Days passed, everything still remained the same, everyone with skeletons in their cupboards, despair and some sort of darkness.
Ella we still thinking of the connection and comfort she felt when she held the school principal and the police officer. But couldn't ask Lola for another hug, she still sees her as a woman without dignity and self respect. There was no way she would go to the police station to ask Alfred for a hug too, it would look shady and suspicious.
The last day of her exams, Ella made sure to exchange contacts with her friends. It was going to be a three weeks break. Not talking to them for that long won't be okay for her.
"Why don't we hold a small parities for ourselves during the holidays?" Asma asks as she puts her books in her bag.
"That would be really nice." Darifa says excitedly.
"What about visiting each other? we could take turns to visit each other and hold the party in each of our houses." Abdullah suggests.
"That is a very good idea." Ella concurs. "I will prepare fried rice and chicken for you all."
"You cook?" Darifa asks with surprise.
"Of course I do, I can cook everything I eat." She replies almost bragging.
"Wow you are a genius! I can hardly make toast." Asma says and they all burst into laughter.
After they bid themselves farewell, Ella decided to stay back for a little and try to see if she could get to hug Lola. Though, she knew it would be very awkward but still hoped for the best.
She walks gently and cautiously to the principal's office and knocks gently.
"Come in." Lola orders from the office.
"Good afternoon ma." Ella greets as she enters and shuts the door quietly ensuring not to make any sound. "Sorry for disturbing you ma."
"No it's fine, how can I help you?"
"I just wanted to bid you farewell before going home, you know... we are going for holiday." Ella says beating around the bush, as she didn't know how to present the topic. At the moment she was already regretting all those insult she hurled at her previously.
"Ohhhh!!!! That's so thoughtful of you." Lola picks a small paper and wrote her contact on it. "Have it, you can call me if anything comes up." She says handing the paper to her.
Ella reluctantly collects the paper, all she wanted was a hug not a phone number or trying to make a relationship. "Thank you ma."
Lola was expecting Ella to leave but she didn't, it was glaring that she wanted something else. "Do you want something?"
"No." Ella retorts gently with a smile and bits her lips shyly but wasn't still leaving.
"If there is something you need, you can always tell me about it."
"Please, can I get a hug. Just a hug please." Ella pleads.
"A hug?" Lola asks again. "You want me to hug you." All Ella did was to put her down and nod gently. "Okay."
Lola stands up and hugs her and immediately, Ella felt the connection she had been seriously seeking in matter of seconds. She holds on to her tightly enough, not wanting her to go or leave her. The principal couldn't understand what was going on, but she remained still, embracing the young girl.
The hug lasted a while, and when they finally drew apart from each other, both found it very difficult to day something.
"T-tha-thank you ma." Ella stutters.
"If there is anything you want or need, feel free to tell me about it."
"Yes ma." She nods. "I will take my leave now ma."
As Ella walks out of her office. She followed the young girl with her eyes. All of a sudden Miss Smith was looking very pitiful to her. She even regret ever trying to bargain with her using her life challenges as a bait.
The next day came, it was a Saturday. Vivian did everything she wanted to do hurriedly because she was going to see Andrew and wanted to spend a long time with him, so she went in the morning.
Andrew was happy to see his girlfriend as usual, he welcomed her with a warm kiss and hug. They exchanged pleasantries.
"I am so hungry." Andrew laments.
"Okay let me prepare something for you to eat." Vivian says and walks into Andrew's room, trying to find one of his clothes to change into when she saw a gun. With shock she calls out his name. "Andrew!!!"
The way Vivian called him sounds very strange, she sounds flustered, but what would make her so flustered? Did she see something? Andrew thought as he walks into the room to check on her. He saw her holding his pistol, the one he used to kill Ella's parents and grandparents.
He was always careful infact extra careful with this object, but how come Vivian got hold of it shortly? Then he remembers, that a day before he was looking for his wallet. The wallet had this identification cards, he had turned the whole house upside down to look for it, and when he finally found it, he didn't bother to put some of the things back in order.