A Letter From Santa Claus: SwaSan OS By Anisha

A Letter From Santa Claus:

Third person’s pov

“Mommy!” the two five years chorused in extreme joy.

“Yeah” their mother seemed to be a little tired from the daily chores and Christmas preparations.

“Santa has a gift for us” they chorused again, jolly and excited as hell.

“Santa? I think you both need a sound sleep, babies” their mother draped a shawl around them and kissed their temples, indicating them to move to bed.

“We aren’t babies, mommy” Suzzy huffed.

“But for a mother, we will always remain babies, Ms. Little Clemens” Josey stuck her tongue out, leaving Suzzy annoyed.

“Mommy” Suzzy ran behind Josey who was cheering her joy of teasing her little twin and George, the dog barked at Josey.

“Babies stop!” their mother screamed but it went to deaf ears “Ouchhh!!..” she dramatized holding her bulging stomach.

“Mommy” both the twins ran near to their pregnant mom, worriedly.

“Now go to bed!” she held their ears “and no fights. What did you promise dadda?”

“Not to trouble you” Josey smiled and held Suzzy’s hand and advanced to their bed.

“Thank God! I miss you” their mother held the letter by Santa and kissed it, which Josey and Suzzy left mistakenly.

My Dear Josey and Suzzy Clemens,

I have received and read all the letters which you both have written me. I can read your jagged and fantastic marks without any trouble at all. You will find that I made no mistakes about the things which you and the baby ordered in your own letters. I went down your chimney at midnight when you were asleep and delivered them all myself and kissed both of you, too. But there were one or two small orders which I could not fill because we ran out of stock .There was a word or two in your mamma’s letter which I took to be “a trunk full of doll’s clothes.” Is that it? I will call at your kitchen door about nine o’clock this morning to inquire. But I must not see anybody and I must not speak to anybody but you two. When the kitchen doorbell rings, George must be blindfolded and sent to the door. You must tell George he must walk on tiptoe and not speak otherwise he will die someday.

Then you must go up to the nursery and stand on a chair or the nurse’s bed and put your ear to the speaking tube that leads down to the kitchen and when I whistle through it you must speak in the tube and say, “Welcome, Santa Claus!” then I will ask whether it was a trunk you ordered or not. If you say it was, I shall ask you what color you want the trunk to be and then you must tell me every single thing in detail which you want the trunk to contain.

Then when I say “Good bye and a Merry Christmas to my little Josey and Suzzy Clemens” You must say “Good bye, good old Santa Claus, I thank you very much.” then you must go down into the library and make George close all the doors that open into the main hall, and everybody must keep still for a little while. I will go to the moon and get those things and in a few minutes I will come down the chimney that belongs to the fireplace that is in the hall if it is a trunk you want because I couldn’t get such a thing as a trunk down the nursery chimney, you know. If I should leave any snow in the hall, you must tell George to sweep it into the fireplace, for I haven’t time to do such things. George must not use a broom, but a rag–else he will die someday. If my boot should leave a stain on the marble, George must not holystone it away. Leave it there always in memory of my visit; and whenever you look at it or show it to anybody you must let it remind you to be a good little girl. Whenever you are naughty and someone points to that mark which your good old Santa Claus’s boot made on the marble, what will you say, little sweetheart?

Good-by for a few minutes, till I come down to the world and ring the kitchen doorbell.

Yours loving,
Santa Claus.

She smiled at the remembrance.

*Flashback Starts*

**Swara’s pov** {So the mother is non other than our Swara ? }

I felt stupid. Most people love Christmas day. It’s full of love, warmth, happiness, caring. I love Christmas day, and have done ever since I could remember. But for some reason, not unknown to everyone else around me, the past two 25th of Decembers have been absolutely horrible. Don’t get me wrong; there had been no change in the traditions. No change in the food, the warmth, the decorations, or the venue. To anyone else, it’d seem like nothing had changed. But everyone knew what had gone missing – or whom. It only took one person to ruin Christmas for me, not intentionally, but still irrevocably and his name is Sanskar Clemens, my bestie cum neighbour.
“Shona, honey, could you pass me the cream?” Aunt Sujata asked, stretching a her arm across the crowded table. I stopped poking the remaining blob of jam in my dessert bowl to glance up at her.

“Oh. Umm, sure,” I scanned the tabletop for the small jug of cream. I hooked the handle around two of my fingers, reaching up to hold it out to her.

“Thanks darling” she smiled, taking it from my grip. I just smiled back quietly, picking up my spoon to poke at my leftovers once more.

“You didn’t have any omelets, Shona?” granny asked from across the table, her thin eyebrows pulled together. I looked up and shook my head, attempting a polite smile.

“I was too full from Uncle Jack’s hamburgers”

“But you’ve always got room for omelets, it’s your favourite” she persisted.

“Mum” Dad warned her. I forced another smile, looking down at my bowl.

“Maybe we could take some home? I’ll eat it later” I suggested quietly.

“Oh. Of course, honey, I’ll put some in a container later,” granny agreed in a light tone.

Everyone else at the table laughed and rejoiced happily at the eve, except for my little cousins, who were arguing about who drank the last of the lemonade.

Uncle Jack and Aunt Sujata weren’t really related to me. In fact, if anything they were more like my second parents. I hated the fact that I’d been avoiding them for the whole year, but even their faces reminded me of Sanskar – yeah, they were his parents. We had been neighbors since I don’t even remember. His mother was of Indian origin so his name was Sanskar and she being my godmother, even named me. Our families being really close and we both being besties!!..

“And how’s Sanskar? Any news from him?” granny asked, entirely missing Mum and Dad’s pointed glares. I just shut my eyes, wanting to laugh sadistically. My granny could be so oblivious sometimes!!..

“No, nothing yet. We haven’t heard from him since the last letter” aunt replied, smiling sadly.

“And that was what? Eight months ago? Cheeky boy, must be having too much fun,” granny shook her head, chuckling. I just sent my cream a hostile look, purposely ignoring the rest of the conversation with my mouth set into a grim line.

Now that granny and dad had retired, they seemed to think the world was somewhat perfect. The fact that my best friend of nineteen years had been forced to leave and join the army was just wondrous to them; “serving their country proud,” they’d said.

I don’t think they understood the anxiety of his departure had forced upon his family and friends. We hardly knew where he was, he rarely wrote letters, and if he was shot, it had be at least two months before we found about it!!.. Security was on lockdown in his department.

I missed him like anything, but tried not to let it affect my daily life. I couldn’t lose all my other friends just because the closest had gone off to war. Sometimes I wondered if he missed me too, or ever thought about me. Everything reminded me of him and Christmas had always been our day. It was horrible how the best day turned promptly worst of the year!!..

I smiled as dad stood up and slipped off to bathroom to pretend to be Santa. In our childhood even we believed that the real Santa. After a few minutes, granny caught attention of my little cousins at the end of the table, beckoning them to lean in.

“I’m not sure”, she glanced around mysteriously. I couldn’t help but smile. How could I have ever fallen for it? I didn’t know! “But I think I might have just heard Santa in the living room”

“Really?” Jason, the youngest of all, squealed, pushing away for his chair quickly.

“Let’s go check it out” cheered Toni, abandoning his dessert. All five of them hurried out with granny following them. Mom persisted me on joining them but I better stay out of it to avoid reality.

“And the last one goes to… ” dad announced from his chair, examining the gift tag on the last present, all wrapped in blue “Jeannie”

I felt my heart sink again as mom squeezed my shoulder. Dad passed an apologetic smile and I forced a smile on my face, shaking my head.

“It’s fine, I got some presents this morning” aunt Sujata flustered a sad smile.

“No. It’s fine. Don’t worry about it” I shook my head again.

“No it’s not fine. None took them right?” she stressed, pacing back over to the tree to double check.

The kids looked up from examining their gifts, shaking their heads. I thought Christmas was bad before- just look at it now. It took a few minutes to reassure I was fine and there wasn’t any problem, even though it still hurt in my heart. I didn’t really care about the presents- but their absence just reminded me of another absence and that hurt!!..

“No wait!” granny exclaimed, suddenly with wide eyes, gaining everyone’s attention “I just remembered”

I tried to push down the bubble forming in my chest as I sat up straighter. My heart almost stopped as granny pulled an envelope out of her bag.

It’s just a Christmas Card, Swara. Chill!!.. Maybe even a voucher, I consoled myself.

“I don’t know how it goes because it’s for you. Merry Christmas, honey” she held the envelope out, letting it go as I secured it between my shaky fingers.

“It’s from…” I trailed off, glancing up to meet Mom’s eyes and she smiled faintly. Tears pricked my eyes and I bit them back hurriedly, quickly tearing the seal off the envelope. I barely noticed anyone as everyone felt silent, watching me.

“Oh gosh!” I breathed out, feeling two tears running down my cheek simultaneously. He has changed!!.. Dark brown hair, cropped shorter then it used to be, still managed to fall over his shinning hazel eyes. A broad smile spread across his face, revealing his small dimples. I choked out a laugh, noticing the crooked angle his badge was on. He could never do things straight. Putting it back onto my lap, I unfolded the letter, bringing it up to my face as I wiped my tears.

Ms. Swara Hansen,
I have heard that you have been quite often missing your love. Not needed to be shocked with the fact because everyone out there and in this universe knows the truth so better don’t hide your face between those pillows and make them wet. I’m here, hearing all your wishes and granting them as soon as possible. For now I would just demand a smile from you which you don’t prefer to show anyone else but me. I want that smile to be with you until your lover returns back. This holy day even your lover had some wishes to get fulfilled. “He says he has been terribly missing his love and will return the next month. Till then he asks his love to take care, be safe, take meals on time and plaster a genuine smile on her face”
Thank You.
Yours and only yours Santa,
Whom you prefer to be wife of someday 😉

*Flashback Ends*

I still remember that day. Stupid me! I never knew he loved me.

“Someone’s missing me, is it?” he wraps an arm around my stomach, securedly.

“Yeah! Mom and the little one missed you” I smiled as I turned to him and my hands around his neck.

“Hmm.. even I missed my Shona. When the wind blows, I want to tell you to listen to the wind very carefully, so that you be able to hear me whisper my love for you. Your absence has not taught me to be alone, it merely has shown that when together we cast a single shadow on the wall. The scariest thing about distance is you don’t know they’ll miss you or forget about you…”

“Shh..I’ll always love you till the day I die. I’ll be there for you” I shushed him pressing my forefinger upon his lips.

“And you dare not say something like that” he pulled me closer to him and pressed his lips onto mine. It wasn’t that long, and it certainly wasn’t the kind of kiss you see in movies these days, but it was wonderful in its own way, and all I can remember about the moment is that when our lips touched, I knew the memory would last forever and it felt he touched me for the very first time.

There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage and I have been in love with this man for past ten years now!!.. The distance doesn’t matter, what matters is how much you love him!!..

“Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell”

“I missed you too” he kissed the top of my head “love you” he said and scooped me in his arms.

“Love you too” I spoke as I pecked his lips.

Third person’s pov

Love is indescribable. The emotion can leave us eager to express what is in our heart and communicate our feelings to our partner. It’s hard to put into words. Love brings up emotions that run the gamut from agony to ecstasy. Love can inspire us to accomplish some of the craziest and most amazing feats. Love can make you happier than you’ve ever been, sadder than you’ve ever been, angrier than you’ve ever been. It can elate you and deflate you almost at the same time. While we can all pretty much recognize the emotions associated with love, actually finding the words to explain those feelings is a pretty tough order. The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. That’s what I hope to give you forever. The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.

Distance is a test to love. Sanskar had been away from Swara always because of his constant deployments yet their love didn’t cease, neither did their passion. Love is a choice…
“I choose you. And I’ll choose you over and over and over. Without pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat. I’ll keep choosing you.”

Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate the love of God and family and to create memories that will last forever. Jesus is God’s perfect, indescribable gift. The amazing thing is that not only are we able to receive this gift, but we are able to share it with others on Christmas and every other day of the year. So let’s sing together…

It’s Christmas
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Hey, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Hey, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
It’s Christmas
Hey, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Hey, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
It’s Christmas…

Merry Christmas to all my friends… ❤