I'll be late! was the thought that raced through my mind as I dashed out of my apartment and made a beeline for the coffee shop.
I had woken up sluggish and way past my alarm. I remember turning it off and mentally standing up. If only I had known the bath I took was in my head.
Damn! I had even had time to do makeup only for me to open my eyes to realize I was still in my PJs on my bed. Stupid alarm couldn't even do its job.
I probably won't be late if I didn't have to queue for coffee but, it was a life or death situation. No, I'm actually serious! Why do you think I woke up late?
I'm in my prime!! 24 is prime, gentlepeople! But falling asleep by 4/5am and having to wake up 6:30am for 3 consecutive days took its toll on me.
I'm working on a project at work that I'm positive will turn a great tide and I'm happy but my body is tired in capital letters.
Today is the presentation and I couldn't be more grateful it was coming to an end.
So, as I enter the coffee shop to join the queue, I check myself out in the reflective walls of the shop to ensure my shower cap was drying in my bathroom and not on my head. I told you the coffee was life or death, don't judge me dammit!!
Ok, shower cap is where it ought to be and nothing else is out of place. I was dressed in exquisitely tailored navy blue blazer and diamond studded earrings and bracelet that had made my bank account bleed.
I winced as I remember, but quickly reminded myself that how I look is as important as the work I'll be presenting. I know what you're thinking! Ok! Ok! I'm vain, shoot me now.
I know they say what you don't know won't kill you, but I'll die if I miss this presentation. So, I throw a quick glance at my wristwatch and groaned. If the service was any slower today, it would actually go backwards.
I had a split second to decide if I wanted to push my luck or just forget the coffee and hope the inborn strength available to people at age 24 was enough to sustain me, when a lady carrying a hot cup of coffee approached me.
I hated her on sight! She looked alive and sunny, dressed in yellow that hurt my eyes and she was smiling at me! The nerve! She probably slept for 9hours! Too much sleep will kill you!! I mentally shouted at her.
To top it all, she had the cup of coffee I desperately needed. I contemplated snatching the cup and making a run for it but who am I kidding, I'm not James Bond and it definitely won't end happily ever after with us as besties.
Hello miss, she says as she smiles at me. I'm a people person but you definitely won't know it by looking at me. I was scowling like the grouch who stole Christmas. I know it's the grinch and not the grouch but it's my story leave me alone!!!
The smile dimmed a little and I almost felt sorry for her, almost!
Who am I kidding, I felt really bad. People person, remember?
So, I mentally gathered myself and smiled back. Not my traffic stopping, all nature ceased breathing smile but who would blame me? Don't even dare raise your hand or I'll bite it off at the elbow!!
I'm sorry, but I'm having a rough morning. I need to get going before I'm late for my presentation, I managed to force out.
I actually noticed you fidgeting and thought you might be running late and decided to give you my cup of coffee. I just got it and it's still hot.
I felt my jaw slack and drop to the floor and yellow girl laughed. I hope you kick ass at your presentation, you already look the part. Ha! That's in your faces to all the ones who called me vain for the diamonds.
Thank you, I managed as tears of gratitude shone in my eyes and as she handed over the cup to me I felt like I had won the trophy.
As I dashed back out of the coffee shop, I smiled genuinely for the first time since I woke up that morning and thought maybe just maybe it's okay to sleep 9 hours a day and wear yellow.
Epilogue
Yeah, just wanted to tell y'all I kicked ass at the presentation as was expected.
Written and edited
Dolapo Alo.
By @dzorlly