Christmases of the Past, Likely Future and the Present
It was the eve of the 23rd of December and like always, Zoya sat in her favorite location in Central Park. She had followed this routine for 18 years now and hoped that she could do it forever. She loved this time of the year, something about the Christmas spirit she witnessed here always brought out the happy in her. She had a fixed Christmas routine, you could almost call it a tradition that started today with her sitting here and enjoying the hustle bustle of Christmas.
She wrapped her scarf tighter and pulled her coat closer to keep out the chill. She took a sniff of her Gingerbread latte, oohhh the perfect Christmas fragrance, before taking a sip of the sweet, flavored coffee.
She watched the people around her as they milled by, everyone was busy but definitely in a very festive way. There were those who were rushing home after a day of hard work. Then there were the others on their way to or returning from the shops, evident by the lists or bags they carried in their hand. Everyone was busy in their own little way preparing for Christmas.
She checked the time on her cellphone. She still had an hour to spare, before she needed to head home and prepare for the Christmas party at the Franks. Another Christmas tradition that she followed since the time they moved in the house neighboring the Franks. She even helped out at their toy shop during the Christmas shopping season, she loved to see the faces of parents light up when they discovered the perfect presents for the little ones.
Nearby, under the giant Christmas tree, Santa was settled in his spot. Kids lined up in front of him, getting one last picture with Santa and regaling him with tales of all the good things they did recently and why they deserved the presents they wished.
The sight of the kids, brought back memories of the first time Zoya had celebrated Christmas in New York or for that matter first time ever in her short life of 5 years.
Christmas of Past #1
Zoya had just moved to NYC to live with her Aapi and Jeeju, her God-parents and her legal guardians. Aapi was Zoya's much older cousin who was more of a sister to her mother. After her parents sudden demise in a car accident, she was uprooted from her familiar surroundings of Bhopal, India and brought to US to live with her relatives. She was struggling to adjust to the new place and people, it was hard to come to terms with everything and accept the changes. It was during this time in her life that she had come to Central Park for the first time, two days before Christmas. Jeeju felt that being surrounded with the festivities would divert her mind and cheer her up. And he was right, it did not take a lot of time for little Zoya to open up to the Christmas spirit and enjoy her outing. Since then she always came to this spot on the same day, a remembrance of how the festival had played a role in changing the course of her life.
-End-
Zoya checked the time again, it was still only 5:45 pm and she had plenty of time before she needed to head home and get ready. Sipping on her coffee she wondered if he would be able to make it to the party tonight. Danny was definitely coming as per the Franks, but he had avoided answering her when she had asked.
She looked across towards the ice skating rink. Couples and families enjoyed themselves alike, skating and falling, waddling and balancing. She sighed longingly as she thought of last Christmas.
Christmas of Past #2
Zoya was already running late for the party but it was only when she got into the cab, did she remember that she had forgotten to pick up the cookies from a bakery that was in the direction opposite of her destination. The detour around town 2 eves before Christmas was the last thing she wanted to endure. By the time she got home, she was over an hour late, so she decided to deliver the cookies before heading home for a change. As she had made her way in through the kitchen door, she had bumped into a tall solidly-built guy she had never seen before.
"Excuse me" she had blurted out, before running past him to place the cookies on the counter and rushing back the way she came in. She saw that the young man from before was still rooted to the spot where they had accidentally run into each other. He looked at her with disbelieving eyes. Zoya only shrugged at him as she exited.
"Danny" she ran into the waiting arms of her childhood friend, when she returned another 15 minutes later. Danny had moved to the Silicon Valley after graduation while she chose to stay put in NYC and she was seeing him after a year. "I am so so sooo glad to see you." She chirped.
"The feelings are mutual darling. Now only if you would stop skirting around and..." he was cut off mid-sentence and Zoya playfully slapped him on his chest.
"Shut up Danny. No more of that nonsense if you please. Don't you think we are too old for that joke anyways? Now let go of me say so I say hello to Mr and Mrs. Frank."
She had not realized that she was being observed by a pair of hooded brown eyes. She spent the next half hour mingling among the guests and catching up with them. Everyone commented on the absence of Jeeju and Aapi who were in India attending some close relative's wedding.
Dinner was informal as opposed to the traditional sit down Christmas dinner, allowing for everyone to move around and continue to converse. Once dinner and desserts were cleared, it was time for the secret Santa. She helped Mrs. Frank prepare hot chocolate for everyone and passed it around before taking up a seat on the floor besides Danny. The bowl with the names was passed around so that everyone could pick the name of the person they would be giving the gift to. After she handed over the gift she looked around excitedly to see who would be giving her a gift and most importantly what.
It was then that she noticed the guy from earlier again. He was standing by Danny and Danny was calling her to them. When she reached them, Danny introduced them. He was one of Danny's friend's from work, Asad Ahmed Khan or A-sad A-mad Kaan as Danny called him, who had accompanied him for the holidays. He was her secret Santa as Danny explained to her but since he was not aware of it, he had not brought anything along.
"I owe you one." She looked at him as he spoke up suddenly. This was the first time she had heard him talk and was completely mesmerized by his voice. It was deep velvety baritone voice. She only nodded in response before transferring her attention back to Danny as she realized that she probably looked like an idiot staring up at him like that.
As everyone started saying their good byes and taking their leave, Zoya's eyes wandered to Asad more often than was polite. After his voice, she noticed a lot more about him, especially his deep brown chocolate eyes, his Greek God looks and the attractive dimple that peeped out ever so slightly whenever he smiled.
Danny and Asad joined them as she was bidding goodbye and good night to the Franks.
"Are we still on for tomorrow?" She asked Danny, turning to him, but still stealing glances at Asad. She blushed as she said his name in her mind, she liked how it sounded.
"Of course. It's a date." Danny winked.
---
The next afternoon as she waited outside the Homeless Shelter, she saw Danny dragging along a very uncomfortable looking Asad. They exchanged quick hellos before heading inside. Once in there, Zoya noticed him visibly relax and eyed Danny asking him what was up with his friend.
"He thought we were out on a real date. He did not want to be the third wheel. Whatever gave him such an impression?" Danny whispered as a matter of an explanation. Zoya lightly punched him in response telling him that it was all his doing.
The trio spent the next few hours, helping prepare the meal and then serving it. Asad intrigued her and she was curious about him since he sounded like he was from her homeland. As the crowds started to wind down, the trio made a move out. Danny and Asad had to join a family event for Christmas Eve and Zoya was going to head out to grab something to eat before going home.
"Hmm, Danny?" Asad spoke trying to get his friend's attention who was busy talking to Zoya and making plans for Christmas. "I am not sure I should be at this family thing you are going to. No don't get me wrong, woh actually, I mean, I am just a little uncomfortable. If you don't mind, can I just go to your place and retire for the night. I can go with Zoya since she is also headed there. That is if she does not mind me tagging along" Asad spoke as he surreptitiously eyed Zoya. They continued to argue in hushed tones, while Zoya stood there waiting for them to come to a decision.
At last, Danny gave in to Asad's wishes and took off to his intended destination.
"Hmm Zoya, actually, I need to go shopping. Can you direct me to the closest mall and also how I can get home after that?" Asad spoke once Danny was gone.
Zoya was lost in his voice and eyes, this was the first time he had actually talked to her directly and she barely registered what he had said.
"Uh?" she asked.
"Actually, I had not realized the whole gift-giving thing would be so intense around here. I have never actually celebrated Christmas like this." He gave her a shy smile as his hand rubbed the back of his neck. The dimple on his cheek played hide and seek while he continued to talk. Zoya had been so mesmerized, that she only heard bits and pieces of the explanation Asad was giving. "Also, I need to get you something for yesterday."
"Oh don't worry about it. Plus the shops will be overflowing with last minute shoppers today. Are you sure you want to battle it out?" She finally spoke after contemplating what he must have said that she had missed.
"No I insist." Zoya could not refuse the sincerity she saw in his eyes. So they both ended up going to the mall. Zoya helped him pick something up for the Franks. When he had asked her what she would like, she asked him to pick something on his own.
"That's fair. How about I meet you at the food court in 10 mins?" Zoya got the hint and made her way out. She had the urge to peek, but she resisted.
Over dinner, they had got to talking. She found out that they were from the same city. Zoya noticed how talking about his family and hometown lit up his face. He was fun to be with and was really not that shy after they had spent all that time together.
By the time they got home it was really late. Zoya was more than happy at how the day had turned out, she had been curious about Asad the previous night and she had had a good opportunity to know him better. When they reached her doorstep, she asked him to join her for coffee which he immediately declined.
He did turn around after a couple of steps.
"Hmm, woh, can I ask you something? You don't have to answer but I have been wondering if you know, you and Danny, I mean, are you guys...?" Asad had not even finished the question before Zoya jumped in remembering her earlier conversation with Danny.
"Oh no no nooo. We are not. Never. Impossible. Not in this lifetime. Not ever." She spoke, vehemently shaking her head in the negative and trying to laugh it off.
"Oh good...good" he smiled to himself before he realized what he had said. "Woh...I mean... good night." He said and quickly turned around to leave.
Zoya was on cloud nine and could not help herself from doing a happy dance once she was in the closed confines of her room. She had seen the smile on his face as he had turned the corner.
Asad had stayed till after the New Year's Eve and they had spent almost every single day together but with Danny in tow. Danny was clueless to the growing attraction between the two of his friends, who tried to find ways to spend time alone. They had enjoyed the various NYC sights since it was Asad's first visit to the city and also did the mandatory Christmassy stuff like Ice skating at Rockefeller center and Central park, Christmas light show at the Bronx zoo, caught a Christmas show at the Broadway, visited the Dyker neighborhood to watch the lights and of course New Year's Eve at Times Square.
-End-
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
124