The golden strands of the sun glared through the open window and the maroon curtains swaying lightly to the gentle whistle of the air making a groan to escape my lips . this was too much how dare the darn sun disturb my sleep I muttered as I maneuvered my body to lie on my stomach and turn my face the other side to avoid the sun's scorching gaze.
Clanking of pots stirred me awake making an instant jolt of terror pass through me , because last time I checked I lived alone. Unwrapping the velvet duvet from my body leaving me in my black tank top and blue short shorts , I step down from the bed accidentally missing my footing causes me to land ungracefully on the floor with a mild thump,"ugh I hate mornings ". Standing up I focus back on the task at hand, playing the game of who is in my house but most importantly what are they doing in my kitchen ' probably looking for a murder weapon or stealing my coffee 'I send a little prayer to God to pls spare my life and that of my beloved caffeine.
Reaching the bedroom door I turn the cold metal knob and pull the door, it opens with a little groan which causes my heart to flip, what if whoever's out there heard it and comes investigating. My heart starts pounding like I had run a marathon the beat too loud even for to own ears. After waiting a second I hear another clank like the setting of a pan on a stove giving me the needed relief that I was not heard , stepping out of the small corridor in my one bedroom apartment rounding the corner into the livingroom I spot a baseball bat and grab it like my life depended on it cause at this point it pretty much does .
Slinking past my brown couch I mentally pat myself on the back for the beige rug idea I used to decorate the livingroom floor which made my footsteps non existent, spotting the fugure behind the bags of groceries on the counter I inch closer to the counter and raise my arms, just before the baseball would make contact with the person's head the figure turned around to reveal the smiling face of my grandmother but as soon as she looked at my hand the smile fell to reveal the scowling face she has mastered over the years when scolding me or my siblings.
"Ashira Elizabeth Del a rosa what are you doing with a baseball bat so early in the morning ?!" she practically yelled at me. Trying to play it cool since she hadn't figured that the bat was about kiss her face I fired back coolly "the real question should be nona ,how did you get the keys to my apartment?" .
Grandma annie or nona as we called her narrowed her eyes clearly catching on to my change of subject the woman is too smart for her own good , she didn't look bad for her age either with perfectly tweaked eyebrows, oval shaped face with less wrinkles than most women her age a button nose and grey eyes with never cracking black skintone.
My mum cheryl looked exactly like her you would think they were the same person if you saw them together and I look like my mum but instead of their enchanting grey I got a dull brown that looks almost black and instead of the normal afro curls I hot wavy black hair courtesy of my Spanish father Frank Del a rosa. The woman was always the epitome of perfection with her afro hair straightened and tucked into a neat bun always so tight on her head and gracefullness enough to rival a queen having been raised by parents in the upper tier of society such was to be expected.
But today something seems different about her she wasn't wearing her channel pencil skirt and jacket with 3 inch heel shoes that announces her position even without speaking but today she is clad in a lose green top some denim grandma jeans and a scarf around her neck .
"Ashira " nona says intentionally drawing out my name, "don't change the subject , was that bat for me? You thought I was a thief didn't you" I didn't reply just stared at her while rolling my eyes internally , 'oh here we go again' . I know what the next line would be but I hope just this once she doesn't go there. "O my God ashira , have you been burgled before. I knew I shouldn't have let you move in to an apartment in this shady area". She said dramatically holding her hand to her chest. That's nona's super power making a mountain out of nothing.
"you know that wasn't your call to make nona , you can't control what I do , I didn't allow you then what makes you think things are any different now" I sigh this conversation screams a recipe for headache shaking my head I make my way to the coffee maker to brew myself some coffee , the adrenaline was starting to wear off and sleep was rearing its head again . Feeling eyes on me I turn to notice nona looking like she wanted to continue the argument but before she could say anything I bounce back to my original question " where did you get the keys nona" she tilted her head to the left with a quizzical expression on her face, I would have laughed had my droopy eyes not being in the midst of shutting . Instead I sent all my energy to my eyes to keep it open for 3 mins just till the coffee brews. "Keys to the apartment " I raise my eyebrows, indicating I want an answer . Nona sighs a smirk pulling at her thin lips " honey you of all people should know I can get my hands on whatever I want" , "mmmm" I hum that shouldn't have come as a suprise to me at all my nona has the ability to find whomever and whatever she wants; guess that's has to do with how much power she has.
Turning to pour myself a hot cup of sweet heaven I grab a mug from the close cabinet taking a moment to observe that its been restocked" I see you are still using the mug" muttered nona "of course I would it's the only connection I have with them" . The coffee machine makes a drip sound as the last of its contents are swallowed by the mug.
Bringing the cup to my lips I inhale the addictive goodness and swallow the coffee the bitter tangs hitting my tongue causing my eyes to close and a moan to escape my lips. Shuffling of plates brought me back to reality "what are you making nona" I ask taking a seat on one of the barstools in the kitchen "pancakes and egg" nona replies not turning my way "now go clean up you look like a crazy lady " she glares at me through her aging eyes , a snicker escapes from my mouth earning another glare being sent my way , downing the cup of coffee I start trudge to my room, not before hearing her loud sigh and muttering under her breath. What a way to spend a Sunday morning.