Trapped Between Kings

ALISHA

The sound of the nearby alarm startled Alisha awake, and groaning out frustratingly, she reached out groggily to shut off the offending machine.

She was late and she knew it but at that moment, she just didn't care because there was nothing she could do, other than just prepare for work at her own pace and hope that her boss didn’t sack her even though she had resumed two days earlier than her supposed resumption date.

The sad story of her life. Single, depressed and lonely, was the befitting name should she choose to talk about herself in one sitting. Well Alisha Brown was a twenty four year old, struggling lady who hadn't had it easy especially in terms of her personal relationships with the opposite gender, and even the females.

She was unlucky with men and most times, she thought she was under a curse.

Asides that magnanimous failure, she was an ambitious woman who had everything needed to be the perfect woman, and a perfect wife but yet she had been faced with a lot of disappointments and heartbreaks at such a young age.

Having lost her father at a tender age, Alisha was saddled with the responsibility of taking care of her aged mother, who lived at the outskirts of New York City, as well as the rest of her siblings who solely depended on her.

She had taken up two, or would she say three jobs one time like that, just so she could make ends meet.

She didn't want her mother and siblings to lack anything at all, hence taking up the responsibility to cater for them all without even complaining.

''Urghhh... It’s yet another day.” She groaned.

To say she was tired would be an understatement, because she was utterly and thoroughly exhausted, even after the siesta she had just taken.

There were times when she just felt like giving up, tired of everything but she still persisted whenever she remembered the last words of her father in his sick bed. Those words alone were what gave Alisha the strength to continue against all odds.

'Get up Lisha'.” A voice said, jerking her out from her thoughts. The voice belonged to her roommate, Audrey and she actually shared the flat with her.

Her roommate and friend, Alisha was quite grateful that she had a roof over her head, and she had no idea what she would have done if Audrey wasn't in her life, or if Audrey still hadn't saved her from sleeping on the streets, the first time she had arrived in the city.

''But I don't want to.” Alisha groaned.

''Then you'll have to tell Mr Gerald why then, or you might as well prepare your lazy butt to get sacked.” Audrey laughed, sarcastically and Alisha just grumbled.

Regardless of the expensive joke, she knew that her friend was right. Saying a quick prayer like her mother had taught her to, Alisha rose up from the bed with a small smile on her face. She didn't know what today held but she had a feeling that it was going to be a good day.

''Mr Gerald's got nothing on me. There’s nothing he can do.” she grinned and Audrey chuckling replied, ''We'll see.”