[RRCS] Extra Chapter: A Wish in Winter

Waking up to the chilly winds of winter… It’s been a few long years since I’ve been reincarnated in this world.

Thinking back to my life in earth… If I’m still in that place… what kind of person could I have become then?

As I woke up this morning, a lot of things has been occupying in my mind.

The cold winds creeping on my skin reminded me of my life on earth.

The winter snow reminded me of Christmas.

But sadly, the memories that were entering my mind were all unpleasant.

It only reminded of a desolate place where I once... existed.

On earth, Christmas is a time of glee.

A time of joy where children play in the snow.

A time for families to gather and spend time with each other.

Probably the happiest time of the year for most people.

But as for me… it was different.

It was all… miserable.

While all the children was playing on the snow, I was staring from the windows of my room.

While all the families spend their time with each other, I was alone.

Compared to the people around me, I felt different.

When I was child, I thought that… it was normal. It was something… that is part of our lives. I thought that… I didn’t need the comfort of my family since they weren’t really there for me.

But then when I look at my neighbors, when I look at the families of some of my only friends… it was different.

They had something that I never had.

Something that I never felt.

When I look at them… they all had a smile on their face as they greet each other for Christmas.

A feeling that… during this time of the year, they weren’t alone.

And they had someone to share their happiness with.

Looking back at my family, I remembered when I was a child and asked them about Christmas.

I remembered how naive I was to ask them about why the other families were different from how we celebrate it.

I remembered how they only turned a blind eye to my questions and gave me money as they told me to spend Christmas however I want to.

It was probably some of the most miserable part of my life and worst is, I only understood it when I grew older.

Now that I was reminded of all those memories, I realized that… I never really had a family in the past.

I only had people whom I called mother and father but never really gave a damn about me.

Haaaah. Truly, even today I still feel bitter.

As I was thinking about these things I suddenly heard a voice from outside my room.

“Raizel, wake up now. It’s already time for breakfast!”

Ah… it was a voice of my angel.

A voice of a person who genuinely cared for me.

The voice of my mother.

I slowly got up and changed my clothes to something decent.

I opened the door of my room and there in front of me was my mother.

She held her hands toward me and I subconsciously grabbed it as we walked together towards the dining hall.

This kind of scene has been repetitive, but each time it happened, it always bring a smile on my face.

“Raizel, have you slept well last night?” My mother asked.

I gently nodded.

My mother brought me in her arms and embraced me tightly.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Well, have you forgotten what day is it?” My mother asked once again.

Seeing that I didn’t really have an answer to her question, she once again spoke, “Really? Today is your birthday! How come you have forgotten?”

When I heard her words, I finally understood what she meant. I somehow… remembered why I felt so bitter.

Today was my birthday… just like the time of my birthday in my former life… it was also winter. It was also almost the time for Christmas.

A bitter smile appeared on my face and I couldn’t help but think about the life I had ever since I came to this world.

As I was bitterly asking myself about the past, my mother suddenly dressed me with some sort of a jacket.

“This is mother’s gift for you. It’s cold right now and you should definitely wear this so you won’t get sick. Happy Birthday again, my son.”

My mother gently hugged me once again and as soon as she did, another person appeared before us.

“Little Rai, happy birthday!”

A girl who was at least 14 or 15-years-old and slightly taller than me hurriedly came over and hugged me and my mother.

She kissed me on my forehead as she brought a bracelet towards my wrist.

“Ah, Little Rai, this is elder sister’s gift for you, okay? In a few months, I’ll be going to study in Laisse City and if you ever missed me, just look at this bracelet and know that your elder sister is always by your side.”

She gently smiled at me as she was speaking. It was my sweet elder sister Rhea.

Yet another angel in my life.

As soon as she came over, another person came and patted my head.

It was my father.

“Little Rai, you’ve been growing a lot these past few years. Happy Birthday my son.”

Once my father finished speaking, we all took our seats and started eating breakfast.

While observing everything around me, an even brighter smile appeared on my face.

This… is something that even all the wealth that I had in my former life couldn’t be exchanged for.

The something that I have always wished while I was still alive on earth.

Today is my ninth birthday. The weather is cold… it was even freezing.

But even with all these things that makes everything cold in my surroundings, I still felt warm.

Overwhelmingly warm.

And soon I noticed it was because of the people around me.

It was because of the love and care they showered upon me.

This is what it means to have a family.

This perhaps, is that wish that I have always yearned for.

A wish that came true, once I was reborn in this world.

Perhaps.. the wish that I will continue to protect with all my strength, as I live my life in this new world.

“Merry Christmas, mother, father, and elder sister!”

-

AN: Well, this chapter didn’t really signify much other than yet another description of what kind of life Raizel had during his former life and today. But that doesn’t really matter. The underlying message of this relatively short, extra chapter is all about families.

Whatever your religion is, whatever beliefs you have, winter and Christmas is definitely a reason to use in spending time with our families. As a person who had some not-so-good-experience with Christmas, all I can say is… for those of you who have enmities with your own relatives, go on and try to reconcile. Go on and try to forgive each other. It’s never too late for harmony. It’s never too late for happiness. A sorry and a hug could make a difference.

Today, as we celebrate Christmas, I can only wish that all of you will have the happiest moments of the year 2015. Merry Christmas everyone! :)