𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒍

Naza was my sew mate back in the day, I was eight months ahead of her in our fashion course but I loved her so much for she was one of the few students who was willing to catch up with the fashion course our fashion instructor taught.

"Amie do you know have any idea for igbo blouse, something really outstanding? My aunt wants me to make one for her for her thanksgiving Sunday service," Naza requested one Friday afternoon when we were done with our normal class activity. Many of the students had left for home , as it was usually I and Naza that tends to leave the school last.

I remembered the design I had in mind was one of the practical our instructor asked us to come up with, but since the credit would still be given to me I decided to show her what I had in mind for mine.

"The only idea I have right now is, this one, " I sketched the blouse on my pattern paper and showed it to her. It was an off shoulder dress with fringes , my sketch highlighted the crystal beads all around the fringes and how colorful it made the blouse look. "Take a look at it, " I handed her my sketch.

She paused for a moment to take look at it and after a while she exclaimed, "Wow, this is so creative, it's nice, " She brought out her smartphone to take some shots of it afterwards she headed to her seat.

The next morning, Naza had already sketched exactly what I did the previous day on her own paper, and after a while she began to transfer the sketch on the fabrics she showed me the previous day.

I had no idea her plan was to steal my thunder, because the fabric she was transfering the sketch on, was the one she initially claimed to be her aunt's.

The next day made it all clear to me that it was all a lie, that fabric she was working on, was for the submission of her Igbo blouse assignment, she looked really serious working on her assignment to the extent that Aunty Nene commended her for her Industriousness.. "Good job Naza, your design is so lovely," Aunty Nene adored the dress so much, after taking a sneak peek at Naza's, Aunty Nene walked around the class, to check out some other designs from other sew mates.

"I hope you all remember you have three days left for the submission of your Igbo blouse assignment? " Aunty Nene our fashion instructor reminded us all and I hurriedly ran to my sketch paper, hoping to transfer the pattern to my fabric until I heard, "Amie, Naza had already done that design, I hope you're aware you don't copy other people's design?" I was gobsmacked for a moment, I patiently waited for Naza to say something but she just looked away and continued with cutting her fabric.

"Really?" I Whispered, trying to figure out what had just happened. "Naza won't you say something?" I requested in a bid to save myself the embarrassment.

"Say what? I did it before you didn't I?" Naza defended in front of Aunty Nene and at this point I was short of words, I almost let out a tear, because I knew how much work and effort it took me to create that design.

Naza continued to cut her fabric with no remorse and after which he jumped on her sewing machine to stitch each piece together.

I realized there was nothing I could say to save myself, so at that point I began to think of something else to make, as the deadline was around the corner.

I avoided Naza like a plague from that moment on and I became very secretive because I didn't want someone else to steal my shine.

The third day arrived, Naza submitted her work, a design she had stolen from me, and indeed the outfit came out well, everyone began to reign praises on her and the technique she used in craftimg the design.

Although it hurt me to the bone, I was glad I could come up with something else even though I had lost interest in making it look so fabulous.

A week later, Naza apologised to me for stealing my thunder and told me how she knew she would fail the assignment, if she hadn't done what she did.

"Would you tell Aunty Nene the truth?" I asked because of everything that hurt me the most, was the time and energy I used to creating that design from start to finish.

"No, I can't, you know I can't, I was just having a guilty conscience, that was why I even reached out to you, I'm sorry please, it won't happen again," Naza refused to spill the beans and I just let everything slide.

I vowed never to be cajoled again, until. We graduated from Home of beauty fashion home, I avoided Naza so badly and anyone who had a trait like Naza.