Christmas has always been that time of the year when the magic happens for Chika. A time she gets to write to Santa about what she wants on Christmas Eve, then on Christmas day, it magically appears beneath the Christmas tree.
But this year, she didn't want toys or anything that could be felt or seen. She wants something straight from the heart, and she is doubtful if Santa will be able to give her what she wants.
She looked at her elder sister, Nnenna, as she scribbled what she wanted on her paper. But when she tried to write hers she just couldn't think of any other thing than writing.
"Dear Santa,"
***"I have always wanted toys and physical gifts. But this year I want something that can only be felt in my heart, a secret gift. Please, make my mommy and daddy be back together again". ***
Then she sealed it up and said a little prayer. Hopeful that Santa will do what she asks.
"Someone's at the door", their father, Chijioke, yelled from the kitchen.
"I'll get it!" Chika the Chika ran down the stairs to the door. She pulled it open to see her mum, Vera standing on the other side of the door. She hadn't seen her for two years after her parents broke up with each other.
"Mum!" She yelled and jumped into her mother's hands who lifted her. "What are you doing here?" She asked as Nnenna, her sibling came running down the stairs too into her mother's arms. She had heard Chika yell and joyously had come down to greet her mum, who hadn't been living with them for two years.
"Oh my kids, I missed guys so much", their mum replied, holding them tight.
"What are you doing here?" Chika asked again; she was beginning to wonder if Santa had read her message even before her dad delivered it at the North Pole tonight.
"Well, I came to see my babies", her mother replied.
"And Daddy?" Chika asked, looking curiously into her mum's eyes.
Vera nodded. "And Daddy", she answered, her voice a bit high-pitched.
Happily, Chika dragged her mum to the kitchen where their father was cooking dinner.
"Dad, look who's here", Chika announced.
Chijioke turned and looked at Vera; he wiped his hands on his apron and stretched out his hands for a shake.
"I never thought you'd make it", he said to her.
"I promised, and I'm here", she replied, trying to sound normal.
Their divorce had taken a toll on them and raising the kids. But as time passed, they realized that their selfish desires weren't worth being without each other or raising their kids apart. They missed themselves every day and second. Now they're trying to work things out for themselves and their children. Although they still kept it secret till they were sure it was time to announce their reconciliation again.
"Alright, kids! Time to submit your letters to me to deliver to Santa, and then you go to bed,” Chijioke announced. An excuse to get the kids out of the kitchen so he could chat with Vera in private.
Making sure to put the kids to bed and that they were fast asleep, Chijioke returned to the kitchen to be with Vera. He popped a bottle of wine and poured two glasses for themselves. Then he sat down and opened up the letters to read.
"Okay, so Nnenna requested a new phone," he asked as he opened up the letter, sliding the other one over the table to Vera to read.
"You want me to read it?" she asked.
Chijioke nodded.
Opening up the letter Vera read. "Okay, so l" she paused as her voice caught in her throat for a moment. She looked at Chijioke.
"What? Read it out," he asked, smiling.
"She asked for Mommy and Daddy to be back together again", she read.
Then came the awkwardness and silence.
“I... I think she's right. We have held back on who would say it for long. Now I think it's time,” Chijioke said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Vera nodded, her heart heavy but hopeful. “It’s time.”
The next morning the kids woke to the soft sound of jingle bells echoing from the sitting room. They went downstairs to the Christmas tree, where each grabbed a present with their names on it and opened it.
"Yes," Nnenna shouted happily as she opened her gift of a new smartphone.
Chika stared at her with fear in her eyes and her heart racing. She looked at her present and it was light. She wondered what Santa had done with her letter. Had he read it or discarded it?
Gently she opened the present to see a letter. She opened the letter, her heart in her throat and read.
“Dear Chika,
Love is the greatest gift of all, and sometimes it takes a little time for it to return. Family is everything too. Turn around.”
Confused, Chika turned to see her parents standing there smiling and holding hands, her little heart still pounding.
"Girls," her father said. "Your mum and I have been working on our marriage. Now we've decided to try, to make it work... for you and all of us. Again".
"Does that mean mummy will return to the house?" Chika asked curiosity in her voice.
"Yes, baby", Vera replied with tears.
Chika couldn't believe her ears. Her eyes were quickly filled with tears. She ran to her parents and hugged them tight as Nnenna joined them.
"Merry Christmas everyone" her father added.
"Thank you, Santa", Chika whispered as she clung tightly to her parent's body.
