WU
“Can i see your papers?” She asked. Rodriguez, her police tag had given her away. She had stern face with a hurriedly drown eyebrow.
If you had heard anything about female policemen, it was quite stereotypical to assume they were the harshest. And it sent a shiver up my spine. Looking down as i struggled to get s grasp of my wallet.
“Shit” The curse word had become an anthem as i finally grasped it, handing it over to her. She stared at it for a puzzling second. She had broad shoulders and large arms in a way that complemented her beauty and stance. She was unlike all the others.
My feet pushed further the stash underneath the paddle which accommodated the brake and gas as some sort of shield. She eyed my slightest movements before she walked to the back of the car. Perhaps to look up the number on the plates.
And i only deemed it right to tell Jac
AALIYAHI passed a long breath, holding unto the handle of the cream colored door. My eyes were fixed into theirs, both my mother and father at the door. My mom in her native iro and buba and my dad, in a simple kaftan made shirt, the origin of its color being the famous tie and dye. But in that moment, i could honestly care less——i lifted my feet to the side, making room for them to enter, with my mum was an extra bag as if ready to stay the night which was quite ironical. They were not here to stay at all. And upon entering into the door and turning to the side, they were met with her. Like a well planned revelation, they halted in their steps immediately. My father freezing whilst my mother slowly let go of the bags in her hands.She recognized her immediately, her name passing so smoothly from her lips like it never left her mind. Like she never left her mind. "Ayeesha"
MARIA-I sliced through the tomato on a chopper, before pouring into the heated pot on the gas. I wiped my hands on my apron before turning around to my mother—“You know i can finish up for you” She begged at this point and i shook my head in refute. “I can— and i will prepare his favorite meal for my son’s sixteenth birthday” I dragged, a crack in my voice as i leaned against the counter with fatigue.But my determination rose above it all. It was Mateo’s golden age. A year after his quinces and his bold step into semi adulthood. I stared at his picture above the couch, in astonishment at the young gentleman i had raised and i cursed the origin of coronavirus.That we could not spend it outdoors in the park with his new friend, Toni even though he was only one coming over that night. Or one of the sights and parks in Mexico. But it was amidst this thought i
MARIA*“Your father and Toni would soon be here. I just got off the phone with him” I sat in the chair, reaching across for the seasoning for the rice. He walked to me, with the tablet in his hands.“Toni would be here in minutes” He said before handing his phone to me. “That’s Wu, she wants to speak to you” He said and i arched my brows.“You speak to Wu?” I said in a questioning tone as i slid to answer to video call. Her hair was messy like she had just woken and i pointed it out with a laugh.“I just woke up and i had to wish him” She said and i rolled my eyes. “What are you doing with my son?” I teases and she scoffed.“Shut the fuck up” She said as we shared a laughter before she asked. “Are you okay?” And i sighed, nodding positively like it wasn’t just me that had a mental breakdown in my mother’s hands.And she smiled widely. “I have to get to the club in
*MARIA“So, Toni—“ I dished his food unto the plate in front of him. A glamorous plate of..., his favorite. I admired Toni’s black nails and his long hair.Of recent, i had admired anyone with a hair at this point. “How is your life?” I scrambled for words, in that moment, forgetting how to talk to two teenagers.“I hate it” He said as i halted. He gave a good laugh, looking to Mateo’s side before i realized it was all a joke. I’d loved to see Mateo laugh, but i didn’t know how i felt at my expense.“Really though. It’s just there. Schooling at home sucks, my parents getting a divorce sucks, and my life pretty much—”“Sucks” Mateo completed and all of a sudden, it all became clear why was always around. He didn’t have much of a family to be with. He eyed the food before grabbing a fork to devour but then he paused—“
JACQUELINE“The loss of a someone close to us is perhaps one of the deepest and most sensitive we will ever come to experience. It can be difficult to process these emotions and work through the stages of grief” Jacq had started out, calm as if she’d gotten her emotions in check. You could hardly believe that she was the same one that broke out in tears a while ago.She cleared her throat, staring Wu in the eyes, who had nodded to give her a sort of encouragement. She then breathed heavily before she carried on.“To say Aaliyah was selfless would be an understatement— She was more and to a lot of us, even more. She tried her best to brighten our lives even when she was living in the dark” She paused.Jacqueline had read all the articles to prevent her from crying when she passed the eulogy. She had read about remembering to breathe, eating before she spoke and having
AALIYAH"I can't tell you why you even bother at times" I walked by her, before tossing the plate of food into the sink. My mother trailed the corner of the room, trying to get father to pick up the hundred calls."It's been more than a week. I haven't heard from your dad. He's a very stubborn man but i have to make sure it doesn't lead him into danger" She said as i rolled my eyes, sniffing in Ayeesha's scent before she showed by the door that led into the kitchen. "Have you tried calling the hotel where you were at?" I asked, turning away from her."Good morning" She greeted, rubbing her sleeves in the oversized sweatshirt i had given her. Mother put a call eventually as she heaved a sigh. I walked further into the parlor, grabbing Dele's suitcase and handing it over with a kiss on his cheeks. He was probably still annoyed from the last night since i rejected his advances, he had no
AYEESHAThe story might have seemed shallow as fuck, if it actually did stop at the terrible things i did for money. Or just the terrible things that happened in the course of those years but it actually did not.The truth is, the story wasn’t complete. It could never be complete without Georgia.Without him. I fell in love with a man and that was the main reason i was here.SIX YEARS AGO“Is she the new recruit?” The man across the table asked. He had a deep voice and he never really looked up from the money was counting. He had a fearful aura even when it was only two people beside him. And i looked to James, fear in my eyes.We had both worked in the supermarket across the street. Across this laundry place that was made to disguise this huge drug cartel underneath. He was new however
JACQUELINEWhat is it they say about second chances? And how easily we give them. Even to the ones that really don’t deserve it. But then, for the right people——a second chance is divine. It’s an opportunity for newer possibilities and beginnings. And a chance to right one’s wrongs. To make amends and to better yourself. To build yourself or the thing that broke.A second chance is forgiveness, even if its for oneself. It’s acceptance and sometimes, the only way forward.*“Jacqueline Baie” He called my name lowly from the laptop. It took a while before i realized it was the volume. I adjusted it as i sat comfortably into my couch, placing the laptop across the table.For me, this was a second chance. It was therapy, for the second time that month. Adam was gentle, you could easily tel