46 The Christmas Letter.

"Hey, sis," Jina called as she came into the room.

Mia was sitting in her chair and was writing something. Without taking her head up, she just said, "Hm?"

Jina came next to her and peeked to see what Mia was writing.

"Oh! I knew you must be doing this." Jina said as she saw a paper and the words written on it by Mia.

'Here's the onset of Christmas! Just like every year, she is writing a Christmas letter to Jun.'

Jina smiled to herself looking at Mia who was completely immersed in writing.

"So? What are you telling him this time?" Jina asked.

"Nothing much…Just..regular things…How am I doing? And what's going on with me...Which is not that interesting, by the way…Hehe.." Mia laughed awkwardly.

"O-kay….But do you think he'll also write you a letter this year?" Jina asked with a slightly teasing tone as she was eager to see Mia's reaction.

For the first time, Mia looked up at Jina. "He would never ever stop writing me a Christmas letter! We've been doing this for years now.

And I don't think, we'd stop doing this ever..like EVER!"

"Okay, okay. I get it." Jina said.

Then she walked towards her bed and sat on it.

"But don't you think, it's a bit old fashioned to write a letter instead of calling him, in this era of cell phones."

Mia just gave her a smile. "I know, calling, texting, these all things are making it all so easier.

But still, I prefer handwritten letters. They seem so meaningful." Mia kept her pen down and then rested her chin on her right palm, looking up at the origami swans.

"The handwriting or the familiar scent that letter has brought to you makes you feel that the person is sitting right beside you."

A gentle breeze entered the room through the window and those swans swayed in the air.

"His letters give me his presence and so, I don't feel like he is so far away from me. And it just feels so nice and warm….

Besides, I don't have a phone. Hehe."

Jina was just looking and smiling at her sister. 'You understand all these things….But still, you don't understand him…'

"Hey, Sis. Will you write something to him, from me?" Jina asked.

"Yeah, sure. Just tell me, what do you want me to write?"

"Um…Just write, "Warmer climate is preferred than the colder."

Mia looked at her puzzled. "Huh? What does that mean?"

"Nothing. I am just telling him about the preferable climate conditions."

"Yeah, I can get that much. But why are you talking about the climate all of a sudden?"

"Do you wanna write it or not?" Jina folded her hands and gave Mia a look.

"Okay. Okay. I'll write it. But then don't come to me if he says something to you."

Jina just shrugged her shoulders. Then she lied down on her bed.

Mia started writing the letter again. 'I am sure, he's been also writing the letter or maybe he has already written it….'

~

"Grandma…..Grandmaaaa..." Jun was calling from his room.

Grandma was in the yard and was talking with Nana over the fence.

"Wait. Wait. I am coming." Grandma said as she looked at Nana and then started walking inside as fast as she could.

"This boy just…doesn't remember that I am an… old lady…I need some time… to stand up…to sit down…to walk…huh…." She came into Jun's room panting.

She found that all the things were scattered in the room. The cupboards were open, the drawers were out, the clothes were on the floor and everything was a mess.

"Oh my! What is all this?" Grandma said as she kept her hand on her forehead.

"Where are those?" Jun asked still searching for something under his bed.

"Where are what?" Grandma asked.

He took his head out from beneath his bed.

"The stamps! I bought 10 of them, last month. But I can't find them anymore. Where are they, grandma?

I need to send a letter today only. Where are those? Just tell me."

"Ohhh….So you want the stamps??" Asked grandma with a slight smile on her face.

"Yeah. Did you see them anywhere? I can't remember where I put them…" Jun looked around.

"The stamps…Hmm…." Grandma narrowed her eyes and brought her hand next to her cheek, tapping her index finger on it. Acting like, she was trying to remember something.

Jun started looking under his bedsheets and pillows.

"I think…I know where they are…." Grandma said.

Jun looked at her instantly. "Really? So? Where are they?"

"Umm…Well…Where did I see them?…. In the living room?"

"Living room?" Jun said and hurriedly took a few steps towards the door.

"Oh, wait!" Grandma said and Jun stopped in his way.

"Maybe, they are in the cupboard behind the dining table…"

"The cupboard.."

"Oh, No. Wait…."

"Now, what is it, Grandma? Just tell me already…."

Looking at Jun's face, Grandma laughed inside.

But trying her best not to show him that, she said, "They are in the drawer of my cupboard."

"Are you sure this time? Or do you wanna say something different again?"

"Oh, No. I know, they are in the drawer. I kept them there when I found them lying on the ground while cleaning your room.

And I knew, you'd never be able to find them in your mess. So I kept them in my room."

"Then why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Grandma just gave him a teasing smile.

"Ughhhhh…." And Jun walked outside with loud steps.

~

~

" Hello, Mia.

Here we are, writing Christmas letters to each other, again this year.

How are you doing? You must be doing fine, like always...

I just don't know what to write. Actually, there were a lot of things that I wanted to tell you, but right now, I can't remember a single thing….

Ha! I wanted to tell you, that the vegetable saplings we planted this spring bloomed in a month and soon they also bore vegetables. We all cooked them and enjoyed them, for days. They were really tasty. I missed...I mean we missed you a lot at that time. Next time, when they'll come again, I'll send all of them to you.

As I am writing this letter to you, it's snow falling outside. It's the first snow of this season. It really looks beautiful here. The cherry blossom tree which is in Nana's yard will soon get covered with snow. It looks pretty. But still, I like it more in the spring, when it's turned pink, completely. Those are the days when it looks the prettiest. Like, it is trying to look his best for someone….

Nana and Grandma, both are doing great. They are the old ones, but sometimes, I feel like I am the responsible one here, who needs to look after them all the time. As the days are passing, my Grandma is getting younger and younger. Though it gets frustrating sometimes, it's fun to be around them.

Grandma is getting cough more often these days. It's due to this weather maybe.

I've been going to the hill more often for the last few months. It felt so nice up there. But since the winter started, Grandma didn't let me go there. I get a lot of inspiration to write songs up there. I've written some bits and pieces but haven't been able to complete anything.

How's Jina doing? If she is around you right now, she must be looking at you while you're reading this…"

Mia looked around and found Jina looking at her from her bed. 'How did he know that….'

She giggled to herself and started reading the letter again, while Jina raised an eyebrow at her sister's actions

"…I'll conclude this letter now. Maybe it's getting too long.

Merry Christmas to you all. Take care and stay warm. Don't catch a cold in this season…That's what my Grandma wants to tell you. And she also said that she is waiting for the spring so that you'll come here again. She and Nana hope to see you here soon...And me too...

Merry Christmas again.

P.S.- Eat the home-baked cookies we've made for all of you. I am sending those with this letter.

-Jun"

A huge smile appeared on Mia's face as she finished reading Jun's letter.

Opening the box, which was with the letter, she took out a cookie and took a bite.

'Ummm…They are tasty…..Thank you Junaaa….And Merry Christmas to you too!!!'