Thursday 8 December 2011

The BF F.

The day itself had begun badly for her. She had been hauled up from her cosy bed by a mum gone hyper because her alarm hadn't rung. Before she could even protest that she was feeling sick, she was strictly admonished to "hurry up and get dressed "and in her school uniform.

Clutching her small schoolbag and water bottle, sniffling and crying, the tot was bundled off to the bus stop, an anxious mother cajoling and frowning in turn. With a wave of the hand and a hurried "bye sweety" the bus took off towards school.

Once in the class room, she sat morosely, her stomach still hurting, but too  scared of the teacher to say anything. A softly spoken "hi" made her turn to look at the child sitting beside her. A great big tear rolling down her cheek, she told her  about how sick she was, how she had almost missed the bus, everything that had befallen her since morning. Her new found friend listened to her woes and gave her a quick hug as they got up to say their prayers.

An hour later, having had her 'break', her tiffin consisting of a jam sandwich and her favourite cake, she had recovered enough to play with the others, laughing and shouting in glee as she slid down the slide. Her friend a quieter child, had returned to the classroom, looking at the picture books kept there.

Soon enough it was time to leave school. The children stood in an orderly line waiting to board the bus. Suddenly realising that she didnt have her water bottle with her, she turned and ran back to the classroom. Once there she hunted frantically n finally seeing it kept on the cupboard, dragged a chair, climbed up and retrieved it. Dashing outside she ran to the gate, her eyes widening as she saw the bus halfway down the lane. Running after it a little way, she stopped, tears rolling down her face as she realised what had happened. The enormity of it all overwhelming her she sat down on the pavement. The small hand on her back, made her swing around. There standing before her was her neighbour and friend from class. " I waited for you," she explained simply. " Lets ask the watchman to call up my dad. He'll take us home."

Her BF F. Best friend for life. And that was how it started, that friendship for life.

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