Cycle Of Life

Cycle of Life….

The two girls met outside Julie’s compound. Same height, same built, same age. Julie, the neater and more presentable of the two was riding her old rickety bike and had ventured outside the gate. Rule number one had been broken.
“I am going to tell on you!” Julie’s younger sister shouted as Julie’s small bike clattered outside the gate.
Julie had to brake hard using her legs on the ground to avoid hitting the girl who had suddenly appeared in front. Julie had seen the girl so many times before. She came from the neighbouring ‘kijiji’ and always joined in a group of children who hovered around Julie’s block of flats.
“Hi Julie,” the girl said in a clear voice.
“Hi,” Julie replied, surprised that the girl knew her name. Julie extended her hand and the two shook hands.
“My name is Susan,” she said, her eyes firmly on Julie’s bike.
“Do you want a ride?” Julie asked. She knew what the answer would be but before Susan could answer, Julie’s sister screamed from the balcony.
“I am going to phone mom right away and tell her you are out of the gate!” Julie ignored her sister’s tantrums. Threats, blackmails, coaxing, making up was part of their daily life.
Susan hesitated but when Julie dismounted and motioned her, Susan took the cue and mounted the bike.
“Confidence comes first. Focus on the road and not on the handle bar,” Julie instructed Susan. A group of curious ‘kijiji’ children gathered to witness the two girls. There were giggles and laughter as Susan tired her desperate best to at least ride 10 or so meters without falling.
“You can do it!” Julie’s firm assurance gave Susan hope that she could do it. After about 15 minutes of balance drills, the two decided to take a break.
“Tomorrow is Christmas day,” Susan said, sweat dripping down her forehead. “I am going to wear my new dress!” The smile and joy on Susan’s face melted Julie’s heart. For the first time, Julie noticed Susan’s tattered clothes.
Another shout from Julie’s sister brought the two girls back to reality. “Julie, mom is on the phone and she wants to speak to you!” Julie obliged and head downcast walked towards the gate where her sister was proudly holding the house phone.
“Hi mom!”
“How many times have I told you not to go out of the gate?”
“Many times mom!”
“So what are you doing outside the gate?”
Silence.
“I am talking to you!”
“Mom, I was teaching Susan how to ride a bike.”
Silence.
“And she says that tomorrow she will have a new Christmas dress.”
“Ok Julie, keep teaching her but make sure you don’t go far. I will see you in the evening!”
“Thank you mom. You are the best!”
Julie was elated. She handed the phone to her sister and managed to stick her tongue out. She was leading in the game.
Susan and Julie continued for another hour before they called it a day.
“Meet me here tomorrow in the morning. I will have something for you,” Julie told the appreciative Susan.
In the evening, Julie’s parents came with loads of shopping and Christmas presents. Julie’s eyes widened at the new mountain bike she had dreamt of having. She hugged both her parents and thanked them profusely. Julie’s younger sister got her expected full set of Barbie dolls.
“What will I do with two bikes mom?” Julie asked.
Mom knew the direction the conversation was leading towards. “You can give one of them away.”
Julie let out a loud whooping “YES!”
Julie and family settled for the evening prayers and meal as they waited for the clock to strike midnight. They sang carols and joined their neighbours in exchanging cards and gifts.
Julie did not sleep a wink. She turned and tossed in bed the whole night. Very early in the morning before going to church, Julie rode her new mountain bike to the gate and outside. Susan was waiting for her. She was wearing her new sparkling white dress. She looked like an angel.
“Merry Christmas,” Susan told Julie. She gave Julie a hug and a small hand made card.
“Merry Christmas,” Julie told her as she dismounted from her bike. “Take it, it’s yours! My mom said I could give one of my bikes!”
Susan was over the moon. She cried as she bade Julie good bye.