A Magical Christmas Collection 2022

The Cabin

Yerin loved the early snow on Christmas morning. It fell at a calming and soothing pace. She focused on one. It dangled midair then settled on the ground. Soon, it was covered and mixed with the other, and she could no longer differentiate. She snapped a few photos of the white sky filled with dangly snow from her phone. Snow covered the top of the streetlamp, but it didn't stop the light shining through. She followed her photo collection with a few selfies with the streetlamps glowing in the background. The train roared in the distance. She gathered her handbag on the snow and hurried to the boarding zone.

A few people joined her at the boarding zone. The little amount of people was expected at eight in the morning. Yerin waited for the couple to exit then board. She confirmed her ward number on her screen and headed to the second train, the one connected to the first. It was a special train. There was no general seating, only hallway leading to her ward, a spacious one, enough to be shared by two people. A counter for refreshments placed to the left with a decorative Christmas tree beside it. A comfy two seaters located on the right. She ought for the table in the middle by the window. Its curtain was cuffed displaying the beautiful snow falling outside.

She admired the snow for a while, but there was no announcement of departure. She captured a few more photos inside the train. She took a mental note to grab coffee and take a photo with her ticket later by the Christmas tree. All for memories of her first trip to a cabin on Christmas Day.

"All passengers, thank you for your patience. We are waiting for one more passenger to board. We will depart shortly. Please enjoy the refreshment in your train as our appreciation for riding with us on Christmas."

A slight delay was no big deal. She headed to the coffee station and a man entered her ward. He headed to the seat across from hers. She frowned at his selection.

"Good Morning." The sparkle in his eyes distracted her. His face mask covered everything else.

"Good Morning, would you like some coffee? I'm about to brew myself some."

"I would like a cup. Black please."

Yerin nodded and turned to the coffee maker. Luckily, the machine was like hers or she would have to call for help. The trained finally moved and a jolt of excitement filled her body.

"Ticket. Please take out your ticket," the conductor announced.

Yerin returned to her seat and awkwardly smiled at the gentleman. She pulled out the physical ticket from her bag and set it on the table. Physical ticket saved her from anxiety of her phone dying or accidentally deleting her confirmation email.

The conductor stood by the case opening and they extended their ticket. He took Yerin's first. A wide smile on his face as he punched her ticket. He did the same to the gentleman across.

"You're both really lucky to have been able to rent such cabin. It only comes once a year." He smiled. A smile Yerin couldn't really pinpoint, but he was right. It was her luck for being able to rent such a beautiful cabin. Christmas by the fireplace with a book and the sound of the snow fitted the description of a perfect Christmas.

She smiled at the dove punched at the corner of her ticket and shoved it back into her bag.

"You're going to a cabin?" He asked.

Yerin turned her head from the coffee station, assuming he asked her.

"Yes." She hoped he wouldn't questioned further because she didn't like to share her location.

She smiled. The room filled with the scent of fresh brewed coffee. She finished with some creamers in her cup. She set his cup down in front of him and slid into her seat. The snow was thicker and heavier as the train continued the hour ride. The train stopped twice but the gentleman sat quietly gazing at the snow after he finished his coffee.