Half life

Weekends For Workouts

***Next Morning***

I woke up and rolled out of my bed then stretched my body while letting out a yawn.

I guess I was so tired from yesterday's episode of too many talks. Yesterday after Dad headed for his room upstairs and left Aunt Mena and I at the dinning table, we had continued our discussion till far into the night before we retired to our separate rooms afterwards.

"Today was weekend anyways so I got plenty free time left to make up for the sleep I lost yesterday night.

But then Dad may decide to say let's go for a workout this morning since its been ages we actually did go out for workout on a weekend morning.

Going out for workouts wouldn't even be a challenge. I'm so ready for it"

I soliloquized, as I walked towards the window.

Opening its shutters, I peered intently into windows and discovered everywhere was still covered in darkness with only the moonlight casting streaks of light down to the earth.

"I guess, I must have woken up quite early again and probably everyone is still sleeping peacefully on their respective beds" I muttered and walked back to my bed.

Lying back on my bed, I stared into space trying to go back to sleep as I lay still in that position and closed my eyes tightly.

After lying in that position for about a few minutes I sat up racing my hands through my hair in frustration, irked that my efforts to go back to sleep proved abortive.

"What do I do now to make me go back to sleep?" I asked rhetorically thinking really hard for a way to go back to sleep.

Maybe I should just lay still I may then fall asleep in the process, a thought whispered

No, it won't work out that way, another voice countered

"Amanda, think fast you have to go back to sleep remember a workout probably awaits you by morning" I soliloquized hitting my head with my right hand as I tried to brain stormed.

" Oh I know what to do" I muttered to myself letting out an evil grin as an idea crept into my mind

"I'll go get my diary. Its been ages I last scribbled a thing in it perhaps I may as well fall asleep while scribbling down things on it." I said, springing up to my feet after turning on the table lamp at the top right corner of my bed so I can be able to find my way in this sheer darkness of a night.

Walking over to the dressing table, I picked up my diary lying separately on the edge of the table then moved towards my wardrobe to get a pen from my backpack before walking back to sit on the bed.

Opening the diary, I took out my pen and wrote:

Dear diary,

We finally get to meet again after a long time.

Well I am sorry for not checking up on you for the past few weeks, I have been so busy lately. I'd hope you can forgive me.

A lot has happened already but man!

You gotta take a chill pill and sit back as I take you through the chronicles of all that happened recently.

But firstly I'll start by asking if you know why I can not sleep tonight?

Please tell me why, if you do.

I bet you'd want to know what school is like lately too so I'll start by saying school isn't too bad.

Guess what? just over a few days of resuming, I met a new friend. His name is Joe and recently I've been so very happy with Dad. He has been the best Dad ever in the world

I think I also forgot to tell you that we got a new housekeeper yesterday and her name is Mena but I call her Aunt Mena.

She is so friendly, social and nice.

I'll be stopping here now gotta go because a strenuous exercise awaits me by morning

I'll be back soon but until then bye for now.

*Lots of love*

I closed my pen and began to flip through the pages of my diary, reading out previous stuff I'd have written after I was done, writing.

After reading the diary for some time, I cIosed it and stood up, heading towards the dressing table with the diary in my hand alongside with my pen.

On reaching the table, I returned the diary back to its original position then walked over the the wardrobe to put back my pen inside my backpack before finally walking to the washroom to carry out my normal routine.

I walked back to the room when I was through and walked over to the wardrobe to select a new pair of matching blue joggers and quickly changed into it.

"Perfect!" I muttered to myself as I stood in front of the dressing mirror admiring my reflection in the mirror.

I was now ready for workout so all I will have to do if Dad demands that we go out for the workout will be just to come grab a pair of sneakers upstairs.

Walking out of my room I headed straight to the sitting room, scaling down the stairs in a very swift and fast manner as though I was being given a hot chase by a serial killer in the dark using the lights on the doorway for illumination.

"Amanda!" A voice I suspected belonged to Aunt Mena waffled into my ears the very moment I entered the sitting room.

"Aunt Mena is that you?" I asked in fright

"Yeah. It's Mena" she replied switching on the main chandelier and immediately the whole sitting room began to beam with radiant light, dispelling darkness just as the Moon casts out darkness in the night.

"Ok. Good morning ma'am" I replied sinking in the sofa

"Morning. How are you?" Aunt Mena asked walking towards my direction

"Fine Aunt Mena" I replied

"How was your night?" She asked

"Fine" I said

"How about yours?" I asked

"Fine dear" she replied

"Why are up this early all dressed?" Aunt Mena standing just few inches away from me

"Oh nothing really. I just woke up quite too early that's all" I replied scratching my hair

"Okay." She replied

"How about you aren't you supposed to be sleeping in bed now cuddling with your pillow?" I asked

"Well you are right but then I have to work so getting up early is important" Aunt Mena said calmly.

"Yeah that is true but that doesn't mean you shouldn't get enough sleep. Does it?" I asked

"No. Not at all. I got enough sleep" Aunt Mena said

"Well watch me tell Dad about when you woke up and see how he reacts to it" I said

"Amanda please you don't have to tell him a thing. I'm just used to waking up early it has become a part of me already" Aunt Mena said calmly

"Well you'll have to change then because here everyone gets as much sleep as required before anything else" I said giggling

"Ok I'll try but please don't bother your Dad with my problems" Aunt Mena said pleadingly.

''No I wasn't going to do a thing like that in the first place. I'm just kidding" I said letting out a chuckle

"That is much better" Aunt Mena said after heaving a long sigh

"I got you" I said laughing out loud

"Well I guess you did" Aunt Mena replied while I stood up to get the TV remote from the center table.

"Don't tell me you want to watch TV this morning" Aunt Mena said

"I am. Is anything wrong with that?" I asked giving her quizzical look as she sank in to a sofa beside me

"No nothing is wrong. I'm just wondering if it isn't too early to watch TV considering the time we woke up" Aunt Mena said

"No it isn't." I replied, frantically scrolling through the list of channels after switching on the TV.

"Ok." She said stealthily with her eyes glued to the TV screen.

"Yeah. I replied still scrolling through the unending list of channels in search of what to actually watch

"What is your favorite TV show or program you wouldn't ever want to miss for anything?" I asked, settling for a comic cartoon show

"Well I think it's actually The Elevens" Aunt Mena said grinning happily

"The Elevens?" I asked to be sure I heard her right at the first instance

"Yeah the Elevens. Do you know the TV program?" Aunt Mena asked

"Yeah. That boring hell of a thing they call a TV program" I said in utmost disgust

"It is not boring dear" Aunt Mena rebuffed

"I see" I replied absentmindedly

"Yeah. I guess you just don't understand it that's why" Aunt Mena said

"Probably yes you could be right" I said

" So do you want me to change it to the Elevens then?" I asked

" No don't worry. I'm fine with this one " Aunt Mena said

" Are you sure?" I asked

" Yes" she said then we continued watching the TV program displaying on the TV screen in silence

***Few minutes later***

"Seems like I woke up late today" Dad said as he climbed down the stairs, getting us to look towards his direction.

"No Dad you didn't wake up late" I said

"Good morning sir" Aunt Mena greeted, standing up from her sofa

"Morning Mena" Dad replied

"How are you doing this morning?" Dad asked

"Fine sir and you?" Aunt Mena asked

"Fine dear" Dad replied

"How about your night?" Dad asked Aunt Mena

"It was cool sir." She replied

"I hope you slept well sir" Aunt Mena asked

"Yes I did" he replied while I listened on quietly with my gaze still glued to the TV screen

"Amanda can't you greet?" Dad asked as he got closer.

"Oh silly me! Sorry Dad I got carried away with this TV program" I replied hitting my head with my right palm.

"Its okay. How are you?" Dad asked

"Fine sir" I replied taking a quick look at Dad as he sat down on a sofa ajacent to mine.

"And good morning Dad" I added

"Morning.How was your night?" Dad asked

" Fine sir" I said

" I hope you had a good night rest?" Dad asked further giving me a quizzical look

" Yeah I did Dad" I replied, exhaling deeply

"That is great" Dad muttered

" Yeah. How about you? Did you sleep well Dad?" I asked

"Yeah I did dear" Dad said

"Aunt Mena, won't you sit down? You have been standing since Dad walked in on us" I said softly

"Jeez! Mena please sit down. I told you to make yourself comfortable already. Just feel at home and stop acting weird" Dad said

"Ok sir, I am sorry" Aunt Mena replied then walked back to sit down.

" By the way Amanda, why are you sitting all dressed up this early? Are you going out?" Dad asked giving me a cursory look

"Well no where Dad! Actually Aunt Mena and I woke up quite early today and since today is weekend, I felt like we may be going out for work out this morning so I decided to get prepared ahead of time" I explained softly

"Oh… well that was thoughtful of you but on the downside, the walk out can not hold today. I've got so many things to attend to just today" Dad said

" Ok Dad" I said

"So Mena, what are we having for breakfast?" Dad asked

"Nothing yet sir. I was thinking of mopping and cleaning up the kitchen first." Aunt Mena replied politely

"That is not a bad idea but please before that, if you don't mind could you please make us a cup of coffee each?" Dad asked

"No I don't sir." Aunt Mena replied motioning to stand up

" No you can rest for now. It doesn't have to be right away. I haven't even brushed my teeth yet" Dad said then Aunt Mena sat back

" Dad!" I called out

"Yes dear." dad replied absentmindedly

"Go get your morning routine done quickly" I commanded

" Ok ma, your wish is my command" Dad said letting out a chuckle

" Hey, I'm serious Dad so stop laughing" I said

"Yeah. I know, your majesty" Dad said while Aunt Mena looked on smiling

"I'm going upstairs now I hope you you are happy?" Dad asked, standing up and headed for the stairs

"Yes! Because I won" I replied giggling

"You didn't dear" Dad sneered

"I did" I retorted

"You didn't" Dad countered

"Well I did" I replied

Dad didn't reply this time but continued climbing up the stairs.

After Dad had gone and some minutes past, Aunt Mena also stood up and left for the kitchen to prepare the cups of coffee Dad asked him to earlier on, leaving me alone in the sitting room while I kept watching the TV program.

*****

After some few more minutes, I stood up to stretch my body and then get the TV remote from the center table as I was already getting bored from watching the comic cartoon program then sat back on the sofa after changing the program to something else.

"I think I'm thirsty, let me go and get some water for myself from the kitchen" I muttered to myself as I got up this time heading for the kitchen slowly.

On getting to the kitchen, I saw that Aunt Mena was frantically busy tidying up the kitchen with pots, plates,spoons, pans and other kitchen utensils lying helter skelter in the kitchen.

"Please excuse me Aunt Mena" I said softly to draw her attention

"Yeah Amanda what is it?" Aunt Mena asked softly turning towards my direction.

"Please can I come in or you won't mind getting me a bottle of water to quench my raging thirst?" I asked softly

" Oh. You want water?" Aunt Mena asked

"Yes" I said

"Okay. Just hold on a sec. Let me go get you a bottle of water then since you can't come in now" Aunt Mena said

"Okay" I said as I waited at the door

While she walked back to the kitchen to get me a bottle of water.

"Here, have it" Aunt Mena said handing me a bottle of water and a glass cup, as she returned back

"Thank you Aunt Mena" I said, collecting the bottle of water and a glass cup from her.

"You're welcome" she replied

"Don't worry. Breakfast will soon be served" she added

"Okay Aunt Mena" I said then walked back to the sitting room.

On reaching the sitting room, I placed the bottle of water and glass cup on the table then sat down after switching off the TV.

"Is my cup of coffee ready?" Dad voice waffled into my ears as he descended from the stairs, plodding loudly.

"No, Aunt Mena said it will be ready in a few minutes" I replied

" Okay" Dad said then sank into an armchair close to the TV.

"Yeah" I replied, then stood up and poured some water into the glass cup and gulped it down my throat all at once.

Feeling a little bit refreshed, I poured some water again into the glass cup then began to gulp it down my throat this time slowly.

When I was through, I walked back to sit down then shortly Aunt Mena walked in to the sitting room with a tray on which were three cups of hot, steamy coffee and placed it on the table.

"Here is your cup of coffee sir" Aunt Mena said, handing Dad a cup of coffee

"Thank you Mena" Dad said after collecting the cup of coffee

"You are welcome sir" she replied

"Amanda here is yours" she added stretching out a cup of coffee to me

"Thank you Aunt Mena" I muttered after collecting my cup of coffee.

"You're welcome dear" she replied, also taking her own cup of coffee then walked back to sit down.

"Great" I muttered after taking a sip on my coffee

"Lest I forget, Mena please prepare a list of all the things we'd be needing in the house. So we can go get them possibly later during the day" Dad said, looking up

" Ok sir, I'll do that right after here." Aunt Mena replied

"Daddy can I come along with you guys as well?" I asked looking at no one in particular.

"That is if you promise to be a good girl and behave well" Dad said

"But I'm a good girl Dad" I said, protesting

"Yes I know but you can be a thorn in my flesh sometimes" dad said letting out a chuckle

"Eww! I'm not as bad as that Dad" I retorted

" You are and you know it." Dad said

"Fine but I'll be going with you guys right?

I promise I'll be of good behavior" I said pleadingly pouting my lips

"Fine you can come with us only if you keep my condition. Which is to be at your best behavior and of course remain Daddy's good girl" Dad said with a smirk on his face

" I'll Dad I promise. Thank you so much" I said smiling broadly

" It's ok" Dad said then continued sipping on his coffee

"Mena!" Dad called out softly after some minutes have passed

"Yes sir" Aunt Mena replied

"Can you find your way back home if I drop you off at the road side?" Dad asked sitting upright

" Yes sir " she replied

" Why do you ask sir?" She asked politely

" Nothing really just that… the thing is I may not be so chanced to drive you back home after getting those items from the grocery store" Dad said, sighing softly

"Oh… its okay sir. I can find my way back home anytime, anyday" Aunt Mena replied calmly

"Alright then in that case I don't need to stress over it again" Dad said

" Yes sir besides I'm safe in the company of the supergirl" Aunt Mena said giggling

"And who is the supergirl?" Dad asked peering at me

"I of course" I replied with a smirk

"Oh I see . You're indeed truly safe" Dad said shooting me a cold glare

"What happened dad?" I asked grinning

"Nothing I'm just admiring our supposed supergirl!" He said laughing out hysterically while I looked on, irked.