I strongly believe that the concept of festival was conceived by our ancestors as a mean for friends and families to come together and celebrate the gift of life. Leaving out the myriad mundane lives and hit a snooze button on them. That time in year when the entire atmosphere becomes merry. And the cherry on the cake is having the entire family to celebrate the occasion. This Christmas is one such occasion.
I am glad our children could sense the need of being together in Noida this Christmas, well in advance, given the health Suvin and I were subjected to. Ketki and Nisarg travelled with their spouses and kids from different countries.
We got the entire apartment cleaned, changed the curtains, made the necessary sleeping arrangements so that they could feel the comfort once they are here. I prepared many dishes in advance, at least one of everybody’s favourite. Festivals pack such miraculous euphoria that Suvin and I almost forgot that we were well past our late fifties.
Suvin was time and again teasing me that once the kids were here, I would be so busy with them that I wouldn’t think about him. The old man has been such sweet idiot since teenage. Playing ‘love me too’ cards, despite knowing that he hogs lion’s share of my mind, heart and attention! Our grandchildren had already e-mailed us their long list of gifts they wanted from Santa. Beside Skype and Facetime, it will be only the second time that we will be seeing them. They were both born of course with me being around. I was clear in my head that this Christmas, we will relive and recreate our best memories.
Suvin has always been Ketki and Nisarg’s Santa Cool, only this time he’ll be doing this gig for their kids. While we are non-Christians have limited knowledge about Santa and his relationship with the festival, Suvin always used to prepare for his Santa get-up and camaraderie at least a month in advance.
Ketki and I decorated the Christmas tree its Christmas morning finally! Everyone was sitting around excitedly opening their gift, kids and elders alike. The excitement was same for all.
While we were shopping, I had secretly bought gift for Suvin. His favourite brand of perfume and rainbow cheese cake from Theos, a popular bakery in Noida. Had he got something for me too? My thoughts were highjacked by shrieking kids and their excitement of getting PS4 and other gifts. We had a sumptuous brunch. Suvin’s electric barbeque was on since early morning. Suvin had quit meat long back himself but God knows what made him so excited about preparing chicken delicacies for Nisarg! We had planned to take kids to DLF Mall of India where they had opened an artificial Ice Park. But then, everyone was so engulfed in talking and laughing that we didn’t realize when the sun had set.
And after everybody had hit the couch, Suvin and I sat on favourite swing in our balcony. Looking at the streetlights flicker during night, the December Delhi cold was getting bitter. Suvin smoked his favorite vape and I snuggled in his arms. The memories flashing in front of our eyes, his proposal, our early days, birth of Ketki. I wanted to freeze the time, not sure of what it holds for us until next Christmas. Absorbing as much as I could, I also thought whether these memories would give us strength until next year.
“Thanks for the wonderful day.”, said Suvin. He slipped a velvet case softly in my hands. I opened it to find a solitaire bracelet. “What would an old woman do with this?”, I asked. “Wear it and make it more beautiful.” Replied Suvin.
He squeezed my shoulder and turned my face towards his. I closed my eyes. It’s kinds funny that having kissed the same man for about last forty years, why can’t I keep my eyes open. Even today. I felt Suvin’s lips touch my cold forehead. Merry Christmas it was! Indeed.
And that was my Santa’s last kiss to me
This blog of part of #A2Z Challenge, there will be 26 blogs in this series all the blogs are in continuation. I am writing them from Z to A, as the story also flows from Death towards life. Hope you enjoy knowing Antara’s journey.
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Awww their love story is making my heart melt 🙂
Thank you for your kind words noor. I agree Antara and Suvin as just so much into each other.
I wish and pray may all festivals be as great as this one. Your story makes me wanna know always. Looking for your next post.
Thanks for your love Mahek
😊
This is such a beautiful post 😍😍
Glad you liked it
😊
I don’t know if I should be happy reading this, knowing that Suvin passed away before next Christmas. Loving this story.
So happy to get such response. It means I am able to convey the emotions of the character to you.
I don’t know if I should be happy reading this, knowing that Suvin passed away before next Christmas. Loving this story.
So happy to get such response. It means I am able to convey the emotions of the character to you.
A beautiful post dear. love reading your post
Glad to hear that
A beautiful post dear. love reading your post
A beautiful post dear. love reading your post
A beautiful post dear. love reading your post
You write so beautifully. The story touched my heart..
super excited and charged up to write the next post with your feedback
Cheers 🙌
You write so beautifully. The story touched my heart..
super excited and charged up to write the next post with your feedback
You write so beautifully. The story touched my heart..
super excited and charged up to write the next post with your feedback
You write so beautifully. The story touched my heart..
super excited and charged up to write the next post with your feedback
This touched the deepest corners of my heart buddy
happy happy me
This touched the deepest corners of my heart buddy
happy happy me
What a heart-warming love story.
This coming from the is a great deal doe me.
What a heart-warming love story.
This coming from the is a great deal doe me.
😊
😊
Wow such a sweet story…it tugs my heart to know that Suvin is going to die soon
Wow such a sweet story…it tugs my heart to know that Suvin is going to die soon
Wow such a sweet story…it tugs my heart to know that Suvin is going to die soon
yes, but that’s Gods Plan
This coming from the is a great deal doe me.
This is so sweet. Beautiful love story and beautifully penned too.
Thanks deepa
This is so sweet. Beautiful love story and beautifully penned too.
Thanks deepa
This is so sweet. Beautiful love story and beautifully penned too.
Thanks deepa
This is so sweet. Beautiful love story and beautifully penned too.
Thanks deepa
Very beautiful post. I’m melting here 🙂
Aww… And i am dancing to get that comment from you
Aww… And i am dancing to get that comment from you
Aww… And i am dancing to get that comment from you
Interesting way of going from Z to A…really impressed. Lovely post.
Keep the creative work going.
#ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
Thanks 😊
Interesting way of going from Z to A…really impressed. Lovely post.
Keep the creative work going.
#ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
Thanks 😊
Its good to get such feedback
Interesting way of going from Z to A…really impressed. Lovely post.
Keep the creative work going.
#ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
Thanks 😊
Interesting way of going from Z to A…really impressed. Lovely post.
Keep the creative work going.
#ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
Beautiful love story there! Antara and Suvin make such a nice couple.
Beautiful love story there! Antara and Suvin make such a nice couple.
Glad you are liki it stay tunes 23 more memories making their way
Beautiful love story there! Antara and Suvin make such a nice couple.
Beautiful love story there! Antara and Suvin make such a nice couple.
Glad you are liki it stay tunes 23 more memories making their way
This is such a beautiful story of love, affection and gratitude.
Love the way you have planned your series.
Glad you liked it
This is such a beautiful story of love, affection and gratitude.
Love the way you have planned your series.
This is such a beautiful story of love, affection and gratitude.
Love the way you have planned your series.
This is such a beautiful story of love, affection and gratitude.
Love the way you have planned your series.
Such a lovely couple eager to move ahead on journey of their lives together. #ipragun
Yes its just on its way
Such a lovely couple eager to move ahead on journey of their lives together. #ipragun
Such a lovely couple eager to move ahead on journey of their lives together. #ipragun
Such a lovely couple eager to move ahead on journey of their lives together. #ipragun
This couple is making a benchmark for me to be in old days. Loving the tempo of your posts.
So humbled with a response. 😊
This couple is making a benchmark for me to be in old days. Loving the tempo of your posts.
So humbled with a response. 😊
This couple is making a benchmark for me to be in old days. Loving the tempo of your posts.
So humbled with a response. 😊
This couple is making a benchmark for me to be in old days. Loving the tempo of your posts.
I love the warmth and fun in Antara and Suvin’s relationship. It’s making me go all mushy!
😍
I love the warmth and fun in Antara and Suvin’s relationship. It’s making me go all mushy!
😍
This is such a pure and beautiful love story!
😊
This is such a pure and beautiful love story!
The story touched my heart.
Its good to get such feedback
The story touched my heart.
The story touched my heart.
You said in your last post, this part would be merrier. 😞😞😞
☺ 😋 kahani mein twist
You said in your last post, this part would be merrier. 😞😞😞
☺ 😋 kahani mein twist
You said in your last post, this part would be merrier. 😞😞😞
☺ 😋 kahani mein twist
☺ 😋 kahani mein twist
Suvin had just come in the last part and now gone 😢. Well after you finish this series, I guess we can read it in order and it may sound perfect. Great idea this is Ujjwal. I loved the creative part.
I am overwhelmed with your feedback maya. Thanks you so much. I am just loving it.
Suvin had just come in the last part and now gone 😢. Well after you finish this series, I guess we can read it in order and it may sound perfect. Great idea this is Ujjwal. I loved the creative part.
Suvin had just come in the last part and now gone 😢. Well after you finish this series, I guess we can read it in order and it may sound perfect. Great idea this is Ujjwal. I loved the creative part.
Suvin had just come in the last part and now gone 😢. Well after you finish this series, I guess we can read it in order and it may sound perfect. Great idea this is Ujjwal. I loved the creative part.