It's the Most Wonderful time of the year. You might guess, "huh? What time of the year do you mean and what is so special about it?" Well let me explain why it is so special and why I am so excited about it. It's finally December. The long-waited month that lingers in my dreams is here at last. Lights filled the streets with so much joy and glow. People here and there. Basking in the purest joys life has to offer, side by side in my neighborhood. The winter snow and the cold breeze flows to the rhythm of Christmas carols. So alluring and peaceful to listen to it. Kids are wandering and scampering around, lost in their own little worlds while their laughter fills the cold snowy environment.
So here I am in my serene yet quietly understated room, perched by the window. I gazed out at the tranquil snowfall and its delicate dance captivating me as if I were an audience to nature's own silent theater. Its loveliness almost made me forget to take a breath.
And that's when the reality shatters through me like a crashing wave of glass at my peaceful moment. I heard my mom calling out my name louder than ever, like a drumbeat in my chest.
"I'm coming mom!" I replied. I swiftly rose from my seat and made my way downstairs.
As I headed downstairs, the rich savoury scent of food wafted up, making my stomach rumble with craving. The delighted scent pulled me gently to the dining room.
The time on the clock shows 6.00 p.m.
"Is it already dinner? I didn't even notice until now." I muttered to myself as I settled into a seat at the dining table.
An awkward silence barged into the room, heavy and unrelenting. No one talks—there's no cheerful chatter, no playful jokes, none of it. It's strange, almost uncomfortable, but…. I'm used to it. Growing up as an only child of the family where both parents are incredibly busy and in their own worlds with their work, yeah I'm totally used to it. Though, I must admit, the table is so dramatically colourful with all the food and decorations. And honestly, who cares about the situation when there's so much food right in front of your eyes right?
I was just starting to enjoy my meal when my father's voice jolted me back to reality.
At first, I didn't hear it. Then, his voice comes again, sharper this time.
"Chloe!"
" Yes, Dad," I replied quickly, looking up from my plate. The whole room started to get quiet again.
"How are your studies going?" he asks suddenly, his serious tone cutting through the air as he continues eating peacefully.
"Dad, that was so sudden. Can we just enjoy the meal or talk about something else?" I reply gently, though a flicker of annoyance lingers at the back of my mind.
His gaze sharpens, his tone steady. "Answer the question, Chloe!"
'What made him ask me about my studies so suddenly? And why at a time like this?' The thought struck me like a whisper in the dark.
" But Dad, look, tomorrow is Christmas. I've been waiting for this time!" I confessed as I let out a long sigh. My mother on the other hand stays silent the whole time as I turned my head towards her, expecting an answer from her mouth. She doesn't seem to care a bit.
" Mom, say something! Why are you not saying anything?" I said in a bit louder voice as I rose from my seat, the place where I had been settled for so long.
" Dad,Mom, look, it'll be amazing if we go out tomorrow and have some fun time together and you guys know it's been so long since we had a real, happy, fun moment together as a one family." I exclaimed, hoping for an answer from both of them.
"Chloe, that's enough now, sit down!" Finally, my mom spoke, and with her words, the excitement slipped quietly out of me.
" But mom," I said softly, "you and dad are always caught up with something. Can you name even one time when you both weren't busy? Tell me, mom."
I stared at her for a moment, hoping for an answer, but shifted her gaze avoiding mine.
The whole room went so quiet, I could hear my own thoughts—and trust me, that's a bad sign. If a bug farted on the wall, it'd be the loudest thing in here. The awkwardness? So painful.
'Seriously, what's the point of staying here any longer. I've already made a fool of myself. Like I might as well just walk out now' I thought to myself.
So I got up from my seat, my butt sore from sitting too long.
"Chloe, stop acting like such a child. There's no reason to be childish over nothing," my father said with annoyance boiling in his voice.
"Calm down honey, there's no reason to be mad. Just let her be," I heard my mom say, her voice gentle as she tried to calm my father, while I walked out of the dining room, feeling annoyed.
I went straight to my quiet yet peaceful bedroom and locked the door. At last, a moment to myself, in the familiar comfort of my bedroom, How lovely!
I stood there for a moment, completely still. Suddenly, my mind was overwhelmed with strange images and voices, appearing out of nowhere, causing a sharp pain to spread through my head. It was as if time had frozen. In the chaos, I saw a strange, antique-looking watch—old, intricate and oddly familiar. And then, there was someone. Someone I felt like I knew, yet I couldn't place who they were. My balance slipped away, and I somehow found my way to the bed, collapsing onto it, trying to steady myself against the overwhelming wave of confusion. And just like that, my body gave in, and everything went blank.