Y A N I Q U E W I L L I A M S 🍂
.........."
"Suh Suga how yuh do" mama questions, I am currently in Lluidas Vale, St Catherine visiting my grandmother from my mother's side.
Mi good mama" I stare in her wrinkly eyes, being drawn into her brown orbs. Her eyes shimmers with the warmth of countless memories.
My grandmother nice enuh
"Bwoy yuh favor Cherry bad bad" she makes reference to my mother while tracing my eyebrows, I can visibly see the sadness washing over her face.
"Bwoy mi nuh know what happen but she just gone without a trace suh" she sighs.
"Mama, nuh start that now tell mi bout yourself, how yuh been" I try to steer the conversation away from my mother.
Mi deh ya mi' sis a gwaan look out through mi two eye dem and a tek it easy" she says chirpily.
"Pass mi one a di ensue dem ya Yasmin Mek mi sweet up mi mouth" she point to the bags of groceries that I bought for her.
Yasmin is my middle name.
Retrieving a room temp ensure from the bag I hand it to her then I start packing out the rest of the groceries. Heading to the kitchen I grab one of her metal straws.
"Thanks mi child" she says taking the straw from my hand.
"But look inna the microwave yuh see one bread, bring it down"
One thing wid mama, she is going to buy bread
"Suh a who fah son suh lucky Yasmin, watch how mi grand pickney nice, dis bring dung crowd" mama hypes me up.
"Mi nuh have nobody mama, mi just a nice up fi the girls" I replied then laughs. She turns her head away from me then stares back outside.
"Yuh nuh feel like them woulda love mi" I continue to taunt her. Mama is big on being a homophobic person.
How the song guh?
Boom bye bye ina-
"Na look pon you enuh, stay deh gwaan like man" she shakes her head.
"You remember Jennifer son Johnathan?" She asks making reference to her neighbor's son. Her eyes lights up as through she remembered something interesting
Nodding, I tell her to continue.
"Him a Chef now, him get a work a Skarkies. Him did love yuh off enuh before yuh leff. She made reference her neighbor's son who became my friend when I once lived up here for a while.
Watch set up
"Mama what a way yuh wa married mi off" I chuckle.
"Nuh seh it suh"
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"Oye, wa gwaan Miss Jean, how you do" someone shouts from outside.
"Mi deh ya massa, how tings" she responded. Zoning them out I focus on washing her clothes.
The "scrups" sound echos through the air as I hand wash the clothes, it almost sounds therapeutic.
The cool breeze coming in from the west, with the trees bending to make the breeze pass and the sun rising in the east. It a blissful scene, picture worthy but I indulge myself in it, the sky slowly transitions from a deep indigo to a soft pink hue, painting the clouds with shades of orange and gold.
The first light of the day gently kisses the landscape, illuminating the lush greenery and casting a warm glow over the island.
Picking up my phone I answer Yasir.
"Weh ya beg" I spoke first.
He laughs, "Sis mi na beg nothing but since yuh start assume, send me five hundred dollar credit nuh" instantly rolling my eyes I chuckle.
He props up the phone and I can see he is working out.
"Ya watch mi fah sis, yuh think the girls ago like this body?" He questions. "Yuh full of yuhself too much" we both laugh.
Yasir is something else, him lie like Indian show but a player is who he is, wicked yuh see. Big heartbreaker him be, as him seh "woman too wicked fi be loverboy" watch him to
"Love you sis later, big kiss" he questions then gifts me a phone smooch hanging up shortly after.
Shaking my head and smiling I make my way to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Gathering the ingredients I begin on the rice, washing the rice multiple times removing excess starch I then light the stove and pour hot water on the rice. I then cook it in coconut milk and water until it's fluffy and "shelly".
And as for the curry chicken, I toast the curry powder in some oil to bring out those rich flavors, I then cook it with onions, garlic, and coconut milk before adding the already washed and seasoned chicken for that authentic taste.
Not forgetting to add my mixed veggies..
Big chef enuh
Retrieving the juice jug from the dish dryer I pour some water in the container then mix the Shaka berry Kool aid, with some lime and sugar to top it all off then I place it in the refrigerator to cool.
Checking the time I realize it is a quarter to three in the afternoon, aimlessly scrolling on Instagram I burn time until mama calls me and we converse on the veranda.
Looking out the sky darkens above me, clouds rolling in like a heavy blanket, and I can feel that the rain is about to fall.
The air feels thick and charged, a tension building as nature prepares for its release. A cool breeze sweeps through, rustling the leaves and carrying a fresh scent of earth, hinting at the impending downpour.
I can almost hear the distant rumble of thunder, a low growl echoing in the distance, warning me that it won't be long now. It's a moment of anticipation, where everything pauses, waiting for the first drop to break the silence.
Pulling my chair closer to mama we cuddle up cozily as we drift off into our afternoon slumber.
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J A V I E R M A S E🍂
"C I G A R"
In a rundown yard in the heart of Kingston, the air was thick with the smell of jerk chicken and the distant sound of reggae pulsing through the night. Under a flickering streetlight, I sat on a makeshift throne made of old crates, surrounded by our crew, their faces half-lit and serious.
The ground was littered with remnants of a recent altercation—a rival gang had crossed the line, and the Don made sure his message was clear.
A body lay sprawled at the edge of the yard, a stark reminder of the consequences of betrayal. The vibrant colors of the Caribbean night felt out of place against the grim reality unfolding in that moment.
With a slow, deliberate motion, I took a sip from a rum bottle, my eyes scanning the faces of his men, who wore expressions of both fear and respect. I spoke in a low, gravelly voice, telling tales of loyalty and the price that must be paid for disrespect.
In that moment, the yard was not just a place; it was a kingdom ruled by a man who would stop at nothing to protect his reign, leaving a trail of both fear and respect in his wake.
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Whispers of Serenity (Paused)
General FictionAfter another interview I try to navigate my way in the corrupt Jamaican System. My normal day to day routine was simply home, work and church. Life had other plans for me after one free drive with Mr. Mysterious, his exotic life and dangerous n...
