You And Me This Christmas
Friends since childhood, Gabriel and Amber shared a very special bond between them, from playing together to studying together, they both grew up into mature teens. Gabriel and Amber lived in the same neighbourhood.
Their parents were college friends. They spent most of their time together as they both were the apple of their mother’s eye’s, or as Gabriel liked to tease Amber, her mother’s pet.
Childhood Friendship – You And Me This Christmas
As a kid, she never liked the sarcastic side of Gabriel. It always drove her crazy. The only thing they had in common were not books or movies or actors but cookies.
They loved banana choco-chip cookies. Evenings, whenever Amber’s mum baked their favourite cookies she called Gabriel for a little tea time snack. Later they watched movies and always fought in the end.
Years go by and their friendship grows stronger. After school, they spent time together every day. They were the best of friends. Going to the arcade, playing at the park were their pastime activities.
Gabriel and Amber’s Friendship
Finally, the time came when they had to move to different countries for college. Amber wanted to master neuropsychology and literature has always had Gabriel’s interest.
Gabriel had a thing for his best friend, Amber since childhood but never wanted her to know. The day Amber was leaving he decided to tell her how he felt but he just couldn’t.
The last goodbye hug and Amber boarded her flight. Soon Gabriel left for college too. As things settled down for them, they came up with a routine.
Miss Me – Miss You
They video called each other, spoke about their days and shared the important bits of information with each other. If one had vacations then the other did not. And because of this reason, they couldn’t meet for years.
Four years later, Amber decided to skip her extra lectures and go back home for Christmas. Every Christmas, both the families celebrated together. It was the happiest season for every one of them, especially for the kids.
Gabriel visited his family every Christmas and this Christmas, Amber wanted to surprise him and her family. As she reached home, she saw Gabriel staring at her house and smiling. She smiled to herself. She walked towards him but he was so lost in thought that he did not see her coming.
Re-union – You And Me This Christmas
Amber had a squeaky keychain with her. She pressed the keychain when she reached near Gabriel and the noise caught his attention. He was shocked to see her standing in front of him. He couldn’t believe it at first but then she hugged him and he felt relieved.
Gabriel returned her hug even tighter. He kept asking her so many questions and she smiled thinking about how much she had missed this.
Walking back to her home with Gabriel’s interrogation going on, her mom opens the door and screams to her dad, calling him to the door. They laugh. Her mother hugs her affectionately.
They join her father in the hallway. He hugs her telling her how much he missed her stories over the past years.
Family Gathering
The next day was the day both the families had dinner together. Gabriel’s parents were happy to see Amber and told her how much Gabriel told them about her college, friends and environment and they went on and on.
He felt a little embarrassed about his mother telling her all these things. Amber looked at him and laughed. It was Christmas day. Early morning, right after breakfast, Gabriel went and joined his parents in the living room.
He told them about the way he feels about Amber. Their parents always knew they both had feelings for each other and could not wait for the two kids to grow up and realize this soon. His father was glad and his mother hugged him in joy.
Gabriel’s parents decided to have a talk with Amber’s parents and so they decide to visit them that evening. They knew that her parents too would be glad to know about it as they always had a liking for Gabriel.
Something More than Friendship
So, leaving Gabriel at home they went to Amber’s place and Gabriel’s intentions were conveyed. Amber’s parents were glad to hear the good news but were unsure about Amber’s decision.
That night Gabriel decided to take Amber for a Christmas dance to a nearby famous place where usually the dance party is celebrated grandly.
Amber agreed and decided to go with Gabriel. They were both enjoying the party and as the party was beginning to come to an end Gabriel took the courage to tell his feelings.
Gabriel said, ‘Amber…’ (And he paused)
Amber said, ‘yes Gabriel were you saying something?’
Gabriel: ‘hmm, ya I was…’
Amber: ‘what? Say, go on
Gabriel looked around (This was the first time ever Amber saw Gabriel so tense whilst talking)
Gabriel paused and continued…
‘hmmm…I am thinking….well…I am in love with you, do you love me?’
Then Gabriel paused…
Amber paused…just thinking what to say…and then after a few moments she said, Gabriel let’s go now…and she got up to go.
Gabriel got tensed as he saw that Amber looked surprised and confused.
The Wait
Gabriel dropped Amber home and on the way, she told him to give her time to make a decision.
Amber, that night could not sleep and just kept thinking about what and how to discuss this with her parents. Amber didn’t know that their parents have already discussed about it.
Days passed and Gabriel was tensed and under confusion. They did not call each other these few days. This happened for the first time ever in their lives, not talking to each other. There was not a day where they would not chat with each other.
Amber decided to talk to her parents; it was the 31st of December. Amber first decided to have a chat with her mother quietly as she thought her father would not agree with her decision.
When Amber told her mother, her mother was so happy that she burst out with happiness and told Amber that they are happy with her decision.
Amber was taken aback as her parents kept everything secretive.
So, Amber decided to give a surprise to Gabriel she told her mother to call Gabriel and invite him for a new year’s eve dance.
Gabriel came to pick up Amber that and they both went to a dance party. As the party was going on, Amber spoke about all things as usual but did not utter a word on her intentions towards Gabriel’s proposal.
The Wait Continues
Finally, the new year’s eve dance came to an end, they both came and sat in their car and Gabriel started driving. But, Amber all this while did not say a word about what she has decided. And, Gabriel just kept waiting for her answer.
Finally after a while, Amber decided to smile and smilingly said to Gabriel that she loves him. This made Gabriel so happy and excited that he increased the speed to 100kph and then to 120kph without realizing what he was doing.
The Love Rush – You And Me This Christmas
Amber too was happy but kept telling Gabriel to reduce the speed. Gabriel continued and kept driving at the same speed.
Little ahead at a curvy road he lost control and the car skidded and with a huge bang hit a rock and further skidded. The impact was so much that both did not know anything about it.
Some people coming behind saw the accident, called the cops and quickly took them to hospital. After few hours Amber died due to brain hemorrhage.
Gabriel too suffered bleeding and his one leg had severe damage and was never able to walk in life.
This tragedy shattered both the families for life and till today Gabriel is unmarried.
Author: Svetlana Pinto
Image Credits: Mart Production & Ketut Subiyanto
ALL PICTURES SHOWN ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSE ONLY
