Chapter 2

DORIS

"Today we are going shopping Doris. We are attending a friend's birthday party."

Olivia told me one Friday afternoon just after classes.

" And what makes you think I'm interested in parties? I'm not going anywhere because I wasn't invited!"

I said with finality!

" You can't do this to me Doris, you are the only friend I have and I can't go all alone! Please don't say no!"

I gave it a thought for a moment and agreed.

"Under one condition Olivia!"

"Which is?"

"I'm not touching alcohol, and I will leave at my own pleasure!"

" Okay mummy?"

That was a few months after join the college.

I had tried as much as possible to avoid Hakeem but he always found reasons to follow me around. I didn't want to mess with campus babes as Olivia called them...

I had also stayed out of the way and I never wanted to meet those three bitches who claimed to own every single guy in the college.

Hakeem popped into our house one in a while and pretended to be concerned about our welfare.

Olivia always told me that Hakeem was interested in me but I always dismissed her.

"Can't you see how he looks at you Everytime he's here? How he rubs his elbows on your chest whenever he's helping you with the assignments?"

" Don't be silly Olivia. I will never look at Hakeem as a potential boyfriend. I only look at him as a brother!

"A brother indeed!"

She said while chuckling.

" You don't want us to start pillow fighting do you? We better get going!"

************

The party was outside the campus. By 8pm, we were all ready and set to go when when heard a car hooting outside.

"That must be Hakeem. Let's hurry up!"

Olivia told me.

"How did he know we are attending a party?"

I asked her, rather curiously.

" Can't you shut up for once Doris? Don't be so naive."

She said while dragging me towards the door..

Hakeem was leaning on the car, glancing at his watch.

"You ladies have kept me here waiting!"

He said while hugging us in turns.

" Did we tell you to wait for us?"

I asked him, feigning ignorance.

" Shut up Doris! Don't mind her Hakeem, she's just stubborn."

Olivia pinched me, shooting daggers at me.

Hakeem didn't seem bothered by my outburst. He just got into the driver's seat and started the car.

We settled on the back seat amid protests from Hakeem who insisted I should sit in the passenger seat.

He sighed in surrender when I told him I'm not sitting anywhere near him.

The drive to the party was short.

As we left the parking towards the house, several people were standing in groups chatting.

Olivia practically dragged me toward the mean door because I was somehow hesitant.

I've never been in a party before except those birthday parties when I was barely fourteen.

Hakeem finally caught up with us as he was left talking to several guys here and there.

We were lucky to find an unoccupied space on the couch and I made myself comfortable as Olivia went to fetch some drinks.

"Bring me a glass of mango juice." I whispered into her ear.

She left, giggling withing herself.

"Naive girl..."

I heard her say.

Hakeem was nowhere to be found when Olivia finally came back with the drinks.

I took the glass which contained my juice.

She was taking something red which I presumed to be some red wine.

There were several men and girls dancing to the tune of the music coming from the stereo.

Every kind of drinks was there, ranging from alcohol to soft drinks.

I just sat there, sipping my juice and scrolling through my phone because it seemed Olivia had joined the dancers in the dance floor.

The music was interrupted as the deejay announced the arrival of the birthday boy.

I could see a figure retreating towards the temporary dias.

At close scrutiny, I was surprised to realise that the birthday boy was none other than Hakeem himself.

As people were shouting, hurling praises at him, I was just standing there, already startled.

I wondered how Hakeem had managed to get such a nice house for himself. I remembered very well he told me before that he lives outside the school. I just assumed he lived in an apartment or something close to that.

I was brought back to life by his voice over the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I take this chance to welcome all of you to my party. Today I'm celebrating the day I was born, more so, the day I became the students leader.. "

What a coincidence!

He stopped amid claps and shouts from the audience.

"There's alot for all of you to drink and eat. Make merry while you still can. Deejay, music please!"

With that, he handed the microphone back to the deejay and ascended the dias, walking directly towards me.

"Wow! Mango juice? Come on Doris. Have some white wine at least!"

He said as he snatched the glass from hand.

"I don't take alcohol..."

I retorted.

"You'll start today. By the way, welcome to my humble abode. I'm sorry Olivia didn't tell you it was my party. It was supposed to be a surprise."

He apologized.

" Whether it's your party or not, it doesn't matter! A party is a party, right?"

I told him absent mindedly.

" Lemmie show you around Doris, please?"

He said as he dragged me outside.

He didn't even wait for my response.

On the way out, he grabbed a bottle of some white wine and two tumblers then shoved some drunk people aside while pulling me by my hand.

As we passed through the crowd, I tried to look for Olivia to inform her that I'll be with Hakeem but she was nowhere to be found.

"Where's Olivia?"

I asked him when we were safely outside.

"I don't know. She must be somewhere catching up with other friends."

He said as he led me to a mammoth garden with all types of sweet smelling flowers.

I knew he couldn't hurt me because of his publicity therefore I followed him to a secluded place near the swimming pool.

We could see several guys kissing in the pool side and when Hakeem coughed, they shamefully walked back to the house, leaving the two of us alone.

He set the tumblers on the table as he showed me where to sit.

I was already awed by the cool ambience and the big house.

"I can't take wine Hakeem!"

I told me.

"Like hell you will. Red sweet Wine is just like an energy drink!"

He said firmly.

" Will I get drunk?"

" Not at all, you'll only get tipsy!"

"What's the difference?"

" Whatever!"

He said as he handed me one tumbler, filled with the red drink.

" Cheers.."

"To what? To getting drunk for the first time huh?"

" Cheers to friendship Doris. Are you no longer my friend?"

After our tumblers clicked, he gulped his wine in one sip and belched."

I sipped mine and exclaimed!

" It's not that bad uh!"

You see, ever since I was young, I was made to believe that alcohol is very bitter. Whether it's a wine, whisky or beer.

I was surprised to realise this type of alcohol was sweet.

I gulped down the whole glass, emulating Hakeem.

It felt so nice, going down the throat, towards the stomach!