Life was finally smiling towards her again Rufi thought as she left for school this Tuesday.
She wasn't finding it easy to make friends as she felt strange amongst them.
However, one person was seriously seeking her friendship and it seems like no matter the level of cold shoulders she gave, this being wasn't going to let her be. Talk about the devil and here she comes...
Abimbola Ajayi was trained never to give up, in fact some words were not in her dictionary, words like impossible, give up, no way her list was endless. But this Rufi girl was trying to force the word 'give up' into her dictionary.
She likes her, don't know why, perhaps because because she sense she is lonely and as much as she tries to make friends with her what she always get is a cold shoulder.
Beneath her pretence for not wanting to associate, Abbi sees a craving for friendship and fear for betrayal.
Today she has a master plan to catch Rufi and that includes making her think she has given up on her.
Walking towards Rufi, Abbi would have tried to converse with her but instead she just sits two rows away from her and pretends to read.
....Rufi watched peripherally with disbelief as Abbi sat two rows away from her, she felt her heart drop with disappointment. She'd never believe Abbi would give up on her.
"Good morning Rufi" Abbi called out after catching Rufi's eyes on her.
Looking back she caught a mischievous look on Abbi "What!?"
....................
Whatever mystery was behind Abbi's look led to their friendship.
Laughing hard from one of Abbi's endless jokes. Rufi manage to push through "better become a comedian"
"I'll think about that one" Abbi replied between giggles.
"Oh seriously now" she said regaining her composure "you are just wasting your talent instead of making cool money" shaking her head playfully
"Rufina, madam cool money"
"You can say that again" she laughed patting her friends back as they got to the junction separating them.
"Bye! Be a darling" Abbi said hugging her.
"I'll think about it" she smiled "bring the textbook tomorrow " she added
"Alright"
**********
The second term examination came and went. All the student of st. Patrick Academy were seriously preparing towards the Christmas carol. Rufi alongside Abbi has been given the role of the choir mistress.
"Songs, songs, songi, songi" sang Rufi as she racked her brain for the best Christmas songs.
Coming into the hall with with cups of tea Abbi said "thought u might need it" handing one over to her.
"Thanks" Rufi said after a sip.
Abruptly Abbi dropped her cup and announced "I have a song already"
"hmm!" Rufi said swallowing
"I said I have a song"
"I heard you"
Abbi taught Rufi the song and she loved it, they taught the choir who also adored the song and perfected it and sang on the carol day.
Whao! What a beautiful performance everyone was saying as they went back stage into the changing room after the performance
"Yeepee!" Abbi screamed as she gave everyone a hi-five and hugged Rufi.
"Seriously guys that was smashing" Abbi said
"It was killing" Rufi added
"So we are the best" another girl added
...............
"I so missed my baby" she scooped Ana-Blaire up
"Your performance was a wow" Maria praised
"Not just me, everyone takes the praise"
"Yea! You just had the best team"
When the awards were handed out, her team won the best Christmas carol, second best well organized team and most lyrical song
****************
It was two days to Christmas everywhere was festive and so was everyone. Rufi was trying to be happy but it was hard. Victor helped with the decoration of their tree and couldn't help but smile at Maria who was unexplainably happy.
Maria could hardly contain her joy. Her mother had died when she was 17 and she would clock 20 by January.
All this years she'd spent Christmas alone thinking about her mother, but this year was different she had a little sister and baby plus,she smiled as she watched the man she loved as he transformed her little house.
Rufi had a strange look on her face, Maria knows why but she didn't say anything, she'd allow her lay that ghost of rest herself before saying anything.
If any one had told her two Christmas ago that she wouldn't be with her nanny this year she would never have believed it. Last Christmas had been worse than this since she didn't have a home then she had been working with a mean woman at a restaurant. The woman would beat her up over every mistake mocking her unborn child. It had been on boxing day she had decided to leave.
She had left and fallen asleep in front of a shop where maria had found her. Thank God maria had found her that night...
She jumped as someone touched her
"Are you OK?"Victor asked.
She attempted to smile at him but the concerned look on his face made her break down. They didn't deserve to be bothered by her, they would be living their life if not for her.
Victor knew better than to say anything he just let her cry on his shoulder and maria stood looking unsure about what to do.
"I'm sorry" Rufi said collecting herself together and she blew into the handkerchief Maria gave her
"There's no need to be sorry Ruf, we all have our down moment" Victor comforted her.
Shaking her head "But you don't break down in front of people" she sniffed "at least not when they are happy"
"You didn't breakdown Ruf and not in front of people" maria said calmly "you expressed your emotions in front of your Family"
Looking unsure "is Christmas the right time to do so?"
"Anytime is the time"
"But you two are always so happy" she accused "so strong"
Maria laughter "hey! Don't use that tone girl, you're the one with the aura of happiness"
"Me" Rufi was shocked "you're the one who makes me happy" touching her shoulder "you are the one that makes me complete, i love you Maria" she cried
"Hey, don't make me cry" Maria's voice shook
Victor who had taken the backseat spoke up "OK girls enough of the cuddling we have a tree to decorate" he announced cheerfully
"Yeepee! I love decorations" Rufi yelped