Chapter 12

Very early in the morning on Christmas Eve, Nana's father woke up; he got ready and rushes to the shops. He bought some Christmas presents and a few stuff. He went back to his house, parked a few of his clothes, and drove off.

It was a busy day in the village, Nana and her family was busy preparing for Christmas. Nana and her sister’s in-law went to the farm to pick some vegetables while her brothers went to the market to buy some stuff for Christmas.

Nana's sister, the last born from her mother's side was born with some abnormalities, she just sit down the whole day; she cannot utter a word. She didn't go to school because she needed a special school but they didn't have such schools in the village. She always stayed close to her mother.

Nana's mother was busy cleaning the house and the yard while looking after her seven grandchildren from her sons. She really had a big family. Five of her sons built their houses close to their mothers while the other three sons moved into the capital where they do some odd jobs.

Nana’s mother’s first daughter got married not far away from her mother’s village. All her children were coming home for Christmas; it has been like that every year. Everyone was in a jolly mood.

In the afternoon, while they were all gathered under the tree in Nana's mother's yard, having their lunch; they saw a car coming towards their house. Nana jumped out of her seat and screamed; father is here, Father is here…

Everyone stood up to see exactly what was going on. It was indeed Nana's father. He got out of his car and Nana hugged him. Nana was extremely happy to see her father. Nana's father was given a seat and they all welcomed him.

Nana’s father said that he wanted to come and spend Christmas with them. They served him lunch and he ate. After lunch, Father gave them all the goodies he bought for them. They were so happy; Nana's father also met his grandchildren from his first two sons. It was such a happy moment.

That afternoon, Nana walked around the village with her father, she showed him all her favorite places in the village. It was a beautiful sight to see Nana and her father so happy.

While walking, father saw a nice shed under the tree and he decided to have a seat, Nana joined him, she sat next to him. Father held her hand and said…

“Nana you are such a young child but yet your thoughts are that of an adult. I came here because I had nowhere else to go. I visited your siblings and stepmother but I was thrown out. I have come to realize it that I cannot mend my marriage; I have tried for years to accept Marcus and Altie as my children though I knew the truth."

“My other siblings abandoned me for doing it, only your aunt Becky is the only one who cares about me. Anyway, I’m not surprised about that; my siblings never loved me just because I’m a step child just like you. I did it because I didn't want to have a broken marriage again. Anyway, I have decided to move on with my life and I want to ask you something, Nana. Nana, do you mind if I have Linda as my girlfriend?"

Nana's father kept on looking towards his daughter for an answer. Nana looked at her father for a while. She was trying to see how really her father feels about Linda. Nana's father was really getting nervous, he thought to himself that why did he talk to Nana about this big adult issue. Oh God, he felt like cursing himself. Nana kept on looking at her father and then she said…

“Father calm down; don't try to make your handsome self very old by over-thinking. I'm glad you considered me by asking me such a question; as you said that I think like an adult, I also see as an adult father. I knew that something is happening between you and Linda. It was too obvious to me but I kept it to myself."

“She continued to say that Stepmother is so blind not to see it; I saw it the first time Linda came back from her village. You were so happy to see her and the words you uttered that day said it all. If I was stepmother, I would’ve been concerned."

Nana's father was puzzled by his daughter's observations; he asked Nana what he said to make her feel that way. Nana replied by saying that, “Father, when you saw Linda that evening when you came back from work, you said ‘Linda, I'm so glad that you came back to this house, I noticed it immediately when I stepped into the house. At least now I will have to enjoy some good food and a clean house’.

Those words made me think that you care about Linda's presence in your house. I also saw you two becoming closer during those evening walks we used to have at my stepmother's home. Father, don't worry, I love Linda and I don't mind if you chose to date her."

Nana's father hugged his daughter and thanked her for understanding.

At Linda's village, her family was preparing for Christmas and her traditional wedding.

On Christmas Eve; Mr. Paul, Linda’s husband to be, sent a lot of goodies to her family. That farmer even bought clothes and jewelry for Linda. He sent them as presents to Linda with a Christmas card attached. Inside the Christmas card, there was a letter directed to Linda. This is how the letter read:

Dear Linda, How have you been? I'm extremely happy to hear that you are back in our village. I have been waiting for you to come home for months. I love you Linda ever since I saw you at your parent's home.

Unfortunately the next day I came to talk to you, you were already left for the Capital. I talked to your parents and they accepted my proposal to you on your behalf.

I can't wait for our traditional wedding. Unfortunately, we can't have a church wedding since you will be my second wife. I have already wedded my first wife, Dorah, in the church. Enjoy those presents and I'm looking forward to having you as my own on 28th December.

Merry Christmas to you my darling.

Yours in Love.

Paul.

Linda tried to explain to her family that she doesn't want to get married to Paul. She explained that she loves someone else but no one was listening to her.

On Christmas day, Linda went with her family to church; there she met Dorah. Dorah is Paul's first wife and he married her in that same church. She was such a humble lady and very active in the church.

Dorah has five children with Paul. She already knew Paul's arrangement to marry Linda. After the church service, Linda approached Dorah. She greeted her and she asked Dorah to give her a few minutes; that she wants to talk to her.

Linda and Dorah sat under the tree behind the church. Linda started talking to Dorah. She said "Miss Dorah, I want to apologize to you about this so-called traditional wedding between me and your husband. The truth is; I don't want to marry your husband, my family agreed to his proposal but not me."

Dorah continued to say that she tried to explain to her family that she loves someone else but all her efforts were falling on deaf ears. She said “Please, I do not want to come into your family, please help me; I need to run away from home and go back to the capital. Please rescue me Miss Dorah; I will not say anything to my family. Please help me."

Dorah kept silent for a while, and then she told Linda that she knew all about Paul's arrangements and she didn't know what to do about it. She said that she is happy that Linda is ready to run away from Paul. She told Linda to go back home with her family and enjoy her Christmas day.

Dorah promised Linda that she will find a way to help her out soon. She said that she will send someone to pick her up the next day, she told Linda to wake up very early in the morning and wait around the corner of her house, next to the big tree. She said that she will send someone on a motorcycle to take her to the bus station, she promised to arrange everything for Linda.

Nana and her family had an awesome Christmas with their father, they were all happy. Nana's father said that he hasn't had such a beautiful Christmas in ages. It was all joys; they ate, drunk, and danced. It was a wow Christmas.

Nana and her father left the next day, Nana refused to let her father go back home alone. She told her family that there are many things for her to do before she joins her new Private School.

Nana bid farewell to her mother, relatives, and all her friends. Nana and her father drove back to their new home, they indeed enjoyed the journey; they talked about an awesome Christmas they just had. There was no traffic on the road; it was a smooth drive home.