When Abby opened the door of the building and stepped inside, silver and blue confetti that seemed to have been triggered by the door she opened started raining down on her, and as if on cue, the beat of 50 cents in Da Club, it's your birthday song started playing.
Abby was amazed when she walked into the empty hall which was beautifully decorated with her favorite color blue, mixed with silver.
"Oh my God! It's a surprise birthday party for me!" She screamed to the empty hall and moved forward. Blue and silver confetti drooping around her as she took one step after another.
"Where is everybody?" she shouted laughing while looking around with awe, her eyes huge and her mouth forming an 'O'.
The wall facing her was covered with a silver sequin backdrop decorated with different sizes and shades of blue flowers. And on the backdrop was a huge silver tiara that had her names fully written on it, 'Abidemi Abimbola Abike Benson'.
In Front of the backdrop was a silver sequined decorated table, on it stood a three-tiered dazzling silver cake with blue ribbon. The silver cake was surrounded by beautifully iced, blue, and silver cupcakes.
The ceiling was filled with floating balloons that floated her pictures from her first birthday to date. To her right was a buffet table filled with different assorted foods and small chops and another table with Chapman drink dispenser and glasses.
To her left, in a corner was a well-stocked bar with assorted liquor. A deep freezer with different brands of beers and soft drinks.
Abby walked around the hall in awe. Everything was beautiful and she was overcome with love and affection.
She couldn't start to imagine all the time and efforts put into the preparation of everything surrounding her, and to think she's been secretly hating on everybody for abandoning and forgetting her birthday.
She was ashamed of herself and regretted all her ungrateful thoughts towards her family.
"But where is everybody... Where are you guys!?" She said with a laugh while 50 cents' go shawty it's your birthday kept on playing on replay...
"Ding dong"
She heard a doorbell sounded inside the hall and quickly rushed over to open the door. Julianna walked in, elegantly dressed for the occasion.
"Oh, mom!..." Abby's face lit up with joy when she saw her mother's smiling own, "I thought you forgot" She hugged her mom tight, smiling with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry I've been angry with you in my mind..." She trailed off
"Silly girl! How could I have forgotten my baby's 20th birthday?"
Julianna took out her handkerchief and wiped the tears from the corner of her daughter's eyes.
"Come we don't have much time, let's get you changed into your dress, your guests are waiting."
"My guests?... Who are they?... Where are they?... Where's maami and dad?... Is Dupe part of these too?... Josh told me he was coming, now where could he have gone to!?"
"So many questions," Julianna said and laughed. Yeah, Dupe and your big bro are part of this and they're also waiting for you so they can properly wish you a happy birthday. As for your guests, you will have to wait and find out about who and who was invited. Now come get dress, don't keep them waiting!
She led Abby towards a small changing room in the hall and helped her changed into one of Abby's creations, an off-the-shoulder navy blue long, chiffon dress with a high slit on her left leg.
"Wao...you look beautiful" Julianna complimented her daughter after she was dressed.
"Yeah, I knew the dress was going to come in handy one day when I made it," she said admiring herself in the mirror.
"Thank God I asked for nude makeup... but the only thing off here is my hairstyle. You could have given me a hint about the hairstyle to make before leaving the house this morning you know" Abby said with a slight pout while looking at her mom in the mirror.
"And you would have been on to our plan, I know you. Let's simply put it up" Julianna advised. The braids were packed tightly in a beautiful doughnut-like updo. She then brought out beautiful blue rhinestones studded silver tiara, and carefully placed it on Abby's head.
"Here my princess..."
"Omg! Wura, it's so beautiful..."
"You are more beautiful Abike. Sometimes, I looked at you and still can't believe I gave birth to this beautiful and talented young woman. My baby has grown so much" She said with voice filled with emotions.
She remembered July 1999, in Kano state, when she was on the run with Abby strapped to her back. Look at them now, Julianna and Abby looked at themselves in the mirror.
"Happy 20th my baby!" Julianna said almost bursting with emotions.
"I love you mom"
"I love you too sweetheart," Julianna replied with a kiss on her Abby's cheek.
"Let's have a quick selfie" Julianna took her phone and took a few shots of themselves. After some time, the bell sounded again.
"Ding dong"
"That would be your dad and Maami," Julianna said as she quickly helped Abby into her silver high heel shoes.
"Let's go have some fun baby girl...ready?"
"Yeah...can't wait" Today's going to be fun and would be ending in happiness for her after all.