Breakfast In Bed

A few seconds after Avril woke up, she heard footsteps that definitely belonged to Dakar, coming towards her door.

“What now?” she groaned and tossed in bed, not wanting to get out anymore. She hoped he was just walking around but her hope was dashed when she heard him knock. At first, she refused to answer and feigned sleep. But he kept knocking loudly and she reluctantly pronounced a yes. He had sharp hearing and he heard her. He pushed the door open and walked in holding one of Avril's clay trays.

“Morning! It's a bright day!” he mused and stood beside Avril's bed. She peeked at him with one eye and saw him holding the tray. She opened her eyes fully and raised a brow questioningly.

“Your breakfast, ma'am” he announced and lowered the tray so she could see the contents. It contained two plates covered with two other plates and a clay mug of Avril's invention.

“In bed?” she asked indifferently.

“Yes. In bed. Today is a very special day for both of us. Especially for you. I want you to begin it in high spirits”

She sighed and sat up “Is today perhaps, April Fool's Day? You know I lost track of the days of the week and date of the year since I came here” she said and rubbed her sleepy eyes.

“Hey, don't be silly. I truly made you breakfast. This isn't a prank!” he blurted irritably

“Okay! Okay! Fine. Let me see it” she yawned and stretched her arms. Dakar dropped the tray gently on her thighs and stood still. She uncovered the first plate and saw two freshly baked bread. They were steaming hot and the aroma filled her room immediately.

“Oh my” she muttered under her breath. All the sleepiness vanished immediately from her eyes.

She opened the second plate which was smaller and saw butter. She immediately raised her head to look at Dakar.

“The guys brought them in last night” he said, answering her question. They hadn't had butter for some days and Avril was absolutely cranky because of it. She hated butter the same way she hated waking up late.

Next, she uncovered her mug and the sweet smell of coffee hit her nostrils. Her smile couldn't be hidden and it was contagious too, because Dakar had a similar twitch in his snout.

“Oh my goodness! They finally got me the satchet instant coffee? Oh my God!” she exclaimed and beamed happily at him..

“Eat up before it gets cold, Avril. Today is a long day”

“What do you mean today is a long day?” she asked as she took a loaf and broke it in half.

“I will be outside when you come down. Eat up okay?” he grinned and left her room. Avril stared after him. Whenever he did her good like this, he was up to no good and will demand for stupid favours in return.

“Well, whatever stupid thing he asks, it's worth it” she mumbled and spooned butter over her bread.

After eating everything and licking the plates clean, she took the tray and walked out of the room to the kitchen. She washed them and looked at the deliveries that arrived from the dolphins last night. Lots of candies and instant coffee. Even noodles and biscuits. She hurried out satisfied with them.

She got outside and saw Dakar doing something by a corner of the mountain. She could not see him fully so she strolled

“What are you doing?” she asked as she reached him. He moved aside and let her see what he was doing.

“Arrows? What for?” she asked, looking from him to the arrows.

“We are going hunting for wild goats” he said and kept tucking the arrows into a long, narrow basket.

“We?”

“Yes. We”

“No. Not today. I'm going to harvest the strawberries later” she cooed, looking away and rubbing her ear.

“No excuse is going to work today, Avril. We're going hunting. Go get some water and food ready for the expediture”

“I thought I was the bossy one here. Stop bossing the boss around” she scoffed and began walking away

“How did I mange to live with that girl for two whole months? This is not me” he mumbled and shook his head. He threw the basket over his shoulder and clutched his bow tightly, then began to walk towards the entrance to the house in the mountain. He reached the stature and stopped. He glanced at his bow and back at the stature then sighed and walked into the dark entrance.

“Avril!” he called as he climbed the stairs. He heard her running and he chuckled softly, knowing that she already knew he would still smell her out.

“You coming or not?” he asked in the living room.

“Fine. I guess you're going to have to do me another favour in return for breakfast in bed. How about weaving those fronds into baskets for me? I reckon they'd be not more than fifteen”

A frowning Avril creeped out from behind the carved sofas.

“I hate basket weaving” she muttered

“The only thing you love is waking up late and eating”

“I love pottery”

“Let's go hunting’’ he said defiantly and turned to go. Avril began to follow him

“Which part of the island are we going?”

“North of the island” he answered and she gasps loudly

“That far?”

Dakar didn't answer. He wasn't really going there for hunting, or he would have gone alone. But what he wanted to do, he needed Avril be present.