A beautiful Christmas timeline...CNF #117.

I could not sleep, neither were my eyelids drooping. I sat on my bed with my legs crossed. My eyes darted back and forth from my wardrobe which housed my new Christmas wear and shoes to the wall clock beside the wardrobe. It was Christmas eve and only a few hours till the break of dawn.

"Why can't morning come sooner" I whined for the upteenth time. I could not wait to rock my new dress, shoes, sun shades and hand bag that my mum had bought for me to use as an ensemble on Christmas day. I could already imagine the envious stares that I would get when I would sashay beautifully into church for Christmas service. I chuckled heartily as I imagined more images of awe on the faces of my friends. I really cannot wait to shock them with my beautiful attire and appearance.

Mum had already taken me to a hair salon to get my hair done the previous day, so all that was left was for me to rock and slay. One other thing that kept my serotonin level high that night was my reliance on the promises of my uncles and aunt. Two of my maternal uncles had promised me money gifts while my maternal aunt promised me a new wrist watch. I knew that come Christmas morning, I would be having the time of my life.

"Can you blame a ten year old for being giddy with happiness on Christmas eve?" I was on top of the world but the best part was yet to come. As if the day wanted me to get my goodies, the cock crowed and when I looked at the wall clock, the time read 5:15am. I sprang up from my bed and joyfully began to get ready. At 6:30am, I was dressed and all dolled up. In fact, I was the first to get ready in my family. When my dad saw me sitting down and waiting for my breakfast, he marvelled and gave me a cash reward of five hundred naira (that was a lot of money then).

"Thank you daddy and Merry Christmas to you" I greeted.

"Merry Christmas to you too dear. I can see that you are set for church already" he inquired.

"Yes dad, I don't want to be late for service" I replied. He looked at me once, nodded his head happily and went back inside his room. Just then mum came out of the kitchen with a plate of food for me. Rice and fried chicken with salad by the side. I quickly went to the dining table to devour the food. I was mostly happy for the chicken ribs on my plate more than anything. After eating, I left the house to church.

I made sure to strike a pose as I walked. One would think that I was on a runway auditioning to be a model. The sun was yet to unleash its full blast but that did not detrer me from rocking my sun shades. I knew I looked gorgeous, the second glances from passersbyassured me of that. I was early to church and after the service, I went to meet my friends and just like I imagined, their looks of awe was priceless. At that moment, I felt like a ballerina on stage about to debut.

"Wow, your dress is pretty" that was Linda complimenting my dress. "I wish my mum had bought this type of shoe for me" said Janet and then came Anita with "I like your hairstyle".

I appreciated them all for their compliments and also returned the favour. After that, we moved out in group to go visit some notable church members. It was a custom and we kids loved it as we were sure to eat and drink a lot and also receive cash gifts. By the time we were done visiting the fifth house, I left ny friends to return home so that I could cash in on the promises made to me by my relatives.

I got home to find the whole place filled up with relatives and guests. I made my way to uncle Matthew, greeted him and asked for my gift. He put his hand in his pants pocket and brought out five hundred naira which he gave to me. I thanked him happily and movesd on to my next target. When I was done going round to collect gifts, I went up to my room to calculate. I found out that I had received a total of two thousand and fifty naira cash gift plus a new wrist watch given by my aunt. I quickly went to show my dad all that I got and he applauded me.

Later, my aunt asked me to join her and some friends who were heading to the beach. With permission from my parents, I joined them and we all went to the beach. The beach was filled with people who had also come out to celebrate Christmas with their friends and loved ones. Everyone was having a good time. Some were chasing the waves while some sat on the sand to chat. I went ahead to play with the water, running bavk and forth to the movement of the sea untill I spotted a horse.

"Aunty Amaka, can I ride that horse please?" I asked cutely and she obliged me. She called the horse keeper and they negotiated the price before she paid and I waa helped to climb onto the horse's back. At first I was a little afraid of the horse running wild on me but the horse keper assured me that he would lead the horse on slow strides only and I felt at ease. After the horse back ride, my aunt took me into the tent which had been booked and I saw her friends dancing to Feliz Navidad and just like magic potoin at work, I joined in and began singing and dancing along with the others.

Time moved quickly and soon the sun was setting. I heard the sound of an ice cream truck and quickly screamed "ice cream is here". My aunt chuckled as she led me out to go get some ice cream. I ordered a chocolate flavoured one while she ordered for a strawberry ice cream. Then we both went back to join her friends who were packing up so as to leave.

When we arrived home, my feet were sore and my eyelids were dropping. Dad noticed and asked how my outing went. "I really enjoyed myself dad. I had the best time today and I can't wait for nect year's Christmas to come around" I said happily as I climbed up the stairs to my room to happily embrace a sweet sleep.

Thank you all for reading..shalom

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