I had been up for almost an hour now, wrapping up the Christmas present, listening to the soft sounds of nature going about its way. Snow is falling in large snowflakes, covering the ground and trees very gently. I took a quick look at the clock which read 11:00 am. I don’t usually wake up this late on the day of Christmas but I didn’t get much sleep last night as Zane and I were out for a date, having our little candle light dinner which went too long. And for now, we were ready to leave for Zurich, as decided we are celebrating Christmas at Adam’s older house in Switzerland. As per plans we were supposed to be there by yesterday but Zane and I wanted to spend some time together so we told them to expect us by evening.
The snow covering houses, trees and ground in Switzerland gave the feel of heaven. It looked so beautiful that it seemed like I’ve stepped into heaven. It’s beauty could not be explained in words. Zane rang the doorbell of Adam’s house and Adam welcomed us with a cheerful grin.
“Merry Christmas” he greeted
“Merry Christmas” we said in chorus.
His house was beautiful. It smelled of hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls just out of the oven. The Christmas tree lit and twinkling with many old and beloved ornaments from past Christmases and a few new ones as well. Beautiful Christmas music played in the background. Lovely presents lie beneath the tree, wrapped neatly in artistic and colourful paper and ribbons. I placed our present which we had brought along with us with the rest other presents. I loved this game of Secret Santa but didn’t had much friends to play this game with, it was only me and Elena so we both used to exchange gifts with each other, however Elena did had few other friends with whom she used to play this game. She didn’t hang out much with them but she used to make sure that she meets all her friends, even the one’s with whom she’s not much connected, and greets them on the day of Christmas.
“Merry Christmas” said Eric and Suzan in unison, loud enough to bring me back to present.
“Merry Christmas” we said in unison as well, matching the enthusiasm in their voice.
We celebrated a cheerful Christmas listening to Christmas songs, playing fun games and singing ‘Grandma got run over by reindeer’ around the tree. My thoughts took me back to New England where Elena and I used to listen to a choir singing ‘Joy to the World’ or ‘Christmas Song’ by Nat Cole. I remember how we used to sing ‘O Christmas Tree’ , ‘Good Christian Men, Rejoice’ and ‘Santa Clause Is Coming To Town’ and all the other carols around the Christmas tree in our not so melodious voice.
“Missing Elena” Zane asked and I realised that I’ve been smiling absent mindedly all this time, lost in my thoughts.
“Yeah. This is my first Christmas that I’m celebrating without her, every year we used to have so much fun on this day” I said with a little bit of sigh.
“You want to meet her?” the question was a shock in itself. How can I meet her, she thinks I’m dead.
“How’s this possible?” Our conversation was interrupted by Suzan’s exciting voice “What are you two doing here? Come on it’s time to unwrap the presents”
“There’s one way. After we’re done with the unwrapping thing, I’ll take you to meet her” Zane said. I still wonder how this might be possible. She’ll probably be scared of me when she sees me, thinking I’m a ghost.
After all the unwrapping was done, Zane texted me asking me to come outside and when I did, he was standing outside, his back facing the door. He turned hearing my footsteps.
“Let’s go” he said
“Let’s go? Where?”
“You don’t want to see your friend?”
“I do but how’s that possible? and not to forget that we’re in Switzerland, it’s not possible to be in New England in a blink of an eye”
He rolled his eyes before saying “For sure we’re supposed to live our lives like a normal human in order to keep our secret hidden but we are vampires, we have certain superpowers and by using that superpower we can fly to New England faster than any means of transport” he said but I still don’t fully get him. Vampires don’t have wings, we can’t fly then how?
“Look I know that we can’t fly but we have super fast speed. We can reach your friend using our speed which is not normal for humans” he said reading the tension on my face. I’m dying to see my friend and if there’s any way, that according to Zane, there is, then I’m ready to take any chance.
Using our super fast speed that I guess is faster than light, we reached New England and were at the doorsteps of Elena, waiting for her to come out. When the wait was too long and she didn’t come out I decided to knock on her door and when she finally came out, I grabbed her arm and took her into the forest. The speed by which she was being taken was obviously shocking and unnatural for her to understand anything. We halted under a tree deep inside the forest and when she was finally and clearly able to see my face she had a euphoric expression on her face which was then replaced by shock and a little bit of fear when she realised that I was dead.
“B… Blaire y… you were dead?” she stammered out of fear.
“No. This can’t be. You were dead, you can’t be standing in front of me. I’m dreaming. I know, this is a dream”
I gave her tight hug before saying “You’re not dreaming. This is real” and this was enough to scare her even more, I could sense that.
“Elena. Elena. You don’t have to be scared of me, I’m not a ghost, I’m your friend. Look at me, I’m your friend Blaire” I said shaking her a little.
“My friend is dead. You can’t be Blaire” she said still petrified.
“Elena” I gave her another hug.
“Blaire?” the fear was gone from her face and tears started forming in the corner of her eyes. I quickly hugged her again to console her.
“Merry Christmas Elena” I said.
“To you too” she said and later added a question “you were alive?” to which I shook my head.
“Then how are you here when you were – ” she put her hand on her mouth, leaving the sentence incomplete.
“No I’m not a ghost but this doesn’t mean that I’m a human”
“What do you mean?” she asked, question mark palpable on her face.
“I am what Zane is, a vampire” and the fear was back on her face.
“Elena you don’t have to be scared of me please” I said and narrated the entire story to her. Hearing that she burst into tears. I gave her a hug but she pushed me away.
“You idiot!” she slammed “Why did you have to do that? Didn’t even thought of me or your family? Do you know how much broken Ethie was by your death? Do you know how much I missed you?” she yelled. Her anger was justified, I’ve hurt her so much.
“I missed you too” tears flowed down as I said that.
“Come here” she said and once again we hugged each other. “And that Gizelle, I’m not going to spare her” she said, her eyes reflecting her anger. I know she’s going to forget everything in some time so I didn’t say a word and remained quite.
Sitting under the same tree, we chit chatted for hours.
“You met your family?” she asked and I shook my head in a no.
“Why? They’ll be so happy to see you. You must meet them. Come with me, come on” she stood up but I pulled her down, making her sit again.
“No. I can’t meet anyone, I’d get into trouble if I meet people who thinks I’m dead. I showed up because I missed you and I knew that you would understand” I said and she nodded in agreement. Zane appeared from the bushes behind, scaring us by his sudden appearance but then we burst into laughter.
“Elena, he’s Zane and Zane she’s Elena” I introduced.
“Um… Too hot” Elena whispered teasing me.
“You know that I’ve got big vamp ears and can hear even your slightest of whispers right?” Zane said with a wink.
“Blaire, I think now we must leave before anyone sees us” Zane said which made Elena tightened her grip over my wrist, her head moving sideways in a no.
“I don’t want to be separated from you again but I have to” tears started flowing again.
“Elena, I wish you didn’t have to forget this but you do” I said looking into her eyes, compelling her to forget everything about this meet and with a heavy heart I walked away from New England with Zane, promising myself not to ever come back here again even if I miss Elena like anything, I won’t see her again.