Cherishing Christmas
As soon as December stepped in, my countdown began. With cold winter winds breezing through my windows, the arrival of my most awaited time of the year, Christmas, is announced. Since my grand dad passed away, we have had no Christmas in the last three years. This time, I wanted to celebrate the day just as we used to before.
Honestly, this is the only month which makes me pick up my pen and notepad, and jot down a messy, untidy, and chaotic to-do list. With my work and studies being a hassle, balancing fun, with the other two, often takes quite an effort.
While I was planning my Christmas this year, the first thing that came to my mind was my shopping session. Each year, my grand dad would take me to Chawk Bazar to buy a new set of Christmas decorations, including a giant Christmas tree, 3-D twinkling lights, and tree ornaments. This, year, I decided to do the same. However, as soon as I stepped into the store, I found my wallet in an absolute disagreement with myself. Amidst all odds, an echo, in the frail voice of my grand dad, finally started surpassing my mind, "The merriment of Christmas is doubled with friends and family, all rejoicing the birthday of Jesus together!"
With no second thoughts, I started calling all my cousins, asking them about their plans for December 25. Most of them were stuck with disagreeing wallets themselves. Soon, the nine of us came up with our grand celebration at our farmhouse in Golaap Graam, Birulia. We met and sorted our duties within ourselves, and asked for help from our elders, when needed.
The morning of December 24 was a rather chaotic one, with my sisters Shirley and Clarissa running around the house holding gift wrappers, Abonty trying to fix the Christmas lights, and our mothers trying to make us wear sweaters and socks. With them leaving for Birulia, I had to make way to my office on last working day before Christmas.
After the day's work, when I finally reached my farm house, I found a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. My cousin Derek dressed in his Santa costume, wrapped gift boxes, cakes, chocolates, and cookies, alongside my aunt who has a fractured knee. Apparently, she slipped and fell while dancing on the song, Aaj Shuvo Borodin with the Christmas carol group. My uncle and dad tried to shift her to the hospital, but she, by no means, was ready to leave on the house on Christmas Eve.
Upon my arrival, the music was turned off and everyone was summoned for Lord's Prayer. Then, my grandma narrated the story of Jesus' birth from the Bible. As soon as the clock struck 12:01 at night, the celebrations began.
With all my loved ones dancing and singing, a frail echo again crossed my ears, "Well done, dear!"