Karge talvehommik kattis linna õrna lumemantliga.

A crisp winter morning covered the city with a gentle blanket of snow.

Maarika seisis elutoa akna juures, jälgides, kuidas lumehelbed vaikselt langesid.

Maarika stood by the living room window, watching as snowflakes quietly fell.

Tuppa kandus köögist kaneeli-lõhnalist hõngu, mis segunes männiokaste õrnaga, andes ruumile erilise jõulutunnetuse.

The aroma of cinnamon wafted in from the kitchen, mixing with the gentle scent of pine needles, giving the room a special Christmas feel.

Aga Maarika mõtted olid mujal.

But Maarika's thoughts were elsewhere.

Ta pööras pilgu poolikult kaunistatud jõulupuule, mille all seisid tühjad karbid ja sädelevad ornamendid.

She turned her gaze to the half-decorated Christmas tree, under which were empty boxes and sparkling ornaments.

Henri ja Liisa olid elutoa teises otsas.

Henri and Liisa were at the other end of the living room.

Henri istus diivanil, lugedes midagi oma telefonist, pööramata tähelepanu ümbrusele.

Henri sat on the sofa, reading something on his phone, paying no attention to his surroundings.

Liisa harutas paelu lahti, asetades neid hoolikalt ehete ümber.

Liisa was untying ribbons, carefully placing them around the ornaments.

"Kas me alustame?"

"Shall we begin?"

küsis Maarika, püüdes hoida häält rahulikuna.

Maarika asked, trying to keep her voice calm.

Henri tõstis pilgu ja kehitas õlgu.

Henri looked up and shrugged.

"Pole vahet, eks."

"Doesn't matter, right."

Maarika tundis rahutust hinges kihutamas.

Maarika felt restlessness racing in her heart.

Ta lootis, et nad saavad selle jõulu eriliseks muuta, nagu lapsepõlves.

She hoped they could make this Christmas special, like in their childhood.

Aga ilma Henri abita tundus see võimatuna.

But without Henri's help, it seemed impossible.

Maarika otsustas lõpuks kõik välja öelda.

Maarika finally decided to say it all.

"Henri, miks sa ei osale meiega?

"Henri, why aren't you joining us?

Ma tean, et sa ei ole suured jõulufänn, aga see on meie pere.

I know you're not a big fan of Christmas, but this is our family.

Meie traditsioonid," lausus Maarika.

Our traditions," Maarika said.

Henri pani telefoni käest ja ohkas sügavalt.

Henri put down his phone and sighed deeply.

"Maarika, sa tead, et ma ei taha tülisid.

"Maarika, you know I don't want any conflicts.

Aga ma tunnen, et mind lihtsalt surutakse raamidesse.

But I feel like I'm being boxed in.

Ma tahan oma asju teha."

I want to do my own things."

Maarika lähenes vennale aeglaselt.

Maarika slowly approached her brother.

"Aga me oleme pere.

"But we're family.

Me peaksime vähemalt püüdma.

We should at least try.

Me kõik soovime, et see oleks eriline ja koos veedetud aeg."

We all want it to be special and spent together."

Liisa tõstis pilgu nende vestlusele silma.

Liisa looked up at their conversation.

"Ma arvan, et kõik tahavad õnnelikku jõulu.

"I think everyone wants a happy Christmas.

Miks me ei võiks lihtsalt proovidav üks kord mitte tülitseda?"

Why can't we just try not to argue for once?"

Henri vaatas õde, tema pilgus ilmnes murdosa pehmenemist.

Henri looked at his sister, a fraction of softening in his gaze.

"Liisa, ma ei taha sulle pahameelt teha.

"Liisa, I don't want to upset you.

Aga Maarika, sa pead mõistma, et ma tahan rohkem vabadust."

But Maarika, you need to understand that I want more freedom."

Toas tekkis vaikus.

Silence filled the room.

Henrik ja Maarika vahetasid pilke, kus segunesid vana kibestumus ja uus mõistmine.

Henri and Maarika exchanged glances, where old bitterness mingled with new understanding.

Maarika tundis, et midagi nende vahel muutus.

Maarika felt something change between them.

"Olgu," sõnas Maarika lõpuks rahunedes.

"Alright," Maarika finally said, calming down.

"Äkki me võiksime kõik pisut järeleandmist teha?"

"Maybe we could all make a little compromise?"

Henri noogutas.

Henri nodded.

"Ma teen kaasa, aga oma tingimustel."

"I'll join in, but on my own terms."

Liisa muigas kergendatult ja hakkas kohe puu juurde minema.

Liisa smiled with relief and immediately started moving toward the tree.

"Või me alustame uuesti?

"Shall we start over?

Koos?"

Together?"

Maarika ja Henri vahetasid veel ühe mõistva pilgu, millele järgnes kriips huumorit nende pilkudes.

Maarika and Henri exchanged another understanding look, followed by a hint of humor in their eyes.

Nad teadsid, et täiuslikust vabanedes saavad nad ehk õigel moel koos olla.

They knew that by letting go of perfection, they might be able to truly be together.

Täna olid nad astunud sammu lähemale sellele, et mõista tõelist perekonda.

Today, they had taken a step closer to understanding what a real family means.

Peale selle aga julgustas karge talvekristalli kukuphääle tipus, et nad võiksid omal moel siiski üksmeelselt jõulud tervitada.

Moreover, the crisp winter crystal encouraged them with its sharp voice, suggesting that in their own way, they could still greet Christmas in harmony.