Freezing

For the next two days, Andre didn't step out. His mom had cried, begging him to step out and take something but he wouldn't answer. Felix also came with his girlfriend Lisa and did the same but Andre will not talk to anyone.

On the third day, Andre stepped out, his wounds getting healed but needed to be treated again. Alice saw him and she gasped, it's Christmas eve and he stepped out. May the blessings of this season wash away his pains and replace them with happiness untold.

“Andre my son” Alice chimed and went to hug him. But he was cold, he didn't wrap his arms around her as expected. Alice didn't feel offended, she placed her hands on his shoulder and saw how emaciated he'd become. His eyes were red and hollow and his lips were dry like a malnourished child.

“Why are you doing this to yourself Andre. Jasmine is happy with her marriage to another man. If you keep hurting yourself besides the one she'd inflicted on you, you'll make her feel she owns your breath and she controls your heartbeat” Alice persuaded.

“I loved her mom, but she left me instead,” Andre said in a shaking voice. He doesn't understand why she would leave him after so much love they shared, happiness they brought into each other's lives. Was it because of money or his unknown identity?

“Yes, she did and there's nothing we can do about her choice and decision. A phase of your life ended with her. Brace up, you've stepped into another phase now, a better one at that. And I pray for you that this season brings you a whole lot of happiness and blessings…” Alice coaxed more.

She brought him over and gave him his breakfast. Andre couldn't eat. He claimed not to have an appetite for anything. But he needed to step out and take a walk in the snow. Something that might help reduce the burdens that clumped his heart.

“Alright, go well son” Alice said and Andre stepped out cladded in a hood and a canvas. He wore gloves and placed his arms in his jacked pockets. He was gently walking the street and saw people going about, preparing for Christmas.

He could hear the jingles, the homes lights up and the Christmas tree being decorated. But unlike others, his heart was dark and his life felt empty. For many years now, Jasmine and himself always spent Christmas Eve together and it's usually a great time on the 25th of December.

But all seems empty now. No joy, no excitement and nothing intrigues him about the moment. It's like every normal day to him. How he wished this was just a midsummer’s night dream that when he wakes up, he'll find it all gone and Jasmine will be by his side again.

As he kept going, he saw a car stuck in the snow. The driver was perhaps an inexperienced driver on that street. He came over and saw him struggling, he glanced at him and without a word, went over to him.

“Do you need help?” He asked, observing the tyres. They've lost traction and the only way to get it out was for it to regain it again. But the car is expensive and sophisticated.

“Yeah, buddy,” the driver replied, clasping his hands together. If he hadn't been carrying his boss, it would have been better. But now, his job was not only at stake, but his life will not know peace until everything gets better.

Andre glanced around, there was no shovel or any flat object to use in clearing the snow away. Having no option, he pulled his jacket off and used his hands to clear the snow. He instructed the driver to go in and “gently rock the car back and forth by shifting between the drive and reverse..”

“Yeah” the driver said and was doing that. Andre kept clearing the snow away, moving swiftly from one tyre to the other “gently accelerate but don't keep spinning the wheels” his words were followed by steam and at this time, he was shivering and freezing.

They continued until eventually the car regained traction and moved. The driver wanted to stop because Andre was freezing and he screamed “go faster now buddy” and waved at them. Now his teeth were shattering, his clothes were soaked and covered in snow.

He needed to return home but his feet stiffened. Looks like his blood was getting frozen. The only thing he could do was bring his phone out and called Felix “I'm freezing, on the street” he said and fell down.

“Sorry ma'am” the driver apologized but his boss didn't hear him. She was glancing behind at the man that helped them. He was freezing and yet urged them to leave. What if something bad happened to him?

Her heart started beating fast when she saw that the man couldn't move “Turn around and save that man” his boss ordered. That man might get frozen because of them. How can he suffer such fate because he gave them a helping hand?

The car heater was turned on and yet, she was still hugging herself to remain warm. And the young man, he might die. But she became helpless when the driver said “We would get stuck again ma'am, that's why he said we should go quickly…” he explained.

She sighed helplessly and seeing the rain of snow falling, she hoped the man survived. He appears to be a young man but may the Almighty keep him safe for the sake of the happiness of the season.

A few hours later, Andre opened his eyes on his bed. His joints pained him and he glanced around. Felix was typing on his computer and he observed him for a while without moving or saying a word.

He came to save him. Thank goodness that he went along with his phone this time. He felt weak and was going to call Felix when he beat him to it “what were you thinking, Andre, that you stepped out without a jacket?” He asked without glancing at him.

Andre was shocked. His jacket? Oh goodness, he'd pulled it off to enable him shoved the snow away from the tyre more freely. That must be it, that is the reason why he got frozen in the snow so easily.

“I did, Felix but I pulled it off… he was saying when his mother got in and he paused. She saw Andre awake and her tears cascaded down her cheeks. He survived, he got back to himself again.

“Mom!” Andre called, seeing his mother's tears. What happened to her? Why is she crying? Is it because of him? Obviously it must be.

“You should have asked me, I would have suggested a more convenient way to commit suicide rather than being stucked in the snow. Why didn't you ask me Andre?” Alice helped, her eyes reddened.

“What nonsense are you talking about mom?” Andre scowled.