy cucumber. My God, I am horny! What has come over me, where are my manners. ‘Emm… emm’, I stammered. ‘You don’t want to dance with me?’ he asked.

‘No, I mean yes I do’, my palms were all sweaty so I pretended to look for something in my bag before he noticed they were shaking. A while later, he asked ‘Are we going to dance in this half of the century or do we wait till the next?’ ‘I am prepared to wait you know?’ he said with a smile.

My God, what is happening to me; I thought as I took his outstretched hand. As soon as we got to the dance floor the lights were dimmed and the mood in the room suddenly changed to something magical. The music was a slower tempo and he held me close to him. We danced together for like an eternity. I felt safe in his arms. He used his thumb to raise my chin so he could look into my eyes.

I was lost at that moment. He bent down slowly and kissed me. First, it was gentle but when I parted my lips he took me with a force that astounded me. I kissed him back, pressing my body against his. In this blissful moment, it was just the two of us.

When he raised his head, the music had stopped. I was horrified. What have I done? I excused myself to go again to the ladies, which had now become my safe haven. He mumbled something about the second time in 30 minutes. Anyway I couldn’t be bothered. I fled to the ladies with Jaz, close on my heels.

‘Hey girl, what’s the rush?’ Jaz I just made a fool of myself. ‘How?’ I just kissed a complete stranger. I don’t even know his name! Jaz burst into laughter. ‘Tobs you are always so dramatic. What if you kissed a stranger? Were you both not consenting adults? Its hardly the end of the world.’