Chapter 3
After having ice cream, the mother-daughter duo reached home dilly-dallying all the way. With the weekend set to start the next day, Kim and Nora had their plans ready. "Mom you promised me that we will go to the zoo tomorrow. Pia already went to the zoo. She told me there was a big tiger, a hippo, a baby elephant, and jumping monkeys. Nora was all animated in her talks. She indicated which dress she wanted to wear, chose a hairband to match, and her shoes were ready.
"What do you want to eat dear? Aren't you hungry?" Kim asked looking at the excited daughter. "Hmm (tapping her right-hand index finger on her chin, the little girl went into thinking mode for a few moments) Mom, I want to have pasta and after dinner, I will make a greeting card for my best friend Pia, she gave me marbles today, see" and she took out a handful and showed it to her mom. "That's nice, we will play with them later. Now let me make pasta for you. White or red, what's your pick today?" before Kim could finish Nora replied, "the best white pasta that you make, I want that".
Kim smiled and went to the kitchen to make dinner, leaving Nora busy with her activities.
Around 7:30 PM they had their dinner. Following the dinner, Nora got busy with her card preparations and Kim joined her soon. As they got their fingers dabbed with glitters and covered with colors, Nora, out of nowhere handed over a piece of paper to Kim. It was a letter to Santa Claus, in her handwriting:
"Dear Santa,
I have been nice to everyone, have been to school on time, and obeyed my mom as a good girl. Can you give me a pet, actually a sweet little dog? Please...
Nora".
Kim's heart melted reading Nora's letter, which was nothing but unadulterated innocence in the form of words. But beneath her smile, Kim hid her pain. The chaos that left their lives in tatters has created a vacuum. There's no shoulder they can lean on, no hand to wipe off the tears or a wall to have their backs.
She remembered the day when she got the news about the demise of her husband on the war front. Kim cried her heart out. With six months old Nora in her lap and a future uncertain with no family to go back to, she sensed walls closing in on her. But one glance at Nora and she knew that she can't surrender, not yet, not so soon.
She has worked tirelessly since then to make ends meet. Her only wish is to provide a better life for Nora—a happy life. Despite her efforts, she had to decline Nora's petty demands on several occasions. She had noticed Nora's slight frown too on a few occasions. Kim, on the other hand, made certain that she gave her time and love to nurture this beautiful soul, making up for the lack of resources they had at the time. "c'est la vie" is her catchphrase for dealing with difficult situations in life with a smile, which is essential when raising a child on one's own. Kim did, however, experience moments of weakness and helplessness.
Kim went to bed thinking about how to explain to Nora that they couldn't afford a puppy right now. She sighed and stared at the ceiling for a long time before slipping into deep slumber.
The next morning, around 8AM a doorbell rang incessantly, rattling Kim's deep sleep. Rubbing her eyes, slowly she got off her bed, slipping her feet into the slippers and dragging herself to the main door. As she walked towards the door, she thought "who it could be? So early in the morning!".
As the door cranked open slightly, Kim found a cardboard box with "Open Me" written boldly on it. The box left Kim suspicious rather than surprised. She opened the box with caution to be only caught by surprise and loads of happiness.
As the box opened, Tojo sprang up. He straight away jumped onto Kim, licking her face all over, conveying his longing and love for her. Tojo is Kim's pet (a Maltese breed dog) that she left behind with her parents. It's been two long years. She raised Tojo when he was of just four months of age.
Kim couldn't hold her tears back. It seemed as if God was watching her from around the corner and granted this happiness boon to lighten up their lives. But Tojo wasn't alone. There was a letter around his collar that needed Kim's attention.
Kim
We have endured the pain of losing our child. We have come up to terms with our fate of raising such an ungrateful child who gave up on family and traditions. But this mute pet couldn't understand the fact that you are gone. It wriggled in pain and longed to see you. I just couldn't let it suffer silently. I hereby send Tojo to you, take care of it. Don't betray it.
Mom.
The letter broke Kim's heart. She was at a loss for words. She wanted to scream and explain her stance. But she had to keep her enraging emotions to herself. Suddenly she looked all around if she could find someone who brought Tojo to her. Unmanned courier of pets isn't possible.
Someone was watching the wary and happy at the same time rection of Kim from a distance.
Unable to find anyone, she took Tojo inside. Tojo was pacing up and down the hall, exhilarated, noisy enough to wake up Nora from her sleep. Just as her mohter, she came to the hall, rubbing her eyes "what's this mumma" she asked in a husky voice.
As soon as she found Tojo in the room, she jumped up for joy. "Santa was here! He granted my wish! Mumma look, Santa heard me!"
Kim was simply admiring the apple of her eye while frolicking. Soon, Tojo and Nora locked their glances, and Nora said, "Yes, I do believe in Santa." What do you mean by "it wasn't Santa who sent you here"?
Immediately Kim asked, "What did you say, Nora?"
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