The festive mood was in the air as people were singing and celebrating. In the middle of the street, a tree towers above the rest, decorated with lights, ornaments and colourful decorations. The snow around it reflects the colour as it illuminated the area. Bright red, green and blue ribbons were all around it.
People clustered around it. Some were praying while others were giving presents. Everyone was smiling and laughing. Kids run around only to be scolded by their parents. Lovers take their relationship to a new stage by proposing under the bright and colourful light. In that same light, lovers became separated as their hearts do not align anymore. Teens walk around with their date enjoying the atmosphere.
In the sea of people stood two-person a man and a woman. The man wore a full sleeve shirt and a white scarf tucked around his neck. The woman holding his arm was wearing a beautiful black dress with a eat muff over her ear. She also had a coat draped over her.
She looked at the Christmas Tree and said with a smile,
"It's beautiful."
The man looks in the same direction before saying softly,
"Yes. Yes, it is."
The woman turned her gaze towards him and asked,
"Are you okay?"
"Why would I not be okay?"
The man replied still keeping his eyes on the tree. The woman noticed the distant look on his face. She noticed for a long time.
"So it's true isn't it..."
She said in a low tone. The man looked at her and asked,
"What is?"
"You...you're from the..."
Before she could finish her sentence the air around the man spiked sharply. She quickly shut her mouth and noticed the man closed his eyes. She felt a grip on her hand. She looked down to see the man was holding her hand tightly. Due to the proximity, she could feel him trembling before returning to normal. He let go of her arm and acted as if nothing happened. She also did the same. She felt uncomfortable for some reason seeing him like that.
"Let's go closer."
The man said suddenly and looked at the woman. She nodded her head.
As they reached the tree sounds of bell and singing intensified. The man and the woman stood there silently.
"I...don't remember."
The man looked at her and continued.
"But it's not like that...it's...more of a...I don't wanna remember."
The woman listened with wide eyes and focus. This was the first time he ever spoke about his past. She didn't dare to interrupt him.
"Yet I must remember. I must know who I was. I must know what happened to me."
As the man spoke she could sense a deep obsession and madness hidden in his eyes that was so well locked up that it might as well nonexistent.
"Everything I see, everyone I meet reminds me of something, someone. I can't remember their face or who they are."
She felt a sharp pain in her hand as he hold it tightly. The air around him trembled slightly.
"Why can't I remember?"
The man looked straight at her eyes. A shiver ran down her spine. But she soon noticed that although he was looking at her, he was also not looking at her.
The man soon closed his eyes and let go of her. He took a few steps back as the air around him calmed down slowly. He turned around before vanishing from the spot.
The woman looked at her arm which was red but soon returned to its rosy colour. She turned her gaze to where he disappeared from.
She looked at the tree and stood there silently. When a voice rang behind her,
"Are you waiting for someone miss?"
A sweet voice caught her attention. When the woman looked at the owner of the voice she saw a woman in her early twenties. She wore a woolly sweater with a cyan long coat. She also wore a white beanie with earmuffs. Her cheeks were slightly blushed from the cold. But that's not what caught the woman attention.
"You should've stayed home. Such cold is not good for the baby."
The woman said with a cold face. The woman in the beanie chuckled and said,
"How did you know? They are not even four months old."
The woman glanced at her. The woman in the beanie looked naive and innocent. As she took a closer look she noticed a few wrinkles under her eyes as well as her slightly unkempt hair tucked beneath her beanie. She also noticed how she kept looking behind her from time to time.
"It's how you walk."
The woman replied.
"Ah! I see...I am Kate by the way."
Kate said with a smile and extended her towards the woman. She looked at her hand before reaching out,
"Hello. You can call me Chronia."
Late shook her hand and stand beside her and said,
"Do you mind if I keep you company for a moment?"
The woman looked at her with narrowed eyes before saying,
"Is it because of them?"
She glanced at three boys somewhat in proximity who kept an eye on Kate. Kate nervously laughed as if trying to hide her embarrassment.
"I'm sorry about this. But can you please help me?"
Kate looked at the woman pleading. As she opened her mouth to answer, Kate said,
"You don't have to do anything just let me stay by your side until they give up."
Her eyes looked troubled. The woman nodded and saw Kates expression brighten up.
"Thank you very very much."
Kate stood beside the woman and started at the Christmas Tree.
"Is this your first time here?"
Kate asked with a smile. The woman thought for a moment before nodding.
"I came here often. When I was seven my dad brought me here."
The woman could see Kate reminiscing. Kate continued,
"I remember having a good dessert and cake at a nearby shop. My dad loved their honey bread."
Kate looked towards the shop. The woman followed her gaze and saw a man and a kid coming out of the shop. Kate went silent but a sweet smile was plastered on her face. The woman could sense a hidden sadness inside the girl. The woman asked,
"Why did you come today?"
Kate's smile faltered for a moment before returning to normal.
"I was just passing by."
The woman nodded her head. She didn't pry any further. So she changed the subject.
"So what are you expecting? Boy or a girl."
"Hmmm, I think I would like a baby girl. Cute and very healthy."
The woman looked at Kate who was caressing her belly gently.
The woman looked at three men who were looking at Kate. Their eyes gleamed with lust.
"Are you waiting for someone?"
Kate asked the initial question again. The woman nodded and asked,
"What about you?"
"Me? Not really, no."
The woman saw her smile dimmed down a bit.
With the corner of her eyes, the woman saw the three men slowly coming towards them. She felt irritated with their gaze. She glanced at them fiercely. And like ashes, they disappeared from the unsuspecting eyes.
The woman stood beside Kate who was now looking at a couple making out with each other. A flash of recognition swept through Kate's eyes. Her face changed from surprise to anger to hurt to grief. Kate turned around and was surprised to see no trace of the three men. She didn't think they would give up so easily.
"It looks like they left. I should go too."
Kate thanked the woman for her help before turning to leave. When she suddenly remembered.
"Oh! How silly of me, I forgot to say this..."
She turned around while saying. She looked back where the woman was a few seconds ago. But the place was empty as Kate looked around the woman was nowhere around. She looked bewildered as the words left her mouth in a hushed tone.
"...Merry Christmas."