The dry-cold weather, the blaring sounds of car horns clashed with loud music, and moving cars will leave you with no doubt that you are in the festive season in Lagos.

At 11:00pm, Chimamanda was still at the hospital attending to patients.

Before leaving, she checked on her patients. She had read five Christmas stories to five of her patients whom she knew would not go home for the holiday. She Contemplated between reading more, before she decided to hit the road. Still in her scrubs she took the elevator down to the basement and strode to her car, playing "All I want for Christmas is you" by Mariah Carey, and mentally preparing her self for the usual traffic jam that laid ahead in the beautiful city of Lagos. Little did she know that her life would take a new turn, she ignited her engine.

After two hours of road traffic, at 2:00am, the road was calm. Her eyes almost closing she drove weakely through third mainland bridge.

Suddenly, her half-closed eye became fully open as it caught the image of a weak figure staggering close to the edge of the bridge.

With horror filled eyes, and heart beating loud drums, she screeched to a halt. Not minding the cars passing, she jumped out of her car with trembling feet and lunged herself forward, stopping the stranger from emptying his soul into the Lagoon. Lagosians and drama is like a mother to her baby, so it was not a surprise when people started gathering. In all the chaos Chimamanda's heart raced as she positioned the stranger's body to face her. With a weak shaking voice he uttered, " why did you stop me" and with his eyes closed, he blacked out, the alcohol bottle slipped from his grasp and shattered, the same time Chimamanda's heart shattered, and as fast as the wind she whispered his name "Abegunde".

Lights were still flashing from phone cameras, murmurs jeering, but Chimamanda was still fixated to the floor in bewirlderment , after few minutes, she struggled to her feet, helping, unconscious Abegunde to the back seat of her car she drove home.

Her fingers curled the steering wheel tightly as different unanswered questions traveled through her mind, she kept wondering how the once joyous Abegunde got to this position of grief and helplessness. On getting home, she helped Abegunde to the guest room, still unconscious, she tucked him in.

Her shaky fingers gently gripped his beautiful sad face. "How did you get here" she whispered and slid unto the floor, silent tears welled from deep inside and coursed down her cheeks. After few minutes of tears, she stood up and walked quietly to the door, but was held back when she heard Abegunde crying from his sleep "mum please don't leave me" her heart wrenched, she turned back and broke down in tears.

Chimamanda woke up with a side headache, her eyes darted in search for the one being that made her cry to sleep. Her heart raced when she didn't see Abegunde, instantly she rushed to her feet, and when she was about to run out looking for him, she had the sound of water droplets hitting the bathroom floor. She walked to the door, putting her ears on the surface of the door and called out to him, but was responded with the water turning off. Relief surged through her body, she walked away.

She came back with fresh clothes her brother had left behind when he came visiting and left it on the bed. After few minutes, she came back and found him sitting at the edge of the bed, head bent down with his hands on it. She sat quietly looking at him. "Abegunde" she whispered, he responded with his sad eyes on her, not able to control her emotions anymore, she threw her hands around him drawing him closer. They stayed wrapped up in the warm embrace before Abegunde pulled back. Staring at his caramel eyes, she reached for his hands " do you want to talk?" She asked softly but was responded with the one question she feared he would ask

" Why did you never call or come back"

" I looked for you everywhere but it was futile" he continued. She wanted to explain but her lips were glued together.

" Everyday I hoped you would come back, you were the only friend I wanted close to me after I lost my fam.." he stopped speaking and stood up, " I am going home", upon hearing that she rushed to her feet pleading that he stayed back. Reluctantly he agreed. She asked if he would want to go to her garden. He nodded in approval. They both sat in silence, before Abegunde spoke up.

"Christmas was always my best season, not only was it my birthday, it was my most happiest day. The thought of December always made me bouncy, Christmas was my seventh heaven."

" Mum would call me her little Santa because of my love for Christmas, people would even call me 'God's favourite son' because I shared the same birthday with his Son" Abegunde spoke, and with a dry laugh, he looked up, " I guess I am no longer his favourite".

" On that unfaithful day, December 25th, 2008, I was turning 15. My family had gone for shopping and as usual they left me behind. That day I waited and waited until my aunt showed up at the door bearing the worst news I haven't recovered from, my family died in a car accident". While Abegunde recounted his story, Chimamanda wept silently, she made it her goal to save his Christmas and make his next and upcoming Christmas a season of joy instead of sorrow.

Christmas was in 28 days so she prayed and wrote a letter to her Santa (God) that he would save 'little Santa'.

Chimamanda and Abegunde spent more time together, slowly happiness was creeping up into his heart, some days he would follow Chimamanda to work, and read Christmas stories to patients. He started healing from seeing patients happy whenever he reads to them, so he decided to see a counselor.

Christmas was in two days, as well as his birthday, Chimamanda planned to celebrate him. Knowing his love for serene environment, she booked a garden and decorated it in the things Abegunde loved. On Christmas Eve she sent a letter to his house inviting him to the location attached to the letter.

The bright, colorful and joyful day was finally here, you could smell mixed spices in the air.

Chimamanda dressed in a red satin dinner dress as she sat at the table she decorated for Abegunde. She waited patiently for him believing he would come. Hours passed and when she didn't see him, she stood up heartbroken to leave.

" Why do you always leave, Chima?" Abegunde said in a relaxing smile, she turned around abruptly, almost missing her step, she starred at him astonished. She was dazzled by the sight before her, Abegunde was dressed in a chocolate brown kaftan, that accentuated his eyes. He radiated with joy. Chimamanda still transfixed to the ground, he walked calmly to her, with a smile on his face, he cupped her face into his hands and whispered, his lips almost grazing her earlobe " thank you Chimamanda Agim for saving my Christmas", upon hearing his words she looked intensely into his now happy eyes and thanked Santa for saving Abegunde's Christmas.

*****

Abiodun, with a deep sigh closed the book titled "Saving Christmas" she held it close to her chest and prayed that her Christmas is saved, the same way Abegunde's Christmas was saved, immediately she was done with the prayer, she had a knock on the door, but only her could hear it.