Hey guys amidst all the separation and remarriage tracks. Here’s a small OS for cheering our moods.
(Note: This is an alternate reality. In this OS , Shivaay and Anika live in New York along with a few family members . Basically they are NRI’s and they follow those traditions.:)
The kitchen was an enormous mess, flour was everywhere, stacked trays in the sink, an oven bearing heat, and littered pieces of stray cookie dough all over her countertops. The giggling of her children was enough for her to overlook the mess they made.
“Here Ansh ,” She handed him a different cookie cutter as he finished up his tree shapes. “A snowflake.” He grinned at her, excitedly whispered a “yes,” and returned to his cookie cutting. “Oh baby, be careful!” She quickly moved to her younger daughter’s side as she dipped her fingers and almost her entire hand into some icing. Anika pulled the hand out and her daughter giggled. “You’re a piece of work, Ruhi.” She kissed her daughter’s chubby cheek with a loud smack and playfully went to lick one of her little fingers, before Ruhi squealed and pulled them away. Anika winked at her and then looked again over at her son’s masterpieces.
“Mommy?” Ansh asked continuing to shape his cookies.
“Mmmhmm?” She said picking the shapes up and putting them on the tray.
“When’s daddy gonna be back?” He stopped and looked at his mother.
“Tonight buddy.” Anika looked out her kitchen window. The snow was falling lightly at the moment, but she knew it was planning to increase, and she just hoped for her husband’s safe return before Christmas morning.
“Santa’s going to love my cookies!” Ruhi shouted.
“Yes sweet pea, he will!” Anika agreed. “And yours too Ansh.” She ruffled her son’s hair and then gave him a gentle kiss on the top of the head.
“So will Dad too, right Mom?” Ansh asked.
“Yes, Dad especially.” She smiled at spending this Christmas Eve with her children, but missed her husband dearly, and so did her children. His business took him away from them often, but usually he could be around for holidays and events for their children. This year, he was too busy this season, and so she’d have to wait for him to come home on Christmas Eve.
The snow continued to fall lightly, and their family began to show up for Christmas Eve dinner. She was harried, running around trying to get the children and dinner ready. She was grateful for her sister and brother-in-law’s that had come early, and waited with anxiety for her mother-in-law’s criticism.
“Here Anika”, Gauri handed her the roll of tinfoil. “That should keep the potatoes warm.”
“Bhabhi I and Saumya are done with the dessert”said Rudra proud of himself.
Anika heard the door open and her children call for their grandmother. “Ugh, here we go.” Gauri said quietly. Anika shushed her and wiped her hands knowing she’d have to greet Pinky soon enough.
“Anika! How lovely!” Pinky said with a smile and sweetly kissed her daughter-in-law. Priyanka, Jhanvi greeted Anika next.
“Thanks. I’m glad you came.” Anika smiled. “The children love seeing you both.”hugging everyone in turn.
“Can we help?” Prinku asked. Anika shook her head.
“Gauri and I are almost done. Dinner should be served very soon. I put some hors d’oeuvres out though, so help yourself.”
“Where’s Shivaay?” Pinky looked around. Anika took a deep breath.
“Not home yet.” There was the look, confusion and irritation all wrapped up into one. If anything, Shivaay was certainly his mother’s favorite, and she still doted on him. “But he said he’s coming.” Anika assured. The timer dinged, and Anika felt grateful for a distraction. “That’s dinner!” She said excitedly. “Would you bring the children to the table for me?” Pinky nodded.
Anika unveiled the large ham in front of her children and guests. Om and Rudra helped by cutting the ham for everyone, and Gauri and Saumya helped with the drinks , soon food was passed, shared, and being devoured by the family. Anika looked up from her spot to the head of the table. Shivaay always sat there, next to her. Ruhi would be at her side and Ansh at his other side, but now his chair was empty, and she wondered if he’d even make it back for Christmas morning. The phone rang and Anika excused herself to get it, wondering if it was Shivaay .
“Hello?”
“Anika ,” His voice was cut up through the line.
“Shivaay? I can barely hear you, are you almost here?”
“We’re stopped dead on the highway.” She held back her disappointment. “I’m trying baby. Trust me, but the driver can’t go anywhere. There must have been an accident.”
“Okay.”
“How are the children?” He asked.
“We’re eating dinner. They’re okay.” He wanted to speak to them, let them know he’d definitely be home before Santa, so Anika brought them the phone. She apologized but let everyone know it was Shivaay.
“Here baby, talk to Daddy.” She handed the phone to Ruhi, who was excited hearing her dad’s voice. She passed the phone to Ansh next and her heart almost broke at her son’s face. He was sad his dad wasn’t going to be home to tuck them in, or open one present before bed, or put out milk and cookies for Santa. When Anika got the phone back she left the table again.
“Everyone says Merry Christmas.” She said.
“Tell them Merry Christmas from me too.” Shivaay replied. “The kids will be alright.” He said, knowing she was upset sensing it through her silence. “And I’ll be home before you know it. Christmas isn’t over yet.” She could hear the smile in his voice.
“I know Shivaay. Just be safe and get here. Please.”
“I will. I love you.”
“Love you too.” They hung up and Anika returned to the table with her family.
They had wrapped up the night with opening one present each and sitting around the fire laughing about previous Christmases and talking about Santa and reindeer. Ruhi was fast asleep in her grandmother’s arms, and Gauri leaned lazily on Om’s shoulders. Ansh was wide awake and bouncing around , playing with Rudra so excited about the presents already under the tree. Anika tried to calm him and tell him it was time to get the cookies ready. He was excited to pile the best for Santa on a plate and add milk, putting it by the fire. Anika urged him to go say goodnight and put his pajamas on. He didn’t want too, but she mentioned Santa couldn’t come if he was awake. He rushed around kissing each of his family members, frantically saying Merry Christmas and then bolted up the stairs to get his pajamas on. Anika bid her family goodnight and took sleepy Ruhi to her own bedroom. She tucked both her children in and read Ansh “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” His eyes soon became heavy as he started to fall asleep.
“Mommy?” He whispered out in his sleepy state. “Will Daddy be home soon?”
“Sure baby, very soon. I promise.” She kissed his forehead. “Go to sleep so Santa can come. Night Ansh , love you.” She heard him say he loved her back before drifting off to sleep.
Anika cleaned up downstairs while she waited for Shivaay to come home. The snow was getting heavier, but the roads were still clear it seemed. She took time to put the children’s gifts out before settling down on the couch in the glow of the Christmas tree and fire. She fell asleep and never heard the door open hours later or the footsteps on the hardwood floor. She woke to the soft whispers of “Ho, Ho, Ho,” near her ear. She stirred imagining somewhere in her dream that Santa was really near. The voice continued, a deep known voice she thought. Her eyes slowly opened and she saw him, caressing her hair and all kneeling in front of her.
“Hi.” His voice was soft. Her lips broke into a smile. He kissed her forehead lovingly
“You made it.” She answered him starting to sit up. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his lips. “I’m so glad you made it home.
“Me too Anika, me too.” He rubbed her back. “The kids are asleep?” She nodded.
“Are you hungry?” He shook his head.
“Just tired. Really tired actually.” He grinned at his wife. “I’m just ready to sleep.” Anika agreed and they trudged upstairs as silent as possible hoping not to wake the children.
They were woken soon after they fell asleep by Ansh , who took no caution in launching onto their bed and jumping up and down, followed by Ruhi, who also found a way to jump and wake her parents.
“Oof.” The air left Shivaay when Ansh fell onto his chest.
“Dad! Dad!” Ruhi was next; they scrambled all over him. “You’re home!” Anika laughed. Shivaay tried to get up and turn them over to tickle them, and they burst into even more giggles as Anika and Shivaay launched their attack on each child. “Wait! Wait!” Ansh held his hands up. “Christmas!” He pumped his fist in the air. “Let’s go.” He pushed himself off the bed, followed by Ruhi again. “Come on!” He called as he started to run down the hallway. Anika looked over at Shivaay who just shook his head in amusement.
Their living room was a flurry of metallic wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, shouts of surprise and excitement, and Anika and Shivaay feeling nothing but joy in watching their two children open their gifts. Once things settled down Shivaay went off to make them breakfast, and Anika started to clean up the wrapping paper. Ruhi was already playing with her new dolls and Ansh was sprawled out on his stomach with a lego set. Anika sighed. Christmas was her favorite time of year, just because it was beautiful to see her entire family together. Shivaay called from the doorway of the kitchen that the pancakes were done. The kids went to the kitchen and Anika ambled up toward Shivaay who was waiting for her.
“Thanks for doing this.” She said with a smile as she went by. He held her back and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Are you happy? Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?” She nodded and kissed him softly.
“Yes. All I wanted was you.” He smiled. “And there you were under our tree.” Shivaay laughed and kissed her softly. “Come on. I’m starving.” She took his hand and led him into the kitchen to have breakfast as a family.