AFLOAT SEASON1 Ep. 3

“Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.”

― Mark Twain

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For a clearer picture, I will tell you more about Mabel and Brad and how my dilemma started.

Mabel was once the most sought after lady in our community especially due to her history of leading our local team to victory at the popular Calabar carnival. She also won an individual award as the queen of the carnival.

Eventually, she found love with a wealthy international businessman. Their wedding was flamboyant and almost a celebrity wedding. They relocated to the city but a year later, they returned home when her husband won the Local Government Chairmanship election.

But, before the Chairman, there was Brad. Not Brad Pitt ofcourse, but our very own tall, dark and handsome local general business investor. Brad was in the same troupe with Mabel back in the days. As expected, he started a small troupe tagged the Achievers but had no financial strength to achieve any victories with his group.

Young Brad got wind of Mabel's return and somehow, he connected with and succeeded in convincing her to join forces with him to win that year’s award with his new troupe. As you already know; I was selected as the last member.

It was no secret that Brad was, and still is a ladies man. He's not your notorious kind of player but he was popular for being smooth and charming with the ladies. There were rumours back then of a romance which ended when Mabel found love with her Chairman but they were unconfirmed and hushed rumours

Then, there's the latest gossip that Brad and our lead dancer Irene were an item. Which could be the reason we were being tortured by Mabel.

Either way, I was only interested in dancing. So, for me, Brad's best quality was knowing how to save us all from Mabel’s fangs while making it look like it was all her idea.

Back to my story.

On that training day, Mabel was tormenting us with new routines and we were no longer finding waist and body twisting appealing. We were almost giving up hope of ever leaving that dance hall when Brad stepped in as usual;

“Mabel, we still have an appointment with the costumier. It’s almost 7pm.”

His soft voice was like the hallelujah chorus to our ears when Mabel suddenly sprang around and headed for her special couch. My heart leapt with joy.

“Same time, same location, this weekend! Practise your routines and get here before me, that's if you have any wish of being part of the upcoming carnival!”

Her high pitched voice nearly drilled a hole in my eardrums and worsened my hunger.

Good lord! How does her husband cope with that? I thought as I headed for the changing area with the rest. But I was not in the mood for undressing or sharing a shower, so I dragged my backpack out of my locker and dashed for the exit while tactfully avoiding the cluster of sweaty bodies and chattering girls who, as usual, acted as if I was invisible.

I nearly made it out, but the sound of my name halted my exit. With a frown creasing my brow, I turned towards the deep voice. 

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