God knew I couldn’t do life without her, so six months after I was born came my best friend and twin-cousin Omada. Just like the double 3 in "33" Export Lager beer, we have been inseparable ever since.
Since November 5th 199* ( you don’t need to calculate our age) I have had a partner and never for once have I felt alone. When I was an only child, she held me down. Even in my single to stupor days, she was there for me. We are so close we have our own ship name, ‘OmAd’
Everyone knew about our friendship and bought us things accordingly, we had uniforms back then and we still do today and we will continue to have. We were in the same class in primary school and our long vacations were amazing. We always had the most amazing time at our Aunt Chinelo’s house in Port Harcourt, wearing our matching outfits to the amusement parks and also getting more ‘to match’ outfits after the holidays. Funny enough, we were there together sometime this year and she still bought us matching T-shirts with ‘leggings not pants’ boldly written on them. You will find out why she had to buy those soon.
Just like any friendship, we have had our ups and downs, catfights but the one I will never forget will be the day she threatened to report me to Mrs. Obiora in grade 3 if I didn’t confess Ogbonna drew my homework for me. I hated her that day and I felt she was only jealous I scored higher on the Agric homework until I grew up and realized it was a lesson in integrity. She knew so much at a young age. I sincerely hope she wasn’t jealous ‘shaa’ lol. In all those fights, love always conquered.
Omada is always there whenever you need her, I remember one time in 2007 when we were fresh out of high school and getting to understand fashion a little more, our parents gave us money to buy clothes we needed for holiday lessons. I spent mine on silly things like puff puff and coke. When it was time to go to Kevin’s shop to buy jeans, I didn’t have a dime and I needed the jeans badly so she loaned me 5k but never asked me for the money. I don’t remember offering to pay back. hope she doesn’t ask me for it now ooo. After our SSCE results came out, I didn’t make all my papers instead of Omada to celebrate her results, she curled up in a corner with me to console me. She only wanted me to win with her because it was never a competition.
When the wise ones said, “in adversity, you know your true friends” they weren’t lying. In 2017, when my Dad passed, she came straight to the hospital where we were and never left my side till one week after the Burial. She put her life on hold for me, cried when I cried, laughed when I laughed and even made sure I didn’t cry too much. It felt like she was in my heart and understood exactly how I felt at every point. That I am not scarred today Is because Omada was with me through it all and I am not exaggerating. I know I have always loved her, but that period took the love 1000 notches higher.
I wouldn’t do life without my sister and my best friend Omada, she has me covered at every angle. If I need a dress for tomorrow, she is a tailor so I am definitely getting that dress. If my wig is bent sideways, she is there to fix it for me, or my makeup looks weird, she is there to rescue me from looking like my village masquerade. I am not ashamed to say I need her like I need water. I haven’t met anyone as selfless as she is.
I am even more grateful for the fact she is also family and no matter what, we are stuck for life. Yes, That’s my 'assurance' when I am looking for your trouble. Come and beat me! lol
My darling Nneamaka, you put the F in friendship. Thanks for always having my back, for being a shoulder to lean on and always being available to listen to me. Thanks for all the good memories you have given me. I can’t even imagine what my life would have been without you in it, who would I share ballot box and voting jokes with? Nobody can ever decode that joke. If we had to start life afresh, I am definitely bringing you along, so we can use toilets bags as handbags, wear colorful leggings over again and still feel we are the best thing after sliced bread. I will be happy to re-rock those black and white sunglasses we used at my high school graduation with you by my side and also do all those official and unofficial asoebis together again.
We are definitely drinking "33" Export Lager on your wedding day straight from the bottle o, no cups and definitely not the Ajebo cans. You will also have to open it with scissors like you always do right In that reception hall and we will take pictures and share with the hashtag ‘#33exportlagerbride’. It is definitely happening!!!
I can’t wait to travel the world with you by my side, sailing coast to coast sipping the premium lager, holding hands and growing old. We will be like that Grandma on Instagram begging for her cold beer only difference is that we will have a lifetime supply of "33" Export Lager.
I love you bestie! #OmADforever #33pendownforfriendship #33bestiegoals
