The weekend was hectic. We had to go shopping, not just for clothes but for local artifacts that Aunt Bertha wanted and made preparations for our departure.
It's currently Monday and I'm having a last day out with Nessa. She got emotional when I told her the news in person, crying saying she will miss me and her world will never be the same again. I knew how she felt, we met at a back to school shop at the age of seven.
We both grabbed a beautiful hello kitty backpack on display and immediately became friends, providing her a shoulder to cry on and an emotional support when her parents got a divorce when we were sixteen, she lived at mine for a year during the court proceedings.
Nessa entered my room wearing jeans car wash and turtleneck with black vans of the wall, frowning. "You still aren't done?"
I slipped on my mule heels and checked my reflection in my full length mirror, perfect. "I'm done now",grinning, "Let's go."
Nessa led the way with me in tow, descending the stairs. "Hello Mrs Morrison."
My mum was at the living room, sipping coffee and sat opposite the door. "Hello my dear,how are you ?"
She took a cookie from my mum's plate, taking a bite. "I'm fine and you ? How's your migraine now?"
"I'm good and it's better now,thank you for asking." They continued the conversation and Nessa kept on taking cookies, of course my mum doesn't mind but I did, if she keeps eating the cookie we won't be out of here.
If I don't cut short their convo we won't leave to wherever Nessa is taking me to. " Mum, we should get going, today being Monday there's bound to be traffic, I love you."
"I love you too sweetie" , "Vanessa extend my greetings to your mother tell her I'll pass by on Wednesday."
"Okay Mrs Morrison."
I took my Mum's Mercedes Benz keys from the key drawer and went to the garage. "Where are we going?"
Nessa took her phone typing away and then faced me, "Somewhere not too flashy but worth it, your last day here got to be memorable."
I focused my attention on the road driving cautiously. "So where exactly ?" I'm hoping not Kempinski or Movenpick, they're expensive not that I can't afford, I very well can I just want a normal place I'll feel at ease.
Nessa looked like she was thinking. "Labadi Beach Hotel, what do you think?"
That place is cool, a hotel located on a beach front with tourist flocking there all the time. "Yeah it's cool but I don't have a swim suit for the beach."I don't own many swim suits just two or three that Nessa practically forced me to buy one time we went to a pool.
She points to a tote bag at the back seat grinning. "Let's just say I picked up one or two bikinis for you to wear."
I have a chuckle,"So you had it all planned out huh ? how come I didn't see the tote bag from before?"
"I put it in here when I got to your house in the morning."
"How did you know I was going to use this car."
"Your mum told me idiot, I'm not a magician."
"Oh yeah, I asked to use it yesterday."
Nessa increased the volume when die young by Roddy Rich came on. "He ran down on a nigga, that's a shorts ,shotta, Cold hearted night with that block blocka", "Gotta keep it on me I don't wanna did young" she sang along loudly making a snap video.
"I rather be judged by twelve than carried by six, imma go post bill just look at my wrist" I couldn't help but join in, "Tell me why the legends gotta die quick?" this song really brought out the singer in me since Nessa got me hooked on Roddy Rich, I felt it when he asked why the legends die quick?, the good ones always dying leaving the bad ones to live.
"I was knockin' down walls, now they closin' in
Hopped off the porch, and then I hopped inside the Porsche, aye
Fuck being the side nigga, I'ma be the main court
Whipped the Rolls like a young nigga made for it
I ain't tryna die young, so I gotta ride with one
Still ten toes down in my Balenciagas
He ran down on a nigga, that's a shotta, shotta
Cold hearted nigga with that blocka, blocka
Gotta keep it on me, I don't wanna die young
I rather be judged by twelve, than carried by six
I'ma go post bail, just look at my wrist
Tell me, why the legends always gotta die quick?" I"m singing out loud now.
Nessa stopped signing and looked at me, eyes wide and mouth opened. I wish I can take a picture of her right now it's funny seeing that reaction.I chuckled "Girl are you trynna swallow me ? stop looking at me like that b."
She closed her mouth, "that was massive, I hooked you up but not to steal his song, look at you singing like it's your own song!"
I rolled my eyes and lick my lips, the harmattan is not intense as before so I didn't apply lip gloss today. "I really love that song, you know." I negotiated a curve,increasing my speed, we were currently driving through La.
"I just witnessed your love for this song, it's a pity I didn't make a video of it, so I can watch anytime I miss you." She said sadly looking out of the window probably to hide her tears from me.
I sighed, it's not easy for me too you know leaving my best friend of twelve years. To prevent myself from crying too I took my free hand in hers. "Nessa, let's make a deal."
"What kinda deal?" she asked still looking out of the window, I heard her sniffle.
"I promise to allow you to make a video of me singing die young." I continued "if only you stop crying, you know I hate it when you cry."
She turned to face me, her eyes are red and her face showing traces of dried tears. "Pinky promise?"
I nodded my head, " Yeah I promise, now stop crying."
She wiped her tears with her back hand and took out her purse with a mirror fixing, her light make up that she was wearing, satisfied, she turned to me, "I'm sorry for spoiling the mood, today is meant to be joyous and memorable and here I am crying."
To be honest, the mood was tiny bit spoiled but I don't blame her, it's difficult and I get she hasn't gotten around the idea. "I accept your apology if you smile and make the day better."
"Okay." She said smiling, initially it was a sad one but it got better and was back to her loud self.
We arrived at the hotel twenty minutes later and I drive to the free parking lot. I turn the ignition off and check my purse for my cedi notes, I know I should have done that earlier back at home but the pressure from Nessa made me forget, Satsified, I opened my door to get out. "Will you leave the tote bag here or send it along ?"
"Definitely along." She grabbed the tote bag from behind and closed the door. I locked the door,putting the key in my mini bag and wore my sunglasses.
There aren't a lot of people around from what I've seen so far, perfect, I don't really like crowded environments . "What do we do now ? Go swim and eat or eat and swim ?"
"Let's go eat a burger and coke and swim for sometime,then eat real food, what do you also think ?" Nessa asked, obviously waiting for a reply.
My stomach is growling, I don't mind eating a burger right now, "Mnh that's fine with me."
Nessa led the way to the restaurant with few people mostly whites.
I won't bother looking through since it's a burger and coke I'm ordering and it's available right here. I beckoned a waiter and told him our order, taking my purse and handing money for our food before Nessa does. Today is mostly about me and I want to shoulder all the bills.
Nessa looks at me frowning and hands me money for our food. "It's all about you mostly today, lemme pay the bills."
I decline handing her back the money, "I know but I wanna pay all the bills too, it's only fair, you planned this outing I also need to do something aside sitting with you and enjoying."
She whined,rolling her eyes, "fine, whatever you say."
The waiter arrives with our food, I smile, thanking him. "Yeah whatever I say big baby."
Nessa chuckled taking a big bite out of her burger and typed on her phone.
I do same and moan,this burger tastes very good, I should order some home to eat later. An idea came into my head this day's supposed to be full of memories sorts create it yeah "Nessa wait let's order another burger and have a contest eating it without our hands."
She seems to like the idea nodding her head, "you crazy memories maker!"
I chuckle at that and called the same waiter from before, his name tags says Martin.
"Martin we would like another plate of burger please."
"Be right back in 5 minutes."
"Okay thanks."
We finished the burger we were eating and I took out my phone, readying to set the contest rolling . Martin returned with our new burgers and set them down. "Thank you.
I adjusted my phone so we both were in view, " Okay so it's my best friend and I here making memories number one, Monday, January 11th we're gonna eat these burgers without using our hands, the winner gets to chose the next activity for today", " So get ready,set, go!"
We are having difficulty taking a bite, I especially after trying several times and bingo! I took my first bite and the next, Nessa had also taken her first bite but not with much difficulty like I did and was devouring it quickly.
I am left with my last piece and Nessa has times two of mine, I take it in my mouth and out of nowhere Nessa yells, "I won."
"Huh how come" I said in between chewing," you had like times two of my last piece you cheat !" She was no cheat yeah yeah, she managed to eat all that in time to beat me.
Nessa took one last swing from her coke and gulped down. "I won loser, so I get to choose the next activity, I say let's go for a swim in the sea instead of the pool they have here."She waited till I was done and got up.
I walked beside her,leaving the restaurant to the changing room. I removed my black jumpsuit and got into a vintage white polka dot high waist bikini and wore a baggy boyfriend T shirt on top. I'm not really cormfortable going out there in the bikini." No slippers ? You don't expect us to walk all the way from here to the beach do you?"
"Relax girl I've got this whole thing planned out." Nessa waved two black puma fenty slippers in front me giving me the smallest.
I slipped them on taking my bag and holding Nessa's hand dragging her out of the room, she is keeping me waiting with her selfie poses and things.
"Relax b, don't hate on me." She said laughing, "just because you can't pose doesn't mean I also can't." She sent me a wink and ran off to the bank of the beach like a prisoner tasting freedom for the first time and started taking pictures.
She's got me in the picture mood but no I'm gonna wait till I get in the water, wet myself and take dripping pictures. It's my last day in Ghana and I might as well enjoy myself.
Nessa beckoned me over, phone in hand, preparing to make a video. "My best friend here" gesturing to me," leaves for the states tomorrow and we're here making me memories, so the second memory is gonna be of us competing to see who can hold her breath longer under water."
I shrieked, "What!" That's a risky memory here damn ! I tried it one time on Nessa's insistence and I choked on the pool wate ,I'm so not doing it again hell no. Nessa gives me puppy eyes and that makes me change my mind, hey anything for my best friend!
I nodded my head at her agreeing. "Fine but for a minute."
Nessa smirks at me,"Beat me if you can loser !"she run into the sea laughing.
Oh no I'm so ruined.
I run too into the water, taking of my slippers and leaving my bag and Nessa's on the beach sand. It was cold but nothing too serious, Nessa yells over the noise from the waves," Ready?"
I shake my head no , I breath in air preparing myself.I give her and thumbs up and she yells "Let's go!"
I went under the water mentally telling myself, I can do this like a mantra. Nessa keeping check of time,one minute passed and we were both under the water. Yaayy I've been able to last a minute, I smiled to myself. It was like three seconds to 2 minutes and Nessa came out of the water gasping for air, I come out too lasting for two minutes which makes me the winner.
"So much for being a winner huh." I cocked my brows in amusement. "I've beaten you cause I can,loser." I stick my tongue out at her, being too childish for a nineteen year old.
Nessa regained her breathing level. "Nah, it's just because I made you win." She also sticks her tongue out at me. I guess that makes the two of us, childish best friends.
I did my victory dance, Zanku and continued swimming. Nessa takes pictures of us together and about thirty minutes of swimming and splashing sea water on us, we got out shivering slightly from the harmattan breeze.
I made her take a full body picture of me and then got on my knees, raising my hands up and doing deuces, got into the sea and posed like I was trynna splash water, covered myself with sand and struck a ballet pose, odd huh?
"Somebody's a model."she wiggles her brows out me gushing over my pictures.
"Shut up loser, I'm hungry." I playfully hit her hand and rubbed my stomach.
"Aww too bad, I wanted you to sing die young just like you promised me right here on the beach."
"Oh" my stomach is growling. Nessa hears it and starts teasing me.
"Since Simeon is so hungry and can eat me and this whole sea, let's go and eat, we'll continue later."
We go back to the restaurant hand in hand. I put my baggy boyfriend T shirt back on so does Nessa.
We take our seats at our previous table. I take Nessa's phone to look at my pictures and a waiter comes to a table smiling, I spot a tattoo on his wrist written in Chinese. "My name's Denzel and I'll be your water for today, what will you like to order, dripping melanins" adding a wink at the end.
"Mr Denzel,I would like sizzling chicken breast with a plate of jollof and fish salad please." I told him politely.
His gaze was on an oblivious Nessa who was scanning the menu. "What about you beautiful queen."
"Uhm I would also like French fries with grilled chicken please." She answered eyes still glued to the menu.The waiter kept standing there waiting for her to finish placing her order.
I cleared my throat. "She's done placing her order uhm thank you."
"You're welcome." He flashed us a toothy smile and left.
I touched my damp hair and felt sand. That's what I get for covering myself in sand. I sighed, "I should have braided my hair during the weekend."
"And you didn't do so deal with it." Nessa told me, taking back her phone, "so what are you gonna do now? You leave tomorrow."
I sigh again."I will wear a wig cap or wear my own natural hair and braid when I get there."
Nessa pouts, "I won't get to see your in your fresh braids with your forehead glowing."
"Girl you've seen me in braids since forever so don't worry, I'm gonna look the same."I said the last part shrugging.
"Except this time around it's gonna be US braids" she told me laughing, "I deserve to see your face."
I roll my eyes playfully. "Imma send you a picture or even FaceTime, chill."
The waiter arrives with our food still looking at Nessa and trying to get her attention. I want to laugh but I stifle it, it's gonna be rude on my part.
The food looks, smells and I know is going to taste delicious. I cut a piece of chicken breast adding rice to it and chew, scratch it being delicious, it's heaven! The spices and everything is on point bringing it's true taste out, no wonder Nessa brought us here. "Have you eaten their plate of jollof and chicken breast?"
"Yeah like three, four times why?"
"No wonder you brought me here, the food is divine." I told her before eating the fish salad and it was no less. I give them the credit, I'll rate them 5 stars if we are to vote.
She took a fry, chewing on it and grinned. "I got a good taste you know."
I roll my eyes, "In your dreams b." I nearly choked on my food, that's what you get for talking whiles eating. I keep mute concentrating more on my food and dropping the conversation.
Nessa takes a picture of me with my eyes closed savoring the food, I didn't notice till I heard the click sound. "Ogling over me like always ?"
"I'm as straight as a ruler, no please."
"Whatever."
I finish my plate and sip water. "Let's go create the third memory." I called the waiter over and paid the bill.
"Third memory has been created, it's the picture of you."
"Okay then the fourth." I stood up to leave.
We got back to the beach, removed our shirts and sat down. Nessa takes her phone out. " Moving on to our fourth and maybe last memory, this idiot over here's gonna sing die young by Roddy Rich so camera, lights, action!"
"I ain't tryna die young, so I gotta ride with one
Still ten toes down in my Balenciagas
He ran down on a nigga, that's a shotta, shotta
Cold hearted nigga with that blocka, blocka
Gotta keep it on me, I don't wanna die young
I rather be judged by twelve, than carried by six
I'ma go post bail, just look at my wrist
Tell me, why the legends always gotta die quick?
When I'm in traffic gotta slide with the beam on me
'Cause I keep 'bout ten racks bussin' out the jeans on me
Niggas be hating, I'm rich, it's all about the cream homie
If I ever get caught lackin', they gon' slide
Ever since I got the Rollie, I ain't got the time
Flawless diamonds, niggas can't never block the shine
They know I'm ballin' in the city like DeRozan
Gotta keep my niggas 'round me, I can't do the wrong friends
I was knockin' down walls, now they closin' in
Hopped off the porch, and then I hopped inside the Porsche, aye
Fuck being the side nigga, I'ma be the main court
Whipped the Rolls like a young nigga made for it
I paused to look at Nessa's face, she was still videoing but was shedding one or two tears. "You ain't keeping your part of the deal Nessa."
She sniffles, "I'm sorry sorry, I just couldn't help it, will be missing these kinda moments with you."
"Don't worry just don't cry or our day will be spoilt and I'll miss you so much too."
"Okay okay, I guess you stop here or you're gonna continue?" She asked after she wiped her tears.
"I end here b, I don't want you crying your eyes out." I told her the truth, brightening up the mood, "hey let's go swim one last time before we leave" I look at my time, "it's almost 4:30 pm."
We removed our slippers once again and run into the water, laughing like there's no tomorrow. Nessa took underwater shots of us which I told her to send.
We spend the rest of the day splashing water on us.
******************************
I got home like 7:50 , meeting the family at the dining hall having dinner, I joined them.
Dinner consists of coco yam leaves stew with boiled ripe plantain and eggs.
I enjoyed it while it lasted, looking around and trying to absorb every detail in my memory. I'm sure as hell going to miss parents, the company, the food, my room, Nessa and my life over here in general.
"Honey how was today?" My mummy asks me.
I tell her about everything from the start to the end of we getting tired of splashing ourselves with water and got out of the sea.
They all liked the idea of creating memories. Uncle Rich even asked to see them. I made Nessa send the ones which were not on my phone to me through Airdrop.
"You two really did well in the burger contest, it's not easy eating without your hands." My dad commented.
"My baby girl's looking like a model in here !" Aunt Bertha squealed looking at the pictures I took on the beach. "They're bomb pictures Ann." My mum nodded her head agreeing.
I shyly said, "Thank you Aunt."
After the comments and everything were over, I excused myself from the table, going to the kitchen and washed my plate.
"Goodnight fam."I wished them giving each a kiss and head for upstairs.
Notifications came through, Nessa had posted some of the pictures and had tagged me.
I scrolled through the comments from an hour ago.
_mimi.xx : awwn best friend ðgoalsððð
thel _ma : Dear best friend , let's do thisð©â¤ï¸@ann_moreee and @nessa.xoxo I love you twoâ¤ï¸ keep the bond tightest.
angiella_ : bomb picsðâ£ï¸
el.iiiisa : sissies be doing the most ðð â¨
seyyram : you girls left me at homeðªð
ann _moreee : Sorry bð©ð we gonn take you out next time.
I leave the gram and dump my phone on the bed and trudge to the bathroom.
I relaxed in the tub, enjoying the moment till whenever.
Please I'll really appreciate if you send in your suggestions ð¤ on how the book is going on so far.