It's 5 am, my loud ringtone pierced my morning calm, and I groggily opened my eyes, letting out a disgruntled sigh. I knew instinctively that there's only one person who would be brave enough to call me at this ungodly hour. Letting out a sigh, I decided to take the call because any further delay could cause her to worry and they could be very dramatic at it. Taking the call I immediately hear Kathy's loud voice shriek with excitement.
"And the birthday girl decides to bless me this morning by picking up. My Queen, It is a great opportunity that I get to wish you on such a great day, I thereby pledge, that this great day, won't be taken for granted. Hope I did not miss anything?". She said referring more to herself than to me.
"Blondie, you didn't have to be so dramatic about it" I chuckled.
"Chestnut, come on, life's too dull without a little drama, and let's be real, I'm not very dramatic... right?" The way she emphasized that "right" had me giggling uncontrollably.
Wiping the tears from my eyes, which was as a result of intense laughter, I cleared my throat to speak.
"Thank you Blondie for calling, I really appreciate it, honestly"
"Hmmm" she let out leaving her response hanging in the air. A moment of silence followed, broken only by the gentle collective sigh of relief from both of us.
"I can't believe I just turned 24. I feel like I have lived longer than my age. I feel so old, and tired, yet my age says I'm young. Blondie, isn't that strange ?" I asked.
"I think it's because you've spent your whole life caring for everyone else but yourself," she said, her voice slowly trembling and I knew immediately that she was fighting back tears.
"You've lived for others, for me... and never really for yourself. You've never had the freedom to map out your own time." Her words hung heavy in the air.
"What did you expect? You've worked tirelessly, juggling multiple jobs, sacrificing your childhood and teenage years. You never got to be young, to be carefree." Her voice broke, and she sniffled "My poor Chestnut", she slipped out in a tender, sorrowful whisper.
I bit back a sob, the truth of Kathy's words stinging, as tears streamed down my face. On the other end of the line, Kathy was crying just as hard, her anguished wails echoing through the phone. After two minutes of raw emotion, our sobs gradually subsided, leaving only the sound of our sniffles. It was a painful ritual we'd repeated every year on my birthday, and I dreaded it becoming a tradition.
"You're such a drama queen," I managed to say, my voice still shaking, and Kathy's response was a hoarse, tear-tinged laugh.
"So... what's your birthday plan and please don't tell me you have none".
"Well..."
"Well what?, no not today, she can't keep on doing that to you. Not today of all days" she said referring to my annoying boss.
"I actually reminded her about today and guess what?, she made sure to line up documents for me to go through before the end of today".
"That bitch! if not for the fact that you really need the job apart from it being the most stable job you have ever had, I would have personally ripped her hair off by now!" she sighed.
No one hates my boss more than I do but when it comes to Kathy, no word can qualify the type of detest she feels for her which is very justified. My thoughts were immediately caught short by an incoming call from my boss of course.
"They say that when you speak of the devil, they appear immediately without transportation" I said letting out a defeated sigh.
"She's calling I assume?" Kathy asked.
"Exactly"
"arghhhhhhh!!!, how I hate her guts" she let's out.
"Girl, you have no idea. Well I've got to take this, I don't want to lose my job yet".
"I hear you, run along dear before this Blondie loses her cool".
"and you need to rest from all that night shift from the hospital" I replied.
"Yeah, bye and don't forget that momma loves you" she says with laughter in her voice.
"I love you too" I laughed and ended the call to dial my boss whom I know must be furious by now because I delayed her call.
"Ma..."
"So she decides to pick my call, I should probably give you a raise for doing so".
I can clearly hear the hate dripping from her voice, not that she has tried to hide it anyways.
"I'm so sorry Ma, it won't repeat itself..."
"Spare me that!" She cuts me off
"Why are you not here yet?" she asks.
Confused I check the time and it's only 7:15am and I report to duty by 8:30 which means that I still had time but then I decided to seek clarity.
"Ma, it's only 7:15am".
"Ma, it's only 7:15am, are you stupid!!!" She screams almost damaging my eardrums.
"I'm sorry Ma", I apologized not knowing what my offense was yet.
"Of course you should be. Did you not see my email last night?".
"Email?"
"Yes! email dummy", she replied.
"Ma,I..."
"I don't care what you have to say, I need you in the office before 8 or you can kiss this job goodbye", she voiced and ended the call before I could speak.
I quickly checked my phone for the email and honestly she did send an email at 2 fucking am!!!. How was I supposed to have seen it or does she think that everyone is been haunted in their sleep like her. I really felt the need to scream out my frustration but there is no time for that since "Cruella" just gave me a timeframe.
I sprang into action, dashing from bed to the bathroom for a lightning fast brush and shower. The real challenge came next "choosing an outfit". After some deliberation, I settled for a stunning low neck blue gown that hit just above the knee. Next up, hair and makeup a familiar battle with my afro, which after much struggle was successfully tamed into a sleek low bun. A swipe of mascara, eyeliner, and lip gloss, paired with a delicate heart-adorned necklace and matching earrings, completed the look. Slipping into low heels and grabbing my trusty handbag (already stocked with essentials), I checked the time and gasped, just 20 minutes to get to the office! As I rushed to the door, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and paused, feeling a surge of gratitude for this reflection. The outfit flattered my curves, the subtle makeup complemented my chestnut skin tone, and I couldn't help but smile, feeling truly beautiful.
With one last check behind me, I locked my apartment door and set off at a brisk pace towards the bus station, scanning the streets for a vacant taxi bound for Treviso, my destination for the day.