Chapter 18: A small Christmas Gift
It was Christmas Eve . The schools were closed for Christmas celebrations and the final day of School was memorable for everyone and also for Ronn. Ronn couldn't forget that day not because it was sweet , he couldn't forget the day because it was bitter.
The day started normally for him until he get to school . Students whispered whenever they saw him. He ignored everyone . Das and Ronn wore similiar shirt and sat on the front bench . The classes were shuffled for the programs and Ella and her friends came to his class . As soon as Ella entered the class , the whole class turned and looked Ronn .He hung his head low but kept a smile . Ella just gave a disgusting look at him and searched for a place to sit . She got a seat right opposite to Ronn . "Oww .. I don't wanna sit here . Can someone exchange the seat with me ? " She asked loud enough for the whole class to hear and few of the students laugh . Ronn knew she doesn't want to sit near him . Someone agreed to exchange the place and she shifted her seat giving a grin . Ronn felt so weired and he felt Sad deep inside . Suddenly She saw the girl who exchanged seat with Ella . It was Anu . She smiled at Ronn and asked how was his health . He smiled back and said he was good . Anu was a wheatish coloured girl with a round face and small eyes . She had long hair which touched her hip . She wore light coloured dress which made her look pale .
The teacher came and the attendance was taken and they were all asked to move to a large auditorium . The school had two big auditoriums which was decorated with small LED bulbs . Over the Red curtain it read 'Christmas celebrations' . The whole class was then guided to the auditorium where rest of the students sat . This Auditorium was little larger than the other . The floors were tiled and it had about 50 mini fan on 50 different places . Das and Ronn sat together and he saw the girl's line sitting parallel to them . Ella was sitting in a position where Ronn could easily see her . He still had the love towards her , never dead . He stared at her for a moment and then turned towards Das . Das was busy setting alarm in his watch . He glared at him for a moment and said
"I can see her from here "
Das nodded . No explanation , but Das clearly know whom Ronn had mentioned . Ronn Sighed .
"She have insulted you so badly and still you love her !! This is insane " Das said without looking at Ronn's face . Ronn took few deep breaths . The programs started. The dance , The Carol , All the stage items were coming to an end and a senior boy came to stage for a song . It was Ronn's favourite ;
'A thousands years ; by Christina Perri ' . And When the boy was singing Ronn's favourite part , he turned to look at Ella , Ella looked back to him . Their eyes were locked for a moment and Ronn's heart melted. All his anger to her vanished in a moment with the song . Ella withdrew her eyes and looked at stage , but Ronn stared at her for long and he didnt knew when the song ended . He didn't know why Ella looked at him , but he loved it .
It was time to exchange their greeting cards with their Christmas Friend . When it was randomly selected , Ronn gave his greeting card to Anu and he got the greeting card which most boys wished for - Ella's greeting card . He was shocked . He felt like his prayers are being answered. They both went up to the stage and Ella gave her card to Ronn and gave a fake big smile and shook hands with him and said " Merry Christmas "
and Ronn felt his heart trembling with joy . He stammered " M .. Merry Chr.. Christmas ".
When Ronn returned back to his seat , he saw the envious looks from boys . He felt little proud for his luck and sat comfortably on his seat . Das smiled at him and they hugged .
"Merry Christmas bro " Ronn said and Das laughed . After everyone exchanging their greetings with everyone , it was time to leave . When Ella was climbing up the stairs , Ronn rushed to her and called her . Her friends laughed at him but he ignored everyone due to the excitement .Ella gave him a serious look . Das wondered what Ronn was up to this time . " Ella , I accept the fact that you can't love me. But , can't we stay friends ? " He extended his right hand to her and asked . She thought for a moment and said ,
" Hmm .. Okay . Not bad idea. We can be friends. " Ella said shaking hands with Ronn . Ronn was overjoyed . "See you later Ella . Merry Christmas . Take care . Bye ."
Ronn said looking at Ella who was impatiently waiting for Ronn to say Bye. Ronn rushed back to his class . Das followed him . He was happy to see Ronn's happy face . He was watching Ronn happy after many days .
"It's the best Christmas gift I can get Das .. her Friend ship and this greeting card " Ronn said in an extreme cheering voice . Das smiled .Happily he returned back home .
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" Merry Christmas Tara " Kiran said placing a gift box in her hands . It was Covered in yellow gift wrap and he bought it with his pocket money . "Merry Christmas Kiran" Tara smiled.
Tara have missed the Christmas celebrations at her school due to her fever .
"I have heard that celebration at your school was boring . Be thankful that you missed it. It was just a cake cutting and singing Carol songs . Ow ! how boring it might be ." Kiran said . Tara wondered who might be giving him information about her school . She know Kiran have lots of friends so she didn't bothered asking . "Open my drawer upside , you'll find your gift there " Tara said to Kiran .
"Oh ! So you had time to think about me ..huh .. I thought you completely forgot about me . You are just sitting with your mobile , chit chatting these days. I wonder what you guys might be talking. " Kiran said with a grumpy face. Tara laughed . It was true . She had been spending lot time with Ronn and not with Kiran .So she decided to take a change this day . "Are you free tonight ? let's go for the Christmas party at town ." Tara said . Kiran cheerfully nodded . Tara smiled to see him happy . A soon as Kiran left with his gift , Karthik entered home , with a small gift in his hands . Tara was arranging the flowers in the guest room and Karthik rubbed her hair from her face , standing behind her . She was shocked and suddenly turned to look who it was . She sighed when she saw Karthik with a gift box . "Merry Christmas Tara " He said .
"Thank you .Same to you " She said giving him a warm smile . He opened the gift box , it was a small diamond pendant hanging from a simple gold chain and Karthik went behind her , He brushed her hair to one side and it tickled her neck. She felt his warm breath close to her ears it gave her butterflies in stomach and she held her breath tight . He put the chain around her neck and made it tight , biting at the hook of the chain. It tickled her but she kept quiet , enjoying the moment .
" It's a small gift from my side " Karthik turned her , facing him and said . He clearly saw her blush and it made him smile . But suddenly a thought struck her . She hadn't purchased any gift for Karthik . Her face turned dull and Karthik noticed it.
" What happened ? You didn't like the gift ? " He asked her confused . She looked straight to his eyes and said with a sad face :
" I didn't buy anything for you. I am so sorry Karthik. " Karthik stared at for a moment . He have never expected a return gift when he purchased the chain or her . He was just waiting for an occassion to come so he can buy a gift for her . But he wanted to spend time with her . So he decided to make use of that as an excuse .
"Hmm .. you have completely forgot about me . It worries me ." He said bringing a serious look on his face . That made Tara so sad .
" Don't worry . You have a solution for that too." Karthik said . Tara looked at him .
"Can we go for an outing ? What about just me and you . So you'll never forget to buy a gift for me next time. " He hid his smile and said.
Tara agreed on the spot as she was feeling so guilty to not buy gift for him . She went to change into her outing clothes .She wore woolen but trendy jacket to cover herself as she had just recovered from a fever and she didn't want more . Karthik was wearing all black with a white T-Shirt and his Rhodium plated chain with new pairing watch on left hand . He drove the car himself and Tara was also sitting in front seat with him .
"Tara , do you know something ? " Karthik asked as they reached half way .
"What ? "
"Spending time with me is the best gift you can give me . "
Tara smiled at that . Karthik smiled too . Tara messaged Kiran to come straight to the party and promised she'll be there with Karthik soon after their Cafe -plan . Kiran replied a thumbs up . Then Tara messaged Ronn about her plans . He wasn't there in online . Karthik took a glimpse at her phone accidentally and saw Tara zooming Ronn's Dp . It was Ronn standing with his mother . Karthik felt deeply sad for a moment .
"Spending time with me doesn't mean sitting near me looking your phone " Karthik said .
Tara suddenly kept her mobile aside and said a sorry to Karthik and he smiled and they both smiled . It was a day where everyone got their gifts .. A day of gifts ., Maybe a Christmas present from Santa !?
( .... To be continued ... ❤️ ..... Thank you all for your support . love you all . please 🥺 keep supporting . you guys are the best . Thank you 🥺. )
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