Marta brought the box of decorations from her mother's apartment in November, although she had always teased her for starting preparations so early. Haris put it on top of the wardrobe, assuming these were things they would not use. He did not do it out of opposition. His family home had never contained a Christmas tree, so a box of glass ornaments did not immediately carry the same meaning it did for her.
They had lived together for only six months. They discussed money, chores, and whose cups were ugliest, but generally left religion alone. Marta sometimes went to church on Sundays. Haris fasted and visited his family for Eid. Both thought respect meant not asking too many questions. Thus they carefully avoided something that brought each of them comfort and memories.
When Marta requested the box one morning, Haris asked where she intended to put the tree. The apartment was small. She heard something else: did he want her customs visible in their shared room at all? She answered more sharply than the question deserved. Haris fell silent, holding the box on the ladder, and nearly dropped its lid.
That evening they unpacked the decorations on the floor. Marta showed him a wooden bird her father had carved years earlier. Haris described how his mother insisted on a holiday cake nobody ever made quite as she did. There was no grand conversation about the entire world. They talked about their homes, smells, and people whose absence felt louder on those days than at other times.
They placed the tree beside the window. Haris helped adjust the stand, and Marta did not expect him to know the songs she played. She visited her mother on Christmas Eve, returning before midnight with a plate of fish for him. A few months later Haris invited friends for Eid. Marta overbaked the first cake and bought the second, admitting this to their guests before anyone could praise her skill.
One friend asked how they would arrange traditions if they ever had children. They looked at each other and laughed at the enormous question placed between two coffees. They did not have every answer. Haris said that for now they were learning to welcome each other. After the guests left, Marta cleared plates from a shelf, while he picked up the wooden bird accidentally left among them. He returned it beside the window. It looked good there even without a holiday.