Life in the City

Chapter 18: Winter and Valentine

Winter comes.
The air is cold.
The wind is strong.
I wear a big coat.
She wears a red scarf.
Her cheeks are pink in the cold.

The trees have no leaves.
The streets are quiet.
Sometimes small snow falls.
Children run and play.

School goes on.
We study, we read.
But my heart waits for one day.
February.
Valentine’s Day.

I think:
“What can I give her?”
I do not have much money.
But I want it to be true.

I buy a small box of chocolate.
I also write a card.
On the card I write simple words:
“You make the days warm,
even in the cold.”

The day comes.
I wait after class.
Students go home.
The room is quiet.
She puts her books in her bag.

I walk to her.
My hands shake a little.
I give her the box.
I give her the card.

She looks at me.
Her eyes are soft.
She opens the card.
She reads.
Then she smiles.

She says,
“Thank you.
This is the best gift.
Do you want to walk home with me?”

I nod.
My heart is loud,
but my steps are light.

We walk side by side.
The winter is cold.
But between us,
something new is warm.


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