The thing is, I wasn’t supposed to enjoy the wedding. I came for closure. To shake small waist, collect small rice, and bounce. But somehow, Chijioke had me smiling like I wasn’t someone’s almost-wife. And when the MC shouted, “Couples, friends, everybody to the dancefloor!” Guess who grabbed my hand like say we practiced? At first, we were just vibing. Me, minding my legwork. Him, trying to impress me with shaku shaku that expired since… But then he pulled me closer and said, “Your ex is watching.” I didn’t turn. I just adjusted my dress. Let him watch. The DJ switched to Flavour.

Next thing, this man held my waist like custom seized it. And whispered, “Dance like you’re already mine.” My eye cleared small. But my waist? My waist said, “Let’s see something.” Mid-dance, I saw the groom. Looking stiff. Smiling like his tie was choking him.

The bride leaned in to say something, he didn’t hear. His eyes were on us. Omo, I twirled. I wasn’t planning to be petty… But the way his mother kept clutching her gele anytime she looked at me? I decided to add more spice. I started laughing at everything Chijioke said. Even the dry jokes. Even the one about coconut water and exes with hard heads. Very unnecessary, but very satisfying.

Then someone tapped me. Apparently the bride’s sister. “Hi, can we talk for a sec?” I smiled, “Is it about the jollof or the dancing?” She didn’t smile back. “Just come.” But before I could follow her, Chijioke pulled me back. “Ignore her. She’s just being protective.” Of what? Her sister or her brother-in-law? That was when it hit me. Why was this guy everywhere I turned? He knew who I was. He knew the breakup story. He knew I loved snail. And he danced like we had history. So I asked him, “What exactly is your deal?” He said, “Let’s just say… I’ve been watching the wrong couple for a while.” I laughed. But deep down, I started thinking, who sent him? The cousin who brought my IV? The groom? The bride?? Because if this is revenge, It’s looking too romantic. And if it’s romance, It’s feeling too calculated.

Weddings end. But Nigerian weddings? They evolve. The afterparty started in some private rooftop lounge at Wuse 2. Champagne. Low light. Hennessy acting like a demon. Chijioke dragged me there.

I was sipping chapman. He offered Henny. I declined. He grinned. “You’ll ask for it later.” We sat on a velvet couch. Music playing soft-soft. He asked me deep things: What’s your love language? When did you stop trusting men? Do you think your ex loved you or just loved your loyalty? I was forming strong girl. But in my head, I was already unzipping emotions I buried since Detty December 2022. Then the topic turned to her, the bride. I said, “She seems sweet.” He looked away. Paused. Then said, “She deserves better… in every way.”

Wait. What do you mean? Do you know something I don’t? He changed topic. “Nma, you’re not who I expected.” I asked, “Expected… from who?” He didn’t answer. He just said, “Come.” We left the party.

Upstairs. Same hotel floor. Different room. He said it was his. I wasn’t sure. But I followed. Maybe it was the silence between us. Maybe it was the tension. But he kissed me. No warning. And the scary part? I kissed back. That kiss was… unholy. The kind you feel in your knees. The kind you remember mid-prayer. The kind that makes you forget you came here to cause commotion, not catch feelings. He stopped first. Breathing heavy. He said, “I didn’t plan this.” I replied, “Neither did I.” We both lied. I didn’t sleep with him. But I slept there. On his bed. In his shirt. Hair wrapped. Makeup smudged. Dignity hanging by thread.

When I woke up, the room was cold. Chijioke was in the bathroom, whistling. I sat up to grab my phone and, that’s when I saw it. A wristwatch. Not his. A woman’s heels. Size 39. Lipstick on the mirror that wasn’t mine. “You’re not the only one watching.” I froze. He stepped out of the bathroom in a towel. Saw my face. Paused. “Nma, I can explain.” I stood. “No need. Just tell me this… Was I invited to the wedding… or to this madness?” His phone buzzed. He checked it. Froze. I snatched it. The text read: “Is she still there? Has she seen the lipstick?”

Nma’s Diaries….Life…Lessons…And everything inbetween