The scene is April's room. The walls are coated in white paint and nicely decorated. April is lying on the floor surfing the web. Her best friends Vivian and Joel are with her.
Vivian: (put down the TV remote control and turning in the direction) ".. what do you mean we should spend valentine at the orphanage?"
April: "I thought we were done on this matter?"
Vivian: 'We are not. Let's settle this for once. Val's day is set aside for couples. Spending it with kids sounds very boring and arduous".
April: " Urgh! Here we go again (rolls eyes). It's not! Wherever was it proclaimed that it's meant for lovers only?.
Vivian: "It's common knowledge. Isn't that how we spend it normally?
April: "That the majority spends it that way doesn't mean it's the right way. What's this month called?
Vivian: "It's a month of love and..
April: (cuts in sharply)"You see? Love! Love isn't restricted to couples alone babe.
Joel walks in from the kitchen. In his hands was a tray holding three cups of steaming coffee drinks.
He puts down the tray on the vanity mirror adjacent the bed, hands April her cup and as hands Vivian her's, he says,
Joel: "Viv, aren't you bored of the conventional lunch dates, dinner dates, cinema dates and beach parties? Besides you do if every other week..
April: (cuts in) "..and it was just last week that you went on that baecation
Joel: "Plus, you always speak on spontaneity. Now see who is shying away from this amazing experience. Unbelievable!
They all burst into laughter. April who's more gregarious mistakenly tipped her cup and spilled some coffee on herself.
April: Ouch!
Jude and Vivian say in unison: Sorry!
April: "Thank you! And hey Joel, you make the best coffee, what's your secret?"
Joel: "(shrugs) no secret. Coffee just always turns out good"
April: "Hmmm. Thank you tho"
Vivian who had been taking sips of her coffee and watching the duo resumed speaking
Vivian: "I still cannot wrap my head around why I'll be at some orphanage while the rest of the world would be having the time of their lives and making memories
Gets up, straightens her tee and with a visibly annoyed expression, says,
April: "Enough of this Vivian. You don't have to go if you don't want to. You're only concerned about the gram and what people say. Besides, no one is forcing to go with us. It'll just be more fun with all of us present but suit yourself"
Joel: " Relax girls, please!"
The long awaited Val's day is here. It's midday. Jude and April show up are at the orphanage with tons of drinks, food and beverages as donation. Kids can be seen wandering round about them, smiling, jumping, eating, drinking and having fun.
Joel: "I wonder what fun-queen Vivian is up to now"
April: "What else? She probably at some resort or someplace partying and having fun."
Joel: "That girl! She's a case. She's just a handful (scoffs) Phew!"
It's almost 3pm
Joel: "...these kids are just too much fun. If only....
A familiar voice calls in and cuts him abruptly.
Vivian: "Hey Loves!!!"
Jude and April turn to see Vivian walking up to them, a wide smile plastered on her face.
April: "Hello girl! What are you doing here?
Vivian: (still smiling)"What else? I came to be with my best friends of course.
Joel: "What happened with your outing?"
Vivian: "We went out for brunch but I kept thinking of our last conversation. So, we rescheduled. And, he's here with me too. He's in the car.
The three friends walked to where Vivian had parked her car. Standing beside it was Eric, Vivian's boyfriend. They exchanged hugs.
April: (excitedly)"All right. Let's go introduce you to some of the kids.
Eric: "Oh wait! We brought some stuff. Mostly personal effects for the girls.
Joel: "That's thoughtful of you guys.
They grab the gifts from the booth if the car, handed them to the orphanage staff and joined some of the kids on the field. They played football, held dance competitions, played some games and took pictures.
Sometime later, while they sat at a shed eating fruits, three teens walked up to them,
Girl 1: (looking directly at Vivian)."Thank you so much Aunty for the gifts. No one has really done thia much for us. Can't even remember fhe last time we had this much food and fun.
Girl 2: (The smallest one, visibly shy)"Thank you very much. We'll never forget this! We love you.
All together: "We love you too";
Thy kids group hugged Vivian. She shut her eyes tightly. It was all she could to stop herself from tearing up.
They let go of her and walked away. Waved at the others and walked away.
Joel: (coughs lightly) we should get going now. It's getting really late
Vivian: "How I want us to stay more(blinks rapidly and clears throat)
April: "Were you not the very one who never wanted to come at all?
Joel, April and Eric giggle
Vivian: "Y'all should let me be (pouts). I never knew it was this fun and heartwarming. My date couldn't have come close. Thank you guys for this experience. Love sure takes different forms. Let's do this often.
April: "Awwn! We will.
They get up, gather their stuff and head for their cars.
Vivian: (in a singsong voice)"But can we do this next week?
Joel: (Laughs loudly) No!! Some other time. But soon.
Eric: "Please, notify me the next time. I wouldn't want to miss out of this lovely timeout.
They all giggle as light fades.
Thanks for gracing this post.
Greetings!
