Dayo stretched on the bed and exhaled deeply. His head felt slightly heavy, but not enough to ruin his mood.
One of his friends was already awake, sitting on the floor scrolling through his phone.
"Guy, Wetin we Dey chop ?"
he asked lazily.
Another voice came from the couch.
"Order something. I no dey cook oo."
Dayo sat up.
"You people should stop behaving like guests."
They laughed.
"Your house sharp dieee ," one replied.
Dayo stood and walked toward the small table.
"Let's just order," he said.
"I'm not in the mood to move out yet."
They began discussing food options.
"Chicken and fries?"
"Nah."
"Rice?"
"Too heavy."
One friend grinned.
"Or make we just call one of those girls from last night."
They all laughed.
Dayo smirked slightly.
"Which girl?"
"The one in black," someone said.
"That one dey calm."
Dayo leaned back against the wall.
"She was different."
One friend raised an eyebrow.
"Different how?"
"She wasn't chasing attention,"
Dayo replied casually.
"That one is dangerous," another joked.
"Girls like that go stress you."
They continued teasing each other.
One friend laughed loudly.
"You see that Nancy girl? She sharp."
Dayo nodded slowly.
"Sharp girls are better," he said.
Another friend rolled his eyes.
"All of una just like trouble."
The room was light, filled with relaxed energy. No one was thinking about responsibilities.
Then Dayo's phone rang.
He glanced at it.
His expression changed slightly.
His mother.
He answered.
"Good morning, Mum."
The room went quiet.
His mother's voice came through clearly.
"Dayo. Don't tell me you forgot."
He frowned slightly.
"Forgot what?"
"The meeting today."
His friends exchanged glances.
One whispered,
"Ah."
Dayo rubbed his forehead.
"Oh… that one."
His mother continued firmly.
"This is not something you ignore. You must attend properly."
He sighed.
"I understand."
After a few more reminders, the call ended.
The room was silent for a moment.
One friend spoke first.
"So what now?"
Dayo sat down slowly.
"I have to go."
Another friend nodded.
"Sharp guy "
One laughed lightly.
"But don't forget your other plans."
Dayo didn't respond immediately.
He checked the time.
Still early.
He stood up.
"I'll manage everything,"
he said confidently.
He was not worried.
He believed he could balance it.
Zara was already awake.
Her phone rested beside her pillow.
She had checked it twice during the night.
Now, the morning sunlight entered her room gently.
From the kitchen, she could hear her mother moving around.
Zara sat up slowly.
Today was the day.
Lekki Phase 1.
Mr. Adeyemi.
She exhaled.
Her mother's voice called out.
"Zara! Are you awake?"
"Yes, ma."
"Come and help me small before we go to shop."
Zara walked into the living room.
Her mother looked at her carefully.
"This one you dey frown."
Zara forced a small smile.
"I'm fine."
Her mother nodded.
"Okay ooo"
While helping in the kitchen, Zara's phone vibrated.
She paused.
Checked it.
Nothing important.
Just notifications.
She felt the tension building inside her.
Finally, she turned to her mother.
"Mummy, I need to step out this morning."
Her mother looked up.
"To where?? "
Zara sighed, ignoring the question.
"It's important."
Her mother studied her for a moment.
Then sighed lightly also.
"Alright. Just don't stay too long."
Zara felt relief.
"Thank you."
She returned to her room and picked up her phone again.
She opened the message from last night.
Hello Zara. This is Mr. Adeyemi from Crestline Media. Meet me tomorrow at Lekki Phase 1.
She read it slowly.
Today was tomorrow.
Saturday.
This was the meeting day.
She placed the phone down.
Then picked it up again.
After a few seconds of thinking, she typed:
"Okay. I will be there."
She pressed send.
The message delivered.
Zara stared at the screen.
For a moment, she sat still.
This could change something.
Or nothing.
But she had to try.
She stood up slowly.
Whatever this meeting was, she would face it.
Saturday had officially begun.
And decisions had already started shaping the day.