ASLAN WERNER.
Present.
After completing the 20th lap,
I get out of the swimming pool and move towards the seats to grab my towel. I wipe
the excess water dripping off my body and wrap myself in a robe.
It's a good morning.
I think to myself.
Every morning, I wake up at 5:30 am and spend an hour swimming.
And every night before going to bed, I spend at least half an hour, in the pool.
Being in the water, that feeling of weightlessness, makes me feel light and relaxed. Water calms me down.
I march towards my room and go straight into the shower. I squeeze some shampoo in my hand and apply it all over my head. Then I open the body wash and lather my body in it and wash it all off under the dual shower.
Afterwards, I wrap my torso with a towel and get out of the bathroom.
Using a smaller towel, I towel dry my hair and enter my walk-in closet.
I remove the pristine white school shirt from the hanger and wear it, then pull on my gray pants and tie the tie around my neck. I wear the purple blazer that has Ashford's logo embroidered on my left chest.
(couldn't they choose any other colour than purple?)
Sauntering towards my watch drawer, I slide open the drawer and fasten one of my rolex on my wrist.
I move towards the cologne cabinet and spray some Creed's Green Irish Tweed on my body. A rich, green, fresh yet spicy fragrance instantly hits my olfactory sense. I fix my hair back with hands looking in the full sized mirror.
Putting on my timberland boots, I get out of the closet, grab my backpack from my study table and leave my room.
Descending the stairs, I find my parents having breakfast at the pristine dining table that cost my father fortune.
Ma is a psychotherapist but she also has interest in interior designing and it shows when you take a look around the place.
Gigantic windows with silky curtains, a huge staircase, michelin style kitchen, a huge library, chandeliers, expensive carpets and paintings on the wall.
A perfect mix of white, black, and gold.
Our favourite colours, mom loves gold, dad loves white and I am a black lover. Hence, black is more prominent among the three which goes to show that Ma loves me the most. Ha, Dad, don't be jealous.
Yet despite all the dark walls, the place looks cosy and has the warmth a home should have. All thanks to Ma. She brings warmth with her wherever she goes.
"Good morning, folks."
I greet, while kissing Ma's cheek. And then proceed to side hug my father.
"Morning, son."
My dad replies in his deep, intense voice as his left arm comes around me.
What can I say we are one affectionate family.
"Good morning, sweetie. Have a seat I will get you some cheesecake. "
Mom says while proceeding to stand up.
"No, Ma. I will be having breakfast at Arnold's. We will be heading to school together."
I announce while sipping my black coffee that sat in front of my chair, ready, waiting for me, as always.
I want my coffee first thing in the morning or be ready to handle my cranky ass.
Once I am done, I set the cup in the sink.
"I will be home late tonight. Got plans with the boys. Bye, Mom."
I inform my mother as I bend to kiss her forehead.
Call me a mama's boy or whatever you want.
But I always inform her whenever
I have plans to reach home late or else she will wait for me in the living room all night no matter how cold it is while worrying about where I am.
And I don't want to be the reason she gets sick.
I don't want to get her sick. Period.
"Bye, Dad."
"Bye, Son. I am looking forward to this year's basketball season."
He says.
"We won't disappoint."
I promise.
I have faith in my teammates and the fact that two of my main players are my best friends is one plus point.
We have played basketball together for as long as I can.
I couldn't be luckier as the team's captain to have both of their backs.
I am already heading toward the door when I hear my mom call after me and as I turn around she is already thrusting a tiffin box in my hand and I don't have to ask who it is for.
"Amira loves cheesecake. Give this to her for me, please?"
Mom chirps, sweetly.
"If she loves it so much,
she can buy it from a shop, you know?"
"She loves the cheesecake I make the most. Don't be a baby and promise you will deliver it to her, hm?"
She says, looking at me with her doe eyes that she knows I can't say no to.
"Okay."
"Okay, what?"
she innocently probes while batting her eyelashes.
Who would believe that this woman is in her mid-forties? She doesn't look a day older than 30. She looks beautiful.
"Okay, I promise."
I sigh, cuz I can't say no to her, ever, and she uses that to her benefit all the damn time.
"I knew you wouldn't say no to me.
You are my favourite son"
Ma dramatically sighs.
"In case, you forgot. I am your only son. Only child, actually."
I remind her, rolling my eyes, knowing full well that she is messing with me.
"Of course, I didn't!"
she says, giggling and continues
"And I love you so much," she rises on her tiptoes to smack a loud kiss on my cheek.
At five-eleven, Delilah Werner may be tall compared to other women but she is still short to my six-three frame.
"I love you too."
I mumble.
"I know. Drive safe. Bye!"
She replies haughtily.
And just like that, she is strolling back into the house.
While leaving me standing with a ridiculous purple-coloured tiffin box to deliver to none other than the girl I dislike.
And suddenly it doesn't look that good of a morning.
Definitely not a Good Morning.