"Dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh ...
Through the fields, we go laughing all the way ...
Bells on bob-tail ring making spirits bright ...
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight ...
Jingle bells, Jingle bells ...
Jingle all the wayyyyy ... " hummed a little girl as she printing her small feet into the snowy roads with her black boots.
On the Christmas Eve, there was a 6 years old kid, wearing a long sleeve red winter shirt and long pants with a Christmas beanie on top of her small head, singing cheerily as she carried a square small box wrapped in red and white strips in her short arms. She hug the present tightly to her chest and walked down that white and snowy roads with full of excitement.
She was heading to a small bungalow house in grey and white colour at the end of that road around the corner. The bungalow had a huge and tall metallic gate surrounding the house compound. The gate was shut tight so the little buzzed the bell several times as she was getting impatient and just wanted to get into the house quickly because the weather was cold outside. She was slightly trembling and sniffing as she waited for the to finally open.
'I'll be home for Christmas. You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents by the tree'
A welcoming christmas song was playing in the background the moment the gate swung inwards, creating a pathway for the little girl to walk into the house compound. There was another little girl but a few years older than her, stood by the door house warmly offered her biggest smile to that little kid. She looked a lovely mother waiting for her dear child to come back home.
"Sister, I'm home," shouted that little girl when she saw her elder sister by the front door. She joyfully waved her little hand to the sister as she dashed forward.
Shrekkkkkk!!!!!
Mia immediately woke up from her sweet dream as she jolted forwards like a strong force had pushed her from behind. That sudden lurch really shocked her. Mia blinked her eyes in daze.
"Miss ... Miss .. Are you okay ?" asked the driver.
"Sorry Miss. I hit the brake abruptly. I almost miss the place. We've reached your destination." The driver apologised for his bad service as he explained himself.
"Uh .. uh.. It's okay.. Thank you for the ride," said Mia politely. She then gave the cash to the driver and took the luggage with her and exited the taxi.
It was almost 6 in the evening and finally she arrived. The trip to this place took her almost two hours from the airport. Her body became stiff after sitting in that taxi over the long trip so she lightly stretched out her numb body before she took few steps into the front yard of the house. Soon, an old lady came out of the house and welcomed her nicely, just like in her dream.
"Miss, the dinner is ready. You can eat first before going into your room," spoke that old lady in a motherly tone as she led Mia into the house.
Entering the house, Mia was awed by the classic and yet elegance interior of the living room. Each of the furnitures and fittings in the house were carefully picked and arranged in an exquisite positioning.
Across the living room, Mia saw a large and long table full of fresh, delicious and yummy food. Mia was tempted and enticed by its nice aroma to the extent her stomach was grumbling loudly. Mia instantly got embarrassed and her face turned red. She was really famished.
Seeing how hungry Mia was, the old lady dragged one of the chairs outwards and gestured to Mia to take tup that seat. Mia shyly sat down and drooled at the sight of these food. She started to fill up her plates and ravishly ate everything she could. She shoved down her throat a big chunk of grilled chicken drumsticks, hot cheese pizza with tomato slices on it, juicy marinated lamb and drank glasses of sweet drink.
Her hungry stomach which then became bloated and she was so full. She burped few times and sagged back in the chair as she rubbed her stomach in satisfaction. Her eyes started to get heavy and she yawned drowsily. Now it's time for bed!
The old lady noticed the sleepy Mia and said, "Let's go Miss. I'll show you the room."
Mia then got up from the chair and trailed behind the lady. Shortly they arrived at this one brown wooden door. The old lady turned the doorknob and slowly pushed the door open for Mia. The creeking sound of the door sprang goosebumps over Mia and it slightly awakened Mia's nerves.
"Sorry Miss. This house didn't have guest for so long. So the guest room was a bit rusty but we've cleaned them up for you. Your luggage is already inside the room," explained the old lady. She could sense the alertness flashes through Mia's eyes.
"Ahh alright. I understood." Mia awkwardly cleared her throat and gave a faint nod. She then walked into the room and her eyes darted around the room.
Inside the room, everything was cleaned properly and there was no speck of dust at all. The room still had the same style as the living room but all the furnitures here were exceptionally brown in colour. It loosened up Mia's tensed body earlier as Mia felt more relaxed and laid back.
The queen sized bed looked very soft and comfy so Mia hopped onto the mattress and spread wide her arms and legs. She laid in the bed comfortably and soon Mia dozed off.
It was a different dream this time
"Miss! Miss! Madam calls for you. Hurry up! She's waiting in the living room. Miss!" urged the maid.
In dizzy, she forced herself out of the bed and staggered towards the door. Her body was weak to walk to the extent she had to support herself with the things around her as she dragged her wobbly legs to open the door.
"Oh, Miss! What happens to you?" The maid was shocked to see her weak condition as soon as the door was opened. The pale face, the cracked on her lips and the red eyes made her look as if she was a living zombie.
"Sister has come back?" She asked back the maid with a raspy and hoarse voice, ignoring the maid's question.
"Yes, Miss. Madam is looking for you but she strangely looks so angry."
"What happens?"
"We don't know, Miss. Madam came back and suddenly asked for you."
"Help me to the living room." With the maid support, she went down to meet her sister who just came back from a business trip.
It took both of them a longer time to reach the living room due to her weak condition and not knowing the reason, the sister became more furious and impatient as he waited for Mia to get down from her room. So once her sister saw Mia, she immediately vented out the anger.
"WHERE IS YOUR RESPECT TO THE ELDER, MIA! THIS IS NOT WHAT I HAVE TAUGHT YOU! YOU LET ME WAITING FOR YOU FOR SO LONG."
"Sister…" Before she could explain herself, her sister cut her off and again scolded her.
"You really made me ashamed of having a sister like you. Not only you disrespect me but you also did something so horrible. I don't have a sister who is a slut like you! Now, you're no longer a family to me and this house isn't your home. Get out of this house this instant!"
"Madam!!" Even the maid was surprisingly shocked.
Mia froze. She couldn't understand what was going on. Her mind started to get all fuzzy and confusion overwhelmed her.
"I said get out! GET OUT!"
In a flash, the sister dragged her across the living room and forcefully pushed her out of the door.
"Guards! Take her outside the mansion and don't let her come in!"
Hearing the madam's loud shout, the guards rushed to the main door and were taken aback seeing their young miss fell on the ground and their madam appeared very angry. They looked at each other as they were baffled what to do. Their madam would never treat the young miss this harsh. What had happened?
"I'll fire those who are against my order. Don't let me repeat the same thing again" emphasised the madam and then slammed the door shut.
BAM! The door's sound loudly resonated across the night air and left the guards and the maid stunt.
Mia felt like she was spinning and a high-piercing sound buzzed her ears. It was chaotic and too much for someone so sick like her to grasp everything at all once. On top of that, the fever worsened and she had no energy left. She felt like dying.