Santa Claus's Gift

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“But Rick, are you sure enough that you are accompanying me to the celebrations at the Church tomorrow?” Rick comes forward and falls at her knees. “Please darling, I am obsessed by you. I will do anything which thy Highness would love to have. The celebrations at St. George’s will be real fun. Both of us will be so together, caroling all the time.” Rick then comes closer to kiss his love’s hand. “My darling, I love you for what you are. In the name of Jesus, I wish to confess that I love you”…

“Annie! Annie! Don’t you think it’s too late? Wake up now, will you?” It was already 8o’clock. Annie was still in her bed. Outside the sun had come up the horizon giving a clear indication that the day is going to be as sunny as any Selva or Peter out on a morning walk would have expected. “Annie dear, here’s your espresso! Wake up now or else you will spoil your day”. Annie opened her eyes. She checked the time. “8.12 Am. Huh! I was having a nice dream. Just couldn’t see the end. Madam Julie, if only it wasn’t eight so soon”

Madam Julie, the maid in the house for the last eight years, had enough supremacy to reply. “Is that so? What was the dream all about? I suppose no lad would be so crestfallen as to come in your dreams. Now, will you please vacate the bed?” Annie got off the bed immediately. She gave a mean stare at Madam Julie and walked off. Later at the breakfast table her mother said “Christmas is round the corner. I want you to go to Stephen uncle’s store and buy a few articles for decoration and a few ingredients. I have planned to prepare treacle tart and pastries with caramel icing this time”

Annie set off an hour later towards the store at St. George’s Square. The shop was a fifteen minutes’ cab drive from Annie’s home. Just as she was about to enter the shop, someone butted against her which made her nearly fell. She got up to see a young lad in his early twenties. He had a tanned-brown skin with a long face and presently he was staring with surprised eyes. He started to say “sorry madam. I butted accidentally.” The guy had a voice appealing enough to spark off a feeling in her. She retorted “okay, I didn’t get hurt anyway.” The guy turned to answer “John, John Nathaniel. I am the Bishop’s nephew. I am at present staying at the Diocese, half a mile away. Nice meeting you.” Annie could hardly answer. Quite stammering she said a bye and entered inside. The guy left the store.

Later when she reached her residence, Annie yelled out. “Madam Julie! Madam Julie! I have something to say”. She narrated the event to her, giving instances of her dream and the similarities they somewhat had. The latter wasn’t convinced. “Annie dear, if this is the case, let’s wait for three more days to behold if something really comes your way”.

On Christmas Eve, Annie heard an announcement. It said that in the evening there would be a gathering in the church to be addressed by a renowned Father. Then there will a recitation of Psalms following which a ballet will be organized in the auditorium. The last line said: ‘We solicit your presence in the Holy gathering. We invite participation in the ballet also’. Seeing this, Annie’s eyes gleamed. She at once started preparations for the evening. From her cupboard she took out a pink robe with stones studded around the neck. It was a gift by her uncle who had visited London after years. He had brought it from Paris. Annie dressed herself up for the show taking even minute notices of her appearance.

Not very long, she was seated in beautiful attire at the gathering. She was the belle of the assemblage and no one dared deny that. When the dance was about to start, she found herself in a difficult situation. She was nervous, quite a lot that too. Within moments she was going to perform on-stage. She had started experiencing goose bumps. Just then someone called her from her back. “Go on Madam, show your best”. She turned to see the guy of the store who had butted her the previous day. “Oh! er… Hello J..John. Nice meeting you again”. He said “I was taking rounds of the show as a volunteer when I saw you trembling in heebie-jeebies. I just want to say you, go ahead and you will outperform”. Saying this he walked off. Annie kept staring at this surprise behavior. She somehow felt better at this encouragement. After moments of flummox she headed for the green room. John was seated at the front of the ball with eager eyes. When her time came, she found herself in front of a large ball and sounds of claps roaring because by that time the show had already become an eye-catcher. Annie thought for a moment: Will she be able to carve a niche for herself in such a scenario? Soon the music was played and she had started to dance.

The next six minutes were frenzied in her eyes but she kept on dancing. She had expressions greatly reflected in her body language. The audience was silent and Annie was trying to enliven the background music. When the music stopped playing, even she did so. There were moments of silence. But within seconds Annie got the surprise of her life. The whole audience applauded her in chorus and raised victory signs. Annie was enthralled!! She held her mouth in her hands and gestured as if she was the happiest in the world…

The gathering started diminishing a little later. Before that there was yet another announcement. It said that the following day there would be a caroling ceremony and merry-making that will go on throughout the day. It was already dark. Annie was hurrying for home when she saw John at the church gate. He came forward to shake hands. “Thanks. I somehow felt better after your words”. “Is that so? Then I will wait for you here tomorrow at 8am. Do join me please”. Annie blushed and started walking. Barely had she walked a yard when she stopped and turned back at him.

“But Rick, are you sure enough that you are accompanying me to the celebrations at the Church tomorrow?” He comes forward and falls at her knees. “Please darling, I am obsessed by you. I will do anything which thy Highness would love to have. The celebrations at St. George’s will be real fun. Both of us will be so together, caroling all the time.” He then comes closer to kiss her hand. “My darling, I love you for what you are. In the name of Jesus, I wish to confess that I love you”…

Annie couldn’t believe her eyes! She stared at him yet again with eyes fixed. Her cheeks had turned pink by then. Beauty, elegance, surprise, feminine tenderness, everything got incorporated into herself. She recollected herself after a short interval and ran home. Throughout the time, she kept on brooding over her fantasy. No sooner had she reached home, she threw herself over the bed. She couldn’t stop blushing and her smiles knew no bounds.

When John arrived home it was past midnight. His uncle had been waiting for him impatiently. Seeing him, he exclaimed “aha! Rick my son! Where were you until now? Merry Christmas my child! May Jesus grant you whatever your heart desires!”

P.S:- Rick was John’s nick name. Did u guess?