Snow crunched underfoot, thermometers read minus ten. A white Christmas was in the offing. The second half of December in the dormitory meant a frenetic atmosphere of preparations for departure, buying gifts, and planning New Year's Eve. The fifth-year students wanted to celebrate their last, shared New Year's Eve as students, and most were planning trips in larger groups. Only Joanna didn't know what to do; she truly wanted to go, enjoyed the company of friends, but also wanted to spend as much time as possible with her family.
Marcin's company tempted her; she liked him, and despite their differences in temperament, she liked him. She didn't tell anyone; she didn't want to be ridiculed. She had always been the gray mouse, Marcin the life of the party, and on top of that, he was always surrounded by a bevy of the prettiest girls at the university. Compared to them, she stood no chance. So she preferred not to fool around and to be on friendly terms.
They spent Saturday evening together in one of the rooms on the fifth floor. Ten people crammed into a dozen or so square meters. Mutual quizzing for the test was interspersed with casual chit-chat.
The crowd forced Joanna to sit almost snuggled up against Marcin. She felt herself blushing, unsure how to behave, and incredibly hot. Marcin clearly felt differently and was having a wonderful time.
The room smelled of coffee, beer, and cigarettes, making the atmosphere increasingly intimate. As if that weren't enough, Marcin put his arm around Joanna and said
, "I have to brag to you!" Everyone fell silent, staring at them. "You don't even know who I owe the purchase of my new laptop to! That miracle worker is Asia! She got me the job of the century!"
"That's a great job, how did you manage to afford such a device," one of the girls said, as it was common knowledge that more than one person envied Marcin's portable computer.
"So what did you do as a photo model or a stripper?" someone joked.
"No, dear! I taught some very wealthy little girl," he told a story straight out of a Mexican soap opera.
Joanna stared at him in admiration, but she chickened out. "He also made a fortune, gained the favor of everyone in the household, and was a successful teacher. Kaśka passed her English exam with flying colors. How did this guy do that?!
The day of departure was getting closer. Joanna was already packing her bags; some of her belongings were supposed to be left at home. It's true that there was still some time left until graduation, but this trip was already filled with nostalgia. No one knew why.
They traveled to the station in a large group, their trains only slightly ahead of them, and waiting in company was always more enjoyable.
Joanna's train arrived first, and despite the harsh winter, it was without delay. Marcin, the first to be a gentleman, helped her carry her luggage to her compartment. For a short while, they were alone, passing only by people she didn't know.
"It's a shame you're not coming with us to Zakopane for New Year's Eve," Marcin said, his voice laced with genuine sadness.
"Well, that's how it turned out. You know, I want to help my parents too," she explained, looking at the floor. She couldn't meet Marcin's eyes, she felt his gaze on her, but she didn't want to return it; he might read too much into it.
For a brief moment, they stood silently. Honestly, Joanna wished this moment had lasted longer, not just a few minutes, but unfortunately, time was ticking away.
The conductor blew his whistle for departure
. "Go, or you'll ride with me," she laughed. Marcin didn't say anything, just closed his eyes and kissed her. Without a word, he quickly exited the carriage. Joanna stood alone, jostled by passing people. She seemed to be absent-minded, slowly entered her compartment and sat down.
Her mind went completely blank. Her lips burned, her heart pounded like a jackhammer. She paid no attention to the road. She kept asking herself why and what for? She kept drawing contradictory conclusions: first, that it was a simple friendly kiss, then again, that he felt something more for her than just friendship but didn't want to admit it, and finally, that it was just a joke.
Finally, at the very end of the journey, she made a decision. She wouldn't dwell on it again; she would simply pretend the kiss never happened. Yes, that's the safest way! Their relationship won't change, and why would it? They live in distant cities, and their studies are almost over. It wouldn't make sense, nor would it be worthwhile.
The train stopped at the station in her hometown. Few people were getting off, so the doors weren't crowded. From the carriage door, she ran straight into the arms of her longing parents.
"We couldn't let you carry the luggage yourself. You said on the phone that you'd already brought some of the books. Where are they?" Joanna's father looked around at the luggage.
"Oh, Daddy! Instead of a warm greeting, you start carrying the luggage. Why are you always so matter-of-fact?" Joanna joked.
"My dear ladies, I have so many women at home that at least one man has to be matter-of-fact, because Adrian's still too young, and besides, ladies! After all, that's why you love me!" he laughed, and Joanna and her mother joined him. They returned home in high spirits. At the door, Joanna was greeted with a standing ovation by her siblings, who stayed by her side until late in the evening.
The holidays were shaping up to be exceptionally peaceful; Joanna was happy; she could finally forget about her books and cherish every moment spent with her family.
She went shopping with her younger siblings, who had already started their Christmas break, and in their free time, the three of them would go sledding or ice skating. At home, everyone helped clean and prepare the holiday meals. The aroma of baking cakes could be smelled on the stairs as they returned home, and while making dumplings filled with cabbage and mushrooms, they had a competition to see who could make the most.
Joanna, however, was sent alone after the Christmas Eve carp, and on Christmas Eve, too, as her younger siblings were decorating the tree. Joanna only felt sorry for her father; he spent all day at the store, having no time to enjoy the upcoming holidays. It was good that at least sales had recently increased and her father was in a much better mood. Thanks to this, he could provide his family with a joyful holiday.
She stood in the checkout line at the supermarket, staring into space, lost in thought, unaware of what she was looking at, or rather, who.
She only had the strange feeling that someone was staring at her.
Only as she was leaving the checkout did she notice the gaze of familiar brown eyes fixed on her. This time, she decided not to miss the opportunity to ask the man who he was. He was already close when a large group of young people passed by, and the familiar stranger disappeared from her sight. She looked around and spotted him a little further away, near the Lotto point. He was smiling at her. She quickened her pace so as not to lose sight of him. Unfortunately, as she dodged people, she didn't notice him leaving. "The bastard," she thought, "will play hide-and-seek with me." She decided not to look for him anymore and took up gambling. It wasn't actually the lottery, but what harm did it do her, especially since it was Christmas Eve, and the guy was clearly bringing her luck? I wonder if it also brought her money?
"Five bets on the Big Lottery," she said to the girl working the lottery. A moment later, she received a printout and, without much thought, put it in her purse. She decided not to say anything at home. If she got anything, it would be a pleasant surprise for everyone, and if she didn't, no one would be upset.
Suppertime was approaching, and everyone was hungry and impatient. The house was already decorated for the holidays, the table covered with a white tablecloth, and wafers were placed on the hay in the center of the table. Everyone secretly sampled the dishes and mouthed water at the thought of the poppy seed cake that topped off the dinner every year. But perhaps that was the charm of Christmas.
"The hour has struck," Adrian quietly commented, commenting on his father's decision to finally sit down to dinner. They said grace in unison and sat down at the table, traditionally leaving one place setting empty. For an unexpected guest. No one had ever shown up before, but you never know.
They were just finishing their mushroom soup when the doorbell rang. They froze.
The bell rang again. They looked at each other, and his father finally made up his mind and went to open the door. The rest of the family waited in stunned silence for his return.
It didn't take long. The door opened, and his father entered first, followed by the unexpected guest.
It was a man, dressed in worn-out clothes, definitely too thin for this time of year. He stood with his head down, and Joanna couldn't get a good look at him. And it was inappropriate to stare too intently. The guest didn't say anything, so his father spoke first.
"God sent you on Christmas Eve, so we'll feed you. Please sit down," he said, and motioned for the guest to sit next to Joanna. Joanna wasn't thrilled, because the man didn't smell nice—in fact, he stank, but she didn't show it. She discreetly moved toward her sister.
The guest remained silent, but before he began eating, he crossed himself. He didn't even remove his hood or introduce himself. Dad tried to engage him in conversation, but his efforts were in vain; he only nodded. So Dad gave up. A strange atmosphere reigned; they ate one course after another in silence.
It was time for dessert. Mom solemnly cut the cake, each person got a large slice, and Adrian poured dried fruit compote into glasses. The aroma of poppy seeds, vanilla, and prunes wafted over the table.
Joanna discreetly spied on her neighbor, but only his hands were clearly visible. These didn't suit their owner at all; they were delicate, well-groomed, and strangely familiar. Something's wrong with me lately, she thought, I'm constantly having déjà vu!
But she couldn't tear her eyes away from those hands. Apparently, the man had realized it, because he tucked his hands deeper into his sleeves and rose from the table.
"You're leaving us already!" Joanna's mother spoke first. She feigned disappointment, but her face showed relief that the intruder was finally leaving them. Not that they felt sorry for him, but his presence was embarrassing.
"Well, then, I'll see you out." Dad stood, opened the door, and walked ahead. At the door, the stranger stopped and turned toward Joanna. He lifted his head and saw... the face of the man from the train who had been haunting her for a while. She couldn't believe her eyes. Now a mischievous smile played on his face. He left. Before she realized who it was, Dad had returned. Joanna jumped from her seat and ran out into the street. But it was empty, no sign of her unexpected guest.
She ignored her family's comments; she was distracted. The man brazenly torments her, even on Christmas Day; next time, he wouldn't let up. He needed to find out what he wanted from her, and now from her family.
It was lucky someone had turned on the TV, because Joanna had completely forgotten about the lottery drawing. She secretly wrote down the numbers. When everyone went to bed, she could easily check them. She checked once, twice, three times... The second ticket showed six correct numbers.
She checked again. But the result was the same every time.
"Impossible, impossible!" she muttered under her breath, but she decided not to tell anyone until the holidays were over. She wanted to confirm her winnings at the lottery office, and only then tell her family.
The first place she went on the day after Christmas was the nearest lottery office. No one was there yet. Joanna was happy. She went inside. She handed over the coupon.
The woman running the lottery office checked it once, then twice, then a third time. She looked at Joanna and checked it a fourth time.
"You know, either my computer broke down, or you hit... six, you won exactly four million two hundred sixty-five thousand and thirty zlotys," she said, handing back the ticket.
"So it's true after all..." Joanna pondered.
"It seems so, please be careful with your ticket." Joanna looked at the friendly face of the woman at the window, smiled back, and left the booth.
She was standing alone on the street; she should have been jumping for joy, but she couldn't be. She needed time to come to terms with the idea of being... a millionaire.
She didn't know whether to laugh or cry—it was a ridiculous feeling. She lost track of time, not even paying attention to where she was going. She only stopped when she stepped on a lamppost and bumped her head. She walked a short distance away and sat down on a snow-covered bench. After a moment, someone sat down next to her.
"Hi," he said.
"Well... hello," she replied instinctively, and only then did she look to see who was sitting next to her.
"It's... you! You!" She stumbled, her familiar face a stranger with brown eyes, smiling.
"You" is fine, it's more comfortable. Now tell me, are you happy with your win?" he asked.
"Sure! But who are you? Do you know you've inadvertently saved my life twice?" She wanted to ask him so many questions, she didn't know where to begin.
"Slowly!" he laughed. "I'll explain everything to you. Let's start with the fact that I'm your guardian angel. Don't look at me like that. I'm not crazy. I really am an angel, but we don't have beautiful white wings. We're forms of energy, souls, without a specific shape. Sometimes we can take on human form, not too often because it's very tiring. I saved your life because I knew what would happen. Besides, I had to intervene in your life. You were annoying me with your meekness towards others. And I like you. I didn't want to part with you. And if you were hit with that stone, you could... you know," Joanna nodded and continued listening open-mouthed. "I would have gotten another ward, and winning, well, I wanted to help you somehow. I know you won't waste that money. You'll want to help your family and open that school.
" "What about Christmas Eve?" she asked
. "Christmas Eve?! I wanted to meet your family, you're good people, more than one angel wasn't invited to Christmas Eve because he was disguised as a beggar, and they knocked on the doors of rich houses. Your father invited me without asking. You see, we know how to repay.
Joanna had to admit she was right; no one had ever shown her such gratitude.
"One more surprise awaits you today, judge for yourself whether it's pleasant. For now, I'm off, but don't worry, I'm always somewhere near you, you just don't know it. Hang in there!"
"—he said, but Joanna's attention was distracted by something else; someone was calling her. At the beginning of the park path stood... Marcin, calling her. When she turned to her companion, he was gone. Or maybe he wasn't there at all, but in her head she was talking to someone pretending to be an angel. She didn't know. But she knew Marcin was running towards her. She stood to meet him but didn't have time to take a step, and Marcin ran up to her and hugged her very tightly. She embraced him with all her strength. They stood there, unable to enjoy each other.
She wanted this moment to last forever; she felt truly happy now, because what more could she ask for? A hidden love had come true; in her coat pocket was a lottery ticket worth several million, but somewhere in the distance she heard laughter. She already knew whose. And all this for one dinner, she thought, "but thank you, my stranger.
" "Keep it up," a thought suddenly appeared in her mind, and the cheerful face of an angel.
Joanna snuggled closer into Marcin's arms.
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