30 TEENAGE STORIES

Aunt Linda's Christmas Party Debashish Majumdar

Clara walked out of the confectionery shop. In her hand she held a cardboard box. It was a chocolate cake. A little gift of love for Aunt Linda. She walked down the winding road, pausing momentarily in the chilly, wintry air. To her left, majestic conifers rose to dizzy heights. 

Clara now followed a forest path. She gingerly climbed up the hillock. Like gems, dainty orchids were strewn upon the tall, green, grass. Finally, she stopped in front of a wooden bungalow with a red roof, panting for air. She could hear the strains of Christmas carols wafting in the breeze. The sleepy sun had disappeared under a blanket of white clouds. She knocked thrice on the pinewood door. A radiant smile spread across her beautiful face.

 "Merry Christmas, Clara!"

 It was the same warm voice that greeted Clara every year on Christmas. The greying lady was wrapped in a shawl, a muffler round her thick neck. Her gleaming eyes seemed to say it all.

 "Merry Christmas, Aunt Linda!" Clara kissed the ageing cheeks that blushed pink with the warmth of love. She held out her gift which Aunt Linda accepted with a gracious smile. Then, with a big hug, she led Clara to the Christmas party.

 There were children of all ages. Tall and strong, lean and weak; even a little boy who hobbled about on one foot. Clara admired the Christmas tree which was a pine bough richly decorated with colourful streamers, bells and holly. At the top of the tree was a silver star, and in a showcase was Jesus in the manger. 

A deep voice greeted Clara from over her shoulder. "Hi, I am Rajiv. What is your name?"

 Clara turned and discovered a boy of about sixteen, a stubble on his chin, wearing a leather jacket with a pair of blue denims. 

As Clara introduced herself, Rajiv steered on the conversation. "Is this your first party at Aunt Linda's?" 

It was Rajiv's first ever Christmas party.

 "You are new here?" asked Clara softly. 

"My dad's in the army..." the teenaged boy spoke in a gentle manner, "and I...I am an only child," he added hastily. 

The party was now on in full swing! Rajiv and Clara moved to one corner of the room to chat.

 "I have been in this town for a month now," Rajiv picked up the threads of Clara's earlier question, "I met Aunt Linda in the bazaar, once. 

Since then I have been running errands for her."

 "That is wonderful," encouraged Clara, "helping people...old people, specially, is one of the finest service we teenagers can do. Your parents must be really lovely human beings to..."

 "Don't talk about them," Rajiv interrupted, "I hate them!"

 Clara was taken aback by Rajiv's verbal attack on his parents. 

"Come on, Rajiv, your parents love you deeply," she smiled. "Parents always wish well for their children."

 Clara realized that she had almost spoilt Rajiv's Christmas party.

 "Clara, you are lucky to have wonderful parents yourself," emphasized Rajiv, "my parents even dislike my listening to rap music, watching videos or driving around with friends..."

 "Maybe you are right," sighed Clara. "Probably you are not as lucky as I am."

 Aunt Linda clapped her chubby hands and disrupted the conversation. 

"Hey Rajiv and Clara...dating afterwards, okay?" she winked. "Now come and celebrate the spirit of Christmas with of all us."

 Clara played with the kids, laughing and cheering them in their games. Aunt Linda joined in the fun too.