Valerie

Red lipstick on, she smacked her lips in satisfaction of the makeover she had given herself. Despite the fact it was a Monday evening, she decided against an understated look and instead opted for a coral, sleeveless, draped mini dress with deep cutouts on the side. With her long wavy hair running down to her lower back. She dressed just the way they loved her...provocative, sultry, and sexy. 

With the silver stiletto heels as high as her standards; Valerie was ready to have another Friday night of her life.  

It was weird how everyone wanted her unhappy and sulking always because she was 34 and unmarried. Although she had fantasies, her failed marriage left them all in the gutter. Although she nursed the desire somewhere in her heart, she always gave the tossers that were always in her business something to talk about.

From her family to her workplace, church, grocery store, market, mention it! They were always sided talks and whispers. Her mother, who was always vocal about remarrying since her marriage ended ten years ago, had stopped the nagging and resulted in going to the mountain to fast and pray.

 Everyone was wiser when it came to her story. But she now lives on her terms, her sex life still intact, her job was good and well paying. Her boss like every other guy who got intrigued by her charm gave her a huge raise, but she was not one to mix business with pleasure.

As she wore her perfumes, picking up her car keys, and walking to the door, she was stopped when her phone rang. It was her younger sister, Nneka. Her sister had developed this funny act of hooking her up with men she termed \"potential suitors\". 

Because she was married, Valerie thought that Nneka had gotten the nerves of a lion to approach her with such a thing.

So, seeing her name on the screen, Valerie could not help but roll her eyes and pressed the phone reluctantly to her ear.

As accurate as she had thought, she had called with yet another hook-up plan. Valerie had the bored look on her face as Nneka described Gavor, the \"new catch\". He was her colleague\"s elder brother and Nneka gushed about how good-looking he was.

"Nneka, you are very funny o! Even if I needed a husband so bad, don\"t you think I can hunt for one myself?" she had replied, trying to make the conversation as playful as possible. 

"Valy, forget all this one. This guy is cute and his pockets compliment his face too. He\"s a catch oh, and he doesn\"t know your history just yet" 

History? Wow! — Valerie thought.

"Nneka chelukwa oh! Wait, first, what do you mean by history?"Nneka went silent. She bit her lips anxiously on the other end of the call.

"I hope you are not referring to my failed marriage with Diekola"

"Not that! Have you forgotten the crazy thing you did when you found out he was cheating on you? You destroyed his car for goodness’ sake and almost set his house on fire. Your gist was everywhere, even on instablog. You would not want Gavor to have that as a first impression of you. At least in the meantime" Nneka said trying to not sound rude.

Already done with this discussion, with her blood boiling, she swallowed hard and exhaled deeply. "Listen Nneka, I do not care about what anyone thinks of me. Whether you or Gavor or anybody else! I had reasons for my actions, anyone in my shoes could have done the same or close!" Valerie yelled into the phone. "Anybody I end up with will know all the gory details about me and Diekola and if they judge me and leave, their bad".

Nneka laughed lightly and shook her head. Valerie on the other end had slumped into a couch filled with anger and disgust. She kicked off her heels, slowly losing the vibe to step out.

 "I just want the best for you. Everyone is not happy with you. Just look at mum, she rarely goes anywhere again except the church"

"Everyone is not happy because I\"m happy. They kind I\"m hiding behind my pain, but I\"m not, honestly. The thing is I\"m tired of explaining myself so may the God of assumptions guide you all".

Valerie said and ended the call. With her mood already altered, she walked to the fridge to get water to calm her nerves. Being 33, Nigerian and Single, she had to learn the act of fake pretense (yes sometimes!) when dealing with these people. She did this with special effects, especially when the ex is a wicked one.

Benecca\"s Tales

2021

All Rights Reserved.

Author\"s Note

Valerie is a typical naija single girl, her story resonates with what some ladies who do not have a ring on the finger experience. This is not good; We must let these women be and understand their happiness. 

As Mandy Hale said, 

Single is no longer a lack of options – but a choice. A choice to refuse to let your life be defined by your relationship status but to live every day Happily and let your Ever After work itself out.

All characters in this story are virtual and inspired by the song, Dead Again by Nigerian Singer/Vocalist, Asa.

Thank you for reading.❤

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Picture Credit: Depositphotos. com

Written by,

Anakor Vanessa for Benecca\"s Tales

A young girl who loves her pen and enjoys storytelling. She hopes to occupy a challenging role to bring fresh vision to the writing business❤