Seven months just ran like that. It was already December and the valley looked more beautiful and decorated than ever. The valley had Christmas vibes since November. The Christmas markets and farmer's markets were so lively every evening. The snowfall occasionally made the place look heavenly but it was freezing and Naila was not used to this winter.
"I need more thermals," she told Sony, hugging herself as the cold winds hit her as they walked out the school gates, to go to the nearby supermarket.
"You are so weak. How can you not enjoy this weather? Sad," Sony made fun of her. "Maybe you should ask your husband to bring you more clothes," she said.
Naila looked at Sony, regretting once again that she had ever shared anything so personal with her. Three months ago, on a rainy day, Naila had let her guard down and ended up oversharing. She had revealed that she was married but heading for a divorce. Since then, she had become the hot topic of conversation among the other teachers. Every conversation with Sony somehow ended with the same advice, to call her husband and patch things up. Sony now seemed to be deliberately rubbing salt into the wound.
Naila had her black trench coat on over her hoodie. She covered her neck with a maroon scarf. She put her hands in the coat's pocket. She walked into the grocery store and picked a box of green tea and some snack packets.
"Bad options," Sony commented when she picked some packets. Naila tried to ignore it. "Where are we going next?" Sony asked.
"I'm going back to the room. Maybe you should go home. It's getting late, and I'm not feeling well either," Naila said immediately, craving to spend some time alone.
"Oh," Sony looked disappointed. "Fine," she said and walked. "See you Monday then," she said and disappeared.
Naila sighed with relief and walked towards the bill counter. 'Maybe I will grab something for dinner from the Christmas market," she decided. Naila made the payment and quickly walked towards the market street.
The Christmas market had been set up near the pond, transforming the area into a cheerful little winter wonderland. At the entrance stood a beautiful, colourful welcome sign, surrounded by festive Christmas greetings, a giant Christmas tree covered in twinkling decorations, and a small skating rink to its left inside.
Naila walked in, taking in the lively atmosphere around her. Stalls lined the market, selling everything from clothes and cutlery to Christmas decorations, candies, and gifts. Around twenty food stalls offered a tempting variety of treats, filling the air with delicious aromas.
Naila made her way to a cosy coffee stall and ordered herself a cup of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, her absolute favourite. She then walked towards the pond where the seating area has been setup with a lot of wooden tables and benches.
Every table had an electric lamp. She settled down in one of the empty tables, sipping her drink. The sun had set but the sky looked stunning with shades orange, pink, and purple. Whoever passed by gave Naila gave her a strange look. "Who comes to the Christmas market alone," someone who passed by made a comment. Naila smiled and sat admiring the view. She could not care less. The music in the background, the chatters, the amazing aroma of food in the air, the winter, everything was perfect. Naila finished the hot chocolate and got up. And immediately she ran into someone, hitting them and her empty tumbled and fell down. She had hit her face on what appears to be a man's chest. Some one who is taller than her. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't see you coming, really sorry," she started apologizing and bend down to get the cup. But her fingers grabbed his as he had already picked them to his hand. She then got up and looked up to his face. For some reason her heart pounded fast.
The two stood staring at each other for a full minute. He was wearing a black trench coat over a blue, round-neck sweater, and in his hand, he carried a bag that looked like it was filled with treats. Neither of them could find the words to speak.
It had been months since their encounter at the beach, when he had saved her. Naila simply couldn't bring herself to say anything. If it hadn't been for him, she wasn't sure she would have found the strength, survived to do what she had done for herself, to choose life during the darkest and most difficult time of her life instead of giving up.
"Naila," someone called her from his back. Naila broke the eye contact with him and turned towards the voice that had called her. "You said you are not well, and you came down here?" A girl walked past him, blocking his view, her. Naila looked at him again. But by then he had started walking away too.
"I wanted to grab dinner. I was hungry," Naila said.
"Then you could have told me before you sent me off. You lied to me," Sony accused Naila.
"I did not lie.. whatever, think as you wish, I don't care," Naila shook her head in disappointment. She walked towards the exist. She looked for her savior but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Then where is your dinner?" Sony asked.
"I finished it," Naila lied. Everything looked delicious but expensive, so Naila filled her stomach with just her favorite drink. "Go home, it's really late," Naila reminded Sony again. "Goodnight," Naila began to walk back to school dorm. She had walked half to the dorm and it was really dark. Then she heard a scream.
Naila grew scared. She clutched to her bag tightly and looked back. 'Was that Sony?' She wondered. She turned the flashlight on on her phone and walked back. "Sony. Is that you?" Naila asked.
"Naila help me, help me," Sony screamed.