As we said Goodbye to the year 2017 and Hello to 2018, I'm sure there are many reflections going through our minds, thinking "what went well", "what didn't go well", "what must I do to do better?" Some call it "stocktaking", some call it "reality checks". I had many, many reality checks (i lost count how many!!!) but one of them was really glaring : that one good turn deserves another. I realised that whatever you give, you get it back ten times more...or a hundred times more. 

My AFF friend invited me (amongst others) to participate in a "2PM" Secret Santa writing festival to celebrate Christmas. I know that the days of 2PM Fic writing has passed (judging from the lack of new entries of 2PM fanfics or authors who used to write them deactivating their account) so I participated in support of this friend's effort, which I appreciate very much whenever anyone initiates any writing project. 

It turned out, when the day of the fic's were supposed to be released (24th Dec to be exact), either there wasn't any writer's entry for my desired fic (we were supposed to define what we would want to read such as fantasy, comedy, angst, favourite OTPs) OR the writer bailed out. So, my requested story wasn't supposed to be posted because of the above reasons.  The lovely friend of mine who organised this festival took it upon herself to fill up that slot and wrote for me, in the style and storyline that I defined EXACTLY. It was a lovely 10k words mega one-shot. It was such a beautiful read and gift, I read it over and over again and would still want to read it again.

The writing project was organised in such a way that each story was supposed to be mutual presents to AFF members. Someone gets to write for another and then someone else will write for her/him. So everyone gets a story if he/she writes for someone. The person I wrote for unfortunately wasn't her because she was the organiser (but I'm still honoured and happy I got to write for someone. To the one I wrote for and everyone else who read, I hope you like the story:).  But...but....each time I write, consider that a gift from me to you (you know who you are)....:)

I am not a person who tear easily but when I read that she spent two months on that story that she wrote specially for me in the style and characterization that I normally adopt in my story (the way I like my characters...heehee), I was practically tearing up. I teared up not because of me, but she was going through a tough time in life and yet, she could find time and energy to write such a substantial story. 

What a meaningful gift. I just couldn't think of a more meaningful gift. I painted and danced my own choreography for my friends as "gifts" but never have I thought of writing specifically for anyone. And today, another AFF friend said that she's in the process of writing for me too! What a meaningful gift. Why didn't I think of it? From now on, if I run out of gift ideas, I'm going to put on my thinking caps and write! 

With this little message, I'd like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year 2018! 

Last but not least, to the person (you know who you are) who gifted me with that very touching and memorable story that I would read a million times over and over ....THANK YOU! In case you think that the impact of what you did for me is one-off, let me tell you it's not. Your story has been eternalised in my mind. It's such a moving and touching love story.  I love your Xmas present! XOXO