SHE SAVED CHRISTMAS

Christmas… I could almost taste it. The lights across the city, the melodies and jolly faces all around, it sickens me. My name is Korner, and unlike every other teenager I hated Christmas. I live with my wealthy Father in a mansion, you could say we were sort of a monument for the small town we lived in called broklensbrew, though we weren’t very popular. Our town’s Christmas celebration would always be heard across places. My Dad loved Christmas and considered it their favorite holiday. I know you may be wondering how did my Dad end up with a jackass who didn’t love Christmas, I mean…. Who wouldn’t. well, it wasn’t always like this. There was a time where I would take the responsibility of setting up the Christmas tree and lights. Where I would sing in loud melody the jingles of the season. Not until my 9th Christmas celebration, it was the day my mother passed on. Of all days, it had to be Christmas, not a day sooner, not a day after. My heart was torn apart as I didn’t imagine such an awful event could happen on such a sacred and jolly day, I mean it’s the birth of our Lord Jesus. Every Christmas reminded me of her, fore playing like it was yesterday. My heart hardened, I felt no joy and didn’t think I would ever. Little did I know this year would be different.

It all started on a fateful day like every other story would, it was a week prior to Christmas and our house was in need of decorations, my dad would normally do the pickups but the work load is strenuous and so I was burdened with the task. I set off to get decorations from a store close by and as expected, the city was beaming light like never before. The air was as harsh as anything but was overridden by the joy of the celebration. Business men and women already put up stands to sell and maximize profits as is custom, only the wise knows to buy months prior to Christmas. Anyways, I went to the store and was welcomed with a dressed up Santa Claus chanting “ho ho ho” at my face, I felt irritated but decided to ignore. I went on to pick my decorations and I was done, it was time to pay up and leave as soon as possible. I got to the counter and met a queue as expected, I waited it out until It was almost my turn. The person who queued up in from of me had trouble paying. The person’s card kept declining, I couldn’t tell who it was cause of the hoodie and joggers worn but soon I grew impatient and yelled at the individual. I went on to inquire who it was… my eyes couldn’t believe it, “Mom”, I shouted, she looked startled and confused and replied, sorry do I know you, as she was just around my age. I apologized for the mistake and went back to queue. I had never seen anyone who looked like my mom, not this precise, her eyes and hair color were distinct and hers happened to be exact. I was so embarrassed of what I did and insisted to pay for her goods bought, with my Dads credit card obviously. I didn’t think of the repercussions, all I wanted to do was get away from that awkward situation as soon as possible. I eventually left and got home. My dad hadn’t come home from work and so I decided to help him with the decorations. That night I couldn’t sleep thinking about what happened, I didn’t get her name so I called her mystery girl. it got me thinking, thinking deeply till dawn.

It was four days to Christmas and the town grew merrier, we had our Christmas carol that day and with much coercion and reluctance, I agreed to go with my dad. It was held by 6pm, but my Dad wasn’t one to be found late for any event, we left thirty minutes prior to the time. We went and got good seats. I had hoped I wouldn’t run into mystery girl again, it seemed at that moment that wishes could be granted as she was nowhere to be found. I was relaxed and also a bit disappointed that she didn’t show. The show started and the choir walked in with such hubris to their seats. “WHAT”, I yelled within me as I saw a girl looking like my mysterious girl walk with elegance with the choir. I was taken aback, and a smirk suddenly appeared on my face. As guessed, her voice was immaculate. She took a number of solos and I could literally feel a tingle of Christmas in me, sadly it was temporary. I had to meet her if not for anything, to compliment her angelic voice. My dad saw the way I was looking so focused as the girl and suspected I had gazed at a gem. I told him I wanted to meet up with a friend after the carol and he agreed knowing fully well my true intentions. I was lucky enough to meet her as she was about heading out. She took a moment to recall and realized I was the guy from the store. I chuckled and concurred, a brief moment of silence was observed. She broke the silence by asking if I needed anything from her, I totally forgot the reason I came to see her as I was lost in her dazzling eyes. I quickly comported myself and congratulated her on such a wonderful performance. She blushed and thanked me. That was the first time I had a genuine smile since the incident. I asked for her details and she gave them to me at a price. As if her voice wasn’t enough proof that she was an angel, her name was Angel.

It was a day to Christmas and everything had been set, well except me. I went out that evening to see angel as was the price for giving out her details. It was a planned garden picnic organized by me. We sat and ate and got to know each other a lot better. After a while, she asked me why I regarded to her as mom on the first day we met. I was reluctant to speak but eventually opened up and told her what had happened. She felt so bad for me, but I assured her that she wasn’t at fault. She wanted to get me out of that mood and took me to her house area, she wasn’t rich but was happy. We met a crowd dancing to Christmas songs, I explained to her that I wasn’t a Christmas person but she wouldn’t have it. She dragged me to the dance floor and put my hands around her, her skin soft as silk, I was engrossed. I played along and danced. I had never felt this joy in a while. She showed me the true joy in Christmas, not just the decorations and turkey but the love we show to one another, she convinced me that true Christmas was in giving and sharing our joy, that even though my mother was taken from me, it wasn’t the end, that there was more to Christmas than I knew. She opened my heart to the joy of Christmas one again, She saved my Christmas.

#ikochristmas23