It had finally begun. Dropping like a soft comforting blanket, flowing down just as only it can. Silently and with a purpose to change the entire world around, into a white wonderland. Meera was perched on the window sill, eyes wide with amazement, observing it with the patience of an unmoving tree but also with the fascination of a young child witnessing something for the first time. Although this was not her first time seeing snow.
“Can somebody please grab this silly billi for a minute” groaned Bean whilst trying to somehow manage vacuuming and dusting at the same time. He loved the thought of throwing two stones with one bird, but managing two specific tasks at the same time also came with its problems. In this case human anatomy was being the issue. It was his turn for the cleaning today whilst Chona was in the kitchen making green tea as well as making the finishing touches on the cheesecake he had started baking earlier, in celebration for the change of seasons.
Winter had started late again this year, and snow was hard to come by at all recently so it was a pleasant change, even though along with it came the skin prickling freeze and dryness. It was one of Beans favorite times of the year nonetheless because he had always liked the beauty of contrasting experiences and this was one of natures greatest ones. It was cold and snowy and perfect outside, for all types of adventures; snowshoeing, sliding, slipping, and unlike most people he even enjoyed driving in the snow. It made the mundane task so much more interesting, because to him “who even likes simple roads where cars go in the direction you are actually trying to get them to go towards?”
But the best part of it was what came after. The other part of this contrast. Coming home, and starting the warm fireplace, putting on thick dry socks and comforting winter pajamas that made your skin feel like you are walking around in a blanket. Making hot drinks to combat the cold weather your body had just faced and the biggest warmth of them all; finally getting together, sitting together as a family, for Storytime.
Bean had always been fascinated by stories. Words had always been more than mere ink and paper for him. For they contained dreams, hopes, wisdom, challenges, and the thoughts of another being, immortal to the strands of time. That was the reason why his favorite piece of furniture had always been a bookshelf, for it encloses and displays the books containing these words within them in all their wisdom and glory.
What came next however cannot and should not be described in words but only observed through experience.
It was finally here, the tea, the warmth and all that he had ever hoped for.
The time had finally come. He was finally home.
Hasnain Raza Baloach 