Adventures With Theresa 🚦🚘
Episode 11
Written by Frank The Writer
❌ Do Not Copy or Repost ❌
~ Theresa’s POV ~
“He just wants to keep her for himself!” An old man shouted from the other side of the table, some people laughed loudly and the rest of them stared at them with a gasp.
“Papa! Sit down,” said another woman, pulling the old man’s shirt and making him sit down.
“Welcome to our family.” She smiled at me, taking my hand in hers. Care for any food?”
They all sat down again, moving two chairs for Frank and I. They started conversing like they were doing before giving me a little time to take a deep breath and took everything in.
I was in Asaba, with Frank and his family and they were actually pretty nice people. Soon enough, someone arrived with a drink for Frank and I.
After a few minutes, the conversation at the table started to turn into laughs and chuckles. Someone was telling a story but I couldn’t quite hear from there.
After a moment, Frank touched my elbow, calling my attention. I was trying my best to keep myself distracted to not put much attention to him, even when the meeting went well, the memories from last night were still crystal clear in my head.
“You did well at handling everything.” He leaned closer to my ear, whispering into my ears. “Thank you. It means a lot to me,” he added.
“It’s nothing,” I said lowly, giving him a small smile. He gave me only a nod, returning to his quiet self, and moved his eyes away from me.
He focused on his meal for the rest of the time we spend at the table while I kept myself occupied, talking to his mom about shops around town. I tried my best to not get bothered by him ignoring me but even if I lie, it does affect me.
We finished our meal and by the time, everyone at the table started to stand up going their ways. I was taking the last sip from the cup of water when I saw Frank placing his napkin that was previously resting on his plate. Then he stood up, running his hand through his hair.
We walked a few steps away standing by a tall window with a view of the gardens. The landscape outside looked beautiful. I was fascinated with the place.
***
Finally, Frank’s mom and I set out to go shopping later in the evening for the wedding the following day.
“She’s your mom, spend time with her,” he said smiling.
I gave him one last smile and walked away to where his mom was waiting for me. We both glanced up at him and waved goodbye before walking away from the house.
Her mom led the way to the car while I followed behind. I knew she was cool and so lovely, but she was still his mom. I was really nervous to be alone with her. It’s been a while since the last time I felt nervous.
At least she wasn’t like the moms of my previous boyfriends— not that Frank was my boyfriend, haha, but you get what I’m saying.
Once inside the car, Frank’s cousin’s brother ignited the engine. The radio instantly came on and the car filled with the sound of a violin playing more classical music.
“Frank loves to hear classical music while driving, too,” I said while buckling my belt. It runs in the family, I guess.”
“Oh yeah. He got it from his dad, mostly. But his dad got it from me actually.” She smiled broadly, Ken taking the wheel and driving away from the house.
“I was once in a theater group when I was younger, and I was quite the pianist.” She said.
“Wow. Really?” I opened my mouth agape. That’s amazing! I would love to hear you play.”
“Oh, no. I’m too shy now.” She laughed out loud. I turned to look at her. She still looks young and beautiful. Not even one single wrinkle in her face and not exactly beauty treatments.
“I stopped playing when I got pregnant with…Um, my first child.”
She coughed nervously. I then realized she was talking about Frank’s sister. Frank told me about her back then when we met. One of the reasons I thought we clicked back then, we were so open with each other.
In just a few minutes, we arrived at a mall along Okpanam road, Asaba. I have been looking around the whole time, impressed by how beautiful everything was. The city was so clean and somehow quiet. The sunny sky made it look even more pretty, making all the flowers around shine.
When Ken (Frank’s cousin) parked near the mall, we alighted and walked together to the entry.
“What exactly would you like to wear?” She turned to me as we walked inside. “A two-piece, shoes, too?”
“Um, I don’t even know. It’s a day wedding, right?” I asked and she nodded her head. “Maybe a knee sunny dress with heeled sandals.”
“That sounds lovely.” She said excitedly, smiling widely. “I have to find a hat as well, so let’s hit the stores.”
We spent about forty minutes walking round different corners but not any of them were for weddings, all of them were too casual for the event or too formal. I was much interested in something that doesn’t bring too much attention. Frank’s mom already put her eye on a hat we saw some stores ago but she kept looking just in case she found another she likes more.
Finally, we entered a gown shop someone recommended to us while we were just looking around in another store. When we entered or looked just like a wedding dress shop. There was a woman in one of the stalls trying on a long white dress that looked taken out of a magazine. As usual, I walked to the sales rack, old habits never die hard.
In a matter of minutes, an attendant walked to us, trying to assist and Frank’s mom gently accepted, telling her we were looking for a not-so-formal sunny dress for a wedding and a cream hat for her. The attendant told us to follow her and showed us a little lounge area just like the one the woman with the wedding dress was with minutes ago.
The hats arrived first. They didn’t have a lot of options but Frank’s mom doesn’t seem to mind.
“Wow! I really like this one.” I said holding a dark cream hat. It doesn’t really look like a hat, more like a head accessory but it’s really beautiful. It only covers a small part of the head and it has a soft fabric net that covers only the forehead.
She puts it on and a smile instantly formed on her face. She checked herself in the mirror, accommodating the net to one side. She looked so pretty. I don’t know how old she was but she doesn’t look like a mother of two.
“I’ll take it. This is the one.” She said, totally convinced about the hat, never taking her eyes away from it. “I love it.”
“It looks beautiful on you.” I complimented her just when another attendant arrived with a rack full of short dresses for me.
“Thank you, darling.” She gave me a tender smile. “Go on, go try the dresses on. I want to see you.”
“Okay, I will be right back. I said excitedly, walking with the attendant to the fitting rooms.
She lets me pick up a few dresses before stepping inside. I couldn’t help but look at the tags, all of them pass the little token I have in my account.
There were even a few that was about twenty thousand naira. They were designer dresses. I couldn’t afford them.
“Um, do you have any cheaper dresses? I can’t really afford this.” I said being completely honest.
“Of course.” She said with a smile and a thick igbotic accent.
“We also give the option of renting the dress, if you’re interested.”
“Oh, yeah, that sounds perfect. How much is that?” I asked biting on my bottom lip.
“The ones with red tags on are around 10k, for a day. And the ones with green tags 15k.” She explained to me.
“Red tags it is,” I said, going back to searching for the dresses I like on the rack.
I took four dresses with me, but the rest of them didn’t gain my attention. The first one I tried on was too tight, I couldn’t even finish zipping it.
The next one was a coral tube dress covered in lace. It made me look like wrapped sushi, so I took it off instantly.
The next dress was a cream yellow dress, it fits pretty well but I wasn’t very convinced. I decided to step outside to hear some opinions.
“Oh, I brought you a pair of heels. You’re size 42, right?” she said, holding a pair of nude sandal heels. I nodded my head, taking them and putting them on.
I stepped outside the fitting room. Frank’s mom was relaxing on a sofa with a soft chilled drink.
“This one looks great, my dear,” she said, standing up and walking to me.
I looked at myself in the mirror, it doesn’t look bad but I don’t think yellow is my color.
Finally, I managed to get another dress that fitted me so well. It was a blue-colored one. The zipper was on a side, so it was difficult for me to know how to get outside of it. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I smiled. It fitted so well.
It has blue lace covering the entire top, with a nude base since you can’t wear a bra with it. A little above the waistline falls the skirt, a bite-flowy chiffon material that flows with the wind.
This was definitely the dress, and it goes perfectly with the shoes the attendant gave me.
To be continued…
Frank The Writer
