I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing and blasting my ears,groaning, I searched for it with my hand not bothering to get up and turn on my bedside lamp. I found it near my right ear, no wonder it was blasting my ears.I didn't even look at the caller ID and pressed it to my ear after picking.
"Ella where are you ?" I heard Nessa's voice ask, I wasn't fully wake you know.
"You just woke me up, it's not even 6 in the morning go back to sleep, let's talk when we wake up alright?"
"Ellaaaaaaaaaaa!" Nessa shouted through the phone.
"What's with the shouting it's too early."
"It's 9am Ann you should have been here by 8:50am, I can't believe you're still in bed" she said sounding disappointed.
"Gosh I'm sorry I overslept, I'll be there in 5, I promise."
"I hear you , bye."
This harmattan weather has seriously deceived me, it looks like its 5am instead of 9am, I hurried to the bathroom and did my morning duty. I threw on a black pencil skirt with a white turtleneck top and black stiletto heels,to look a bit formal and my black tote bag for work.
I applied nude lip gloss and took my car keys from my study table and left going down the flight of stairs in a hurry,without tripping thank God. My mum was at the kitchen, I kissed her cheeks, "Good morning mum."
"Good morning my dear, you seem to be in a rush so I won't take much of your time, have a nice day."
"Thank you mum you too, bye, I love you."
I didn't wait for her reply and left to the garage, starting the ignition after getting into my car,slowly easing my way out of the garage and out the gate to the street. Being late to Nessa's house means being late to work today.
Thankfully for me, she was in the same estate as me, I parked the car and dailed her number it was busy I didn't risk going to her house to make me more late.
"I'm in front of your gate."
"I'm coming" and she hanged up, she appeared in less than a minute phone pressed to the ear wearing a blue mom jeans with a black fitting sweater and black converse.
I started the ignition once again and sped off hoping to beat traffic.
"Why were you late ? "Nessa asked me when she got off the phone, "don't tell me you were watching YouTube nail videos again."
"You know me so well don't you?"
"Duuh that's why I'm your best friend."
"Is it this curve ?" I asked her when we got to the Legon Gimpa university road.
"Mmnh yeah and go straight."
"I know right babe."
I increased my speed arriving there in five minutes,"Order an Uber when you're done imma pay" I told Nessa when she got out of the car.
"Don't worry I will pay myself."
"Take it as a sorry for being late gift" I tried convincing this stubborn best friend of mind.
"Nope I'll pay my Uber myself."
"I've heard you just because I don't have time to argue, see ya." I replied waving at her.
My stomach was rumbling by the time I got to work, I couldn't buy breakfast on the way fearing I might be late to the office.I will have to settle for an Apple drink and go for lunch later.
There was a knock at the door after I got settled, readying myself to sort out the samples for Mr Fabian. "Please come." The secretary walked in with my daily Apple drink.
"Good morning Madam" She greeted.
Sighing, I replied, "Good morning and Miss Leticia, I will really appreciate if you call me Anniella."
"I'm being professional Madam."
"You always say" clearing my throat I spoke again "Did you need anything ?"
"Well yes Mr Marcus said the delivery car broke down this morning, so he asked how they'll supply the furniture."
"Tell him to contact his supervisor, he has the keys to the new delivery car, that one should be used."
"Okay Madam." I sighed again, the staffs calling a nineteen year old me, madam makes me uncomfortable, like I'm young just fortunate in life that's all. I want them to feel free and relate to me as a teen and not as their head.
I buried myself in work, food clearly forgotten. Looking at the watch which read 3:30 pm, I stretched and congratulated myself in choosing the best samples for Mr Fabian. I called the secretary to summon the assistant manager into the office not mine because it's my father's whose taking a break per his doctor's advice.
"Take a seat please" I told Mr Daniels the assistant manager smiling, "You know Mr Fabian Blay has agreed to us furnishing their clubhouse at East Legon I'm I right ?"
"Yes Miss."
"He demanded for samples to choose from and I've gathered thirty of our best samples for him so I would like you to go to his office or where he wants to meet and show him these samples in my place."
"Alright my dear."
"Thank you very much Sir."
"You're always welcome, I'm sure your parents are very proud of you not every child will do what you're doing right now."
"Yes they are, it's my only way to repay them for all they've done for me" I told him smiling.
"Yeah I guess so, I'll be on my way."
"Sure , you can please check the samples and substitute if you're not okay with them."
"Nothing is not best with you, I vouch for these too."
"Thank you Sir , please have a nice day."
"You too" and with that, he left the office.
Okay so I'm officially free to go back home, eat and get some beauty sleep afterwards. I closed the office and handed the keys to the secretary and left the company building smiling to myself.
**************************
"Mummy I'm home!" I called out to my mum after taking bottled water from the fridge, still in my heels.
"My dear they're in the living room upstairs."
"Oh okay I'll go meet them" I said to Aunty Martha washing my hands.
"What's for dinner?, I'm so hungry."
"Potato salad with jollof rice and fried beef" she replied smiling at me.
"Mnnh yummy, my mouth's watering even though it's not ready, I can't wait" I said drying my hands, "I'll go tell them I'm home right now."
"Alright my dear."
I could hear different voices as I neared the living room wondering who they were. My parents aren't those type who are so into friends. I slide the glass door open, instantly recognizing Uncle Richard and his wife Aunty Annie Bertha, sitting beside my mum and dad chatting heartily.
Uncle Rich was the first to notice me enter and said, "Here comes my female entrepreneur of the year!"
"Awww Uncle Richie", I run to hug him shyly. It was not like I will be receiving that award anytime soon but he saying it got me emotional, it means he was proud of me just like my parents.
"Aunty Bertha, I miss you" I squealed hugging her tightly.
"I miss you too baby girl, you've grown since the last time I saw you, was it four years ago ?"
"Yeah four and now she's looking all grown up, working hard to secure the female entrepreneur of the year award",Uncle Rich chipped in smiling adoringly.
I kissed my parents on their cheeks, "I'll catch up with you two later, have fun" I told Aunty Bertha and her husband.
"Okay dear."I dashed for my room,taking off my heels and sat on my bedroom couch,to text Nessa.
Me
Are you done with what you doing?
Bezzðâ¤ï¸ð¥
Yeah, I'm in an Uber rn.
Me
You being 'in an Uber rn' means you're going somewhere rather than home.
Bezzðâ¤ï¸ð¥
I'm going to potbelly shack to eat,Corrie convinced me.
Me
Like Corrie's gonna eat your share for you.
Bezzðâ¤ï¸ð¥
ð¥´â¤ï¸ yh she will.
Me
ð have fun, imma text you later.
Bezzðâ¤ï¸ð¥
Sure sisâ¤ï¸ð
I left her dm and scrolled through Instagram, laughing at funny memes, ignoring the dms I've received from random users and some old high school mates.
I got bored later and switched to watching nail videos on YouTube, trying to master them on my own. I didn't realize I had fallen asleep till my mum came to call me telling me dinner is ready. I got down, still wearing my work clothes and sat down beside Aunty Bertha.
Dinner was delicious, we all ate what was on our plates and had refill. I was enjoying the salad, listening to the conversation around me when my dad cleared his throat to gain my attention. I look at him and nod my head, signaling him to continue.
"We have something to tell you." My dad said smiling,beckoning to my mum to take it from there. Wait are they expecting a baby ? I will be so thrilled if that's the case.
"Well your Aunt Bertha and Uncle have decided to take you to New Jersey with them Next week when they're going back.
I nearly choked on my potato, I looked at their faces to see if there were pulling my legs or something. The look in their faces said otherwise.
"Your mum and I agreed, since it's always been your dream to attend university outside the country, we can't be selfish and take that from you, knowing it will make you happy." My dad added smiling and waiting for what I had to say.
"Uh I'm overwhelmed right now, this is surreal you know, I never thought I will get this opportunity again after what has happened." I finally said. I've been denied visa to the states three times in a row so I've given up, ready to apply for universities in the country, My pastor told me not to though because there was something great on the way for me and I guess this is it.
"We started working on your visa and documents when we were in New Jersey and we're happy to tell you , your application has been granted !" Aunty Bertha told me.
"Wait! What seriously ?", I exclaimed, "You mean I can study in the states now?,I asked again crying, convincing myself this is real and that my dream was not shattered. I really have a testimony to share, finally the prayers in my room have been answered.
"Thank You Lord Jesus!", I screamed, "Thank You so much!" I hugged my uncle and aunt and my parents as well, giving thanks to God for making this possible.
"So you're coming with us next week Tuesday" Uncle Rich told me, "You truly deserve this !"
"Thank you so much Aunt and Uncle, you two are the instrument of my testimony God bless you !"
"No worries dear, now finish your food will you" Aunt Bertha said.
The joy and excitement made me full, I threw the rest in the bin and washed the plate, going back to my room, leaving the others to relax in the living room.
I got out of my work clothes and laid on my bed with headphones plugged into my iPhone, listening to my play list. Me thinking about what has happened is getting me emotional and though I was listening to music, my attention and everything was on me going abroad to study.
How will it be like over there ? Among people I've never met in my life, will they hate me ? or accept me as one of their own.I'm hoping not to live among racists, their hating drives people to commit suicide and I'm so not ready for that.
I was so deep in thought I didn't notice a FaceTime call coming through, it was from Elisa, the only child of Aunt Bertha. I picked up, covering my semi exposed body with my duvet. "Hey El !" She was the same age as me but slightly taller and more beautiful with her African American black skin and thick black curly hair, now dyed blond.
"Hi Sis !" She cheerfully greeted, "Whatcha doing ?" I heard voices in the background and music blasting.
"I'm listening to music on bed, where are you ?" The music got higher this time around she might be at a party knowing her.
"Over at Chloe's party it's Friday night hun."
"I know right b", I recognized her best friend in the background and waved at her, " hey girrll."
"How ya doing love?" She asked taking the phone from Elisa, "Heard I'm gonna see you soon."
"I'm cool and yeah next week."
"I can't wait for you to come, gonna take you to the illest parties around, introduce you to all the gang andâ"
I cut her off not rudely though "Chloe relax, I'm not even there" laughing, i wasn't even prepared and here she was already making a to do list orally.
"Girl I got carried away, been texting and video calling you for a long time, you can relate how I'm feeling getting to meet you finally."
"Yeah I get you" I agreed with her, I was anticipating meeting her, it's been like three or four years I got to know her through El, who came to Ghana one time, whining she had plans with her best friend and had to video call her through out her stay.
Elisa took the phone from her shooing her away complaining she's stealing her sis. Of course she's playing, me and El go way back. We continued talking,with her showing off her new dance skills.
"Bye see you in a couple of days, I love you." Hanging up, I removed the duvet off me, going into the bathroom to shower. The harmattan was intense as ever, sending chills through my body.
I tried singing in the shower just because I'm in a good mood but got soap lather in my mouth. I rinsed my mouth, shutting it and hurried through my shower.
Taking off the towel draped around my body, I wore an onesie Elisa gave me on her last visit and went downstairs to grab a warm mug of creamy tea . It was quiet late and everyone was gone to bed, I jumped when I heard the refrigerator close behind me and turned around to see my dad behind me,holding a glass of even milk with worry on his face.
"Sorry darling, I didn't mean to frighten you",he apologized.
"Don't worry dad, I'm alright."
"Alright kid, goodnight" and pecked my cheeks.
I got my tea and headed back to my room, exhaustion taking over my body as I laid back on bed. I sipped my tea, scrolling through Instagram.