It was finally the day of christmas. Twenty fifth of every December was always the loudest day in the united kingdom. Everyone was always excited and merry on that day.
This year's christmas wasn't going to be that way for me.
Mother and father were already on their way coming over to Manchester, to follow me to the airport.
My flight was an afternoon flight, so I had more time to prepare for it.
***************
I woke up to the coldness of the weather. Jasmine was already up, playing some christmas karaoke at the living room. I could feel the soul of christmas already. My boxes and bags were already packed and lying at a corner of my bedroom.
I wrapped up myself with a stuffy blanket, leaving my bedroom immediately. I headed to the living room. Jasmine was on her christmas PJ. She was sitting on the ground next to the Christmas tree. She was really having fun.
"Merry christmas best friend." I said from behind, giving her a hug from her back.
"Merry Christmas to you too hun." She wished me back, holding my hands tightly, smiling.
I sat down next to her on the ground, admiring the Christmas tree. It was really beautiful with the different colours that shone on it.
"I'll be away in few hours, but I want to be by your side before my departure." I said to her with a smile.
"I'll really appreciate it. I wish I can stop you, but sadly I can't." She said to me.
I had already bought a Christmas present for Jasmine ahead of today. I won't be around with her the next day, when she will be unboxing it. That was the least I could do, to make her christmas day a happy one for her.
On the other hand was the Kurtz. They were already up in the spirit of Christmas.
Zoey was fixing up her Christmas tree infront of the apartment, when Sebastian came outside in search of her. He was shivering inside a coat was wearing. The weather was really cold and snows filled the streets of Manchester.
"Merry Christmas Zoey." He wished her from the door.
"Ahh!! Merry Christmas papa." She screamed out aloud, running towards him.
Sebastian caught her in his arms, jerking her up. He whirled her around, while Zoey laughed in the sky. He carried her in his arms like a baby, while she crossed her hand round his neck, looking at his face.
"This is our first christmas together." Sebastian said to her with a smile, showing off his white dentition.
"Yeah. I wish mum was here with us." Zoey said to him regretfully.
"Is that your wish from Santa?". Sebastian asked her.
Zoey nodded her head, while Sebastian brought her down to her feet. Sebastian breathed out heavily, as cold smoke escaped from his nostrils. Zoey rubbed her hands against each other. She was putting on stuffy red gloves.
"Your wish is granted then." Sebastian said to her.
Zoey was very glad to hear that. She couldn't stop screaming ontop of her voice. Sebastian ordered her to continue with was she was doing, while he goes back inside to meet with the rest of the family.
Liam was listening to some christmas songs in his bedroom, when he heard a knock on his door. He left his bed, heading over to the door to check on the person.
Opening the door, he was welcome with a kiss on his cheek from Hazel. Liam quickly wiped off the kiss off his right cheek.
"Merry christmas Liam. I wanted to be the first to wish you a merry christmas." Hazel said to him smiling.
"Merry Christmas. Next time, don't dare to kiss me." Liam said to her, returning back to his bed.
Hazel sat next to him on the bed, while Liam felt so annoyed. He didn't want to get his mood ruined on a day like this.
Hazel was going through the cassettes of christmas songs scattered ontop of Liam's bed.
Oliver decided to join them inside. He was happy to meet both of them seated together. Oliver was ready to taunt Liam again on the day of christmas.
The stamping of his feet caught the attention of Liam and Hazel. Both of them fixed their eyes on Oliver.
"Merry Christmas Hazel and my brother-in-law." He teased Liam again, jumping on his laps to sit down.
"Stop it Oliver." Liam shunned him, pushing him away from his body.
Oliver grabbed himself, laughing out loud. His laughter was so contagious and Hazel was forced to join him. Liam decided to leave his room for the both of them.
After he had left, Oliver faced Hazel. He noticed that she wasn't too happy. He wanted to find out the reason she was upset.
"What's wrong Hazel?". He asked her concernedly.
"I wish Liam will reciprocate back my feelings some day." She said sadly.
Oliver pulled her close for a hug, patting her back gently. He wasn't assuring her of that, but he definitely promised to try his best.
.....
My parents finally arrived at Manchester. They dragged their luggages to Jasmine's apartment. I was very glad to see them.
Mum was wrapped up in a coat and a neck scarf. Her hands were covered with gloves. She was also putting on a long pair of boots.
"Merry Christmas." They both chorused, giving me a hug.
"Merry Christmas mum and dad. Both of you arrived earlier than I had thought." I said to them.
They nodded their head, heading over to my vehicle to keep their luggages at the trunk of the car. I also carried mine along.
Done with packing our luggages inside the trunk, we all entered into the house.
I had already prepared chicken, dumplings and onion potatoes for breakfast. They were the perfect dish for Christmas in the morning.
I wanted to have my last meal with Jasmine and it was the reason behind my hard work to make the table salivating.
"Bianca I miss your food so much." Mum said to me, taking a bite of a drumstick of chicken.
"I'm glad everyone is happy, especially Jasmine."I said, giving her a look.
She forced out a smile, eating quietly. I knew she was trying her best to be happy. I tried making guns at the dinning table, to get everyone cracked out. Thankfully, my silly jokes made all of them burst out in laughter.
"That was a nice joke about Santa." Father said to me with a smile that exposed his golden molar.
"I can't stop laughing." Mum added, still laughing at my joke.
Jasmine smiled atleast, and it was an assurance that the joke I told about Santa got to her.
We all ate in silence, enjoying every bit of the meal.
After having our first meal on the morning of Christmas, we all headed over to the living room. I was already dressed up for my departure.
I just wanted to be with Jasmine for the last few minutes, before I would finally leave with my family.
There was a knock at the door, and it was the Caddels. They came in their complete numbers. They joined us at the living room.
"Merry Christmas." They all chorused.
We wished them back merrily,Andi noticed Mrs Caddel had a Christmas present for me. She was going to give Jasmine her own later.
"Thank you Aunt." I received it with pleasure.
"You're welcomed. I heard from Jasmine that you'll be relocating to Chicago today." She said to me.
"Yes it's true." I replied her with a nod.
We chattered for few minutes,before they escorted me outside to the garage where I had parked my car.
Jasmine held my hand tightly, refusing me from leaving.
"Jasmine, I have to go now. My flight is in an hour's time." I complained to her.
"I don't want to stay away from you." She sobbed.
Mrs Caddel received her in her own arms, while I hugged everyone of them there, hugging Jasmine as the last person. It was really a long hug and she wouldn't stop crying in her mum's arms.
"Aunt, please be nice to her in my absence."I said to Mrs Caddel.
"I'll. We'll also be leaving with her soon." She replied with a smile.
I nodded my head, entering into the car. My parents sat at the back seat, while I waved at everyone before driving off to the airport.
××××××An hour later××××××××××
My flight arrived in an hour's time, and I and my parents hurriedly got into the plane, after acquiring our tickets.
I sat next to the window, thinking about my daughter that I left behind.
I was sad throughout my journey.
On the other hand was Jasmine and her family. They took Jasmine along with them, to their hometown Glasgow. Her grandparents wanted them home, and her parents also felt like it would be a place to start life afresh for Jasmine, since they had so many beautiful memories there.
Jasmine's apartment was on an auction. Her parents auctioned the house, while waiting for a bidder with the fixed price they had decided to sell the house.
Zoey on the other hand, was already at our old
apartment with Sebastian. He had already promised her that he would be granting her wish of celebrating Christmas with me.
"We are finally at the door step." Sebastian said to her.
"I'm really nervous. Why is the house sealed up?". Zoey asked confusedly, after noticing the seal on the house.
"It is looking like it is up for sale." Sebastian replied.
Zoey held onto the knob of the door, dragging it severally. She wasn't understanding anything again. She was totally confused and exhausted.
Sebastian tried stopping her, but she continued.
A neighbor at the streets approached them, wondering what they were doing there.
"Hey stop that." She screamed from behind.
"Why? Where's my mum and aunt Jasmine? They used to live here." Zoey asked worriedly.
"The house is up for sale. The former occupant put it up for sale few hours ago. No one lives there again." She said.
Zoey was surprised and shocked by the woman's reply. She looked at Sebastian with tears in her eyes. Sebastian wrapped his arms round her, while she weeped like a kid.
"So she cowardly ran away? She didn't even care about the child she left behind." Sebastian said.
"I'll never see my mum again. I blame myself for everything." Zoey sobbed.
Both of them left there immediately, heading back home. Today was Zoey's worst Christmas since her entire existence. She locked up herself inside her room, refusing from joining others to celebrate Christmas.