Snow Blooms The Perfect Rose

Christmas Eve

Days passed without any sign of Abram, I visited forest every evening after school. His house remained closed and there was no sign of him anywhere in the forest. I lost him, I thought.

The situation was different at home. With Steve by her side, Sandra's condition improved enormously. Abram's absence had less impact on me due to Sandra's change. We spend a lot of time together. Me, Sandra, Lisa and Steve.

I wished, Steve stayed near us. But our happiness didn't last long. Steve confirmed his return to Everland, to take back Repas celestus, after Christmas. Maria had agreed to sell the property on grandpa's insistence.

Our exams were near, so me and Lisa left Sandra and Steve, and concentrated on our studies. To relieve our exam pressure, Steve took us to Paradis sur terre city.

I never thought Sandra would come with us, but she was very happy to get out of home after a long time. She never visited the city after her school days.

We went in Gerald's old car which was repaired by Steve. It made a lot of noise but still was in good condition. I thought Sandra would cry during the visit. She used to come there daily with her friends, her first meeting with Sam happened there. She never would have imagined her life would turn out to be like this. I looked at Sandra, she looked like she was about to cry, but she gained strength. Steve also observed her like me, but it was less obvious.

She saw Sam's drawings on the walls of the shops. We crossed his studio Sandra looked at the picture of the girl with big brown eyes. I didn't know, what she had on her mind that time, her face was red, she was about to cry.

Steve suddenly called her to the ice cream shop. Sandra was sad and tired after that and we left the town.

That evening I saw Steve and Sandra talking in the garden. Me and Lisa was studying in the hall. When I entered the garden to water the roses, I saw Steve holding Sandra closer to him and Sandra crying in his arms.

I couldn't watch her crying. Whenever she cried, I used to cry along with her. But Steve was not, he knew how to handle the situation, I envied his ability to make everyone around him optimistic. I went inside without disturbing their conversation.

Then we had exams. Lisa and I always used to study together, and we were satisfied with our above average scores. Sara used to be the topper in class, once or twice our class prefect Clara overtook her, she was still one of the best students of the school.

Lucy always struggled in exams and got the least marks. We knew her situation, she took extra effort on her exam days, to get time for preparing, her stepmom used to torment her more during those days. Anyway, she used to get seated near Lisa during exams, and she had the benefits.

After the exam, it was Christmas. Freezing days were expected. It was good that Abram left. The first reason was that Steve would have easily discovered our little meetings. He was gifted in finding these things and nothing could be hidden from him. Abram couldn't have tolerated this much cold either.

I spend more time at home, due to my exams and Steve, even though I made occasional visits to the forest.

Our exams were over and school closed for Christmas. Dad brought new dresses for Sandra, me and mom. Steve brought me a watch, and he had given Sandra a beautiful chain. We went to the church on the Christmas eve. Lucy and Sara were there too. Lucy looked pale and tired.

We lit the candles together, prayed for the departed souls. I prayed for Steve's success, Sandra's happiness, Sam's return, our fortune in exams, Lucy's relief from grief, grandpa's health and I prayed for Abram, that he finished his purpose of visit.

We walked home after the prayer, it was a bright, beautiful winter night, the dew glittered in the moonlight. I and Sandra walked closer to each other. Mom and dad were behind us. Dad was telling jokes and mom was laughing aloud. I and Sandra smiled at each other and I thought everything was slowly back to normal again.

It reminded me of the days before Sandra's marriage. We opened the gate. All of us were very tired. I and Sandra changed our gowns, Sandra slept peacefully without her pills and I too closed my eyes, hoping days would go like this, as in the past.