The Shopping Tussel.

Derm! Lagos was crazy hot, the kind of heat that could actually fry an egg on a car bonnet. However, inside Eleganza Royale Interiors Superstore, the air conditioning was blowing like December salary—sweet, predictable and powerful. Most people who came there were not just buying but escaping the NEPA chaos and actually snapping cool and beautiful selfies by the fake flowers.

And just like that—bam! Then came the tussel.

@pexels

"I saw it first!" shouted Amaka, a dramatic babe with long red braids, wearing a long trench coat as if she came from a detective film on Nollyhood season 5.

"You saw it, but did you touch it? Abeg, shift! Or I shift you," replied Busola, who was holding her iPhone 13 in one hand and Pepsi in the other. She was wearing corporate trousers paired with a white shirt, its sleeves folded as if her spirit was already in battle mode.

Seriously arguing and almost physically fighting over a white vanity table that looked like it belonged in a Nollyhood queen's dressing room. It had an awesome mirror, amazing drawers, and everything was just "on point," so to speak. To make it even worse, there was only one piece left.

"I have been eyeing this thing since last week!" Amaka snapped her fingers for emphasis and continued, "I even dreamt of it. In that dream, I was having my makeup session with Rihanna, and Bobrisky passed me an actual powder!"

"If you like, Beyonce should toss your powder for you, and Chris brown can dance around your eyebrows. I am actually less concerned!" Busola blurted, placing one foot on the table like a soldier who is defending his country. "I need this table for my YouTube and Instagram channels. My subscribers are actually complaining of my constant use of my kitchen mirror for creating content!"

The relentless argument began to attract other people shopping for items in the store.

One man eating groundnuts whispered, "This fight go sweet o."

Immediately, a slim, exhausted-looking shop assistant in a black uniform—his name tag reading "Mr. Funsho" on the corner of his chest—walked majestically but weakly into the heated argument like a UN peacemaker.

"What is going on here? "Mr. Funsho asked, adjusting his cap backwards.

"Mr. Funsho, please tell this lady to take her foot off my property!" Amaka warned shrieking.

Ehn! what did I hear you say? Your property? my foot!" Busola hissed, her foot still hanging on the table. "Mr. Funsho, if she says one more word, I will descend on her, Busola bluffed; her aim was to scare Amaka away from this White, beautiful dressing mirror that she desired so badly.

Mr. Funsho blinked, surprised and confused, like someone who is having a rethink over his recent life choices—as if he was regretting being at the store at that moment. "Ah ah nah, Aunty, Aunty... he hailed her. "It's not that deep now; you are taking things too seriously. Calm down, Madam."

"of course, this is a serious matter.Tell her to surrender that dressing mirror because I saw it first," Amaka quarreled.

"Excuse me! And I touched it first; there's a big difference," Busola contested.

"Alright! Alright! Calm down, ladies." Mr. Funsho bellowed. "The good news is that," he continued, "I just recalled that I checked the stocklist earlier this morning and actually remembered that another spare is in the warehouse. It was initially sold to a lady, but after four days, she returned it, claiming that the dressing mirror didn't match her unique and extravagant lifestyle and 'vibes'. So let me go and get it." Mr. Funsho grinned, handing over the checklist to Amaka to take a look. Immediately, he left to get the spare dressing mirror.

@pexels

Suddenly, both women paused. Silence filled the room; other customers who were expecting the women to fight burst into laughter.

"You are seriously serious about having another one?" Amaka asked, blinking in shock.

"You must be kidding me!" Exclaimed Busola.

"Fresh one," Mr. Funsho said. "Still get the nylon for body." He chuckled playfully.

Amaka and Bisola gazed at each other for a while and slowly returned their gaze back to the amused customers, trying to keep a straight face. However, the laughter from the customers who were still shopping and had witnessed the whole drama was so intense that they both joined in and started laughing. They had a good laugh, the kind of laughter that turns enemies into cousins at a wedding in an instant.

Omo, this shit is crazy o, Busola smirked, wiping the sweat off her forehead and adjusting her foot, which had been hanging for a long time. "I almost removed your lashes o."

"O boy!" Amaka exclaimed. "See how two grown-ass ladies really got caught in an embarrassing situation in public over a dressing mirror. I hope this hasn't gotten to your YouTube and Instagram followers." Amaka giggled.

Next, the two of them compared items to buy, shared ideas, and gave advice on what to shop for, while Amaka showed Busola a cool black, neatly woven basket for refrigerator storage or for something else. This is indeed an instant bonding.

@pexels

"wait! wait! This is really surprising; you ladies have finally settled?" Mr. Funsho exclaimed with a sneer.

"Exactly! We are even planning to do 'mirror unboxing' together on my Instagram channel and actually share our story and unique connections there," Busola said, beaming.

Mr. Funsho brought in the other spare dressing mirror and handed it to Amaka. They were both excited as Busola admired Amaka's dressing mirror as if she didn't have that exact item. Mr. Funsho and a few other customers smiled at them as one of the ladies sat down to glance at the mirror in admiration.

They had both finished shopping when Amaka decided to take a few selfies while Busola helped her adjust her wig. They also took selfies together, exchanged phone numbers, made plans for lunch next weekend, and even promised to tag each other in vanity pics online.

And just like that— shopping brought—two almost-enemies together, turning them into an amazing beauty besties.

As Mr. Funsho watched them leave, he let out a huge sigh of relief. "funny dramatic shopping of two drama queens," he said, smiling.

Mr. Funsho, turning to the next customer, who were also two in number, said, "please, hope you ladies are not planing on fighting over a white dining table too, because those two drama queens have drained my energy for yet another drama," he muttered.

They all shared a good laugh as they enjoyed a great and fun shopping experience.

THANKS ALOT FOR READING