Intr-o seara, in timp ce eu si Madalina ne destindeam purtand o conversatie linistita despre cat de incarcata fusese ziua respectiva, se aud ciocanituri la usa casei.

Nefiind prea bucurosi ca cineva rapeste confortul conversatiei noastre, ne-am ridicat de pe canapea, ne-am uitat pe vizor si am sperat ca musafirul sa plece. Vizorul ne punea mereu la incercare imaginatia si era un carusel de emotii de fiecare data cand doream sa vedem dincolo de usa, caci era mereu aburit. Desi eram constienti ca a deschide fara a sti ce ne asteapta dincolo este un semn de naivitate, simteam ca nu ne putem impotrivi deciziei de a intampina musafirul din noapte.

Am deschis! Ne uitam ba dincolo de usa, ba unul la celalalt, deoarece desi intre noi si cel care batuse nu mai era niciun obstacol, totusi, inca nu-l puteam vedea deslusit. Fara sa-i fi pus vreo intrebare, musafirul ne-a comunicat o veste care ne-a provocat o mare bucurie – urma sa primim un cadou in scurt timp. Atat de mare ne-a fost entuziasmul, ca sub ochii nostri, aducatorul de vesti bune s-a facut nevazut ca prin farmec.

In asteptarea cadoului, am uitat de cel ce disparuse inainte sa-l cunoastem. In schimb, in urma cu aproximativ 6 luni, in timp ce ne aflam pe holurile unui spital nu departe de casa noastra, musafirul a aparut iarasi si ne-a livrat cadoul promis. Avea cam 3,3 kg, 50 cm si un ambalaj incantator. I-am multumit pentru asa minunat cadou si am ramas la discutii cu strainul inca putina vreme. Aveam sa aflam ca numele lui era 2018.

Nu i-a fost greu sa devina rapid o prezenta placuta, prin urmare am incercat sa-l convingem sa ramana mai mult cu noi, oprindu-i graba prin momentele expuse mai jos. Dar, dupa cum ii era obiceiul, a disparut subit. Nu l-am mai vazut de atunci, insa cu siguranta nu-l vom putea uita vreodata.

One evening, while Madalina and I were enjoying a quiet conversation about how busy that day had been, someone knocked at our door.

Not being too glad that someone is stealing the comfort of our conversation, we got up from the couch, looked at the viewfinder, and hoped the guest would take himself off. The viewfinder always put to test our imagination and was a carousel of emotions whenever we wanted to see beyond the door, because it was always steamed. Although we were aware that opening without knowing what awaits us beyond is a sign of naivety, we felt we could not oppose the decision to meet the guest of the night.

We opened! We were looking beyond the door, one to the other, for though there was no obstacle between us and the one who had knocked, yet we could not see him yet. Without questioning, the guest communicated a message that brought us a great joy. We were going to receive a gift shortly. So great was our enthusiasm that, beneath our eyes, the good newsman disappeared by charm.

While waiting for the gift, we forgot the one who disappeared before we met him. Instead, about 6 months ago, while we were on the halls of a hospital not far from our house, the guest appeared again and delivered us the promised gift. It was about 3.3 kg, 50 cm and had a charming pack. We thanked him for such a wonderful gift and stayed with the stranger for a little while. We would find out his name was 2018.

It was not difficult for him to quickly become a pleasant presence, so we tried to persuade him to stay with us longer, stopping his hurry through the moments displayed below. But, as was his habit, he suddenly disappeared. We haven’t seen him since then, but we certainly will never forget him.