The gentle hum of Angela's blender filled the kitchen as Zaria sat at the dining table, flipping through an art book Sally had bought her. It had become routine — her mornings in Bukoto were quiet, peaceful, and filled with care. Angela treated her not as a burden, but as someone to be nurtured. For the first time in her life, Zaria felt she truly belonged.
Just then, the front gate creaked.
Angela wiped her hands and went to check, only to return moments later holding out Sally's phone.
"It's for you," she said, eyes curious. "It's Mr. Sally."
Zaria stood and took the phone. "Hello?"
"Hello, Zaria," Sally's warm voice came through. "How's my girl today?"
"I'm fine, Father," she said, smiling. "We're making banana juice."
"Save some for me," he chuckled. "Listen, I have something to tell you — someone special is coming to Kampala next week."
"Who?" Zaria asked, tilting her head.
"Your friend Linda."
Zaria's breath caught. "Linda? Really?"
"Yes. She's coming for a debate competition with her school. She actually told Headmaster George to contact me so she could find a way to see you."
Zaria's heart swelled. "I've missed her so much."
"I know," Sally said gently. "I've already spoken to George. They'll be staying for a week. He said the competition will be hosted at Seta Primary School."
"Is it far?" Zaria asked.
"Not too far," Sally replied. "Now, I'm going to call George again and ask for the contact of the teacher who will accompany Linda. I'll arrange everything. You'll see her soon, Zaria."
Zaria sat down, too overwhelmed to speak.
"Thank you," she finally whispered.
"No," Sally said, "thank you for showing me what friendship really means."
---
Meanwhile, back in Hilltop, Linda stood outside the dusty school office, her bag strapped on her back and a hopeful smile on her face. The debate team had been rehearsing for weeks, and though the idea of traveling to Kampala made her nervous, her determination to see Zaria gave her courage.
Headmaster George stepped out of his office, phone in hand.
"Linda," he said kindly, "I spoke with Mr. Sally. He's happy you want to visit Zaria. I'll send him the contact of Miss Ruth — the teacher who'll accompany your group."
Linda grinned. "Thank you, sir."
"You're a brave girl," he said. "Your heart is in the right place."
She nodded. "Zaria is like a sister to me. I can't go to Kampala and not see her."
---
Later that evening, Sally sat in his home office and dialed the number George had given him.
"Hello, is this Miss Ruth?" he asked.
"Yes, speaking," came the polite voice on the other end.
"My name is Mr. Sally Raymond. I was contacted by your headteacher, Mr. George, regarding a student named Linda. She'll be traveling with you to Kampala for the debate competition at Seta Primary School."
"Yes, sir," Miss Ruth confirmed. "Linda is one of our top debaters."
"Thank you. I've been asked to help her reconnect with a friend who now stays in Bukoto. I was hoping, with your permission, to have her spend a few hours during your stay visiting this friend — with full supervision, of course."
Miss Ruth sounded thoughtful. "If it's arranged properly, I see no problem. As long as she doesn't miss any sessions."
"Agreed. I'll arrange transport and meals, and ensure she's returned safely."
"I'll speak to her when we arrive, then we can coordinate from there."
"Thank you," Sally said, smiling. "You're very kind."
---
Zaria spent the next few days filled with nervous excitement. She cleaned her room twice, picked out her favorite dress, and even asked Angela if she could make chapati on the day Linda visited.
"She'll love that," Angela said. "I can't wait to meet her."
The morning Linda was expected, Sally picked her up directly from the competition venue after her final debate session. Miss Ruth handed her over with a kind smile.
"She spoke about Zaria the whole trip," she told Sally. "This means a lot to her."
Linda sat quietly in the front seat of the car, dressed in her school uniform, hands folded over her lap. But as they pulled into Bukoto, she began to fidget with excitement.
"Will she remember me?" she asked suddenly.
Sally smiled. "She never forgot you."
---
When the car pulled into the compound, Zaria was already standing at the gate, heart pounding, eyes wide.
As soon as Linda stepped out, they both froze — just for a second — taking each other in.
Then they ran.
No words.
Just a tight, teary hug filled with all the memories they had carried in silence.
"You're alive," Linda whispered.
"And you came," Zaria said, pulling back to wipe her face.
They laughed, hugged again, then walked into the house hand-in-hand.
Angela welcomed Linda like family, offering her juice and biscuits as they caught up on everything — from their classes to the new people in their lives, to how strange it felt being in different places.
"You have a bed here?" Linda asked, amazed.
"And my own books," Zaria said, beaming.
"You're safe now?"
Zaria looked at Angela, then nodded. "Yes. I'm safe."
---
Sally gave them a few hours, then returned with Dexta in tow. The boy entered holding a box of jellybeans and immediately noticed Zaria with a new friend.
"Hi!" Linda smiled at him. "Who's this?"
"This is Dexta," Zaria said. "He's… Sally's son.
Linda tilted her head. "He looks a bit like you."
Zaria paused. "Really?"
Angela stepped in with a chuckle. "Maybe it's just the light."
The girls burst into laughter, and Dexta, not understanding why, offered his sweets as a peace offering.
They spent the afternoon sharing stories, laughing, playing board games, and chasing each other around the compound. At one point, Zaria and Linda curled up on a mat under the Jack fruit tree, whispering secrets like they were ten years old again.
"I thought I'd never see you again," Linda said, her voice quiet.
"I thought I'd never survive to tell you what happened," Zaria replied.
Linda took her hand. "But you did. You're brave."
"No," Zaria said, squeezing her back. "We both are."
---
As the sun began to set, Sally drove Linda back to her team's hostel. Before she left, she turned to him with tearful eyes.
"Thank you, sir," she said. "For protecting her."
Sally placed a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for never giving up on her."