The Enchanted Christmas Skit...

Chapter 8

December 19th, 2024. The rehearsal hall was buzzing with the usual mix of excitement and camaraderie. We were all deeply engrossed in our practice, each of us honing our lines and perfecting our roles. The banter continued, keeping the mood light and enjoyable.

During a break, the five of us—Avani, Hafza, Jiya, Aryan, and I—gathered in our usual corner to chat and share snacks. It was then that Safreen, with a hesitant expression, spoke up.

"Guys, I need to tell you something," she began, her voice low and uncertain.

We all turned to her, sensing the seriousness in her tone. "What's up, Safreen?" Avani asked, concern etching her features.

Safreen took a deep breath. "I just found out that I might need to go back to my hometown on the day of the skit—21st December."

A collective gasp went through our group. "What? Why?" Hafza exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"It's a family matter. I can't ignore it," Safreen explained, her eyes downcast. "I'm going to try my best to stay here and come for the skit, but I can't promise anything."

"No, Safreen, you can't go!" I protested. "You're the perfect Mary for the skit. We've all worked so hard together."

Jiya nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it wouldn't be the same without you."

Aryan, with his usual playful tone but a hint of seriousness, added, "Who's going to complete the Shareen duo? Sharith will be lost without you!"

Safreen smiled weakly, her eyes glistening. "I know, guys. I really want to stay, but I don't have a choice right now. I promise I'll do everything I can to be here."

As we continued discussing the situation, Sharith, who had been practicing nearby, overheard our conversation. He didn't say anything but his expression betrayed his worry. He couldn't imagine anyone else playing Mary beside him.

Later, as we resumed practice, Sharith's performance seemed a bit off. During a break, Aryan nudged him. "Hey, man, you okay?"

Sharith forced a smile. "Yeah, just...distracted."

Aryan, sensing his friend's turmoil, didn't press further. Instead, he tried to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, Shareen will sort itself out."

Sharith chuckled softly but didn't respond. His thoughts were clearly elsewhere.

During the next scene, where Mary and Joseph share a heartfelt moment, Sharith's eyes met Safreen's. The scene flowed perfectly, their chemistry undeniable. Yet, the underlying tension was palpable to those who knew the situation.

As the day came to an end, Miss Aliya gathered us for a final word. "Great work today, everyone. Remember, we're just two days away from the big performance. Keep practicing and stay focused."

After practice, we all lingered a bit longer, not wanting to part ways just yet. Avani, always the optimist, tried to cheer us up. "Safreen, I'm sure everything will work out. You'll be here, I know it."

Hafza nodded vigorously. "Yeah, we believe in you. And even if you can't make it, we'll find a way to make it work."

Jiya, always the realist, added, "But we're going to hope for the best. Right, Aryan?"

Aryan, with his usual charm, grinned. "Absolutely. Plus, I need my Jiyan to shine, and we can't have that if the Shareen duo isn't complete."

Safreen laughed, shaking her head. "Thanks, guys. You're the best."

As we left the auditorium, Sharith walked beside Safreen, a comforting presence. "Hey," he said softly, "no matter what happens, we'll make it work. But I really hope you can stay."

Safreen looked at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thanks, Sharith. That means a lot."

The next day would bring more rehearsals and more uncertainty, but our bond as friends had never been stronger. And as the days dwindled down to the final performance, we held onto the hope that our Mary would be there, completing the magical tapestry we had woven together...