Under the Mistletoe - MaNan

Part 1

The warm cup of cocoa filled my room with a sweet scent, reminding me of the holiday spirit lingering around in the air. I sipped the cocoa quietly as I watched random covers on YouTube. Humming along the lyrics, I felt oddly at peace despite being alone during such a festive season.

I had decorated my room with a few Christmas lights that I had bought last week. With Navya, my roommate, gone for the break, I was all alone. Almost all of my floor-mates had also left to celebrate the holidays with their families. But I had to stay back because chacha and chachi had taken Rishabh to a clinic a couple of hours away for his treatment. I was all alone, and as much as I enjoyed some alone time, it was slowly starting to feel all too lonely here in my room.

The lights gave off a nice ambience, and the cocoa made my insides all warm and fuzzy; but it wasn't enough to keep me from feeling sad. I could hear people singing Christmas carols across my room; laughing and chattering amongst friends, that was how you are supposed to spend Christmas.

I shut the laptop lid, and peeked through the window. It was beautiful outside; the city was sparkling with lights. It was a white Christmas too. A layer of snow covered everything, adding the extra touch to make the festival even more heavenly.

I sighed and settled myself into my bed. I was probably going to have a Christmas movie marathon again. I plugged in my hard drive, and transferred some of the classic movies onto my laptop. Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Polar Express were just some of them.

Plopping myself on the pillows, I engulfed my body in a warm, cozy blanket. It helped that I was wearing the sweater I bought last week with Navya. She forced me to buy it because we were originally going to go to her friend's Christmas party. The theme was ugly-sweater theme which explained the hideous tree and reindeer print that decorated the wool. I smiled at the memory.

Navyaaa! I don't want this! It looks so tackyyy!

Nanduuu! For the last time, you are buying it! It's supposed to be an ugly sweater!

I ended up giving in and buying it. And my parents thought I was stubborn, I thought to myself, letting out a small laugh.

She was a lovely roommate to have. She even refused to go back home because she knew I would be alone here. But I knew how much she missed her family; I really couldn't be that selfish. And that's what landed me in this situation, with nothing else to do on Christmas night.

I finally decided on which movie to watch first, and was about to play it when I heard a loud rumble. Although I was all alone and no one could hear me, I was still so embarrassed. Stupid stomach.

It was then that I realized that I hadn't had dinner yet. I checked my phone for the time. 8:35pm to be precise. And then realization dawned upon me; our residence cafeteria closes at 8pm. Aiyyappa, I complained with slouched shoulders whilst looking up. Who even eats dinner that early?

I got out of my bed and put my slippers on. I was going to have to scavenge all the vending machines to find something good to eat at this time. Muttering silent curses under my breath, I grabbed my keys and ID before stepping outside the room.

I realized I still had my ugly sweater on with a pair of wool tights, but I doubt I would come across anyone right now. All my worries about how I looked went out the window with that thought. What are the chances, right?

Wrong.