After Party

Maggie had never been more stranded than she was that night. The road was almost empty, except for the few cars that sped by intermittently. The streetlights and LED bulbs from the shopping malls around sent beautiful glows on the highway, but that was the least of Maggie's problems that night. Right now, she needed light — for she was overwhelmed by inner darkness.  She adjusted her skimpy wine dress and checked her wristwatch. Just then, a dark SUV drove past with an unusual speed and near collision, causing Maggie to gasp, her heart skipping a beat. Her fears skyrocketed, not because a random driver almost had an accident, but because she was the only one standing by the roadside of Engineer Philip Highway, at ten forty-five p.m. praying for a miracle to get home — the same home she sneaked out of. It was a party. The one she'd broken banks to purchase its ticket. Or rather, Maggie had just escaped a death trap. Imagine paying for one's death? That was how she could describe the scenario of the day as she shifted the weight of her body to another foot, her misty eyes squinting into the distance. What was supposed to be a five-hour party lasted seven hours. It was the birthday of her coursemate, Tina's boyfriend, a rich kid whose parents barely ever spent a day at home. Maggie had broken her ‘bank’ (savings) to pay for the ticket, and other ‘banks’ to get expensive clothes, hair and a bag — something that befit the kind of birthday party she was attending. Just before she managed to escape, the hall had taken another form — ladies dozing off one after the other, others receiving and gulping down drinks. The birthday celebrant was nowhere in view and Tina? She sure was stuck to him like the belt around his waist. Maggie fled. All the Nollywood scenes she'd seen of ladies being drugged came playing in her head as she escaped with her handbag. It was after a long run that she realised she had left her phone on her seat. She paused her thoughts, not wanting to imagine further the gravity of what that night held for her. She could only force her mouth to whisper some words. “This... isn't happening.” She paused again, feeling the heaviness of the words in her chest. Suddenly, she began to have regrets. Why did she have to sneak out of the party? With everything in her, she wished she had remained at the party. Or better still, if she had followed her parents to her cousin's home, she would probably be in bed now, tucked under her duvet.  Another car passed. A white Mercedes-Benz. Halting in front of her, the glass rolled down as a head popped out to meet her. “Hey.” Maggie studied, her heart racing again. A light-skinned guy, smoothened face. A well-aligned moustache and a few strands of beard. His haircut, his demeanour — everything about him felt familiar. “You must be stranded, I guess?” At that point, Maggie forgot to think. She rushed her words, her hands clasped together. “Yes, I am. I can't get home. I lost my... my...” “It's fine. Hop in.” The door opened and Maggie rushed in. Now her tears had begun to fall freely, giving the gentleman something to savour. Five minutes into the silent drive, he spoke. “I'll take you to your destination on one condition.” Maggie's ears perked open at that. She turned to spare him a surprised glance. His eyes were fixed on the road, although he could see her expression from the corner of his eye. “You will pretend to be my girlfriend.” He paused his statement, changing gears. Maggie could not tell if he was still speaking or her ears had suddenly gone deaf. “I told my parents I'm bringing home my fiancée, but we... we broke up tonight.” “Fiancée?” Maggie thought she had finally found her voice. “I'm just nineteen!” “Perfect! She is nineteen. And just like you, she doesn't look her age.” He turned quickly to spare her a soft glance — something that could make one soften a bit. Maggie was quiet for a long time. A lot of things ruminated in her mind. “Please...” The guy's voice broke through her thoughts. He came out softer, more desperate. “It's not a condition like I earlier stated, but I just need you to do this for me. Just for two weeks.” They arrived at Maggie's home and met a small crowd gathered at the gate. Maggie's parents, her uncle and his family, and a few other people. Paying less attention to her indecent looks, she jumped down from the car and ran to them. Her teary mother was the first to rush to her with a hug. Every other person stared with different expressions and questions waiting somewhere. “Where have you been, Margret?” The gentleman walked towards them, hands in his jean trouser pockets. He said. “She was almost kidnapped by some armed men. But thank God she's safe now.” Still in her mother's embrace, Maggie turned to him. There was something in his eyes that said he would stand for her in so many ways. She couldn't tell but somehow her heart relaxed. And she knew she would not only pretend to be his girlfriend, but she probably would consider giving him a positive response if he popped the real question. At least, a birthday ticket had given her a sweet gentleman. _______________________ **All images were generated using ChatGPT**