'Learn something new everyday (Day)

I don't know so I'mma feel my way (Way)

I'm taking one day at the time (Time)

I think I'm handlin' just fine (Just fine)'

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M A Y A

Sliding her key into the lock, Abba pushed open the door of Mayalika's flat to find it quiet. She frowned, placing her purse on the table near the door. Venturing further into the apartment she saw a sleeping Ralph sprawled out on the couch.

Usually, on a Sunday, Abba would be greeted by a chirpy Mayalika, who would be cleaning her flat while singing to music. Maya didn't usually work on the weekend but Abba would always come to her apartment to come and check on her before she opened up the shop.

Abba walked into the kitchen filling up Ralph's bowl that was somewhat empty and refilling his water bowl. She heard him sniff from his sleeping place before jumping down and padding his way into the kitchen. He licked Abba's hand gratefully before devouring his breakfast.

Abba smiled at the pup before leaving the kitchen and making her way towards her granddaughter's bedroom. Pushing open the door Abba was surprised to find her asleep. Sprawled out on her bed, Maya clutched her phone loosely in her right hand as her left foot hung off the bed. Her mouth hung open and a trail of drool ran down her cheek.

Shaking her head, Abba placed the warm coffee on her bedside table before striding over to the window where she yanked open the curtains and pushed open the windows.

Maya let out a low groan, rolling over in bed so that the sheets tangled around her legs. She sat up numbly, running a hand through her hair as she squinted at the intruder at the end of her bed.

Abba looked at the clock that hung above Maya's desk. It had just turned twelve yet Maya was still in bed. Her frown deepened as she placed her hand on her hip.

"Time for you to get up." She stated.

Taking in Mayalika's appearance she noticed small eye bags forming under her eyes. Her hair that had been put up in a bun the night before now tumbled around her shoulder in a tangled mess of curls. Her long creased grey t-shirt rode up her thick thighs revealing her mickey mouse underwear.

"What time did you go to bed last night?" She questioned.

Maya slid off her bed, pulling down her shirt as she ran a hand through her unkempt hair. Glancing at her phone she quickly plugged it in as she made her way towards her bathroom. It was attached to her bedroom. 

Her room was quite spacious - spacious enough that Mayalika had a bay window right next to her desk. A flat-screen TV hung from the pastel purple wall that was trimmed with white - facing her queen-sized bed. Above it was fairy lights that hung like her small chandelier. Her desk was placed near the door along with her drawers that both matched in the simple cream colour that stood out against the fur grey rug that stretched out underneath the bed.

"Gran, could you feed Ralph? I need to take a shower." Maya called out from inside the bathroom. Abba could hear the muffled sound of the shower form behind the door.

"Already done." She responded, moving to make the bed when she heard Maya's phone vibrate from on her bedside table. Abba's lips pursed as she fought the urge to reach across the bed and seize the phone

'It's none of my business.' She told herself. Fluffing the pillows with more force than she intended; Abba hummed a tune ignoring the light being emitted from the phone however when she caught sight of the name she couldn't help herself. She quickly jumped across the bed, yanking the phone out of its charger as she looked at the text.

Good Morning Maya
King

King?

Abba shook her head knowing that snooping in her granddaughter's business was wrong. She plugged the phone back in and left the room. When she entered the kitchen she saw Ralph had curled himself around his bowl - a frown on his face. When he caught sight of Abba he huffed, turning away from her.

"Don't look at me like that you greedy pup. I already fed you." She scolded but still proceeded to give him a dog treat. Ralph's ears perked up as he snatched the treat before returning to the living room with his desert.

Abba washed her hands before and began to pull out the ingredients that she needed to make breakfast. Before long the apartment began to fill with the aromas of Abba's delicious cooking as she made pancakes, waffled and bacon. Maya entered the kitchen with her empty coffee cup to see her grandma distributing the food onto two plates.

"Hurry up and eat, you don't wanna go to school on an empty stomach." She handed Maya her plate in exchange for the empty cup, that she refilled for Maya.

Maya smiled gratefully, "Thanks Gran. I don't know what I'd do without you." She smiled gently before tucking into her food. Abba hummed, sliding her cup towards her as she retrieved her own plate and joined Maya at the table. For Mayalika it was nice to have someone wake her up and cook her food. In Manhattan, she was expected to look after herself as soon as she had turned six with the only motherly nature she got being from her nanny. It was a nice change for Mayalika.

"Oh I don't know. You'd forget to feed yourself and Ralph and you'd waste away in this apartment." She exaggerated, making Mayalika roll her eyes.

"Don't even think about coming to the bakery after school," Abba warned Maya, her eyes narrowed.

Maya's eyes widened in shock, "Why?! I mean it's my day off I can choose where to go." She retorted. Abba's eyes narrowed further as she pressed her lips into a thin line.

"No child, I love you but you need a social life." She reprimanded her. Maya groaned; throwing back her head as she rolled her eyes at her grandmother. Since Maya had moved to Brooklyn she had been pressuring her to try and make friends. Right now though, that wasn't what was on her mind especially after how her old friend had treated her.

"I'm not promising anything," Maya stated, "I may drop by to study. I just don't feel in the mood to meet people right now." She claimed, digging into her waffles. Abba frowned at her, not wanting to utter a word that Maya hadn't already heard her say.

"Take my advice, Maya." Abba said calmly, wiping her hands over her denim jeans. Maya hummed; not looking at the elderly lady as she focused on her plate.

"While your young take advantage of what you can and that includes dating." Abba stated. Maya's eyes widened as she chocked on her waffles, her face heating up as she stared wide eyed at her grandmother.

'Was she talking about King?' Maya looked shocked at her grandmother. Finishing the last of her food in shock, Maya got up with the intention of washing up her plate. Abba quickly grabbed her plate and washed up both of their plates before Mayalika could protest. 

"I care about you Maya." Abba stated softly as she placed the wet plates on the dryer. Maya nodded, pouring herself another cup of coffee, adding two tea spoons of sugar.

"I don't want to see you end up at my age alone and bitter." She said, patting her on the shoulder, "Nor do I want you to end up like your father." She added. Maya's shoulders tensed at the thought of her father.

"In an unhappy marriage because your afraid to leave?" Maya finished. Abba said nothing, only picking up her own mug and taking a sip.

"II just want you to make sure you know what you want." Her grandmother smiled weakly, "At your age I had already had your father." She commented.

Out of all of her grandchildren, Maya reminded Abba her of herself when she was younger. At that age she had given birth to their son.Although she loved her husband dearly he had kept so many secrets from her that she had only discovered after his death. Many he had taken to the grave with him.

"Come on." Abba walked back into the hallway, picking up her bag, "I have a book club in thirty minutes and I'll take Ralph with me!" She called out to Mayalika who ran past her into her room. She emerged just as Abba had finished putting a leash on a giddy Ralph.

"Ready?" Abba questioned. Maya hummed, both of them walking out of the door and towards the elevator. Their chat flowed easily as Abba pressed the down button for the elevator where their day would officially begin.

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