A cold breeze blew across the street and buildings. People were too happy for a normal day. But, again it's not a normal day. It's the day before Christmas.
Who wouldn't be happy? After all, tomorrow is Christmas!
But it's not the same for Natalia.
When the days grow closer to Christmas, her heart always becomes restless.
Like she can do anything to get past that day as soon as possible.
Like she wants to disappear on that day.
Her soul always drowns the peak of agony on that particular day.
The worst part of it, she does even know why.
She can't recall or remember what happened to her that she can't even bear to live that happy, merry day.
Today is the day before Christmas.
The entire company is delighted with the joy of Christmas. Who doesn't when tomorrow is a holiday for their mind and soul?
"Hey! I am going to my hometown, tomorrow" A girl in the group yelled, elated in happiness.
"Yes! I am going to my parents' home to celebrate and all. You know, the same yearly shit!" Lily, Natalia's colleague said rolling her eyes.
It's a thing that the whole office knew which is Lily loathes her parents.
The same toxic parents' condition.
"I am going to my boyfriend's parents. I hope it ends well!" Cara sighed, her nerves wrecking in her nervousness.
"So, Where are you going?" Stacy, a new co-worker who joined just 10 days ago, asked Natalia.
Natalia's already sour mood fell at that. She became dejected while downcasting her eyes.
Natalia's eyes can pick some words that Cara whispered to Stacy to stay quiet. That she is an orphan.
Not having the heart to make Stacy miserable, Natalia wore her fake smile once again.
"I am going to have a solo Christmas, Stacy. I like to be alone." She said half-heartedly knowing that even if she hate it, she does not have a choice.
"Oh!" Stacy said, her face becoming paler by the minute.
As soon as the time for the break went like a light, Everyone in the office rushed to their work in the hope of a good Christmas.
When Natalia was about to get up, she was stopped by a person who sat in front of her.
It's Jayden. He is one of her best colleagues to her. A good friend too.
"So, You are head for that project?" He asked her grinning.
"Which project?" She asked casually while arranging the files one by one.
"Are you serious? That New York wedding!" He said while widening his eyes dramatically.
"Oh! That? Yes! Our Boss gave me that wedding. I have to go that tomorrow night." She said already tired of thinking of going that far.
"What, girl? Why are sounding bored? I mean you are lucky. Not that you are a bad wedding planner. I have heard that man is rich as hell. If you lived up to the mark in this project, then you will be getting high-class requests only" He said holding her shoulders, shaking her, grinning from ear to ear.
"Oh, Please, I am handling this because no one wants to go there on Christmas night and stay there until the new year." She rolled her eyes while standing up to leave.
"I can't understand this strange man's request to be married on the New Year! Just rich people things!"
She whined before walking towards her desk.
"Wait! What's that?" Liam yelled behind me.
She turned around frowning in confusion.
"What?" she questioned her confusion.
He rushed before kneeling near her legs and touching her calf just above her left ankle.
"This....looks....weird?" He muttered while frowning his eyebrows.
Her eyes widened in sudden alert before quickly turning towards him.
"It's just a scar! I don't remember how I got it." She said mentally scolding herself for forgetting to wear long boots today.
"Oh!" He just nodded blankly before going to his desk.
That scar in her leg is on the backside of her left leg starting from her just above her ankle and moving towards her calf.
It's long and wide to easily notice it.
It's like someone had tried to stop her moving by grabbing her leg in a grip, tight enough to leave a permanent scar.
Natalia doesn't know how she got it.
But one thing is for sure.
She avoids seeing it as much as possible.
Not because it was ugly.
Simply, something burned in her heart while looking at that.
It's like some sharp nails dug deep into her skin causing her this scar.
She has a feeling that this scar is somehow related to that dream she has every night.
She sighed, tired of having such unanswerable questions before walking to carry on her work.
***********************************************************
"Are you sure about going today? Don't you tell me that you are going tomorrow? So why sudden change?" Victoria asked lightly frowning at her friend and roommate who was packing her clothes in a suitcase.
"Yes! I want to start work as soon as possible instead of wasting time sitting alone here." She said without looking at her, now zipping her suitcase.
"You can come with me, Nat," She said what she was telling her for years.
But the answer is always no.
Because she doesn't want to disturb their family occasions by being a stranger.
"You know my answer, Vicky," She said before moving her suitcase towards the door.
Natalia grabbed her phone from the sofa before walking to Victoria.
She hugged her dearly.
"Happy Christmas!" Natalia yelled at her eyes.
" Shut up, Woman!" Victoria lightly hit her back while hugging her back.
"Happy Christmas, baby!" She said while parting from her.
"Did you take your medicine? Can you manage your pain attack at night?" Victoria asked looking at her worried.
Natalia reassured her by taking her right hand in her both.
"I will! I will be at that client's house at that time. So I will be fine." She said smiling gratefully at her friend.
"Ok! Bye! I will be back after New Year." Natalia rushed noting the time.
"Be careful!" Victoria yelled.
******************************************************
Natalia's heart was weird today.
She was feeling something special today. Especially when traveling on an airplane.
Like Nostalgia.
Something tells her that this has happened before.
She was weirdly feeling happy since she has some memory.
Something tells Natalia that whatever was going to happen, it will be good.
When she looks at the moon through the small window of the flight, she has one thing in her heart.
Happiness and gratitude.
But, why?