Chapter Seventeen – Christmas Season. More Like Cuffing Season

After our fight, Lara returned from the party and went straight to Kwame. She reasoned that she was going ro him because he was the only one who would listen without judging her. The real reason was that he was the only person she wanted to rant to.

"I completely understand where you're coming from but you also need to remember that she's your best friend. Don't let this ruin your friendship."

Lara wasn't happy to hear it but took it in good faith. Just like that, she and Kwame would be entering a new layer of their ... friendship? Situationship? I don't even know anymore.

Lara’s silent treatment was unbearable and she spent most of her nights out of the room and with Kwame. I hadn’t planned to but Mara proved to be a more open friend who was excited to hear about the things going on with me and Sly.

Getting to know her more in that way made it harder for me to get behind Lara's vendetta.

This obviously didn’t help matters with Lara since the sole reason she was mad at me was because she felt I had chosen Mara over her.

Soon we were done with exams which meant it was time for the Christmas break. I didn’t want to go home still fighting with Lara but I didn’t feel the need to apologize. I hadn’t been wrong.

One night, I was fortunate enough to catch her before she left for Kwame’s room.

“Lara, can we talk” I pleaded. She stood there with her arms folded and a stubborn look on her face. Usually, when she made that face, it meant that she was expecting an apology and I ever so quickly gave it, but it was time to stop enabling her behavior.

“Lara, you know I love you. My policy is to always take your side in public and to admonish you in private. I have always done this. I have never ever taken Mara’s side in public and believe me when I tell you that if you guys had chosen to throw hands at the party, it’s Mara I would have been kicking out, but you cannot expect me to sit here and pretend that you have a better case. I’m sorry, you don’t.”

Lara was quiet for what felt like an eternity.

“I love you too, Araba but I cannot get behind the fact that you don’t see how Mara is the enemy here. She betrayed our friendship. I considered her a friend and she told my secret. How can you trust someone like that? Who’s to say she’s not going to disclose any other secrets? It’s like she slapped me in the face and whether or not she was right in doing so, she still did and you’re supporting her.”

It was now my turn to be silent.

“For me, it’s simple. It’s either me or Mara and the fact that I have to ask you to choose, scares me.”

Obviously, I was going to choose Lara but I wasn’t happy about being given an ultimatum and it didn’t sit right with me that she was turning this thing into some kind of battle.

“I choose you, obviously. That’s not even a question but Mara is part of our friend group so what happens now?” I asked.

“I guess we’ll find out next semester” Lara said simply before leaving.

I tried to shift my mind from the unnecessary drama as I packed for home. My father would be coming to pick me the next day and so I was trying to put my stuff together in anticipation. Most students like to wait for a while and engage in shameful and not to mention, illegal activities before finally going home. For me, the stress of sleepless nights in preparation for exams coupled with the pressure of the exam had drained me and I certainly didn’t want to be around to discover what tomfoolery that these students could come up with.

Boateng and I had chosen entirely to avoid talking about Saturday night but it was clear that something was troubling our friendship. He would be part of the students staying behind to engage in useless endeavors. He was particularly excited because he had found himself talking to a new girl named Marilyn or so.

I was happy to see him moving on from Farida but I could ultimately see where this was going to go. For his vacation, his mother was sending him to spend Christmas in the UK with her sister. She wanted the children away from the drama of the divorce.

Carl was already on his way out today. He was headed to Takoradi to spend the harmattan holidays in his family house there. He even extended me an invitation, promising that I would enjoy the 'fancy dress' masquerade festival. I declined because I had my own Christmas traditions with my family.

Assuming Lara and I were all patched up, we would certainly be seeing each other over the holidays.

*

Kwame's attempt to patch things with Nana Yaa proved unsuccessful and so he felt that maybe he should open his mind to considering things with Lara so he proposed the idea that they hung out more this December. Lara was very pleased with the suggestion.

She knew she couldn't share her joy with me because I might not approve.

*

Boateng did come by to see me before I left and we shared a long hug. He apologized for what happened at the club and I told him he didn't need to worry.

"I just want you to know I really care about you" he said. "I know. Thank you. I care about you too very much and I'm here if you need to talk about your parents."

*

After a long day of packing, I was about to take a nap when Sly knocked at the door.

He apologized for interrupting when he saw the bags and stuff that I had left lying around. I assured him that I was already on a break. He took a seat and we engaged in some small talk.

“So, what are your plans for the holidays?” I asked.

“Oh, nothing much. I certainly plan to join the Christmas Accra celebrations. Maybe, if you’re interested, we could go for some of the events together. Either way, I hope this Christmas vacation, we get to know each other more.”

I said shyly that I hoped so too.

“I really like you, Araba".

---

Now reader, we’ve come to the end of a season. If you think this season was chaotic, then you are ill prepared for what follows. I won’t risk any spoilers but this much I can tell you, the pressure is on and the stakes are high. Hearts will be broken, friendships will be tested and above all, you will learn how to survive university.