My boots crunched something underneath, a dusky brown autumn leaf from the fig that doesn’t seem as alive as when I saw it a couple months ago. It’s the beginning of January and winter has now smothered the land with its vice-like grip. The world around me was imprisoned by the lacerating winds as flint grey skies overlooked me. The winter vacations are now over and chattering of students walking around the campus can be heard from the far distance in the silence of this season. Walking into my university after a month-long vacation, I keenly observed the changes it underwent. The harsh wind turned the tip of my ears sharp pink, my fingertips were already numb from carrying my backpack as I headed towards my hostel. There were not many people around as most of them are snuggled in the warm corners of their room, as they dreaded the frosty curse. I saw a group few steps ahead sipping coffee. They had wrapped their hands around the cup, holding it tight to warm up their hands. The joy of reunion after long was evident on their faces as they were sharing their best and worst moments from the holidays in an overly exaggerated manner. I coyly smiled at their interaction and made the last turn before I made it to my hostel. Standing in front of the tall building, I saw some familiar faces and greeted them as they approached towards me. I saw those unloading hefty blankets as they gathered up their baggage before the elevator. It reminded me of mine that I bought in freshman year when I was suddenly hit by the freezing cold of the north. I walked up to my room and started unpacking after indulging myself in an unusual amount of hot chocolate as the cold wind was getting unbearable. It was 4 pm but one couldn’t tell the difference between noon and night.
As the night approached, my mates decided to order in pizzas to celebrate the new semester beginning from the next day. Talks over toppings, cheese, and post-holiday anxiety filled the room and few minutes late the steaming food arrived at the doorstep. A cozy evening filled with friends and food marked the joyous start of another semester. New subjects to learn, crazy assignments, dreading deadlines, the oh-so exams and another six months of memories and fun with loved ones were waiting. As we said our goodbyes before diving into a deep slumber, my friend said in a playful tone “Wake me up when the winter ends ok!” She shut the door as she leapt towards her room but left me with a heavy thought. We very often forget to cherish what we have in the moment. Much value of something is understood only in the moment we lose it. The white season that brings people to burrow in warm fabrics and hideout from their otherwise active lives only brings anticipation of the spring. We all wish for the warm weather to come all faster. We long for the staff of slim lights breaking from the sun, salty air touching our lips, skin exposed to the warm touch of sun and running free in the green glades of summer. We forget to cherish the soothing warmth of hot beverages, blissful slumbers in cozy furred blankets, sunshine on a freezing day, Christmas celebrations and the bundles up happiness it brings with it. As I said, not valued until the loss. It’s the resistance of human mind that held captive the joy of little things. Winters may be a time that keeps us from free floating and imposes an unfamiliar obligation to long for the next but value it as you will wake up to its end wanting to go back again.
