He sat alone that snowy night. He gulped down his whisky and ordered for more. The bartender simply granted his request and refilled his glass. It was his fourteenth glass then and the bartender said, “We are closing soon. You should go home and rest up.” He remained silent while the bartender walked away in pity. The man lifted the glass and once again he gulped the whole glass down his throat. Drowning his sorrows over alcohol became a habit ever since he lost the most important thing in his life, his family. It was just barely a month ago that he was spending quality time with his wife and two lovely children on his yacht. It was their first time out on the sea, enjoying freshly caught lobsters and fish, stargazing upon the distant stars that decorated gloomy nights and just being away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It was such a perfect holiday for his family.
However, after just three days in the open sea, his floating paradise was ruined by Mother Nature. Skies darkened and storm arrived, casting blight on his little, white yacht. Waves became rough, strong gusts of wind were too much to handle and in the end, their lives were hanging on a string as nature had created its mighty onslaught. The following morning, everything he held on dear to; had disappeared, his prized yacht was reduced to useless pieces floating on the silent blue and he found himself fighting for his life on one of the yacht’s debris. He was later saved by a passing trawler and some kind-hearted fishermen. They gave him food, water, dry clothes and rushed him to a nearby city. When he learnt about his family’s deaths, he felt as if the whole weight of the world came crashing down on his shoulders. He found himself all alone, crying his heart out with nobody to turn to. His teardrops warmed the cold, concrete floor as he sat down still in a state of sheer disbelief that such tragedy has struck. How he wished, he was the one chosen to perish while his family members were the ones spared by the unforgiving storm. He found himself unable to move on and this led to the downfall of his lucrative business. Within weeks after that odious day, his business crippled and he was on the edge of bankruptcy. His riches soon reduced to rags. And he ended up spending money from begging on the streets on drinking at his favourite bar.
“Sir, I’m very sorry but we are closing right about now.” The bartender interrupted his moment of peace. The man handed him all the money he had. The bartender said, “Sir, we are still short of fifty dollars.” He walked away without replying. The bartender grabbed his arm, forcing him to pay up his bill. The man used his might and shrugged off the bartender, causing the poor fellow, falling to the ground. Waitresses around came to his aid, advising him not to pursue the man. The man pushed open the door out of the bar. The streets were decorated with happy faces passing every lane, brightly coloured lights and a few moderate sized Christmas trees. Christmas was here as suggested by the winter season, full of snow flakes and the chilling atmosphere. The man dragged his feet to move from places to places, leaving behind traces of his shoeprints on the white snow. His vision was blurry, his head felt heavy and his every move looked as if he was about to collapse any moment but he continued his stagger aimlessly. The drunken man had nowhere to go, nowhere to return to.
After sometime, he finally vomited as he tumbled down to the freezing walkway. At least now, he felt much better after throwing up what he had consumed. As he tried to get back on his feet, he noticed a family reunion through a small window. It was a family dinner on Christmas Day. They seemed to be having a hearty meal, filled with warmth, laughter and simply being merry. The elderly were smiling away, the adults were having chirpy conversations and the children were frolicking and making all sorts of loud yet cheerful noises. At that very moment, he felt so jealous, full of envy but soon he felt disheartened simultaneously. There was no way he could have what that family was having. Soon he continued his walk, leaving behind those warm sights of a family reunion to celebrate the Christmas spirit.
From a distance he noticed a bright sparkle of a star. He was sure it was the star of a giant Christmas tree so he began to search the area. After some effort, he finally found it standing proudly in the middle of the town square. Silver bells, colourful lights, decorative items and snow flakes adorned the tree. Looking at the top peak of the tree, the star of the night settled quietly spreading its rays through the dark night. He thought to himself for a while and closed his eyes, perhaps wishing by the tree. He knew that Christmastime was the most magical time of the year and maybe, just maybe his wish would be answered. He opened his eyes and sat on a wooden bench. He took out a photograph of his family taken shortly before the tragic day. A hooded girl approached him and asked, “Sir, would you like to buy a candle to brighten up your lonesome night?” He gave her a penny and told her that it was all he had. She then accepted his penny and handed him a candle. She walked away and approached other people in the compound. Just then he realized that his wish was already answered. The flame of the candle represented hope and someone had just offered him hope. He grinned. He felt lifted.
A simple gesture by a stranger had made him realize though he had lost everything, there was still hope. When love, serenity and happiness were taken away, hope would be there to accompany him through the times of difficulties against all odds. He placed the photograph back to where it used to be and carried the candle as he stood up. He realized that the past was painful and it would never disappear but tonight was Christmas, a time of hope for everyone. And nobody or nothing could take away the hope, the Christmas spirit that night. Nothing could make him snowed under, buried by the shadows of his painful past because every Christmas brought a new hope for everyone…
This story is inspired by “Snowed Under” by Keane.
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