A CHRISTMAS PROMISE

A deathly silence pervaded the chilling air of Cascade Town, once vibrant now stands solemn as a stoic reminder of the fallacy of permanence.

- Neelakshi Banerjee

A huge Christmas tree with leaves wearing a dark green hue shone like velvet burdened by the shimmering multicolored balls and toys and gifts and stars hanging from its stooping branches. It gleamed in the silvery glow of a mournful moon standing forlorn in the eastern sky. The colourless glow reflecting on the lone star atop the Christmas tree fell on the dark lane creating halo. The tree, a symbolism of the once happy town still stood erect in the city centre, bold and draped with a lingering hope of a Christmas miracle.Its branches frozen with snow, layers after layers as many Christmases floated by. The greenish tinge now only perceptible to the scrutinisingly curious eyes but would appear blossom-blanced at cursory glance. The entire town was ghastly calm unbecoming of an upcoming Christmas, all shops brightly lit and illuminated, the lawns and doors proudly exhibiting fresh mistletoes and fairy lights even the shadows fixed in the walls and in the place of people, of bubbling life bringing Christmas cheer, were 500 statues, now cradled and clad in snow, with unfathomable semblance to actual humans. The sorrowful downward glance of the eyes, the hurried placing of the fingers in the face,the subtle wrinkles of the dresses and pants in the sprinting posture, even the last teardrop crystallized in the young maiden's eye. Only the wind flew silkily through their hairs, which were fluid and auburn without a tangle. A big book sto