Short Story: A Christmas Blessing

                                                     
 It’s Christmas time, a time for family, a time to be joyful, a time to rejoice. They call this a winter season to be reasonably silly.  When families light up the world to be a happy place? When kindness and sharing becomes a peaceful togetherness of love and hope? 

On this Christmas Eve in a winter wonder land far away little twinkling fairy lights illuminated the darkness and the beautiful voices of the children sung from their little hearts echoing their innocence into the night sky.  While light snow flakes in the air trickled down softly to form its icy carpet.

On this blessed night Christmas carols could be heard all the way to heaven.

Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and child

                                                                                                                       

Holy infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace!

Sleep in heavenly peace! ....................

On the other side of the world in an incredible land of India, Christmas was also a welcomed celebration of family togetherness.

High up in the heart of the Manali hill station a union so uniquely blessed was about to reaffirm itself in the lives of Ram and Priya Kapoor who finally accepted that they were and will always be husband and wife in its truest form.

Together with their little princess Pihu they set about enjoying their very first Christmas together as a family.

Life's challenges had surely put them through its toughest course.   It tore them apart at a point when they discovered love for each within their hearts and souls.

Yes life was a bitch it snatched at their comfort zone un-expectantly turning them inside out yet toughening them up for the long road ahead and when they successfully completed its course of rough patches waiting for them with open arms was life’s magical bliss.

Sometimes a woman’s choices and sacrifice makes her risk her family and sometimes a man’s choices and his ego makes him risk his family too.  Who better than these two too tell you their story while taking you on their pivotal journey together as a FAMILY!

And so we head right back to our beginning were the spirit of Christmas Eve touches the earth in all its corners while the precious young children continued to sing their little hearts out.

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas
And a Happy New Year          …………….

  And right here in this northern part of India,  

The voice of an excited energetic girl echoed through the mountains her faced pressed against the glass as she called out waving her chubby little hands Papa, Papa, Papa

Manali, a picturesque hill station with its beautiful snow capped mountains and clear river water’s meandering through the town, situated high up on the hill a beautiful modern glass designed holiday home was built nestled between the pine trees overlooking breathtaking views of its surroundings.

From the cold winter’s night outside Ram walked into the house and waiting for him at the entrance was his wife Priya with a glass of egg nog in her hand.  I think you may need this to warm up, she said.

Brrrrrrr he said shaking of his thick warm jacket and rubbing his hands together, it’s freezing out there.
 Taking the glass of egg nog that she offered him, he drank it enjoying the thickened custard drink with a hint of rum and cinnamon blended together..

Hmmmmmmmmm nice he said

She smiled at him and said I’m glad you like it.

Their eyes clashed and a twinkling spark passed.

He closed the distance between them there eye’s never drifting.

She asked softly with a quickened breath, what are you doing?

 And he said I’m claiming my kiss.

She blushed at him and said, not now.Why not now, he asked? 

This is the perfect time and he pointed his finger above them to the mistletoe so I guess you do owe me that kiss after all he said mischievously and lowered his head to kiss her. 

Their lips hadn’t even touched when the sounds of the their daughter’s running feet down the stairs could be heard and her voice calling papa, papa, papa 

 Just as quickly Priya turned her head so that Pihu could not see them and Ram’s lips, smacked clumsily to the side of her face. Not fair he said,  Shhhhhh Pihu, she pointed to their daughter.

 Pihu, with her chubby little body came running to her father, Papa why didn’t you wave at me when I was calling you from upstairs?  I waved at you from the window and you didn’t even look at me.

She looked crest fallen and pouted her cute little face to show her disappointment.

Ram dropped to his knees in front of her and said but rock star papa didn’t see you, I’m really sorry baby I promise I will make it up to you. And just like that her face brightened with all the love for her papa.

Ok, she said and asked him, pucca promise?  Pucca promise he said and hugged her little body to him.

 

She wriggled out from her father’s embrace, holding the sides of his face in between her chubby hands she asked him most seriously, papa will Santa bring me a present?

Covering her cute little hands with his, off course my rock star, Santa will definitely bring you a special present because you his favorite little girl in the whole wide world.

Really papa, her eyes lit up her face. Yes really, My Pihu is going to get the best present this year from Santa. 

But papa how will Santa know what I want for Christmas?

Off course he will know, he knows everything about my Pihu.

Then how will he come here with my present?

Well while you sleeping, Santa will silently creep down the chimney and hide your present under the Christmas tree.

Pihu looked concerned, but papa, how will Santa fit down the chimney?  He is soooo big and she stretched her hands out to show her father how big Santa is.  Priya was just amazed at her daughter and all of her questions so she said Pihu all you've done today is talk, are you not tired of talking baby?

But mama I want to see Santa. Can he stay with us please mama and you can make mine and papa’s favorite aloo ka paratha and we will share it with him.

 Pihu, is that all you can think off aloo ka paratha, no Pihu, mama is not making aloo ka paratha 

But why, both father and daughter asked at the same time? They looked horrified that there was no aloo ka paratha for them.  Because you don't eat aloo ka paratha for Christmas Priya firmly said to them.

But mama please you can’t do this papa and I want aloo ka paratha

Right papa, Pihu looked at her father questioningly? Right rock star and the father looked at his daughter most lovingly and he said to his wife my rockstar and I want our aloo ka paratha even if it’s Christmas please, pretty please with a cherry on the top.

Their pleading puppy eyes melted Priya and she finally agreed that she would make aloo ka paratha for them.

Papa, mama is the best and she ran to her mother and with her chubby hands she hugged her mother around her waist yippeeeee she shouted, thank you mama.

I’ll tell Santa to bring you a present too, both Ram and Priya looked at each other lovingly while Priya cleared her throat and said to Pihu now if you want that aloo ka paratha be a good girl and go change into your warm pajamas and don’t forget to put on your slippers too.

With her mother dangling aloo ka paratha in the air, Pihu had no choice but to do as her mother said and so off she went to do her bit.  Both parents spent the rest of the night entertaining their daughter until she finally fell asleep sitting on Ram’s lap, later he carried her to her room where both Priya and him tucked her in for the night secured and surrounded by her favorite bed mates Happy and Tiger.

And as they were about to exit the room they both turned back and lovingly gazed at their daughter innocent and soundly asleep . They closed the door softly and out on the landing they both realized it was the first time that they were completely alone in a while, the silence unnerving.  She cleared her voice and said I’ll sleep here with Peehu.  Ram looked at her intently and said, NO. Her breath quickened and he continued to say, you sleeping with me were we both belong.

Gently with his finger tip he grazed her cheek and said come with me.

Drawn to each other’s energy he held her hand and guided her into the master bedroom.

The soft noise of the door closing made her heart skip a beat.

She turned to look at him and stammering she said i’m going to have a shower.  She was just about to turn and go into the en-suite

When ram called out her name, she stopped still, a few seconds later he came to her and handed her a box from an exclusive woman’s boutique, this is for you. Opening the box inside she found between the white tissue wrap a red satin silk nightie made with the finest French lace. Touching the silk between her finger tips she blushed with the thought that Ram had bought this for her, saying thank you without looking at him she walked into the en- suite. Ram smiled to himself and went down the passage using the other bathroom to freshen up.

He came back into the room where an already lit fireplace from earlier added warmth to the room and he set about adding a few more logs into the open fire.   He placed candles into this romantic setting while flash backs played in his head of the first time they made love.  He stood barefoot on the white fur rug gazing into the crackling fire absorbing the warmth it offered an eagerly anticipating the night ahead while patiently waiting for the love of his life.

Finally he heard the door click open and through the huge expanse of the glass window he could see her outline. The red satin silk clung to her body her braless state emphasising her generous curves.   He took in all of this beautiful vision her straightened hair loosely hanging around her back the front gripped away from her face.  His heart beat increased at a rapid rate, he dreamed of her every single night while they were apart and finally here she was about to become his again.

Priya walked out of the en-suite her eyes glancing down at her bare feet unsure of herself. Finally she looked up absorbing the soft glow in the room.  Her eyes sparkled as memories came flooding back when Ram created another beautiful setting for them the first time they made love. She took in the sight of his back looking straight ahead at the floor to ceiling glass window, their reflections outlined perfectly, and their eyes connecting in the shadowed glass.

The world stood still, Ram turned around and looked directly at her,

 Their eyes speaking their desire and with it she was drawn to him like a magnetic pull as she walked slowly towards him. Tiny butterflies formed at the pit of her stomach her heart beat thumping.

Their eyes never leaving each other, not even for a second, as he closed the distance between them.

His hands gently touched her arms.

 

While somewhere, some place a beautiful song played out

 

Main Vaari jaawan, main vaari jaawan           I sacrifice myself

Saathon ki hoya ae kasoor re                            now this offense has happened

Main Vaari jaawan, main vaari jaawan           I sacrifice myself

Dil toh hoya majboor                                        my heart has become compelled

Main vaari jaawan, main waari jaawan           I sacrifice myself

 He pulled her body into his and their lips touched

She clasped her hands around his neck and his hands went around her waist 

chhoo liya tune lab se aankhon ho                   you touched the eyes with lips

mannatein poori tumse hi                                all my wishes are fulfilled with you only

Tu mile jahaan, mera jahaan hai wahn          where you meet me, my world is there only

Raunakein saari tumse hi                                all the radiance is from you only 

She could feel the heat of his arousal pressing against her, he slipped his tongue into hers and with their tongues and bodies they began a slow dance her hands in his hair, his hands lowered to her buttocks pulling her into him the softness of the silk brushing against their skin

Piya o re piya, piya re piya re piya   Beloved, O my beloved, beloved o beloved, o beloved…………….

They bodies swayed gently to the softness of the music and of their beating hearts, their tongues deeply locked into each other, their eyes closed to absorbing the sensations running through their bodies.

He stilled their movements and she turned her back against his front his hand sliding around her stomach lowering his mouth to the side of her neck while gently nipping at her tender flesh. 

And when the nipping turned deeper and harder his hands moved to her breasts the feel of the silk sensuous on her skin as he squeezed her breast and her hands went over his moaning her desire.

He whispered in her ear i’ve been dying for this moment to have you, let me love you and he lifted her in his arms she was light as a feather as he lay her on the bed.  He removed his clothing and went to her slowly slipping of her nightie. 

Her naked breast beautiful to his eyes as he lowered his head and took her nipple into his mouth gently sucking on it, he drove them wild with need. His hardened length creating a passionate friction at their most intimate spot, and he said I need to be inside you, let me come inside you as he pressed himself into her so that she could feel his every need. She was beside herself as he slipped into her moistness and she welcomed him inside her taking every bit of him deeply into her. Their bodies moved in unison, their tongues rolled passionately into deep kissing, their hands held on to each other while they loved in the only way that mattered.

The squeaking of the bed, the rocking of their bodies, their rapid breathing, their beating hearts, their whispered voices, the crackling of the fire, the candle light glow all made this night beyond magical.

Somewhere into the early hours of the morning their eyes closed with their bodies deeply contented and loved.

The slight peek of dawn in the still darkness spilled into the room and Ram gently touched her skin waking her up, Merry Christmas baby he said to her and she said Merry Christmas to you too. 

I think we should go wake up our sleeping princess Ram said to her

And she said turning back to sleep hmmmmmmmmm, you go

Come on lazy bones he said we go together and he pulled her up.

They both quickly put on their gowns and went into their daughter’s room which was filled with her soft snoring sound they smiled at each other listening to her.

 Ram went to his princess and sat on the side of bed, gently touching her hair, He said come on my sleeping beauty it’s time to wake up. The snoring grew louder and he chuckled to himself.

Hey rockstar come on time to wake up baby, he gently shook her

Sleepily annoyed she shrugged him like she was swatting an irritant mosquito. Princess if you don’t wake up now how are you going to see all your Christmas presents.

Papa, please stop disturbing me I want to sleep and she huddled her body closer to her bed mates Happy and Tiger.

Priya said, Pihu baby come on wake up don’t you want to see what Santa brought you.

The word Santa jolted her from her sleep and she opened her eyes and looked at her papa

Really Papa, did Santa come?
Yes rockstar Santa came, come on lets go see what he brought my rockstar. He lifted her from the bed into his arms while Priya covered her with her soft quilted cover to keep her warm from the morning chilled air. 

Papa, can Happy and Tiger come too?

Off course princess mama will bring them downstairs and he looked at Priya with an endearing smile and off they went down to make their babygirl’s dream come true.

Pihu’s face was hidden at the crook of her father’s neck her hands clasped tightly around him.

 Ram kissed her gently on her hair and said rockstar look at what Santa brought for you 

She gently picked up her head and looked at the huge Christmas tree with all its beautiful decorations and the flickering lights well nothing new it was the same since yesterday and then her eyes looked at the floor and she gasped with delight wow papa, mama look, look she said excitedly. 

Did Santa bring all this for me, yes baby her father said Santa brought all of this just for you, He put her down gently while she ran in excitement to see all of her gifts which were too many to count. 

Both Ram and Priya looked on lovingly at their baby girl as Ram pulled Priya into arms and said I love you so much thank you for giving me the most beautiful gift of my life, our daughter. 

With tears in her eyes she said, I love you, more than anything else both you and Pihu mean the world to me. 

Somewhere, someplace this beautiful music played out.

Bade Ache Lagte Hain                                      I really like

Yeh dharti yeh nadiya yeh raina aur tum        this earth, this river, this night…..and you

Dheere Dheere haule haule                              Slowly, Slowly

Chupke se ab hoga ……………..                     Quietly this will happen………….

 

It was indeed A Christmas Blessing of love, hope and togetherness in this beautiful family. 

God Bless them today, tomorrow and always!

  

                                                                    The End!