Every year, the people of St Marys hold a three day carnival where all the inhabitants of the town, whether poor, rich, strong, weak, child, adult, man or woman all come out in their numbers to celebrate the carnival. The carnival brings families together every year, no matter where they may be. Each year, all those who have travelled out of town, come back home to celebrate the carnival with their families.
Marilyn always looks forward to this day. Because most of her friends who have travelled out of town all come back to town to socialize. Her best friend, Heidi, who has traveled to the big city will be coming home for the carnival and Marilyn was so excited and eager to see her. Heidi is in the city studying to become a medical doctor. Her father is also a rich man. He is a business man and one of the biggest furniture makers in the country. Even though he comes from St Marys with his wife, they both live in the big city where they work.
So then, how did Marilyn and Heidi become friends? Well, Heidi and her parents came to live at St Marys for some months, before returning back to the city. At that time, Marilyn was just a teenager. Heidi, who had lived in the city most of her life, met Marilyn at the market one day, when she was taking a stroll. When Heidi met her, she liked her instantly. And that was how they became friends.
One the first day of the carnival, Marilyn and her mother cleaned their small house for the celebration. Marilyn did not know any of her mother's relations. She didn't even remember seeing any of them come over to her house to see her or her mother. Her mother, Jocelyn, never mentioned any of them and she also never wanted to ask. It hurt her that she had nobody apart from her mother to celebrate the carnival with, but she was happy that she had her mother with her to celebrate with her.
Just as they were making their breakfast after they had finished with their chores, she heard a knock on their door. She rushed out and opened the door, only to find her best friend standing behind the door, with a huge smile on her face.
"Heidi?!" she shrieked, with her eyes wide open. She stood still, not knowing what to do or say.
"Hello, stranger. Aren't you going to let me in?" Heidi said, as she smiled.
Marilyn quickly grabbed her and gave her a tight hug. Heidi hugged her back and laughed.
"I was not expecting this kind of welcome. Hehe, it's been a while," Heidi teased her.
"I missed you so much, Heidi. I am so glad you came for the carnival," Marilyn said after they broke off the hug.
"You know I would not miss the carnival for anything in this world. And I miss you too. How are you doing, my friend?" Heidi answered.
"I'm doing well. Come in, Heidi. Make yourself at home," Marilyn said and stepped aside, to make way for Heidi to walk inside the house.
Heidi looked around the room, like it was the first time she was coming there.
"Nothing has really changed in this house. I like it," she smiled.
Marilyn smiled as well and pointed to the wooden chair that sat at the corner of the small room.
"Please, do have a seat. What can I get you?" Marilyn asked her.
"Oh, come on, Marilyn. I am fine. I just came because I wanted to see you and spend time with you. Actually, there is something I will like to tell you." Heidi said and sat down.
Marilyn sat on the chair beside her. "Really? What is it? Don't tell me something bad happened?"
"Oh, God! No! Why would you think that?"
"Whew. Don't get me wrong. It's just that bad news is all we get nowadays and I really don't want that this festive season," Marilyn clarified.
"Oh, okay. Anyway, what I have to say is good news, somehow. It will depend on how you want to take it."
"Okay. Tell me, then."
"Well, I was thinking of spending this festive season with your mom and you. I will be spending a week here with my family and my father would be hosting some of his friends at home. I really do not want to be there so I suggested to come spend it with you and they said yes. So, what do you say?"
"Actually that's really good. I don't think my mother will have any problem with that if you and I share a room. I mean, your parents agree to it, so why not?" Marilyn happily answered.
"Wow. Thanks girlfriend. You don't know what you have done for me. Thank you so much," she said and hugged Marilyn who smiled harder.
Jocelyn came out of the kitchen to check on her daughter when she realised who was in the room.
"Heidi? Is that you?" she asked.
Heidi and Marilyn quickly stood up. "Yes, ma'am. Good day," she responded.
"Good day, my dear. Oh please come give this old woman a hug. It's been ages since I last saw you," Jocelyn replied.
Heidi quickly rushed to the older woman and hugged her. After a while they broke it off.
"Erm, mother. Please, Heidi wanted to stay here with us for a week to celebrate the carnival. Can she stay?" Marilyn asked her mother.
Jocelyn looked at Heidi with a smile still plastered on her face.
"Of course my baby girl. That is if your parents agree to it, then I have no objections," Jocelyn replied.
Marilyn jumped up and down, clapping her hands in excitement. "Her parents agree to it, mother."
"Really?"
"Yes. They said I can only stay if you agree to it," Heidi explained.
"Then it's settled. You can share a room with Marilyn. I hope you are fine with that."
"It's better, ma'am. Thanks so much," both girls hugged Jocelyn, who hugged them back and sighed deeply.