Rejoice

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When Rejoice, Sonia, Elizabeth, and Rejoice's father arrived at the checkpoint, one of the staff members who had been assisting them dropped their bags on a large inspection table nearby. They joined the queue and waited their turn to be scanned by security officers.

"God, there are so many people on this line," Sonia muttered, frowning at the long stretch of travelers ahead. "When are we even going to get checked in today?"

She looked over at Elizabeth, who seemed unbothered, her attention fully fixed on the phone call she had been on for quite a while.

"Don't worry," said one of the uniformed staff, turning to Sonia with a calm smile. "It's not as bad as it looks. The officers are not checking people in manually. They're using an electronic scanner to go through the bags. The line moves faster than you think."

"I hope so," Sonia said, folding both arms across her chest in slight frustration.

Fortunately, the line began to move quicker than expected. In about thirty-nine minutes, they were all checked in.

"You're all clear. You can go," a tall, burly officer announced gruffly as he shoved their bags to the other side of the inspection table without much courtesy.

After they collected their belongings, Rejoice's father turned and offered a grateful smile to the staff who had helped them earlier.

"Thank you for assisting us with the bags," he said warmly.

"You're welcome, sir. I was just doing my job," the man replied with a nod before walking off.

As they began moving forward, Elizabeth suddenly frowned, glancing down at her phone. "Grace, where the hell are you? We've already passed the checkpoint!" she said sharply into the receiver.

"I'm sorry, girl. Where exactly are you standing?" Grace asked from the other end, her voice sounding breathless as she tried to locate her friend.

"I'm beside the cafeteria," Elizabeth replied, scanning her surroundings. "Remembering they all agreed to eat at the cafeteria once they got to the bus stop."

"Okay, I'll be right there," Grace said quickly.

"Good. We'll be inside the cafeteria by the time you get here, so keep me updated," Elizabeth added before abruptly ending the call without waiting for a response.

Rejoice raised an eyebrow. "You didn't even let the the person finish."

"Hmmm," Elizabeth hummed, turning to the others. "Do you guys remember we made an agreement?"

"What agreement?" Rejoice asked, pulling off her sunglasses.

"We all agreed to eat once we got here, didn't we, Dad?" Elizabeth looked at Rejoice's father for confirmation.

"Oh, yes. I remember," he said, smiling. "And since we're already in front of the cafeteria, let's head inside and grab something to eat. I'm starving."

"Now this is what I'm talking about," Elizabeth thought, pleased as they made their way inside.

The cafeteria was enormous and buzzing with activity. The design was modern and stylish, with gleaming floors, decorative lights, and well-organized tables. Staff members dressed in coordinated uniforms moved efficiently through the space, each stationed in their area of expertise. There were countless people inside—some seated in twos, others in groups of four or more. The cafeteria even had a VIP section for high-profile individuals, marked by a velvet rope and plush seating.

"Welcome to Bus Stop 2 Cafeteria," a polite woman dressed in white said as they entered. She smiled brightly and gestured toward a set of empty seats. "May I please direct you to the table by your left?"

"Nice meeting you, ma," Elizabeth said, her voice full of enthusiasm as they moved toward the seats.

"I'll be back in ten minutes to take your orders," the woman added, handing each of them a laminated menu. "Please take your time."

"Hope that's okay with you?" she asked politely, glancing at their expressions.

"Five minutes should be enough," Sonia replied, already flipping through the menu.

"Alright. I'll return shortly," the waitress said before walking away.

"I don't even know what to eat," Rejoice sighed, studying the menu with furrowed brows. "There are just so many options."

"I think I'll go with vanilla foil cake and an apple drink," Sonia said confidently, licking her lips. "They have desserts here that look heavenly."

"Burger and chips with any drink will do for me," Rejoice's father said, closing his menu.

"As for me, I'm definitely going for noodles with sauce," Elizabeth chimed in. "Then I'll grab some popcorn on our way out."

"What about you, Rejoice?" her father asked.

"I think I'll go with bread and butter, and a hot cup of tea," she said, finally making her decision. "Oh, and popcorn too, just like Elizabeth."

"Alright then," her father nodded. "Where is that waitress now? It's been over five minutes."

"Here she comes," he added, spotting her returning from across the room.

"Sorry for the delay," the waitress said, approaching their table with a notepad. "I had to attend to some other customers. So, what would you all like to have?"

Rejoice's father took the lead and listed all their orders while she jotted them down neatly.

"Thank you," she said, collecting the menus. "I'll be back shortly with your orders."

Just as Elizabeth was about to say something, her phone rang again. She glanced at the screen.

"It's Grace," she said, answering quickly. "Hey, girl, where are you?"

"I'm already inside the cafeteria," Grace responded. "I'm near the entrance."

"Okay, I'll come and get you. Just wait by the door," Elizabeth replied, rising to her feet.

"I'll be waiting," Grace said before ending the call.

"Where are you heading to?" Rejoice's father asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Oh, Dad, I just want to go get my friend Grace. She's at the entrance," Elizabeth explained.

"Alright. Just don't take too long," he said, looking down at his phone.

"I won't," Elizabeth promised.

Sonia turned to Rejoice, surprised. "Grace is here too?"

"Apparently," Rejoice replied, raising a brow. "And Elizabeth didn't even think to mention it to us."

Elizabeth quickly made her way across the cafeteria toward the main entrance, scanning the area until she spotted Grace standing by the glass doors, looking a bit out of place in the crowd. She rushed over and gave her friend a brief hug.

"Finally," Grace said. "This place is massive."

"Tell me about it," Elizabeth replied. "Come on. Everyone's seated and waiting."

They returned to the table together, and Grace was warmly welcomed by Rejoice's father and the others. Another menu was handed to her, and she quickly made her order.

Moments later, their food arrived—steaming hot and delicious-looking. They all began to eat, laughing over silly jokes and making light conversation. For a brief moment, everything felt peaceful. It was one of those rare moments where family and friends came together, without any of the usual tension.

"Dad," Elizabeth said halfway through her noodles, "do you think the school will be as exciting as this journey?"

Her father chuckled. "Well, that depends on how you choose to experience it. But I'm sure you'll both enjoy your time there."

Sonia smiled. "I hope so. I'm nervous, but excited too."

Rejoice looked at her father, then at her friends. Her heart was full. Despite everything they had gone through—arguments, misunderstandings, and fears—she was starting to feel hopeful again.

"I just hope we all make it through the entrance test," Elizabeth said, sipping her drink and looking at Rejoice who she knew was worried about the exam's.

"You girls have always been hardworking. You'll do great," Rejoice's father encouraged.

"Thanks, Dad," Rejoice smiled.

After the meal, Elizabeth reminded everyone about the popcorn.

"Time for popcorn!" she declared.

"I almost forgot," Rejoice said, giggling.

They walked to the popcorn stand just outside the cafeteria and each picked a flavor. The stand offered a variety—caramel, cheese, spicy, chocolate-drizzled, and classic salted.

"I'll go with caramel," Sonia said.

"Same here," Grace echoed.

"I'll take chocolate-drizzled," Elizabeth added.

"I'll stick to classic," Rejoice said with a small smile.

After they got their popcorn, they walked back to the bus park, relaxed and full.

"Alright girls, we'll be heading to the bus soon," Rejoice's father said, checking the time. "Let's not miss the evening shuttle."

As they walked to the bus stop, the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow across the sky. Rejoice couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfillment. Everything was falling into place.

She held her popcorn bag tightly and whispered to herself, "I'm really starting this new journey."

And with that quiet resolve in her heart, she smiled as the wind brushed across her face.

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