1

MIRA

Waking up to the familiar buzz of my alarm, I kicked open my pink fluffy duvet and stretched my aching limbs. It was the first day in December and I had an exceptional expectation for the month.

Unlike the last five Christmases of my life, I anticipated a gift from Santa this year. I expected it to arrive from the fifteenth or twentieth; but then you never know.

I believed I had always been a good girl; stopped playing pranks when I was a eighteen, put in extra effort in the hospital I worked at and never caused problems for my family.

I was damn sure this gift would definitely come. My subconscious assured me the naughty list had nothing on me.

Climbing out of my single bed, I made it and waltzed through the adjoining door that led to my bathroom. I stood over the sparkly white washbasin and peered into the mirror.

My bright hazel eyes stared back at me, taking in my flushed skin and chapped lips. My red hair was not a bird’s net and I was impressed- my training had turned out successful.

I hurriedly did the usual morning clean up and dressed up in a cute yellow cardigan made out of wool. I paired it with a short brown flare skirt and brown sandals.

Running a single swipe of my pink lipstick, I grabbed my stuff and dashed to the kitchen.

“Good morning, Ma and Pa,” I greeted my parents who were already sat in the dining room to have breakfast.

“Good morning, Mira,” they both chorused together and I kissed them both on their cheeks.

My younger sister was flipping pancakes in a pan. She had just returned from college for a long vacation. I walked up to her and placed my neck on her shoulders. She grumpily but playfully jerked my head away.

“Extra load,” she grunted. “Sit and have breakfast.”

I chuckled, “Come on. Why is your face all crumpled up this morning because you are preparing breakfast?”

She had not given me an answer, instead she gruntled her displeasure. My sister hated doing chores, unlike me who enjoyed doing them so much.

I took a pancake from the plate beside her and packed it in a paper bag. Putting it in my handbag, I bade my family goodbye. I would be late if I sat for breakfast.

I knew my best friend, Kathy would soon arrive so she could drive us both to the hospital in her car. A pink salon waited outside for me as I made my way out of the gate. I smiled at the human behind the wheel as I got in.

“This colour always blinds my eyes,” I commented on her choice of colour for the car, like I always did.

“That comment always breaks my heart,” she flashed me her dentition while I settled in.

She stepped on the gas and we hit the road. As we always did, she let down the roof of the car and blasted loud music.

No one would ever imagine, in their wildest dreams, that we both were professional nurses who should know better about the impact of noise pollution. We looked like teenagers driving into the night.

I believed we only live once and we had better make the most out of it and be happy.

The early December chills hit me as Kathy and I screamed the lyrics of What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction.

I inhaled deeply and exhaled. The air felt so good and did wonders to my lungs. My hair was in a tight bun, so thankfully the wild breeze would not make a mess out of it.

I hated my hair being a mess. That was why I had begun making a conscious effort to always put the mane in its place.

All I Want For Christmas by Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey played next. I bobbed my head to the music and Kathy drummed her fingers on the steering wheel.

“What do you want for Christmas?” Kathy suddenly asked out of the blues.

I smiled because I did not have to think about my answer. I knew just what I wanted and it was at the tip of my tongue when it rolled out. “I need a husband.”

Kathy burst out laughing. “Need? Why the rush, babe? You are just twenty three.”

I sighed. “Mother does not think so. She is always pestering my life.”

Kathy scoffed. "No offense, sweetheart. But I think it stupid that a young woman full of dreams, like you, would want to dash them away to be with a man."

I chuckled. "None taken, my love. That is your opinion. And moreover, marriage seems wonderful. I want one like my parents."

"Sure." Kathy bit hard. "If your mum is the driving force, we could always share my apartment. You should not make your decisions based on what your parents think. You are an adult now, Mira."

"I will be fine, Kathy bear. Do not worry yourself so much. Like I said, the idea is not so bad. Just imagine someone you can lean on. And talk to about your day. And hug and cuddle." I could literally see it all play out.

I turned to see Kathy's deadpanned look directed at me and I burst into a fit of giggles.

"Right. Throw away all the special things we share to be with a man," she said, sarcastically.

"Do you want anything this year?" I asked, trying to deviate the heat away from me.

She fell silent. “I do not even like Christmas. I am sure you remember.”

I laughed. She had been like that since I could remember us in diapers so I was not surprised at all. But I thought, just like me, that this year would be different for her.

We soon arrived San Francisco General Hospital and eased Kathy's pink baby into her assigned space. Kathy gunned down the engine. After the girl power handshake we had formulated when we were kids, we stepped out of the car.

I adjusted my skirt and Kathy laughed at me as she rounded the vehicle to the entrance.

“Is that part of you preparing for Santa’s gift?” she queried.

I shrugged and walked up to her as we entered the building, “Well, you never know.”

She shook her head fondly at me. "I would love to remind you that we wear uniforms here. This sexy outfit of yours would have to go."

I giggled. I knew that. But Santa would still locate me if he wanted to.

"You never know." I said again, as we trotted to the locker room to change.