Perfectly Imperfect

~18~

                               ~Kunmi~

I was in the sitting room, my eyes fixed on the TV that was tuned to a fashion channel where the models were walking a runaway in nothing but rags and I was also listening to a voice note Aminah sent but I could hardly make out what she was saying, partly because of the noises my brother and his friend, papa was making as they played their video game and the occasional laughter from the dining room where mom and Mayowa were getting the face made up in preparation for Mom friend's birthday party.

"Yooooooooo. I've killed you."

My brother suddenly shouted, shocking me out of my reverie.

"Are you alright? Why did you scream like that?"

Mayowa shouted back and I almost winced. Can't these people just talk normally?

"Oya, you and Papa should go and continue playing your game outside and you should act like civilized boys that you are."

I watched as the two of them stood up begrudgingly from where they sat and my brother muttered something that sounded like civilized ko, civilized ni before the two of them walked outside and less than 2 minutes after they left, we started hearing their loud shouts again.

"Mom, don't you think he spends too much time playing video games? He's fast becoming addicted to it and I don't think that's good for him."

"Just leave him, Mayowa. He's still young. He'll change once he becomes older."

"But mom, he's already........."

"Oya, gbenu dake, ko Dami loan. It's almost 3 pm and we were supposed to have gotten to the party before 1. What are you doing? Is it not just to rub powder?"

Mayowa burst into laughter, the rich melodious laughter that was peculiar to her.

"Iya Mayowa, I'm almost done. It's just to get this contour right."

Mom dragged a hiss and I almost smiled to myself. It was always easier to get sidelined whenever Mayowa was home. They were always talking together, staying together that most times, I'd think that they must have forgotten that I existed.

I don't mind because it has always been like that.

"Baby Kunmi, how do I look?"

I looked up with a frown on my face. Why would mom add a baby to my name? And when did she even get to my front?

"You look good."

I replied to her and I gave her a thumbs up which made her smile.

"Oya, Mayowa, let's go oo. Ojo ti lo oo."

"Yes Ma, I'm done now."

"Obi. Kunmi, take care of your brother oo. Don't allow him to wander off."

"Alright, Ma."

The sound of Mayowa's heel made me turn in her direction as she walked to the front door. She was dressed in a blue body con gown that hugged her curves, highlighting her very flat tummy and prominent hips. I instantly felt envious, wondering what it'd be like to walk around in a body like hers.

I stood up, ready to go and listen to music in the safe corners of my darkroom when I heard a surprisingly familiar voice. It sounded so much like Sophia's but I instantly dismissed it. Why would I even hear Sophia's voice in the first place?

"Adam, how're you?"

I stopped and I heard Adam reply in words I couldn't hear.

"And you look familiar? Have we met before?"