Simple Things

"There are two ways to live life. The first is the hard way, and the second is the simple way. A lot of people choose the latter. But, that's often why they fail. Most times, the hardest things come disguised as simplicity."

Amayah wore her black Coat and grabbed her phone from the bedside table.

"Do you understand?"

"Nope. Not at all." A voice spoke from her phone, and she snickered.

"Sometimes the best thing to do is take the hard route. That's a sincere advice coming from someone older than you, Mireya."

"You're just six years older."

"Six years is almost a decade, child. A year is enough to gain wisdom."

Amayah held her curls in her hand as she struggled to tie it in a bun.

"Why did you call, though? You sound a little down in the dumps. Did you get bullied again? "

A silence followed, and Amayah furrowed her brows.

"...I just wanted some advice." Mireya muttered. "And I thought it'd be best to hear some from you."

"Mmm." Amayah hummed as she successfully put her hair up in a curly, messy bun. "Is everything okay, kiddo?"

"I'm twenty three, you know."

"Yeah, yeah." Amayah smirked. "That doesn't answer my question. You haven't been online for over a week, and you suddenly call for advice."

Another silence ensued, and she heard Mireya sigh.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

"Mm." Amayah hummed yet again, then grabbed her bag. "Listen, I'm about to head to work. We'll talk when I get home."

"....okay. Bye, Amayah."

"Pfft. You say bye like it's our last time. Make sure you attend your classes this time, okay? You promised you'll come work for me once you graduate Fashion school. You better keep that promise."

Amayah hung up after hearing a faint giggle from her, then let out a soft gasp when she looked at the time.

"Well, that's a first." She muttered and rushed out of the house.

○●○

"You're late." Amayah's older sister pointed out as Amayah walked into her office.

"Well, I see that Alora. Thank you for pointing it out though."

"You're never late. What happened?"

"Nothing. I just lost track of time. Mireya seemed a little down."

"Your college bestfriend? You do realise you're the President of a budding business. You can't afford to play bestie with a student."

"And, you do realise that you're the Vice-President of said budding business, and at work you address me with respect regardless of our relationship. " Amayah said, smiling smugly.

"Do you want me to beat you up?" Alora glared, and Amayah cleared her throat as she took a step back. "Um, can I just sit down and get to work?"

"That depends." Alora shrugged. "Are you willing to push me off of it?"

"Are you okay with getting injured? You forget, I know Karate." Amayah reminded, striking a defense pose and earning an eyeroll from her older sister.

"You never fail to remind us."

Alora got to her feet. "Grandma called some minuites ago. She wants to meet us for Coffee by 12pm."

"Grandma's in town?!" Amayah exclaimed; her eyes bulging with excitement.

"Take care of work first, Miss President. We have a line of winter outfits to release next month."

"Fine, fine." Amayah sighed. "What's with you today anyway? I'm usually the sensible one."

"Is that a joke? I'm older than you."

"By a year."

"A year is enough. Now, get to work."

Amayah watched Alora leave the office, then let out a sigh.

"Let's get to work, Ayah."

●○●

"My little honey drops!" Grandma Elle exclaimed, embracing her granddaughters in a tight hug. "Oh, how I've missed you! Sit, sit."

The waitress brought over their drinks and snacks, and with a polite smile, left the table to the family to catch up.

"How're Mom and Dad doing? We spoke on the phone last week, but work's been to busy these days."

"Fine, fine." Grandma Elle smiled at Amayah. "They're on vacation to the Maldives."

"Another vacation?" Alora scoffed in disbelief. "One would think they were on their honeymoon."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Grandma Elle smirked. "Love is meant to feel new every now and then. It's beautiful. It reminds me of your Grandpops- God rest his soul."

Grandma Elle took a sip of her iced coffee.

"Ah." She breathed. "And on that topic, how is your Fiancé doing, Alora? Have you both set a date for the wedding?"

Alora grinned, her pearly teeth sparkling at the thought of Micah.

"He's great, Grandma. He's out of the state for a business trip and will be back by the end of this week. We haven't decided on a date yet, but we've narrowed it down to our birthdays, or our anniversary."

"Oh, that's so sweet!" Grandma Elle beamed, then turned to Amayah who had her nose stuck in her mocha tea.

"What about you, Ayah?"

Amayah froze. "Mm? What about me?"

"Don't play dumb, child. At this rate I might only get to see Alora's kids before I die."

"Grandma Elle!" Amayah and Alora chorused in a panic, and earned a chuckle from their Grandmother.

"Have you no plans to get married, Ayah? Your parents and I have given you the grace to find yourself. At this point we're just terrified you'll end up alone."

"How?" Amayah questioned, cocking her head to the side. "I have Mom, Dad, Alora and you. As far as I'm concerned, I'm not alone."

"Look at her run her mouth." Grandma Elle tsked as she gave Amayah a light smack on her arm. "Be serious for once, Ayah. You have both achieved your dreams. Don't you think it's time you start building a family?"

"Mm.." Amayah hummed, "Honestly? I don't think I want to. Rather, I don't think I'm ready."

"And why is that?"

"Building a family is hard work, Grandma. Opening myself up to someone, and if it does indeed work, the journey is one I can't imagine myself having."

"Darling, you are more than capable of starting a family."

"It is not myself I doubt, Grandma. It is the other."

Grandma Elle breathed out, a look of sympathy washing over her face and that of Alora's.

"I like the way my life is right now. Spending time with family, focusing on work, and getting to know God a little better. Isn't that what makes life simple? I don't want anymore complications or distractions. They all end in dissappointment anyway."

Grandma Elle's smile only grew as she took Amayah by the hand. "Oh, sweet child," She started. "How can anyone's life be simple when the world itself is complicatedly beautiful? God made us all with intent, and if there's one thing I'm sure of the most about Him, it's that He is full of surprises."

Amayah wanted so much to answer her Grandmother's words with several memories and experiences from her past. It wasn't that she didn't trust God, she just did not trust people.

She did not trust men.

●□●

"We shall head to the spa next!" Grandma Elle announced, holding her granddaughters by the arm as they stepped out of the Café.

"We run a business, Grandma."

"Exactly. You can afford to miss a few hours of work, no?"

"No." Amayah and Alora chorused with a chuckle.

"Amayah...?"

The three paused at the handsome man towering over them, his eyes locked with Amayah's.

They recognised his rugged good looks anywhere. And if their memories served them right, Amayah's day had just been ruined.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" Logan smiled softly, and Amayah wished for the ground to split open and swallow her up.

There, stood a memory she hoped she'd never have to revisit.