SLEEPY-HEAD

It's past midnight, I think.
My eyes open from sleep. Not because I want to, but because I have to. Because my bladder threatens to burst open if I don't set it free from its content that stretches it.

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Tired, I strech lazily, yawning as i reach for my phone which is at the top of the bed, a little distance from my pillow -which is even almost covering it- until I lay my hands on it.

I double tap the screen and the time reads 11:23. It wasn't even midnight yet as i had thought. I detached myself from dreamland as my head rose from the comfort of my pillow and from my bed which would draw me back to itself if it could. I sit up on the bed, still groggy from sleep.

There's a notification from Whatsapp. A message from Jenny. She sends a reel, which I watch first. I give a reply and do not stop there. I go on to check my Facebook feed, sportybet, and top-up on my tapswap coin.

Just then, I feel a sting of pain in my pelvic region. I groaned, I had to act fast or face the consequence.

With drowsy eyes, weak bones and rigid body muscles, I got up and walked to my room door and unlocked it, my tired legs grumbling as each one struggles to remain behind. The toilet is just on the left, down the hallway. I reach the toilet, turn the knob, get in and do my thing.

In the middle of taking the leak an aroma so heavenly wafts into my nose. My mouth water at the imagination of what is cooking. I finish up, and go in the direction of the kitchen. I reach, wondering who it is that's cooking, I peeked my head in.

Oh! Grandma. She's always making irresistible meals and is fond of cooking when there's power supply. According to her, it saves gas to use supply to run the electric cooker.

Grandma is there, bent over a pot, intently stirring its contents. I made a sound that made her turn to face me.

"Afo-nri(foodie), go back to sleep. I know it's food that brought you here," she chides.

I give a chuckle and pretend to grumble. She picks up a piece of smoked fish from a plate and points it in my direction. I smile and open my mouth and she sticks it in. It tastes divine and i suck on it to enjoy the juice and then i chew quickly and swallow.
A smile spread across my sleepy face. My lovely grandma. I rub her arm weakly, in appreciation, and turn back in the direction of my room.

I go back to my room, turn off the bulb and jump into bed, desperate to get back to sleep. I fold the blanket around my body as I flopped the pillow up and lay my head on it.

I close my eyes as sleep wash through my tired body once again and I let out a sigh.
Just as I was about falling back into dreamland, I suddenly spring up from the bed, realization hitting me. Sleep leaves my eyes as I recall it.

Grandma,....my grandma.
The same one from earlier in the kitchen.
She died.
Just two months ago.
She died in her sleep.

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SOKA🖤