As humans, every one of us loves being cared for; we love being given attention and cherished. I guess that's what makes us human anyway. Especially as a lady, being pampered is one of the things we love the most, even though I tried to find the reason why. I guess that was how we were fashioned. We just love a soft life, a stress-free life with luxuries, but the reality of life is that we can't have it all.
What could make a lady happier than surprises? As for me, I love surprises. To get me on top of the world, it has to be a pleasant surprise, and I'm sure my parents knew this. That's why I got a surprise that made my mind spin countless times.
My father is an unpredictable man; you can't imagine what he is up to in the next few minutes. He might look like you understand him to some extent, but then he shows up unexpectedly, and that has been how he has been since I grew to know him.
Saturday morning was just a normal morning with the routine of taking care of the house since everyone was busy during the week. I woke up to do the housework, and around 10 a.m., my dad was already complaining, asking me to do it quickly and follow him to town. "I have been waiting forever; will you round up whatever you are doing and don't waste my time?" he said, checking the wristwatch on his wrist.
I was murmuring to myself because I hate it when he complains; he tends to have answers to every question. "I have to get it all done before I get tired because once I step out, I'm not coming to whatever has left again," I said to myself while doing the laundry.
"If I should go out alone, I don't want any complaints afterward," he further said, scrolling through his phone. "Mother of the house, she will always find something to do," he concluded.
"Dad, I'm a lady; I can't be lazy. You will be the first to complain if I'm lazy. That I know for sure," I replied after hearing his last statement. He sighed and continued with whatever it was he was doing on his phone.
After about 30 minutes, I came out of my room dressed up and smiling for no reason. "Dad, shall we?" I asked my dad, who was still busy with his phone. He sighed and stood up. "Finally, small mom is done taking care of the house," my dad said as he picked up the car key.
I opened the gate, and he drove out of the compound. I quickly rushed to lock the gate as he waited for me to hop into the car. I love going out with my dad because we get time to gist and laugh at different drivers on the road. "So, Dad, where are we going?" I asked anxiously.
"Eni tan gbe iyawo bo wa ba kin ga orun (the groom expecting the bride doesn't have to stretch his neck)", my dad replied with a proverb. "I'm not stretching my neck; I'm just asking," I said. He then looked at me and smiled while continuing to drive.
I continued to wonder where he was taking me; probably he wanted to get some things at the mall. I finally came to that conclusion as I relaxed in the front seat with my seatbelt on. After approximately 25 minutes, we got to a shop with a big banner written boldly on it: "Wonderful Collections, dealers in all kinds of unisex shoes." I was thinking in my mind," This man wants to buy shoes again. How many did he want to wear?"
We entered the shop, and my dad greeted the man. It seemed they were quite close. "Good morning, sir." I greeted the man, who was wearing a pair of jeans and a white shirt with white sneakers. I stood still, spinning around at a point, mapping all the lady's beautiful shoes and watching how the two men exchanged pleasantries. "What would you like to get today?" the man asked my dad, who was funnily looking at me as I was spinning in a circle, smiling at the sight of beautiful shoes.
"Would you like to try some on? This one you are looking like you want to pack all," my dad asked jokingly. I immediately picked one that I'd been admiring since I entered the shop. I tried it on, and it was my exact size, which made me say, "Perfect, what did you think, Dad?" showing off my leg to my dad.
"It looks good on you; you have eyes for good things, just like me," my dad said, smiling. "Of course, I'm my father's daughter after all; if I do resemble you, what do I gain? (If I don't resemble you, what's my gain?)" I replied, my dad still admiring my feet.
After a while, I removed the shoe I was admiring and placed it beside me. "Try this on too," said my dad, pointing to a black high-heeled shoe on another shelf by my left. I rushed to the shelf and picked up the shoe, then tried it on, and it was perfectly fitted.
"Here, Dad, it fits," I said with a bright smile on my face. "Don't smile, madam; I'm not buying them for you," said my dad as he moved to the plastic chair placed in one corner of the shop to sit.
All images are mine
"I love them on your legs," the man said with a smile. "Thank you, sir," I replied. I pulled it off and placed it beside the first one, waiting for my dad's final judgment. My mind was spinning round and round because I couldn't imagine leaving that shop without those shoes.
"Pack it for her; she deserves them," my dad finally said as he pointed his bank card to the man for payment. At that moment, my joy had no bounds as I jumped to where my dad was sitting and hugged him. "Thanks, Dad," I said, holding him tight. "You are welcome, small mummy"," Dad replied as he inputted his pin into the POS machine.
After payment, my shoes were handed over to me as we exited the shop. I couldn't help but smile throughout our journey to some other stores to get the basics we needed at home. "Stop smiling, madam," said my dad. He always called me madam anytime he wanted to tease me. "I've fulfilled my promise of getting you something," he further said.
Then that reminded me that he had promised to get me something undisclosed since my birthday five months ago, and he finally fulfilled his promise. I guess he overheard my conversation with Mum on the phone a day before Saturday when she called me and I was telling her I needed some shoes. I was so happy that I finally got the shoes without spending my money.
Thanks for your time, and your comments will be appreciated.