It has a been a week and half since I came to London. Today,I woke up early. Usually, Aunt wakes me up but today was different. I went to the veranda and looked around. The breeze was cold. People had their coats on and held their umbrellas in their hands in case it rains. I rubbed my arms with my palms, trying to making myself warm. Aunt finally woke up and met me at the veranda.
"Jocelyn, you're up early"Aunt said, surprised to see me at the veranda
"Good morning Aunt"I said with a smile on my face
"Morning sweetheart, how was night? Do you sleep well?"She asked
"Mm-hmm"I nodded
"I was knocking on your door and saw you weren't inside. I was about to get a glass of water when I saw you out here"She said
"Wow! It's freezing out here!"She said
"Yeah. It looks like it's going to rain"I said, pointing at the grey clouds
"I think you're right. Let's go in before it does"She said
"Speaking of indoors,Aunt where's the nearest laundry mart?"I asked, following her to the kitchen
"It's a few blocks away from here. Why do you ask? Do have any dirty laundry?"She said, pouring herself a glass of water
"Yes. Do you mind taking me there?"I asked
"I would love to but I'm kind of busy. I've a lot of things to do today"She said
Aunt drank the water and kept the glass on the counter.
"Oh! Okay!"I said,a bit disappointed
"But I can ask Carlos to take you there if you want"She suggested
"No!"I said
"Why?"Aunt asked
"Because,I...I planned on spending the day with you. Some quality Aunt and Niece time"I lied
"We could probably do that later. If your dirty laundry aren't important,we go some other time"Aunt said
I stood there thinking whether to go to the laundry mart with Carlos or go some other time with Aunt. The turn-ups is my favorite trouser and if though I don't wear all the time,it would be nice to have them clean. I finally came to a conclusion.
"Fine...I'll go with Carlos"I said, agreeing with Aunt's suggestion
"Great! I'll call him!"Aunt said, calling him on the telephone
While Aunt was busy on the phone with Carlos,I went in and freshened up. I wore something nice to avoid that jerk badmouthing my outfit. Few minutes later, Carlos came to the apartment.
"Carlos!"Aunt said, opening the door
"Hi Ms Nicolette"Carlos said
"I'm glad you came. Thanks for helping with this favour"She said
"Don't mention,Ms Nicolette. You've been helping with favours,so I decided to do the same"He said
"Thank you"She said
I came out with my laundry basket in my hand and a boater on my head.
"I'm ready"I said
"Okay. Have fun at the laundry mart"Aunt said
Carlos stood up and opened the door. We both wanted to leave the apartment at the same time and ended up bumping into each other. Carlos moved few steps backwards and allowed me to go out first. He waved Aunt goodbye and closed the door. I opened the elevator and went in without Carlos. He saw the elevator door were closing and rushed in. Hmm,he got lucky. We walked out of the lobby.
"So should we take the bus?"I asked
"The bus?"He chuckled
"Yes the bus. Or how do you expect us to get there?"I asked
"With this"He said, pointing at his motorcycle
"Oh no! I'm definitely not riding on your motorcycle!"I said
"Why? Haven't you been on a motorcycle before?"He asked
"I have but I'm not riding with you"I said
"Afraid I'll splash water on your clothes again?"He said with a smirk
"Fine! Suit yourself!"He said, wearing his helmet
I stood there for awhile. I looked up and noticed the grey clouds were growing bigger. I didn't want to reschedule doing my laundry. He started his ignition and was about to leave.
"Wait!"I said, walking towards his motorcycle
He turned off his ignition and waited for me to get on.
"Here"He said, giving me an extra helmet
"Thanks"I said
I removed my boater and kept it in my laundry basket. I wore the helmet and held on the basket.
"Hold on tight"He said, starting his ignition.
We drove off. The grey clouds grew even bigger and overshadowed the sun in the sky. Carlos is a pretty good driver. He's not as bad as I thought except for the part he drives really fast. We got to the laundry mart within twenty minutes. Wow! That was quick! Carlos parked in front of the store.
"Go in ,I'll wait for you"He said, taking off his helmet
"As my bodyguard?"I asked
"You wish!"He said
I came down from his motorcycle and gave him back his helmet. I wore back my boater and went into the store. The laundry mart had a lot of washing machines and few customers. I opened one of the washing machine, kept my dirty laundry in it,poured some detergent and and turned it on. I watched it spin and get foamy. Few seconds putting my clothes into a dryer,it began to rain. People walking on the streets ran into the laundry mart for shelter including the man who sat on the bench across the store. He used the newspaper he was reading as an umbrella and came in. Carlos came in as well. He stared at the rain falling on his motorcycle through the window to pass time. I was done with my laundry and is stuck in the laundry mart with Carlos. Thanks a lot rain! I got tired of standing and sat down on the floor, leaning against a washing machine which wasn't on. Carlos too was tired of standing and sat down. He purposely say next to me.
"I guess we'll stuck be in here for a long time"He said
"And how do you know that?"I asked
"It's raining and it might probably be hours before it stops"He said
"You're just saying that to annoy me"I asked
"Me? Annoy you?"He chuckled
"And why would I want to do that?"He said
"'Cause you're a jerk!"I said
"Me? A jerk?"He asked
"Yes! You!"I replied
"I'm not a jerk. I'm a lovable sweetheart"He said
"You wish"I said, rolling my eyes at him
"You're so funny"He said
"I'm no comedian. I'm just a simple girl"I said
"You simple? You look like a spoilt brat to me"He said
"Me? A spoilt brat?"I asked
"I don't say you're a spoilt brat. I just said you look like one"He said
"What's the difference?"I asked, raising my brow
"The looks"He said
"You're so annoying. I don't know what Aunt's sees in you"I said
"My charming good looks, muscular strength and surprisingly good hair"He boasted
"You? Charming? Uh! I've seen guys who are more handsome than you back home"I said
"Really now? Then prove it"He challenged
"Well,umm...I ..."I stammered
"Ha! I knew it you knew you were lying!"He said
"Not showing you proof doesn't mean I haven't seen one"He said
"You're jealous that your aunt likes me more than you"He said
"Jealous? And why would I be? Aunt loves me is much greater than she does for you. I'm her blood and there is nothing better than being bounded by blood"I replied
"Well,I've known Ms Nicolette since I was fifteen. It's been six years now. So technically,I'm practically related to her as well. I may not be her blood but she considers me as hers"He said
"You knowing my aunt for years won't amount to the blood running through my vein"I said
He remained silent and didn't say anything. I guess I finally put him in his place. It stopped raining. Finally, I can go now. I can't bear to spend another minute with that jerk. I carried my laundry basket and walked out of the store.
"Where are you going?"Carlos asked, running after me
"Home,where else?"I said
"Don't you need me to drive you there?"He asked
"No. I can walk from here"I said
"Okay. If you say so!"He said
That will teach him not to mess with me.