The school holidays were approaching, and with them Christmas. Christmas had always been my favourite holiday, not only because of the special atmosphere that ruled those days and the people who were happy and cheerful, but also because of the gifts I was expecting. My wish was a new VR headset. My parents knew my wish, I have excellent grades at school, and my mum also hinted that I might get it.
In the air, you could already feel the smell of winter mixed with the smell of baked cakes coming from warm houses. The sky was, every now and then, coloured by thousands of colours fired by fireworks. I decided to photograph that scene and put it on Instagram. The best view would be from the top of the skyscraper where I live. It was forbidden to go there, but it was worth the risk for a good picture.
On the top floor, no one lived except an old grandma who walked with the help of a stick. She did not really go out, except when she went two floors down to her friend Vinka, who put eye drops in her eyes because she could not do it herself. So there was no danger.
I slowly climbed to the top floor. I did not want to use the lift so that no one would hear me, nor did I turn on the lights. I looked in the direction of the grandma's apartment. The door was open, and dim light was coming from the apartment. Something was on the floor. I slowly approached and noticed the grandma's stick. That was not a good sign. A million thoughts went through my head. Maybe it was a burglar, maybe it would be better to run away. Luckily, I decided to go in anyway.
The old grandma was lying on the floor with her eyes closed. "Grandma," I called her, "are you alright?" With great effort, she opened her eyes and barely said, "I fell, I got a bit dizzy. I can't get up by myself. Help me."
I went to the kitchen and brought a chair. I held the grandma under her arms and sat her down. Her body was light and fragile, like a child's. She asked me for a glass of water.
"My dear child, thank you, you saved me. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come. I wouldn't have been able to get up by myself, and I have to take my medicines; I am a kidney patient, and I must not skip my therapy."
"What is your name, boy?"
"Luka," I answered.
"Dear Luka, I also have a grandson, but he lives in Australia, and I haven't seen him for three years. I hope he is as good as you are. I miss him very much."
While she was saying that, her eyes shone like stars in a sky cleared by the northern wind. It seemed to me as if I noticed a tear in them. "You don't have to thank me, anyone would do that," I replied.
"Maybe they would, and maybe they wouldn't. You did it because you were in the right place at the right time. God himself sent you." And then she smiled with such a sincere, warm smile that for a moment erased all the years and wrinkles on her face. She was no longer a helpless old lady, her smile filled the whole room. I was relieved that she was fine. I called my mum, who immediately called her friend. Only when I saw that the grandma was no longer alone did I go home and almost forget about the event.
The last day of school came, and I was really excited. As soon as I entered, I threw my books aside and turned on Netflix.
"Grandma Luce is in the hospital," I hear my mum say.
"Luce?" I asked without letting go of the remote.
"The neighbour you helped a few days ago. Luckily, you heard her calling for help," Mum said. That was a lie I had to use to justify why I was on the top floor of the building.
She got pneumonia. After the hospital, she is going to a nursing home. Her daughter lives in Australia and cannot come before the middle of next month, and there is no one to take care of her after she leaves the hospital. She is also on dialysis.
I felt something pierce me in the middle of my chest. Is it possible that this old woman will spend the Christmas holidays alone in a hospital and in a nursing home, so far away from her family? I only hoped that the days would pass as quickly as possible until her daughter came.
On Christmas morning, I got up before everyone and ran to the Christmas tree as fast as I could. There were many presents. On the biggest one was my name. I tore the wrapping quickly and saw what I had wished for a long time. A new VR headset with all the games I wanted. I waited for my dad to get up so we could connect it as soon as possible. What a wonderful day, what a gift. Life is good. And now I'll go for the cakes.
Later, my grandmas and grandpas came, and we were all happy and cheerful. I thought of Grandma Luce. How is she? Does she feel lonely and sad? On Christmas, no one should be alone.
A few more days passed, and school was starting again. I almost missed it. It was Sunday, late afternoon. It had been raining all day, the perfect time for a nap. I was startled by the sound of the doorbell. Mum went to see who it was.
"Luka", mum called when she closed the door. In her hand, she was holding a big Milka chocolate.
It was Vinka. She came to tell us that Luce was gone. On her desk she found this chocolate and a note on it: "This is for Luka."
I felt my legs give way. I wanted to say something, but no voice came out of me. Silently, I took the chocolate and went to my room. I buried my head in the pillow and cried. I looked at the new VR headset, which suddenly seemed so small and worthless, while the chocolate I was holding in my hands was more valuable than all the treasure in the world. In it was woven all the gratitude, and that smile, the smile that changed everything. That day, I understood that the most beautiful things are free.