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Two days before Christmas one lovely evening, Pun got on a Zoom call with Fai and Toey. All three had their cameras on.
Pun was getting ready to go out, Fai was doing Pilates while Toey was playing the clarinet and was horrible at it.
Both Fai and Pun loved him too much to shatter his delusion.
"I have news."
Pun announces while bouncing a powder puff over his face.
Fai stretching out a hand and a leg asked: "What news?" Looking directly at the screen of the tablet before her.
"Have you received Christmas cards this year? My mother decided not to send out any cards this year but we have received four cards already," Toey said.
"My parents received a card from my grandparents," Fai added.
"Well, have you two received my Christmas cards?"
"No."
Both Fai and Toey answered at the same time.
"Really? I sent them today," a surprised Pun said.
"Now, tell us the news."
Pun took a deep breath then said; "Beer called today and asked if I would meet with him."
Toey paused playing the clarinet. "Beer wants to meet with you?"
"Yes, I could not believe it myself when I he called," Pun laughed.
Fai, who was now lying on her side and stretching an arm over her head became curious and asked for clarification. "Is it date?"
"I don't know, he only said that he wanted to see me," Pun showered his head with hair spray.
His phone pinged with a new text message. Pun read the message.
"I have to go because Beer just texted me and he is waiting to see me."
"Tell us about it when you get back."
"Of course I will," Pun smiled to his best friends. "I will leave two now."
Pun left the Zoom call, took one final look in the mirror and layered perfume on himself before running out of his bedroom.
He took the stairs two at a time.
His uncle was the living room drinking a martini while listening to Christmas songs on the radio.
"You look very nice," Champ complimented his nephew.
"I am meeting up with Beer, I won't be long," Pun assured his Uncle.
"Just take care."
Pun smiled and ran out.
A nicely dressed Beer waited patiently for Pun by a huge Christmas tree shaped like a teddy bear with lights. He paced up and down in front of the teddy bear structure while keeping a look out for Pun.
Then he saw Pun coming.
"Pun, over here," Beer raised his hand and waved.
Pun hurried over to him.
Beer gave him a hug.
"This is a surprise, why do you want to see me?"
Pun asked while Beer was still hugging him.
Beer laughed as he stepped back, looking at Pun with tenderness in his eyes.
"Thank you for coming. And how are you?"
"Am fine."
"You smell wonderful."
His voice was so soft Pun hardly heard him but still felt himself blushing.
"Thanks."
"I have something for you."
Beer held out a carrier bag towards Pun.
Pun took the bag with great curiosity.
"I wanted to give you my Christmas gift in secret, that is the reason why asked you to meet me."
"What is it?"
Pun became both anxious and excited at the same time.
Beer smiled. "Just open it and see."
Pun opened the carrier bag and pulled out a box wrapped up with a ribbon bow.
Pun tore up the wrapping paper to reveal a brand new laptop.
"You bought me a laptop?" Pun was astonished.
"I heard you lost your laptop and I wanted to give you one as a gift."
"I don't know what to say. Thank you but I can't accept it."
Pun put the laptop back into the carrier bag and held it towards Beer.
"No, I want you to have it," Beer insisted as he pushed it back.
"You really want me to have it?"
"Yes, I do. It's the best that I could find. It has outstanding battery life. Strong performance and a bright retina display. The keyboard is comfortable when typing."
Pun did not hear half of what Beer was saying because is he was filled with complete ecstasy.
"Thank you for such a thoughtful gift."
"There is a food stand down the street that sell delicious sticky rice with mango. You can thank me by joining me to eat some."
"I would love to."
Mick made his way through a large international airport with his suitcase. He was happy to be home from his New Zealand trip to spend the holidays with his parents.
He just kept smiling as he moved towards the entrance of the airport.
Just ahead an old lady tripped and fell. Mick rushed over to help.
"Are you okay?" He asked with genuine concern.
"Yes, I all right," the old lady replied as she tried to stand. Quickly Mick offered his assistance by holding her up.
"Thank you so much. I am truly grateful for your help."
Mick smiled with pleasure.
"Do you need help with anything?"
"Oh, look there is my granddaughter," the old lady said as she patted Mick's hand gently. "Have a good evening."
"Okay. Take care," Mick offered kindly and watched as the old lady and her granddaughter walked away.
"Mick."
Mick turned and saw his mother.
"Mother!"
He runs and hugs her
"Welcome back," Rada says affectionately to her son.
"I am happy to be back."
Mick did not want to let go of his mother and when he finally when released her, Rada told him.
"I have missed you so much."
"And I have missed you too, Mother."
Back at the house, Mick sat down to a nice dinner with his parents in the elegant dining room, a huge Christmas tree stood in a corner.
"So how was New Zealand?" Taywit asked his son.
"New Zealand was amazing," Mick replied.
"I am sure it was. I saw all the pictures you posted on your Instagram," Rada said. "I remembered when you started the page with zero followers and now you have 50,000 following and commenting."
"Sometimes I can hardly believe it myself."
"We are happy to have you home with us." Taywit remarked.
"I wanted to be home for the holidays," Mick said as he looked at both his father and mother. "So I adjusted my schedule."
Taywit turned to his son.
"We are also happy to have you. Your mother wants to prepare a great feast for the holidays. So be prepared to enjoy yourself."
"Dinner will get cold, so let's eat," Rada said with a sipped of champagne.
"Alright let's eat," Mick reached for his gold-plated cutlery.
"This is your final semester at the university, when you graduate you will join me in diplomatic service."
"Father, I don't think I should."
Taywit became alarmed.
"Why?"
"It will be considered nepotism."
Taywit laughed looking from his wife to his son. "And why should you care what people think."
"Are you in agreement with me?"
Mick asked his mother.
"Of course I am, son."
"You are joining me in diplomatic service and that is final."
Taywit quickly shut down all opposing views and Mick surrendered to his father.
"Any plans for the holidays?"
"We have a packed calendar. So many parties and dinners to attend," Rada said.
Taywit turned to his son.
"So are you dating?"
"Not at the moment. Why do you ask!"
"You are handsome and come from a very good family. You can have your pick of the lot."
"I will do my best," Mick assured his father.
"I have someone in mind for you. Should I set it up?" Taywit asked his son.
"My love," Rada jumped in.
Taywit looked at Rada "What's the matter?"
"Do you want your son to be happy?"
His wife asked.
"Father do you want to set me up on a date?"
"Yes and what's wrong with that?" Taywit challenged.
"Father, I will like to find my own mate. So please stop."
"My love, that's enough. Let's just finish our dinner."
All conversation stopped with only the clicking sounds of gold-plated cutlery against fine china breaking through the silence.
Later Mick was sitting at the desk in his bedroom, checking his Instagram and reading the comments under his posts.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Rada entered.
"I brought you some chamomile tea."
She placed the cup and tray on his desk.
"Drink it before bed and it will help with your jet lag."
Mick nodded. "Thank you, mother."
Just as Rada was leaving her son called.
"Do you think I was right saying I wanted to choose my own mate?"
"Yes, you were and deep down your father understands that as well. I will respect and support your decision no matter what."
Mick got up and hugged his mother.
A tear fell from his eye.
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