Night of 25TH

ᴘʀᴏʟᴏɢᴜᴇ

Stranded on the desolate Mumbai road at 3 AM with my car in ruins, amidst the unusually heavy December rain, and with a dead phone, I cursed myself for opting for a shortcut in an attempt to reach home more quickly. There was no alternative but to spend the night in my vehicle. The area was isolated, and I did not expect anyone to pass by from either direction. Alone, drenched amid the storm, I patiently awaited its cessation. That's when a car emerged in my direction. I was overcome with delight and astonishment, much like when children were presented with their favourite candy. Without hesitation, I dashed out of my car, braving the pouring rain, and positioned myself in front of the approaching vehicle, beseeching for assistance. As per the laws of science, every action begets an equal and opposite reaction. And that's precisely what unfolded. My impulsive act was immediately met with the jarring screech of the car's brakes coming to an abrupt halt.

The car's owner, clearly agitated, rolled down the window and shouted, "Are you out of your mind? You could have seriously injured yourself if I hadn't stopped in time."

That's when I caught sight of a stunning young girl; her countenance displaying anger. I could hardly believe my eyes, but there she was, adorned in a Shin Chan sweatshirt and brandishing a charming little umbrella. The intensity of her gaze, filled with anger, reminded me of a minion's glare.

As her gaze scrutinized my drenched state and the state of my car the initial fury in her demeanour softened, yet her voice remained firm as she questioned, "What sort of assistance do you require that compelled you to hurl yourself in front of my vehicle?"

Present:

Reflecting upon that particular incident, a slight chuckle escaped my lips. Perceiving my sudden burst of laughter, my inquisitive young niece queried the reason behind it, leaving me momentarily at a loss for words. In an attempt to divert her curiosity, I skillfully sidestepped the question, informing her that the story would have to wait until tomorrow. "It is time to retire for the night, my dear Pips, for it is already quite late, and Christmas awaits us in the morning," I added with a playful chuckle. "Surely, we wouldn't want to miss out on waking up late and missing out on our gifts, would we?"

My niece let out a groan and was about to enter into a protest, "I already shared the beginning of the story as you insisted, and it's getting rather late, so it's time to hit the sack."

******

As the children sulkily ascended the stairs, he remained seated, observing their march towards their room. Once certain that he was completely alone, he delicately opened the final page of the book, gently running his fingers over the surface of the picture. A warm smile adorned his face as he softly whispered, "Merry Christmas, Chucky," and embraced the book against his chest. Drifting off to sleep, he immersed himself in the cherished memories of Christmas '23.