Destiny

chapter one

-Ameena-

Marriage...I read somewhere, brings two souls together and binds them for life. I call bull on that.

It never cease to amaze me that despite all that is happening around us, girls still agree to sign up for this shit. Hell, some even look forward to it their whole life.

I ain't falling for that. I know for sure where am headed in this life and it always feels good to know I 've got my shit together.

Yeah, like every other human being, I have my dreams too and I intend to chase them.

My best friend, Demi is getting married this week and that's the reason am here in Lagos. She's happy about it, so I guess I should be too. for her sake.

I walked slowly and rather absent mindedly out of the airport dragging my luggage behind me, it's not that I am tired, as it is less than an hour flight from my state to Lagos, but all the same I was feeling rather uneasy. Could it be because of the dress? Ugh! I said to myself, how Could I let her talk me into designing her wedding dress? What if she doesn't like it? Or worse what if her mum or aunt don't like it? Anyways, there are always better designers in Lagos, so it shouldn't be a problem to find the right dress, I said to my self just to calm my nerves.

I got a into a cab and gave directions to the driver.

My mind slowly went back to the day I met Demi in college, the girl who has gone on to become my best friend.

I met demi five years back during our first year at the university. She was very pretty, outspoken, spontaneous and was friends with most of our course mates.

For the better part of the first semester, there wasn't much of a friendship between us, except a few hellos and smiles.

I am the kind of person that has always enjoyed the company of myself. Although at times I do mingle with people and enjoy it but for the most part, I keep to myself.

It was one warm Tuesday afternoon during the first semester exams. I was sitting outside the hall after the exams and feeling miserable when suddenly she came towards me.

Demi: hey there

Me: hello you

Demi: how was the paper?

Me: oh, I think it's the worst I have written so far. how about you?

Demi: well I won't say that, but come on...it can't be that bad, besides the calculations is just so simple

Me: you see... that's where the problem lies. I said with a smile

Demi: but that's just part of the questions, not all of it. so tell me, what did you do with the rest?

Me: You won't believe it

Demi: Try me

Me: Well the essay I wrote on microorganisms as agents of warfare was taken straight out of a Tom cruise movie

Demi: are you serious?

Me: yup

She sat next to me and began to laugh. amidst her laughter she asked me which movie.

"Mission impossible...I think it's the second one... not sure."

And there we sat chatting away and giggling like two best friends, we didn't realise how time had passed.

"If your maths is weak why didn't you take an art course rather than a science course?" She asked.

"Forget it, I am here already and that's that.

"So what do you wanna be after this?" she asked

"Huh?"

She laughed "I meant after you graduate from school."

" Oh...a designer," I said, I want to make abayas and wedding dresses.

"Wow! that's nice, but don't you think you are in the wrong school? I mean, shouldn't you be in a fashion school rather than sweating it out studying biochemistry?" She asked in earnest.

"I will be someday, but for now this is what I do and I kind of love it too in a way (except for the bitch maths of course)...you know? I added.

I got up and picked up my bag and adjusted my veil.

"As much as I 'll like to sit here and talk more, I 've to go home because I promised my mama I 'll be home before asr to help with dinner."

And with a good natured smile, she told me she enjoyed talking to me.

And that conversation was the beginning of our long time friendship.

Living in a large family house can be a bit demanding. As there are lots of opinions from different people that are imposed on you.

The family's divided into those that count and those that don't count. You are either here or there. There is no in between.

My friendship with Demi was typically not approved by 'those that matter' in my house.

She was the Yoruba girl whom they think was not 'Muslim enough'. But I know better because she became my partner in crime.

I used to be the last person to submit my assignments or projects. In her I found my perfect 'I haven't started' partner. Together we will hate on those students that submit their work on time.

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