Reunion used to be a negative word in my vocabulary, especially with old classmates. I just didn't see a reason to reunite with people that had become strangers.
After secondary school, I parted with most of my classmates, and I haven't seen many of them since then, but I don't think I care to, as long as they are doing well. In school, I was the type of person who got along with everyone; even if you were the devil, we'd have interacted at some point. But, of course,I had my steady clique; everyone did.
After graduation, my steady clique no longer clicked 😂😂. We all remained friends, but on different levels. The relationships weren't as good as I'd loved them to be, but, as someone who's always looking forward, I just accepted the fact that we'd become acquaintances (bad judgement?), after six years or more of being friends.
Usually, when my alma mater is having a valedictory service, most alumni come around. I don't know why I have a negative disposition towards that, but I've always wondered why, even when I was still in secondary school. Until today, I still do. So even though my school is a few minutes away from both my home and my school at the moment, I've never gone back there to attend any of their special events.
My valedictory visitors
I've had friends come to my house after attending such events, especially the ones who left before we graduated, and I must admit, I enjoy having them around. The last valedictory service brought my friend I hadn't seen in three years to my house, and even though we didn't have much to say, we were just grinning at each other and hugging ourselves 😂😂. I was actively planning a date with her when Iseoluwa, one of my still intimate friends, decided she must host us (the clique) since everyone was around (thanks to the now suspended industrial action by lecturers). Though our classmates had, over the years, had reunions that no one showed up for, this one was looking more intimate and interesting. Still, I wasn't willing to leave my house.
After several days of planning, we agreed to hold the reunion in her home. We were to have a potluck lunch. Everyone was to bring whatever they could, and Iseoluwa would provide everything else. In my mind, I was telling myself I'd cancel out the night before the hangout, smart moves 😂. I mistakenly mentioned it to a friend of mine who's always insisting I go out, and he was really disappointed in me 🤣, not like I cared. His cajoling made me realize Iseoluwa would actually feel hurt if I wasn't there. They all know I don't fancy reunions, but somehow I knew she was hoping I'd come. I planned my contribution to the lunch, and my plan was to meet her at the intersection leading to her street, drop it off, and return to my bed. Somehow, my mind wouldn't allow it, so I decided to go with a fake smile on my face.
Myself and our beautiful hostess 🥰
Due to my hesitation and indecision, I got there last, though I agreed I'd come earliest. I guess that was a good thing after all, because my goofiness didn't let me enter and sit like the normal person I intended to emulate 😂🤣, ended up starting a discussion with everyone. Well, everyone was 7 people in total.
L-R: Iseoluwa, Adebisi, Tomiwa, myself, Afolami, Tomisin. Front: Damisi
Myself, Tomi, and Iseoluwa set to work in the kitchen while others gisted. Did you know? Kitchen gists hit different! That moment when you can't dodge the fury of the hot oil and at the same time laugh at your friend's description of someone you'd never taken a liking to 😂 (now that sounds mean, my bad). Iseoluwa is my absolute aproko favourite, and Tomisin (loudspeaker, as we called her in school then) is still as dramatic as ever. By the time we were done in the kitchen, my tummy hurt from so much tears and laughter 😂.
Caught photo bombing. Despite her tiny fingers, Tomi's grip was so painful! 🤧😂
We played games, I can't remember what they called it now, that game where you see a picture or a word then try to describe with your body actions, my group was so poor at guessing but the other group were no better 😂😂. My favourite game is the one where we picked and answered questions Iseoluwa had written in folded scraps of paper (amazing questions 😂😂).
I didn't take pictures of these moments because I was having so much fun and didn't want to jinx that 😂
Our Potluck
We had prawn crackers as appetisers.
The Nigerian jollof with beef and fried plantain for the main dish, accompanied by cold Zobo drink; Iseoluwa's mum's special, I've never seen anyone make it better. She really meant business with the hangout 😂
Sweets and groundnut kept us company afterwards when we were playing the games.
We didn't realise how much time had gone until our friends who live far away decided to take their leave but nah, what's reunion without pictures? I've included some in the post.
❌❌ Disclaimer: I have a knack for ruining nice pictures, I think it makes them look perfect, so don't mind my somewhat weird poses.
All in all, I had a nice time and here's what I liked the most about the reunion:
Despite the fact that I hadn't seen them in a long time, I realised they're still the same people I spent a significant number of years of my life with. The banters, the funny memories, sharing what we've experienced after parting from school, all that was so much fun. And now I can say "reunion" made it out of my blacklist! I might actually consider attending a real reunion.
Spot Adebisi, Afolami, Damisi and myself 4 years ago 👇🏿
The more I grow and experience life, the more my opinions get transformed for better. I learn to appreciate life, friends, those special moments and little things that generally add up to our lives.
Though I've visited friends in the past, this was my first "reunion" and I loved it! I hope you enjoyed reading through as well? If yes, I'm curious to hear what you think about it and my ideologies expressed in the post especially.
❤️❤️