CHOOSING.

11. Mending bridges.

Needless to say, the retreat was a perfect success. We all got to lay aside our worries and do nothing but play and get soaked. Caleb and I still hadn't talked but after that incident he did not go to ends to avoid me. He even shot me a grateful smile or two that made me realise just how much I had been longing for them. We got back to school happy and refreshed and ready to conquer the upcoming exams. I found myself humming music more often than usual and I had this feeling of laughter bubbling in my chest ready to be released.

On the Thursday I was to finish my exams, I got up early to polish up my knowledge. An hour and a half of intense revision had my confidence level spiked and nothing could wipe off the stupid grin on my face. I made myself breakfast while singing, I even did a couple of dramatic twirls only to burst into laughter. I couldn't believe it, my second year first semester was coming to a close and I had been adequately prepared for all my tests. After a long session of singing in the shower, I got dressed in my prettiest dress and even wore a pair of heels.

I got out of my house singing softly under my breath. I was so preoccupied I did not see him until I bumped into him. The minute we collided my face broke into a grin as I looked up to see who wanted to turn me into mince meat so early in the morning. "Ombachi! How are you?" I exclaimed with a smile still on my face.

"Um, am okay but are you? You're acting strange," he said looking concerned.

"What gave me away?" I asked, smile getting broader.

"The smile on your face, its too wide. Oh, and its getting wider. You just ran into me and all you did was grin," he narrowed his eyes. "Are you on something?"

"Why, yes! Am on something. Something known excitement. Am going to do my last paper now," I squealed barely containing the urge to jump up and down.

"Wow, okay. Success in your last exam then," he said looking a whole lot baffled.

"Sure, thank you," I replied skipping away (in heels).

I soon had myself settled down ready to tackle whatever the test hold. I got a number of stares for my smile which they so kindly termed as creepy, not that it bothered me much. The test question did nothing to dampen my mood and its safe to say my smile was a couple of inches wider by the time I was done. The invigilators watched me warily as if waiting for me to pounce, which I didn't. I handed in my paper as soon as I was done and as calmly as possible but as soon as I was out of the exam hall, I let go the excited squeal I had been holding back.

Standing there in the middle of the hallway getting weird looks I had never been more excited. And then I spotted Caleb at the end of the hallway coming out of an exam room. And guess what I did next (pauses and wait). You're right, I ran towards him and before I could second guess myself flung my arms around him and hugged him to me. After overcoming the initial shock, he hugged me back quite as tightly. As I pulled away I was happy to see he was smiling his full blown Caleb smile. "What got you all excited, Soni?" He asked amusedly.

"This semester is over!" I exclaimed in reply.

"Want to celebrate?" He asked casually and my eyebrows shot up my face in wonder.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yes, of course. I know a nice place we can have an early lunch in celebration," he said casually. That in itself was enough to blow my breath away. It assured me that I was forgiven and it was all I could ask for to make my day perfect. We didn't bother dropping off our schoolbags but immediately set out for our destination, which I had no idea of. On the way we talked of everything and nothing, about weather, scenery, schoolwork but never did it get awkward. Sometimes we lapsed into companionable silence. After walking for over half an hour, we got there. And it was beautiful.

It was a cozy little placed built like a log cabin with eating areas in the open. It was surrounded by trees and well tended flower gardens. Soon we settled at a table in the back out in the open. The thatched roof above the outer sitting areas provided shade from the scorching sun while the missing side wall gave way for a cooling breeze. This was such a nice place offering an array of all sorts of local and foreign dishes. I ordered a dish of arrow roots and fried chicken. I applauded my choice the minute the food touched my taste buds causing me to involuntarily close my eyes in delight. "Good, isn't it?" Caleb asked grinning. "Totally," was all I could say.

Halfway through eating I decided it was time to talk things over. "Caleb? I have something to tell you," I started. He looked up from eating and the minute he saw the serious expression on my face, his face fell.

"Alright, am listening," he prompted.

"About that day, I did not have much of a choice. I owed Ombachi a favour and I could not refuse him," I explained.

"Mm Ombachi? So that's his name. You don't have to explain anything," he said dismissing me.

"I know you got angry. You're acting like you still are. However, I want you to know you have nothing to worry about. You're both my friends and..."

"It is okay, I get it. As I said you don't owe me an explanation," he cut me off.

"You told me you don't think it is wrong to be friends with him but now you are shutting me off," I couldn't understand why he was being like this.

"I told you that. But going out with him immediately after, and to a club? Does that sound to you like innocent friendship. If you're willing to tarnish your morals for him, I can't support you on that." Caleb said. He looked a good deal upset.

"It was just that one time. And it is never going to happen again," I defended.

"You have to be extra careful, Soni. I don't want you to fall, you're a wonderful person and I cannot imagine losing you," he said reaching over to hold my hand.

"I will be Caleb. And you will not lose me, am here to stay," I said with a laugh and just like that, the tension disappeared. We were soon back to our happy mood, joking and laughing away. It was about time we mended bridges.