It was finally morning my birthday.
The moment I opened my eyes, I felt a shiver down my spine. There was this rush of happiness that I couldn't even explain. For once, I didn't bother with chores I just turned on my phone and came online.
Instantly, my WhatsApp was flooded "Happy birthday!" messages everywhere. I couldn't stop smiling as I scrolled through. Then I saw Jovi's message. She wrote a long, sweet note calling me her close friend, wishing me the best, and ended it with "I love you." I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt and replied, "Awwn, I love you too ."
Then I checked her status she posted me! I was so happy. I went to Daphne's status next; she also posted me, calling me a baddie, saying I was funny, full of energy, and that she loved me. I thanked her and asked if she was already at Jovi's. She said she'd soon be on her way. Gemma also wished me and posted me. Lori too. Even Celeste she wrote a long note that made it sound like we'd known each other for years, even though it was barely three months. But I still loved it. Then came Ronny's message, then Williams, then Ray.
Just when I was about to reply them, a bank alert popped up ₦100,000 from Ray.
I screamed. 😭
I sent him a long voice note thanking him, my voice full of joy. Then I went straight to our group chat and dropped another voice note saying, "Ray just sent me 100k!"
Jovi and Daphne were shouting through their texts, telling me to come to Jovi's house immediately. I showered and came out, and that's when my mom hugged me tight, prayed for me, and wished me a happy birthday. My sister did the same, then my brothers they said it casually, but I knew they meant it. Then my dad prayed for me and sent ₦30,000 too.
I was glowing.
I decided I wasn't going to school today not on my day . So I got dressed, entered a cab, and headed straight to Jovi's. On the way, Williams texted me, so I told him to come to the hotel by 2 p.m. for the party. He said okay and added that we'd talk when he arrived.
Then Ronny messaged, asking if he could bring friends. I told him that was fine.
When I arrived at Jovi's, both Daphne and small Daphne were already there. Small Daphne wished me a happy birthday, and I thanked her, smiling.
We decided to go to the mall to get drinks, so we entered a cab. Jovi was making videos of herself, Daphne joined, while small Daphne looked out the window and I was texting.
At the mall, Daphne was still making videos of herself and Jovi. She called out, "Elaria!" and I walked over, pouting my lips and moving my hips playfully as we laughed.
Then small Daphne suddenly said, "Elaria, isn't that the girl you always post?"
I turned and there she was. Celeste.
I ran up and hugged her, then walked her back to our cart. I introduced everyone, and Daphne laughed, saying, "Her name's Celeste too."
Celeste smiled, "Oh really?"
Then her sister, Celestina, called out, "Let's go!" Celeste told me she'd meet me later at the hotel, and I said okay.
After buying the drinks, I paid and we left for the hotel. My brother called midway, asking if we'd started coming, and I said yes.
When we got there, we wanted to enter the pool area, but the security said we couldn't take outside food or drinks inside. We just said okay and hid some drinks in Daphne's bag.
After paying for swimming, the calls started coming in people I invited asking for directions. I told the girls to go ahead and enter the pool while I handled it. I was already in my swimwear, so I joined them after a bit.
Ronny called, and I directed him to the hotel.
"Jovi, Ronny's on his way," I told her.
Her smile said everything.
Then Celeste called. She said she was close but couldn't swim because of her period. I told her it was fine her being there was enough.
A message popped in from Ronny again"Come outside."
I went out and there he was, with two familiar faces.
"Elaria!" the boys called.
It took me a second, then I realized both Declans.
They were from my secondary school! I hadn't seen them in three years. I smiled wide. The taller Declan held my hand since I was wet to hug, and we laughed.
I took them all to the poolside. Ronny was asking about Jovi, and I pointed her out.
When Jovi saw Ronny, she turned, froze a little, then smiled shyly.
We sat, talked, laughed. Celeste kept glancing at me, and I winked at her. She smiled back.
Later, Jovi and I left the water. She went straight to Ronny, while the taller Declan's eyes followed me. I looked away, shy, and went back into the pool to play with Daphne and small Daphne. Then Daphne stepped out to take a call. A few minutes later, she returned with three boys.
My heart stopped for a moment Williams was one of them.
He looked even better in person tall, dark-skinned, with that high haircut I loved. He was smiling shyly. Daphne introduced her boyfriend first. "Elaria, this is Coco, my boyfriend." We shook hands. Then I turned to Williams.
He smiled softly and said, "Happy birthday."
I said, "Thank you," smiling back.
He couldn't keep eye contact for long.
I teased, "Why are you looking away?"
He said, "Because if I look too long, I'll smile too much. You're really pretty."
I blushed so hard.
Then I noticed Declan still watching me, so I told Williams I wanted to swim for a bit and went back into the pool.
I told Jovi, "Declan keeps staring."
She said, "Let him stare."
We laughed and splashed water at each other.
Daphne eventually left to sit with Coco, and I said to Jovi, "Love has carried her away," and we laughed again. Ronny and his friends said they were heading back to their hotel and invited us to come later. The taller Declan's gaze lingered again before they left.
I focused back on Williams he was gentle and sweet. He told me he wanted to get me a gift but didn't know what I liked, so he just asked for my account number. I gave it, and he sent ₦20,000 immediately.
"You're extremely beautiful," he said, holding my hand.
I blushed and whispered, "Thank you."
Later, I joined Jovi in the pool again. We played around I even teased her, pressing her boobs through her swimsuit, and she laughed so hard she almost fell into the water.
By 6 p.m., it was getting dark. We changed into our clothes, and I called Ronny to ask for the room number. When we got to the hotel, the receptionist said only two girls could go up. So Jovi and I went. Ronny opened the door, smiling. Inside, the taller Declan was on the bed, the other on a chair.
Jovi ran to hug Ronny, while I sat down, talking casually.
Then I heard my name softly "Elaria…" It was Declan. I looked at him, and he smiled, asking for my number. I gave it. The other Declan said, "You've grown so fine. I knew you were pretty before, but now you're gorgeous."
Ronny laughed, "Guy, calm down. You go soon turn lover boy."
Declan sent me a message immediately, saying he wanted us to catch up sometime. Back in secondary school, we'd been close they were flirty, but we never dated. Now, he looked different. Mature. Finer. Richer.
I told him okay.
Soon, Ronny said, "You two should come around again sometime."
We laughed and agreed, then stood to leave.
Before we left, Ronny pecked Jovi's forehead. Declan looked at me like he didn't want me to go. Once the door closed behind us, Jovi and I grabbed each other's hands and burst into laughter. We were so happy, running through the hall like two little kids full of joy.
We hurried back to meet the two Daphnes, and together, we all left tired, smiling, and full of memories.