CLIFF

"Merry Christmas and happy birthday",Zina whisphered into my ears as I rolled out of my bed with a wide smile on my face. The day was my birthday and it was definetely one of those happiest periods in my life.
"Merry Christmas",I greeted pecking her on her cheeks and then Frank barged in.

He rolled his eyes,obviously jealous,Zina ambled towards him and gave him a peck on the lips.
"Happy birthday to the world's best friend",Frank shouted and I gave him a warm smile as he walked out of the room with Zina giggling.

Sitting back on my bed, my eyes caught an envelope beside the bedsidelamp and I wondered when it got here and who brought it.
Picking it up，I found out it was from my lost penpal-Priss,bringing out the letter gingerly,I was happy as a lark as my eyes scanned through it,reading every damn word in it.

She was in Islandia,wow,this is interesting,I thought as my legs took me to the bathroom. After taking my bath, I got dressed in my pre-birthday gift from mom and headed towards the dining room. Dad and mom had just gotten back from Nigeria for the Christmas and New Year celebration, Chloe got back from Paris yesterday.

Shock presented itself on my face as my eyes lit the beautiful decorations in the house,this was surely Zina's doing, my parents and Zina's parents along with Frank's parents were present.They welcomed me with a birthday song.

After having the breakfast,gifts were presented to me as we later went to our various churches and on returning,a big party blew up, it was held at Zina's favorite place,the garden.

"Who brought this letter?",I asked Zina who had smiled upon seeing the letter.
"Why didn't you tell me you had a penpal?"
Another question to my question. Should it be that?

Silent night was being played by an orchestra as it filled the whole air,Zina redponded.
"Her",she pointed and my eyes followed her hand.
Priss,Tenola and another lady walked into the garden,dressed elegantly in a blue evening gown and I was taken aback. Who had invited them?

"She brought the letter yesterday afternoon and told me she was your penpal,I'd actually thought she was visiting me not until she brought out this letter."Zina approached them without waiting for my response.
Gawping at Priss with a stunned face,different thoughts tumbled in my mind. So Priss was actually my penpal and I didn't know,what a small world!

"Cliff",Zina called as she stood right in front of me with Priss,Tenola and the other lady that came with them.
"Yes",I responded staring frozenly at Priss who stared back in surprise. Zina ,Tenola and the other lady left and it wasn't until the sound of Jingle Bell filled the air that we realised we'd actually stared at each other for a long time.

"Emm...did you bring this letter?",I started， breaking the stare and the silence.
"Yeah,I actually went back to Nigeria because of the letters 'cause I didn't know the address,deciding to write to him and see him face-to-face,I brought the letter yesterday,so why do you have it with you?"

Shaking my head and smiling to the extent of my lips begging me to stop,my reply was,"This is my house and I'm the only Clifford in this house and the only one with a penpal,are you really my Priscilla?".
Priss smiled in awe before nodding,"Yes,is this really happenning?"

I didn't reply but hugged her tightly instead without uttering a word,she hugged me back and we stayed in that position for some minutes,it was incredible,my new found heartbeat was really my penpal,complacency set in. I really didn't care if anyone was looking at us but all I was sure about is that I was ready to give love another chance,the fact tgat it was Priss made me want to take to Frank's advice.I really didn't care about what others would think of me or say,all I want is my happiness.I couldn't get happier today,this Christmas was definetely the best.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
PRISS

I found it unbelievable.
The guy I was actually developing feelings for was my Cliff,the only person I was able to confide in,the only person that stood by me when I was in bondage.

"So who is he?",Zavrina questioned as she dropped the raspberry juice she was drinking. I'd gotten back few minutes ago after Zina called Cliff and I had to look for Tenola and Zavrina.

I'd seen them under a tree that I didn't know the name and had approached them.Obviously,they were enjoying themselves as they didn't realise my presence until I cleared my throat and ever since then,I'd joined them without uttering a word as I stared at the roasted chicken in front of me with my mind faraway.

"Who?",I asked not really getting her question. Zavrina had gotten back from school yesterday night and had decided to come with me after I told Tenola that Zina had invited me to their christmas party.

"Him",Tenola said almost in a shout as she pointed towards where Cliff was sitted laughing with Frank,Zina,Alexia the witch and a lady I recognised was probably Cliff's sister,Chloe due to their resemblance.

"Oh",I'd wanted to continue but Tenola stopped me as she stressed"He's cliff,our boss and Priss's penpal for eighteen good years,he's also the guy Priss has feelings for".
Geez!this girl is such a parrot and who told her I had feelings for him.
"Wow",Zavrina covered her mouth with her hand before continuing,"It's really good to hear Priss has recovered from her madness and I'm certain it's going to be a beautiful love story".

I scoffed,smirked and eyed the both of them before correcting,"I have no feelings for him".
Zavrina and Tenola glanced at each other before bursting into a stupid and mocking laughter.

"It's obvious, as in it is written all over your face,so there's no reason denying it",Tenola exaggerated as soon as she stopped her outburst.
OMG!!!Was it that obvious?Is it actually written on my face. Even though it is,I still stood on my ground,I wouldn't allow any guy into my life,I was afraid of love and marriage. But if I really wanted to get married,it would be my penpal and here he was looking impossible.

"And I could see the way he was looking at you,the way he hugged you as if you were disappearing,it shows he likes you and I think you should give him a chance",foolish Zavrina advised amidst the chewing of chips.

"I think you are aware I have no plans of getting married so shut that filthy trap you call a mouth before I smack your face",I deadpanned and I could see Tenola glaring at me.
Okay,that was harsh.I really didn't have to get angry over it,she was only giving me her opinion.

A lady walked to us and I recognised her as the lady that had welcomed me yesterday,she smiled at me and gave her a plastic smile,after asking for our order in which we all chose Fried rice and Fried chicken,she left to get the food.

Tenola and Zavrina turned to each other as they conversed as if I didn't exist and I felt really bad and lonely. All I did was listen to Feliz Navidad that was being played by an orchestra.
Looking around, my eyes rested on Cliff who was now eating and at the same time talking with his Frank,Zina,Alexia and probably Chloe.Our eyes finally met and I tried so hard to look away but something was obstructing me,he didn't look away either and our gaze remained locked,the time stopped as we were in our own world till he finally looked away due to Zina tapping him.
Who was Zina to him?

It's really nice to have the penpals meet and for the fact that they'd known each other,it's really great.
But then Cliff had decided to give love another chance but do you think Priss would let go of her fears even though she'd planned to get married to her penpal if she really considered marriage.Do you think Priss would even go for Cliff if at all she considered a relationship and learns about his marriage?
Priss needs an advice.
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