For me, Winter Holidays always bore the scent of Hypnotic Poison.
It's a perfume, a present from my first love on Christmas Day, exactly 5 years-time now.
Ever since, my Winters were wrapped in this heavy, intoxicating odour. It cannot be worn but in the cold season, due to its unique chemical traces.
My scarves, my clothes, my hair, everything is impregnated with it, all December, January and February - long.
But today, to Poison's note was added the scent of desolation.
I visited my Grandma. Her younger sister was there, as she usually is on Christmas. Only this time, the 2 of them welcomed me with clear, starry-eyes. Not the kind of "starry" joy brings; the other.
Margaret (that's my grannie's sister name), with trembling hands, (it could be old age, but might as well be discomposure), handed me some papers.
I grabbed them, breathlessly glimpsed for a second at their faces, then read:
"Medical analysis result for...
Diagnosis: Neoplasm of Sigmoid Colon with possible branching into the neighboring anexae.
Surgical removal & Radiological post-treatment recommended"
This isn't true. It's a mistake. Frequent errors do occur.
I keep telling this to myself, but I can't get drunk just by sipping clear water...Although I wish it could be possible,
just this once...