Christmas Eve

It was a cold winter evening here in Madhapur, Hyderabad. I watched the city streets being lit with glittering lights, the chaos of worn out employees is nowhere to be seen, just an empty street. Thanks to the Christmas holidays.

As the evening gloom started to take over me, I felt my phone buzzing. “Dabbu cheppinatte ready chesava, Mister?” she said, resembling a classic Boyapati Srinu’s villain. “Na bangaram sangathenti?” I replied, with a firm voice, almost like Balayya from Legend. “First, dabbu tiskoni, cheppina place ki, calm ga, 10 minutes lo come, bratakali, ani vunte!” she said again in broken Telugu, without a pause, loud and serious.

The bike ride took me 20 minutes to Narsingi Solar cycling track. I bought a Jigglypuff plushie from the nearest Miniso and a few Amul dark chocolate bars. I finally rang her and said, “I’m here with your ransom,” while parking my bike. “You’re so late, I said 10 and here you are after 20 minutes!” she said, surprising me from behind. “I’m glad you’re safe, did the kidnapper do anything?” I said, letting her settle in my arms. “No, you made it in time, the kidnapper used all her energy on speaking Telugu for you and got unconscious.” she replied, playfully, face buried in my shirt. “Can’t blame the kidnapper, you are gorgeous. I’d kidnap you myself if not her.” I said, giggling at her blushes.

“Save a few flirts for later. This time, we’ll race until the track’s end, the loser gets handcuffed with blindfold as usual!” she said, looking at the empty cycling track. “You’ll lose again, even this ebike won’t help, let’s start before it gets cold over here.” I said, stepping on the pedal.

We took our time cycling to our heart’s content, the calm breeze paired with the adrenaline was the cherry on top. The dimly lit lights covered the track, and the distant vehicle horns sounded somber. As a smart move, she preserved her energy till the end - as I thought she gave up, she immediately flew past me and won.

“I won! you usually wait for me after crossing the finish line. Seems like a Christmas miracle.” she said, panting, looking straight at me, surprised. “No! I honestly thought you gave up. It’s not fair, you were literally acting tired. Now, I’m worried as fuck.” I said, thinking about her evil plans for later. “That’s none of my business, a bet is a bet! Recite the safewords to me, and start the bike to my place.” she said, laughing like an evil villain. “Ugh, you know that I know them already, Do I really have to say them out loud!? I won’t.” I said, starting the bike, en route to her place.

“You’ll say them later anyways! Hyderabad looks beautiful, when it’s empty, isn’t it?” she said, looking at the skyscrapers, holding me firmly. “It is peaceful, maybe the real beauty comes from the people.” I said, cruising at 50 km/h.

We reached her place, and again, thanks to Christmas, her roommates went home. I hid my gifts in a bag and set it aside, away from the bed.

“You got your Christmas gift, which is me wrapped in red, and where are my gifts!? Don’t say the same to me!” she said, pouting, with pursed lips. “Open the bag from your side, I didn’t forget at all.” I replied, with a smile. “It’s so cute! I thought you didn’t listen when I spoke about Jigglypuff, I love it.” she said, hugging the plushie, smiling big, like a baby.

As the night got older, she kept grinning looking at the handcuffs and the blindfold, and placed them on me, and whispered “Merry Christmas, your Santa is here.”