Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr! That was the alarm clock. Ava reached for it blindly and punched it off. She pulled the duvet past her stomach as she sat up and wiped her eyes sore. She walked into the toilet where she urinated, washed her face, and came out again. The alarm clock which was in the drawer close to her bed gave her a beautiful memory. The alarm clock was her twenty-sixth birthday gift.  It reminded her of her mom’s elder sister; Aunt Caroline, her favorite relative. She remembered how she had left her home in Puerto Rico and traveled down just to see her after she had been admitted to the hospital. Aunt Caroline had never left her side until the last day she was discharged. They were so close that Ava felt comfortable enough to share a terrible experience with her; her rape story, something she hadn’t told anyone. She stood still staring into space and smiling at nothing. She would comb her silky hair with her hands as she paced about trying to get herself ready for her normal morning workout. She tightened her pants, tied the lace of her shoes, and set off, into the deserted streets, jogging and stretching. After about an hour, she was home, went straight into the shower, and washed. Her Aunt Caroline had already made breakfast.

“Good morning Aunt Caroline. What’s up for breakfast?” she smiled as she inhaled deeply and slowly.

“Homemade hummus, sliced carrot sticks and cucumbers, feta and pita bread.”

“Aunt, you know you’re such a great cook. Can I ever measure up to you? Ahh, I forgot you own a restaurant in Puerto.” Ava quickly set the table. She was already hungry and the aroma of the food was causing her to salivate more.

“Your tea first.” Aunt Caroline reminded them as she stretched a teacup to her niece. Ava nodded, “thank you.” she kissed her Aunt’s cheek. She took the cup of tea and gulped down the content in a second despite the hotness as if she had a deep freezer somewhere in her mouth. Sometimes, when she was still very young, she had used that ability to her advantage. She loved eating on the same plate with her brothers. She would end up eating more than them. It got to a point, her mother stopped dishing out food on the same plate for them. And at another time, she had gotten into a street competition, to eat a plate of hot noodles in ten seconds. She ended up beating the rest; she ate her fair share in just seven seconds. 

“Chava.” Aunt Caroline called.

“Huh?” 

‘she hasn’t called me that in a long time now. “What happened Aunt?”

“You came back yesterday, looking excited and all that. And I kept wondering, what could that be? Is there something you’re not telling your Aunt? Have you found a man?”

“Aunt?”

“Aunt, nothing. You’re twenty-nine my girl and you’re not even bothered that you’re still single. All you do is work, have fun, work, have fun, and hardly church. My dear, you need a man in your life, to compliment you. You’re beautiful, brainy, and hardworking. You’ve got a good figure and you’re doing well financially too.

“Aunt? This topic again?”

“Yes, again.” Aunt Caroline rolled her eyes. “You won’t rest. Your momma is worried. She is worried you don’t wonna bring a man home. Your brothers are all married and have beautiful homes but you? She’s worried, girl.”

“Can we talk about this after breakfast? Look, the food’s getting cold already and I’m seriously starving.”

“Eat your food.” Aunt Caroline said coldly. Ava felt the coldness in her tone. She didn’t want to talk about it albeit she was feeling bad already. She picked a pair of pita bread, slathered hummus on it, and bit into it. ‘Mmh, this is really good. Ava’s attention was soon drawn to the noise of cutlery on the plate; it was Aunt Caroline making such noise. Ava knew she wasn’t happy, it was obvious. She stopped eating.

“Aunt, I know y’all expect me to get married but it’s not in my place to find a man, is it? I am praying for him to come. And if he comes, fine. If he doesn’t, fine. I’m not badly bothered if he’ll come or not.”

Aunt Caroline raised her head and faced her, “he’ll come. He’ll come for you. I just want you to find love and be happy. Meanwhile, you have a blind date with Mr. Alvin, 6 pm.

“Ma? Blind date? Again? Oh! Goodness, you’re amazing.” She shook her head sideways. “You think I don’t know it was you who set me up for that meeting between me and Liam?”

“And it didn’t work, did it?”

“It didn’t but you have to stop doing this. I’m not desperate.”

“Didn’t say you are.” She paused as she grabbed a glass and filled it with water. Then, she drank from the glass. “Tell me about your crush.” Aunt Caroline stopped it as she clasped her palms beneath her jaw.

“Aunt? You’re so impossible.”

“I know. So, tell me. I see the way you steal glances at him. I’ve caught you severally peeping at him through the window. You always drool anytime you see him. You think I don’t know.” She picked a slice of a cucumber and tossed it in her mouth. She watched Ava stuff pita bread devoid of some hummus and some carrot sticks into her mouth. She could see how nervous she was feeling. “Com’on, don’t choke on your food. Here’s some water.”

“I wonder why I can’t even eat in peace,” Ava said in between meals. Her eyes turned watery as she chewed and tried to swallow everything at once. 

“I’m sorry but I’m just curious. You love him right?

“Aunt,” she breathed in and out trying to stay cool, “you know I moved in newly. I mean he’s been here before me. He is good-looking and he looks responsible too. Well, I think I like him.”

“You think?”

“I don’t even know his name.”

“Do you mind if I go ask him?”

“No, aunt. No, no, no. Please, promise me you won’t go to him and ask for his name. I believe things will unfold gradually. I’m not desperate. Please, promise, please.” She clasped her palm as if she wanted to pray.

“Okay, I won’t. Try and finish your food and don’t forget your date with Alvin.” Aunt Caroline said and continued eating while Ava muttered inaudible words under her breath. “Shush, I’m still here.” Both ladies laughed and ate silently