"Let's go." Chioma said with a warm smile directed at the two children and without a single glance at her husband's direction left with a hand holding one of each child's.
Chikodi's face fell and his shoulders slumped. He used that same downcast expression to lock the car properly.
He felt abandoned by the world itself and that the air felt a lot colder than usual.
In his daze someone patted a hand on his shoulder prompting him to look up and behind his left shoulder.
At a certain point an elderly man with a bit of grey in his beard and a bald head wearing simple clothes with eyes that seemed to had seen it all had walked up to him.
The man had seen everything and patted his shoulder as a form of manly comfort.
Chikodi's shoulders recovered and he gave the man a small smile before walking forward to catch up with his family.
They all passed through the inner gate together along with some families behind and in front of them.
The field was now occupied with various canopies of different sizes with some students carrying chairs from inside to place under the canopies.
After their group was directed like all the rest towards a pair of large canopies with plastic chairs under them,which as anyone could see was reserved for the parents,friends and invited relatives. Kelechi separated from them with a few waves to head to the school building and towards his class to prepare.
He passed some teachers and students on the way greeting those that he knew and simply nodded to students that he didn't.
Inside the class he saw most of his classmates and friends already there talking and laughing with their teacher Mrs Chinaza smiling at them.
A few minutes later the entire class was finally available and Mrs Chinaza cleared her throat prompting everyone to quieten.
"Good morning dears and a lovely Christmas to you all." She began with a smile on her face. The children responded with great positivity and the energy only children their age had.
Mrs Chinaza gave them time to go change, asking the boys to leave the class and head to the other empty classroom.
The boys were supervised by Mr Emeka who supervised them along with his own male students and help out those who were struggling with their attire.
After a while all the children were done and were now wearing;for the boys,long sleeved white shirts with black vests,red trousers and white shoes.
The girls wore white dresses with red shoes and red bows on their heads.
Just as they were smiling they heard the announcement of the first event begining and were asked to hurry up and join the others outside.
Outside on the field the children had already rushed,not to join their families but under canopies meant for their fellow students and stood up along with everyone else for the national anthem.
After the national anthem came the school's anthem and after that came the opening prayer. All these were done by the headmaster Mr Amadi who looked quite dashing in his light blue senator attire accompanied with a red cap and black shoes.
After the opening prayer was done everyone sat down as the Christmas party had officially started.
The first event was a introduction of high standing school staff and school sponsors done by the school headboy and accompanied by loud claps and cheers.
Then the Mc took over and began the event properly.
The entire Nursery section banded together to do one Christmas carousel. Many parents especially the mothers oohed and ahhed as they watched the adorable little children sing to the best of their abilities.
A few dramatic ones used handkerchiefs to wipe off a corner of their eyes.
Then came the primary one presentation with was a short drama about a family and their preparations for Christmas with a brief moral story at the end.
After that it was finally Kelechi's class turn and he was already waiting in the building directly facing the open field space that was their stage along with his classmates and primary 3 students.
It was a joint presentation as well.
Food was already being shared to the parents,friends and invited relatives as the Mc vigorously introduced their classes.
The song changed to something more upbeat with the holiday rhythm as the children moved forward before forming a line of four people each with one person holding the mic.
The songs started in full swing with the students parting in the middle at one point to reveal Kelechi who looked dashing with another mic in his hand.
His parents and Nneka waved as he waved back singing beautifully.
Both he and the girls voice blended well and their audience were shaking their heads to the beat.
It was an amazing presentation.
The other presentations flowed by after that with the final one being that of the primary 5 and 6 children who inacted the Mary and Joseph drama and the events leading to the birth of baby Jesus.
The wise men were shown as well as King Herod.
It was a common yet impactive drama that left some in awe and laughter.
Kelechi didn't change back later and was given food at some time after his class presentation by their teacher along with a can of chilled juice.
It was a very memorable day for everyone and it got even better after they got back because Nneka's parents arrived later with her elder brother Chibuike who was already in junior secondary.
The night was a memorable one as well.
The constant sound of Christmas carousels,the available light though not necessary as they had a generator but still very much welcomed.
The air was cold outside but the families inside were very warm and happy.
A wonderful beautiful evening that promised joy, happiness and future happy meet ups like this next year and the many years to come.