The Christmas Eve

Kookie was standing on his verandah staring at his front. He was staring at the house with which he shared a lot of memories. He was still remembering today's sudden encounter with Titli. She is now grown up and looks like a fine woman. Her big bumpy eyes were shocked to see him. Yes, he didn't miss a single detail about her. He even noticed, she stopped for a few moments and looked at him. He knows she recognizes him. But what else can he do at that time? His father was waiting for him in the car. He never wanted to be cruel to her but he felt so helpless. His thoughts get interrupted by a familiar voice.

– Kookie ...

– Yes mom.

– Where are you looking....oh... Titli

– Mom...

Kookie comes and hugs his mom.

– I saw her...

— what?

– yes mom. His voice starts cracking due to the overflowing of emotions.

His mom hugs her back and was comforting him.

– when?

– when I was going to the market with dad.

– Did your dad see her?

– No.

– Mom... She looks so beautiful now.

– I know... I know.

– Mom...

– Yes...

– she stopped for a few moments. She knows it's me.

– Mom... Why it's happening? I wanna hug her. I see her after so many years. I wanna hug my best friend's mom.

– Now you come here, now you will do. I believe everything will be fine.

– Dad never gonna understand.

– He will do beta, now you both are together. He will understand.

– are you telling the truth mom?

– yes beta. Look you meet her again.

– so what?

– so what? Even though I live in the same city as her, I didn't see her for months.

– why?

– she doesn't show up in front of us. Most of the time she is busy with her studies and work, and even if she gets time, she never comes in front of us. How can she? She feels guilty...and your sister's words gave her a deep wound.

– and today I ignore her.

– you came from so far, you are here for not even a day but look, you meet her.

– Mom, you believe, everything will be fine?

– yes, now wipe your tears and come decorate the Christmas tree.

Kookie smiled and wiped his tears. He went with his mom to decorate the tree.

– Mom.

– Hm?

– Why do you believe everything will be fine?

– what is the day today?

– Christmas Eve.

– and when you meet her?

– when I was going to the market to buy the golden ribbon.

– Did you remember something? How did you meet her for the first time?

– ...

10 years ago flashback comes to his mind. Kookie was just 12 years old. Same is she. There is a school project to decorate a Christmas tree. And as always he forgot to inform his mom earlier so they showed up in the shop at this late hour. Eventually, Titli also transferred here the day before the project. She is in the same class as Kookie. So she needs to prepare also. So she was also there at a late hour. The shop will be closed soon and for the Christmas season, they only have one ribbon left, which is already sold out to Titli. That makes kookie hella angry! How can she get that before him? If he goes to school without his project everyone will laugh at him. And this new girl will go with the project? Nope. He can't allow this, so he starts arguing with her. But Titli already bought it. Why she will give it to him? Eventually, the argument turns into a mess! They are fighting! Kookie is on the floor, and titli was over him, literally pulling each other's hair. But, thanks to kookie's mom, they stop fighting for the ribbon, and eventually, they prepare the Christmas tree together.

Remembering this, kookie laughs loudly. His mom smiled to see him laughing.

– see, you meet her again at the same time for the same reason.

Kookie decorates the whole tree with his mom. In the end, he attaches a small note to the tree. He always believes if he wrote his wish on a note and leaves it on the tree, it will come true.

Due to jet lag and all the heavy work he has done the whole day, a tired kookie went to bed early. His mom came and covered him well. While going back to her room she noticed the note kookie left on the tree. She opened and her eyes were filled with tears. "I want to spend every Christmas with Titli".

She took the note and again went near kookie. She kissed his forehead and close the door.