Last updated on September 16th, 2024 at 09:31 am
One thing about me is that I must eat. Even at my saddest moments, I’ve found the strength to eat. Since I’m a foodie, I have to be in the gym to burn calories. I hate the gym. I’m probably the only one in the world that feels this way even after making friends at the gym and going for over a year. Four times every week, I’m at the gym, regardless.
Since I dislike the gym so much, I always reward myself with… well, more food. At this rate, I doubt I’m burning any calories but I keep showing up.
I add avocado to my toasted wheat bread and check my email while dancing to the tune in my head. That’s another thing with me, I play a tune in my head and dance to it, even at the most awkward times.
Seeing as there’s nothing urgent in my inbox, I head to the bathroom and decide to soak in the bath instead of taking a short shower. Usually, when there’s something urgent to attend to, I sit to work after my post-workout breakfast. Since there’s nothing, I can devote an hour to soaking in bliss.
—
It’s 5 pm. I drop my laptop and shut the lid. I’ve been buried in work for the past 4 hours and deserve a break. I check my WhatsApp and see that my friends already left messages in our group chat.
Girlssss, how far with our hangout tonight? Ada
My son was sick, but he’s better. If my husband comes home from work on time, I’ll be there. Toria
Babe, this thing is only twice a month, this excuse no too gel o. Ella
Ah, I no wan talk o. Ada
Na so Toria dey do. Just leave her. Ella
Where’s that mumu Ibk? Ella
I chuckled as I read through what I missed.
Present, ma. I type.
Toria, you’re fond of excuses. Your mouth like duck mouth. Ibk
You’re alive. Pele o. Ella
Girls. Ladies. We meet by 7 pm. Emperior’s Lounge! Ada
—
After hanging out with the girls I’m usually wiped. I stopped drinking about a year ago because alcohol dulls my senses, plus, I can actually have fun without ingesting the supposed liquid courage.
I take a shower and munch on a granola bar as I briefly send some emails to round off the day. I put my laptop aside and then play my favourite series on mute. Many times, I wake up to switch off the TV or the movie stops playing.
—
It’s another Saturday and on the agenda today is a much-needed mani-pedi. The cracks in the soles of my feet have been tugging at my bedsheet for a while now and I need to. Fix. Up! As I add my current read to my tote bag, my phone starts ringing. I slide the book into the bag and reach for my phone. Not today, devil.
“Hello, ma.” I say hoping she doesn’t notice my tone.
“Why do you sound like you’re unhappy to hear from your only sister in the world?” Here we go.
“Sis, baby girl, queen mother of the empire, how are you?” I’m in a better mood today so I change the course of the conversation. Hopefully.
“Don’t hail me. Ta! I know your style. Today’s a weekend, what are you doing?”
“Working,” I say on purpose.
“Don’t don’t even try me! Monday to Friday is not enough?” My sister yells and I worry she might burst a vein. Or an artery. Something.
“I’m going for a mani-pedi.”
“Better,” She sighs as if a heavy load has been taken off of her.
Sometimes, I can relate to the sense of duty that my sister feels. Unlike me who didn’t spend my older years with our parents, my sister had the privilege of having a mother until she was 45 and a father until she 49. This doesn’t mean that I have to always indulge her though. Today’s just one of the days when I can afford to.
“And I need this pedicure thing o.” She says. Alarm bells start ringing in my head. If you think my sister aka mum is overbearing over the call, she’s worse in real life. The other time we both went to the spa, she almost sent me away with a man we met there. She is not the most subtle matchmaker as you can already imagine.
“I have so many places to branch before going, ma. Maybe another time. Or you can do home service.” I know that home service is her thing.
“Ehn ehn, I think that home service is the best. I don’t like being away from my husband for too long.” And we’re back.
“Yes, ma. I’ll schedule it for you. Bye-bye.” I say, hoping this ends it.
“Some people can’t know the feeling.” She continues as if she didn’t hear me.
“Ma? The network. Ma? I can’t hear you.”
“Ibukun, I can hear-” I end the call and release a breath, laughing to myself. Problem stalled.
…
Thanks for reading!
Please share with your friends.
