A sem ti povedal (Did I ever tell you)

Chapter 2: Christmas at my place

Ljubljana slowly transformed as snowflakes swirled through the air, leaving the city covered with a dusting of white on everything. Bojan looked at the snowfall from his third floor apartment, as Bojan gazed out of the window a gentle smile curved his lips. The radio was playing Christmas songs. He found himself singing along with the cheerful melody of 'Jingle Bells Rock', the upbeat rhythm filling Bojan with a playful energy making him dance through his living room as he decorated the house with twinkling lights and garlands. Bojan's heart swells with nostalgic warmth as the DJ from the Radio station announced 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' the lively tune bringing up cherished memories of decorating his grandparents' home together with his grandma, untangling the lights and carefully placing the ornaments on the tree. The melody reminding Bojan of the special bond he shared with his grandparents and the enduring magic of the holiday season. He looks at his Christmas tree in the corner of his living room, decorated with the baubles from his memories.

In a flash he remembered the tradition of the mistletoe. The dried branch should be in the decorations box somewhere. A mischievous twinkle lights up his eyes as he finds it and fixes it above his front door. Though he may not consciously acknowledge it, deep down, a part of him enterains the thought of stealing a kiss from Kris beneath its festive boughs. With the mistletoe in place all the Christmas decorations are done. The only thing he needed to do now was light the candles. Bojan takes a moment to soak in the sight, a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction fills him as he admires the twinkling lights reflected in the baubles and the subtle glow of the candles casting a cosy ambiance in his humble apartment.

Bojan feels a surge of excitement, knowing that the magic of Christmas is now palpable in every corner of his home. He imagines the laughter, shared moments and the bonds that will be strengthened within these walls. He walks into his kitchen and opens the fridge and takes out a beer. With a grateful heart he sits down on his couch, taking a sip of his beer he allows himself a moment of reflection, recalling memories of past Christmases. Bojan's mind wanders envisioning the laughter, camaraderie and joy that will soon fill his apartment. He eagerly anticipates the arrival of his friends, knowing that his carefully crafted decorations will serve as a backdrop to new memories and cherished moments.
Suddenly Bojan got the overwhelming urge to immerse himself in a sappy Christmas movie, knowing Netflix is full of those at this moment he logs in and starts scrolling through the different options. His gaze falls upon Love Actually, a movie his mom watches every year without fail. It captures the love, friendship and magic of the holiday season perfectly and with anticipation in his eyes Bojan presses play. The familiar opening notes of the movie fill the room, not long after Bojan is watching the intertwining stories of love and hope. As the movie progresses Bojan finds himself laughing, shedding a tear (or two) and experiencing the whole range of emotions. He feels a connection with the characters of the movie, occasionally mouthing the lines along with the characters on the screen. As the end credits roll Bojan sits for a moment, his heart overflowing with warmth. With a content sigh Bojan switches off his TV, places his used glass in the sink to be washed tomorrow and prepares himself for bed.
....

On the same evening Kris finds himself alone in the comfort of his own little flat. He seizes the opportunity to create a perfect evening of self-care. He opens the fridge and spots his favourite wine and decides to pour himself a glass of it. He settles the big armchair with his wine and a book. He was reading Call me by your name by André Aciman. Page by page Kris becomes engrossed in the captivating tale of Elio and Oliver, their tender and passionate summer romance set against the idyllic backdrop of the Italian landscape painted by Monet. Aciman's book transports Kris into a world of longing and desire as he finds a connection with Elio's character. Who, although he loves girls, Marcia in particular, falls head over heels for the summer student Oliver. With each turn of the page he is transported to sun drenched Italy, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin and the whisper of the breeze through his hair. Through the words Kris accompanies Elio and Oliver on their intimate journey, their words and actions resonating deeply within him.
In the midst of this story Kris experiences a lot of emotions. He smiles at the tender moments, feels the ache of longing and explores the complex world of love and desire alongside the characters. The novel serves as a mirror to his own experiences and emotions, allowing him to reflect on his down desires.