That One Night

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I nodded my head to the sound of the highlife music thumping in the room. I was having the time of my life. Christmas lights were flickering everywhere with the aroma of freshly cooked and roasted meats, puff puff, chin chin, stock fish, and African salad with kegs of palm wine and crates of alcohol to wash it down.

I leaned back on the plastic chair I sat on with my hands wrapped around a bottle of cold Guinness beer, watching David, my friend, try the new Etigi dance. It was my first time as a young adult tasting alcohol and I felt like the new fresh prince of Bel Air. In this scenario, I was seated at a party located in my neighbourhood. Just a few blocks away from my father's house. It was being hosted by the youths of that community who had come together to contribute money to have the time of their life on Christmas day.

"Guy, I can dance more than you o", I spoke to David, who stopped abruptly and gave me a sly look.

"Says someone that's just having his first bottle of alcohol", he replied, trying to spite me before my crush Mela. She was sitting at the same table as us.

I looked from David to Mela, praying in my heart that she didn't hear that. But she was already smiling at what David had just said. Her dimples make her smile more beautiful.

I forced a laugh and went back to sipping on the one bottle of beer I'd had in my hands for hours. Mela was part of the reason I sneaked out that night. Knowing that she would be there made me contribute for the party, even when I knew that my parents wouldn't be in support of me going to such a party.

But on that fun-filled night, I was glad I took the risk. Believe me when I say it was real.

The DJ changed to a popular highlife music, one with a faster tempo and the crowd went crazy. I watched as people stood up and danced to the tune. I smiled and pulled my phone from my pants pocket and checked the time. It was almost past midnight. And that meant my fun time was over. It was time for my herculean task of sneaking back home. Just as I had sneaked out.

"You're not going anywhere!" My parents had made it clear that morning as I told them about the party. I knew disobeying them meant that I was going to feel the weight of my father's new leather belt.

So I didn't bother arguing but secretly came up with a plan to sneak out at night when they were all asleep.

All I needed to do was pretend to go to bed early that night after dinner, and when I was sure my parents had done the same too, I would slip out through the back door.

I smiled as I remembered the chill harmattan breeze against my face as I snuck out through the back door earlier. A sign that I was victorious in my quest. And I was ready to sneak back in.

I stood up and bid David goodnight
"Wait, don't tell me you're going home. The night is still young bro!" He screamed. I knew it was the effects of the alcohol setting in.

I couldn't bring myself to tell him my reasons for leaving so early. That would reduce my steeze before Mela and I didn't want that.

"I'm just so tired. I had so much work serving guests at my father's party earlier today," I lied.

To Mela, I said, "I hope to see you around sometime".

She smiled, revealing her dimples again "I hope so too". She replied.

And that alone melted my heart. It was like icing on the cake to the fun I just had. To me, it is a sign that my crush does miss me too.

With a happy heart, I jogged home. The streets were already quiet. Only the sound of music from the party and generator hums could be heard as I jogged home. In my mind, I was also strategizing on how I would sneak in.

I got home and headed straight to the back door, which I was sure I had left open, but it was locked. I felt my heart lurch a bit.
Who would have locked it? I asked myself.

Gently, I tiptoed to the front door, and luckily, it wasn't locked. I made a quote sign of the cross and proceeded to push the door open, trying my best not to make a sound. And when I was fully inside, I heaved a sigh of relief and proceeded to walk casually down to my room. With the door almost in sight, my heart raced, and I smiled at how victorious I had turned out again. But the. The lights turned on and a familiar voice called from the shadows.

"Marriott. Where are you coming from?"

I froze in my tracks as I quickly turned to see my dad seated in the sitting room with his new leather belt in his hands.

"Ah... Papa... you.. you're awake" My throat dried as I stuttered. Knowing fully well I was done for.

"That doesn't answer my question?" He replied instead.

"I just.. uhm, I was just trying to" I couldn't make a complete sentence of what I was saying as my mind raced to different scenarios; I was going to be punished.

"You sneaked out after we gave clear orders that you shouldn't go anywhere. Did we not tell you to stay home? What if something happened to you, eh? Do you think you’re grown now? Eh, Marriott, I'm asking you?" he roared.

I stood there with my head bowed in shame "No Papa"

"Shut up while I'm talking" he yelled.

Papa stood up and walked towards me. I quickly braced myself for whatever it was that was coming next.

"You're lucky your mum begged that I shouldn't punish you since it was still Christmas. But be rest assured that I'm postponing your punishment to January for having the guts to disobey my orders. You'll have to tell me who is in charge here". Then he walked past me to his room.

I waited a few seconds before walking into my room. I dumped myself in bed. My father's voice still echoed in my ears. Then, gradually, I remembered the night's events and the fun at the party.
I turned over to face the ceiling, a smaller smile tugged at my face. Although my punishment awaited me in January, I knew Papa to keep to his words. But deep in my heart, I was glad to have taken every rush that night. I was absolutely sure it was worth it.

That was the first time I had the time of my life alone. And I was willing to pay the price.