After the magnificent eighteen-tier bluish-pink cake, adorned with roses and butterflies and topped with a crown, was cut, the guests filed into the banquet hall of the Paradise Hotel. A long buffet table, overflowing with an array of delectable dishes, sat invitingly within easy reach of the guest tables. Everyone eagerly dug into the abundance of food and drinks available.
For Chioma, the buffet setup was a perfect opportunity to sample a little bit of everything, although she was far from being a picky eater. In fact, she had quite the appetite and wanted to savour every dish from the main course to the desserts. Delicious aromas filled the air, making her mouth water. The table featured a celebration of Nigerian cuisine, showcasing traditional delicacies like abacha, also known as African salad, a vibrant mix of shredded cassava, garden eggs, sliced onions, and pepper, richly seasoned with a tangy palm oil dressing. There were fried fish and kpomo, perfect accompaniments for the abacha. Roasted chicken glistened under heat lamps, its skin crispy and golden, seasoned with a blend of spices.
Chafing dishes held steaming jollof rice, a beloved dish cooked in a flavourful tomato base with a variety of spices, peppers, and vegetables. There were colourful vegetable salads adding a fresh, crisp contrast to the rich dishes, along with trays overflowing with fish stew, beef stew, and other assorted stews to accompany the perfectly cooked white rice. Large serving dishes offered a variety of rich soups, such as ofe ede, ofe ugu, atama soup, afang soup, Edikaikong soup, pepper soup, egusi soup, ofe achi, ofe eju, ogbono soup, and okra soup, inviting guests to savour their hearty flavours. Accompanying these were staples like akpu, garri, pounded yam, and semovita, perfect for scooping up the savoury soups.
The buffet also catered to an international palate, reflecting the family's cosmopolitan tastes. From Asia, there was an array of sushi, including nigiri, sashimi, and rolls, enjoyed by guests familiar with Japanese cuisine. Dim sum offered a variety of bite-sized dumplings and buns, while Thai curry and Indian biryani provided rich and aromatic flavours, reflecting their respective culinary traditions. Korean BBQ featured marinated meats grilled to perfection, accompanied by a variety of Korean side dishes. Japanese ramen, with its savoury broth and tender noodles, was another favourite.
European and American cuisines were well represented too. There were platters of Italian pasta dishes, French cheeses, and freshly baked breads. A section dedicated to Mediterranean cuisine featured hummus, falafel, and tabbouleh. The American-style barbecue offered ribs, burgers, and grilled vegetables. Fresh seafood was artfully displayed on beds of ice, including oysters, shrimp, and various types of fish, appealing to seafood lovers.
Chioma's eyes widened with delight as she surveyed the spread, her stomach rumbling in anticipation. Ignoring the murmurs and curious glances of others, she joined the queue, her pace quickening as she neared the table. With a clean plate in hand, she began to fill it with a generous helping of jollof rice, a scoop of spicy stew, bright green peas, and a juicy piece of chicken. Her eyes scanned the table, her hand hovering over a bowl of creamy coleslaw before she finally grabbed a slice of ripe, juicy pineapple.
As she moved on to the dessert section, a voice, laced with amusement, cut through the chatter. 'Chioma, are you planning on building a replica of the Eiffel Tower on your plate?'
Chioma looked up to see her friend Chisom, whose eyes were filled with both amusement and concern. But Chioma, already taking a bite of a decadent strawberry cake, could only smile. The amazing food was simply too tempting to resist!
'Chioma, you really want to try everything. You'll turn into a pig by tomorrow,' Chisom remarked, her eyes widening at the sight of Chioma's heaping plate of food, scanning her figure from head to toe.
Chioma, her cheeks puffed with cake, mumbled, 'But didn't you say we should enjoy tonight, as we might not have another opportunity?'
'Yes, but that doesn't mean we should be greedy, right?' Chisom retorted.
Chioma's playful defiance faded, replaced by a pout. 'Am I being greedy? The food just tastes so good... What's wrong with wanting to try everything? Besides, if we don't try everything, the remnants will just be thrown away once the party is over.'
'Then you should have brought a sack to pack some food home,' Chisom teased.
'Are you suggesting we actually do that?' Chioma winked at Chisom, and they both laughed.
'You'll end up like a pig. Unfortunately, you weren't born in the year of the pig,' Chisom teased.
Chioma took a bite of her food, grinning even with her mouth full. 'I'm glad you still care about me. But I promise you one thing, I won't get fat, and I have every right to eat whatever I want without worrying about it,' she pouted. 'I still have my slender figure, a tiny waist, and graceful curves.'
Chisom couldn't hold back her laughter, almost spitting out the wine she was drinking. After a moment, she composed herself and said, 'Okay, Miss Slender, I'll help you get as much food as you want, and we'll see if you don't end up fat and choking to death.'
'Bring it on!' Chioma laughed, taking big bites of her food. The sumptuous dishes were so delicious that it was hard to blame Chioma for becoming today's version of Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist.
Chisom's lips curled into a mischievous smile. Locking eyes with Chioma, she issued a challenge. 'I'll definitely bring you more food, but in return, you have to let Felix take you home.'
Chioma stopped chewing her food, a hint of resistance in her eyes. 'Felix isn't part of our deal.'
Waving her hand dismissively, Chisom chuckled. 'I know you'd object, so I won't force you into becoming a plump little girl,' she teased.
As Chisom had consumed a bit too much wine, she felt a bit tipsy, excusing herself to go to the restroom.
'I need to use the restroom,' she announced, placing her nearly empty glass of wine on the table.
'There are restrooms over there. I'll come with you,' Chioma offered, standing up from her food.
Chisom shook her head. 'No, finish your food. We're leaving soon. It's almost 10 o'clock.'
'All right, Miss Bestie. Off you go,' Chioma laughed, waving Chisom away to the restroom.
As Chisom made her way to the restroom, Julia leaned towards Emmanuella. 'What do you think she's up to?'
'I guess she's going to do some snooping around. You know how mischievous she can be,' Emmanuella chuckled.
'Speaking of rumours, I heard Michael went to Lagos with Jessica. Is it true?' Dara suddenly asked Julia.
'I heard that too. I wish Michael and Jessica would get back together...' Julia replied, her tone filled with doubt.
'But that witch over there wouldn't let it happen...' Emmanuella chuckled, and the girls turned their attention to Chioma, who was peacefully enjoying her food. 'Maybe we should scare her a little.'
Just as Chisom entered the restroom, her phone began to ring. Ignoring the ringing phone, she sat on the toilet, feeling a bit embarrassed when she glanced at the screen. It was Andrew calling. Why was he calling now while she was in the restroom? Would he wrinkle his nose if she told him where she was? After all, she was his girlfriend, and they had even kissed before. With these crazy thoughts running through her mind, though still embarrassed, she answered the call.
'Andrew?' she chuckled awkwardly.
'Chisom, why are you still at the party at this hour? Are you flirting with other men?' Andrew asked with a serious tone.
'Yes, of course,' she lied, the echo betraying her location.
Andrew chuckled. 'But, from the echo, I think you're sitting on the toilet.'
Chisom almost choked on her saliva. 'A... Andrew, why would you say that?'
'I'm sorry, but what are you doing?' Andrew enquired.
'I... I...' Chisom's face flushed.
'You can't say you're in the toilet, can you?' Andrew laughed.
'Lower your voice,' Chisom whispered, embarrassed.
'Oh, are you afraid someone might hear you?' Andrew teased. 'To make sure no one hears you, you might want to activate the anti-bugging device on you,' he joked, and Chisom chuckled. 'You didn't want anyone to hear our conversation... what a good girlfriend you are.'
'Andrew...'
'Go home already. It's late. I just finished speaking with your brother. I'm sure he must be looking all over for you. I'll call him back and let him know you're in the restroom.'
'No, don't. I'll go to him now,' Chisom replied, lowering her voice out of embarrassment.
There was a pause on the other end before Andrew said, 'Hurry out, or you might fall into the toilet bowl or, at worst, pee in your pants.'
With that, Chisom quickly pulled up her pants and flushed the toilet. She had forgotten to hang up before flushing. Andrew couldn't help but laugh when he heard the sound of the flushing toilet.
Glaring at her phone, Chisom asked, 'What are you laughing at?'
'I thought you had fallen into the toilet bowl. And yes, I was right about you being in the restroom. You must have eaten enough. Are you constipated?' Andrew teased.
'I just went to relieve myself. I drank lots of wine...' Chisom's anger subsided a bit, but she still felt like giving him a playful punch.
'Hey, enough with the jokes,' Andrew said softly. 'You need to drink enough water. It might help flush toxins out of your body if there are any. It's late. Go home...' Then he hung up.
Chisom opened the door and walked back to where Chioma was, but she frowned when she saw Julia and her friends. They seemed to be speaking rudely to Chioma.
Seeing Chisom approach, Julia glared at her. 'Chisom, you must have been stealing something, am I right?'
'I went to the restroom to relieve myself. Do you have a problem with that?' Chisom said coldly, picking up a bottle of water from the table. Raising her head, she drank the water. As she sipped, she noticed a subtle sweetness and a distinct taste different from the other water she had consumed. Perhaps it was because Andrew had recommended that she drink water. She felt pleased knowing that Andrew loved and cared for her.
Dara looked at Chisom and scrunched up her nose. 'Just that? No wonder you stink!'
'Maybe you have poo in your mouth. I can smell it from here!' Chisom retorted, wrinkling her nose. 'Perhaps you need to use the restroom for both purposes? I can show you the way. It's no big deal.' She glanced at Dara with a smirk.
'Who even invited you to this party?' Julia asked, casting a devilish glare at Chioma and Chisom.
Chioma scoffed, returning the glare. 'I was about to ask you the same question.'
'How could I answer such a stupid question from a foodie who couldn't resist herself when she saw food?' Julia countered, her voice dripping with arrogance.
'Isn't that why you're here? To stuff yourself full? There's no shame in patting your round stomach,' Chioma snapped.
Just then, a loud belch erupted from Julia, her face flushing red with embarrassment. Chioma and Chisom burst into laughter at her.
'This scheming bitch is playing coy with Felix now that Michael is away. She even danced with him,' Dara quickly interjected, trying to make Chioma feel guilty.
Hearing Dara's words, Chioma laughed. 'Look, young lady. You're so ugly when you poke your nose into other people's business. Anyone would think you're a busybody. You should take a good look at yourself first. Stop being a household pest, or I might have to use boric acid on you.' She turned to Chisom with a smile and said, 'Chisom, I'm tired of sharing my time with these cringe-worthy critters.' She turned away.
'Girl, you can tear a man's chest open with your sharp words. I didn't expect you to say that,' Chisom couldn't contain her laughter as she walked away with Chioma.
After finishing the water in the bottle, Chisom spotted a trash can, opened the lid, and tossed the empty bottle inside. She then wiped her mouth clean of any remaining water.