V POV:-

"Merry Christmas, my dear ones!" I murmur my greetings into the mike, "I hope you fill your tummies with that plum cake, have a fun time meeting your loved ones and hopefully steal that kiss under the mistletoe." I chuckle and with that I was off air.

Removing my leather jacket from the back of my chair, I lock the studio. Darkness floods the network of cubicles and a glass cabin beyond. A lone night-guard wishes me as I step out. Nodding in reply, I slip on the jacket. The night is cold and foggy. A fine screen of mist envelops my windshield as I turn on the ignition and hover over my next course of action.

My car maneuver slowly through the desolate roads of the city. Bright lightnings cover the malls, streamers and the smell of freshly backed cake.... ohh.. how mouth watering.. wait! where did that smell come from. A shop is brightly lit near the city square and I pull my car in the parking space.

Snappy's bakery. Open 24X7.

The sign said it all. I step out, braving a shudder as the cold wind bite at my skin. Should have dressed more warmly.

A bell rings as I enter the bakery. Its thankfully warmer interior and the sweet aroma in the air does not help to stop my excess salivation.

"What would you like to eat, dear?" An old lady behind the counter smiles warmly at the me.

"Pineapple pastry, you have some of that?" I smiled at her in response. Her warmth was contagious.

"Surely. Just take a seat." She receives my payment and disappears behind the counter as I take a seat next to the glass wall.

The city square is empty except for the occasional cars and bikes which pass by and the slurs of a drunkard were audible from a distance. The street light on the opposite side of the street flicker and I remember a memory just like this.

11 YEARS AGO:-

Snow covers the tall parapet of an Anglo-inspired Convent and the Pine tree in front of my window in all but made of Ice. I tap my fingers to the tune of the Christmas Carols that resonate from the holy Church and into this underground kitchen. The air is thick with the aroma of the freshly baked cake that Sr. Florence had just placed on the counter but not before giving me a stern look.

"It's for the feast, dear. You must not eat it right now, okay?"

I nod and she moves away working on the icing. Her white robes seem radiant even in the dim light which flickers again and I sigh. A hot vapour of mist swirls out.

"Why did you not take part in the choir, dear?" She asks as she applies the icing on the cake and starts topping it with fresh cut pineapple.

"I really don't see the purpose of it." I state and jump onto the counter. My legs dangle from it and I lament the fact that I was really short-heighted.

"Choirs are organized to sing praises on the birth of our savior, Jesus." She informs me with a warm smile.

"Oh, I get it but I don't understand that what's the big deal about being born, I mean look at me, I was born but I don't know my father and my mother died. What good is it to be born like this!" I try to reign in the sudden rage I feel. Life was rather unfair to me. Why would God give me such a life? What wrong did I do?

Sr. Florence seemed troubled, "You must not think so, Child. All the sisters of the convent are your family. See you have such a big family and God must really love you to give you such a big gift."

I glare at her. Not a bit convinced.

"Okay, why don't we do this? We join our hands and close our eyes and pray to God about whatever our heart desires."

I did as she said. OH God, please, please find me my father. Please. I will do anything you want, listen to me oh Father. Amen.

Suddenly the door to kitchen bursts open and a girl runs in.

"Sr. Florence!" She breathe, out of air.

"Slow down, dear. What is it?" Sister asks her politely.

"Headmistress has asked me to deliver this message. Some people are here to see him." Her gaze rests on me and my breathing picks up. Has my wish finally been answered?

I blink as the old bakery owner places a well-garnished pineapple pasty in front of me and leaves with a "Enjoy".

I was digging into my creamy Heaven, whose taste was somewhat elevated by the nostalgic memory it induced, when the glass door opened again.

" I am telling you Ira that mom will kill us if she knew that we ventured out at night", a girl with black leather jacket and batman PJs muttered as she entered the bakery, "scratch that, she will scalp us and then throw us to Dragons if she knew what your sweet tooth has dragged us to!"

This time her face was well in the line of my view and my heart skipped a beat. Kathy. Her dark hair were open, reaching the end of her waist and framing her oval face elegantly. Her face looked radiant and beautiful as ever. Those blood red lips pouting and that button-like nose turned up in the air...... I had a hard time killing the urge to run over and hug her. She looked beautiful and cute, does anyone get the combination?
As was my reflex action, I pulled on my hood, effectively hiding my face.

"Oh please, Dragons are mythical. Too much GOT is getting to your head." Another girl who entered with her replied. The resemblance between the two was uncanny and I realized that she was Kathy's elder sister, what was her name? Ira, yes.

"Woman, You get your sweet tooth in control before correcting me!" Kathy snapped.

"We are celebrating Christmas, stupid! Now, hey grandma!" She called out to the oldwoman, " may we have your special Christmas cakes? They were lovely when I had them last."

The old-woman blushed and uttered words of thanks and went to fetch them the cake.

"But it's not safe at night, Ira!"

"Please Kathy, I had a man with me for safety."

Kathy cocked an eyebrow, "Who?"

"You of course! And with your leather jacket and batman Pajamas one can hardly tell the difference", Ira said innocently but the mischief was clear in her eyes.

I held in a laughter.

Kathy was purple in the face, "I would have beaten the day light out of you had we been home."

Disguising my laughter as a cough, I continued merrily eating away.

"There you go", the old lady had returned and was now giving them the cake.

"Thank you, grandma. Here's the money." Ira handed them over, smiling sweetly.

"Oh, I don't have change for 10 bucks", said the owner.

"Well then...." All the 3 ladies' eyes landed on me and I ducked my head even more.

"We should ask him since he is the only customer", Kathy's whisper was audible and I stiffened.

Footsteps picked up and my heart rate picked up too. Why was I hiding? I don't know. After years , it has now become a habit, a necessary conditioning.

"Excuse me", the voice was quite close to me. It sounded exactly like Kathy's except it was sweeter.....?

I looked up and sighed in relief. Same features, same expressions sans leather jacket and Batman PJs. It was Ira.

"Yes ma'am?" I asked, my voice still a little shaky.

"Do you have change for 10 bucks?"

"Sure."

I handed her the change with shaky hands and she gave me a note of 10 and left with a warm thank you.

Chatters and more indignation was exchanged between the sisters. The chimes of bell announced their exit.

Outside in the complete darkness my eyes followed them, Kathy pulled her bike out of the parking lot and in a flash.. whooooom! they were gone.

"What a Christmas!" I called out to the Heavens, laughing at the play of fate.

Half an hour later as I settled into my bed feeling rather tired, I retrieved my phone from the bedstand and texted Kathy.

Hey, Merry Christmas! Celebrating by cutting cake or sleeping?

The answer was prompt.

Surprised at getting a text from Mr. Smartypants. Lucky guess, chap. Gulping down cake with Sis. What are you doing?

Smiling, I typed- Planning to sleep. Good night.

Relieved that she had reached safely home, I closed my eyes and surrendered into the awaiting arms of sleep. That night I dreamt of Leather jackets and Batman PJs.

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A/U- Merry Christmas and a Happy new year to one and all! Next chapter will be about the college trip, cya then!