II.
It’s me again: Eincla. Now you probably want to know which single room knows stories that can’t be found in any history book. In keeping with the season, I have something for you: A Christmas tale.
Let’s dive into the past together.
It took place in the 30’s. I am already no longer inhabited. Mine of one is taken as an extra room. For extra togetherness, if I may say so. A man often comes to me with his mistress. Here they secretly spend cozy hours and exchange vows of love. This man is already married. But it seems he is probably full of love, so that he still has something left for a young lady. This lady he meets regularly with hot desire.
Then it is this again: Christmas. In the year of 1939 the man is 52 years old. His three children lead their own lives, but the Christmas family feast brings them all together. All of them? Well, the young mistress is left out. However, she may secretly come to my four walls for a Christmas get-together.
Under the pretext of wanting to get some fresh air, she sets off from her parents’ house to be in the love nest. Quickly she arrives at her destination. No one has seen her as she walks through the stairwell. She waits. At the appointed time at the place that is only for the two of them. Patient, yet longing to receive the kisses.
The time passes. Darkness falls and with it comes hopelessness. She is alone and has given her heart to a man 28 years older than her. A wealthy man who has achieved his position socially and is anchored in his family. A man who is unattainable for her. For her. She, who comes from a simple family.
The young woman falls into tears. In the silence and darkness she realizes which unrealistic dream she has been chasing all this time. A dream that bursts like a soap bubble in the Christmas reflection. A dream that had filled her with love and life.
She doesn’t want to return home yet. Her eyes are too teary. She feels too fragile to be in company. Too weak to go through life with this realization.
She had set out in a festive mood. She was full of joy to spend some time with her beloved. She was happy to have this secret meeting at Christmas.
This secrecy. It is what makes the game dangerous. That puts masks on people. It leads into a web of entanglements.
The young lady doesn’t know how much time has passed. She does not know why she has been forgotten. But she knows: she doesn’t want to continue her life like this. A wish burns on her heart. A wish that she longs for more than anything else. “Oh Christmas, let me have this one wish and bring it to fulfillment,” it bursts out of her, “Only this one wish I have.”
It’s time to say “Ade”. To this secrecy, “Ade!”. To this dream of a lifetime: “Ade!”. To this man, “A…!”
All of a sudden he enters the room, rushing to her and embracing her lovingly. An infinite number of kisses before the first word is spoken: “Sorry.”, the man whispers, “please forgive me for being late.”. And only now he notices the sadness in his beloved’s eyes. The darkness hid the tearful countenance.
Both had the realization that it can’t go on like this. As if the Christmas magic planted the same thought in the minds of the two. The secretive couple that has grown tired of themselves.
“I promise you, next Christmas we will celebrate together”, says the man, “you have my word”. The woman remains silent. He continues: “And then we will live together until the end of our days”. The woman knows nothing to say in response. This thought is unbelievable for her. It has become late. She puts on her coat and leaves.
A lot can happen in a year. And things, on the other hand, can also remain unchanged. But what has happened in the course of this year is why this story is worth telling.
The wife of the man, otherwise fit and lively with her 49 years, gets health problems. It goes so far that her kidneys fail and she passes away.
One would like to think that it is a coincidence. One may claim that the husband supported this happening with one or the other remedy. Or one believes in miracles. In the wish of the young woman. That night she wanted nothing more than to share her life with the man who was meant for her. No matter who he might be. With all her heart she made her wish to the angels of Christmas.
And a year later, she thanks the angels for making this wish come true. The man kept his word. They celebrate Christmas together. Without secrecy. The widower takes the young lady as his wife and they live together until the end of their days.
Some magic is in the air at Christmas time. A pinch of wonder that makes wishes come true. They just have to come from the heart.
But I’m sure you humans know that better than I do. I’m just a single room that tells stories.
