That One Christmas Story

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, but the very next day, you gave it away. This year, to save me from tears, I'll give it to someone special.

This song was heard all over the club as sweaty people gathered to celebrate the most beautiful time of the year.

"Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!" The people around me cheered as I downed a bottle of Cuervo down my throat.

"Merry Christmas!!!" I shouted before opening another bottle.

"Jhoana, tama na 'yan halika na. Hatid na kita sa bahay niyo." My friend tried to pull me from the crowd.

"No, Jia! It's Christmas! We need to celebrate life!"

"Jhoana two weeks pa bago magpasko, halika na uwi na tayo, lasing ka na. This is bad for you."

I had no choice but to follow Jia because I was too drunk and weak to protest.

The moment we reached our gate, my parents immediately rushed in to help Jia carry me inside.

"Jhoana naman anak, why are you doing this to your body?" My dad met me with a worried and disappointed look, and I can also see my mom having the same expression.

"I'm just celebrating, dad! It's the holidays, and there are a lot to be thankful for!" I'm pretty sure I'm slurring my words.

"Thank you, Jia, for bringing her home." I heard my mom bid her farewell to Jia.

"Tulog na sila manang, ako na lang mag-aasikaso sa kanya John, sige na mauna ka na sa taas." My mom tapped the shoulder of my dad.

"Jhoana, my dear, let's go to the kitchen. I'll make you oatmeal."

"Mom, I'm fine. I want to go to sleep!"

"Jhoana kailangan mo uminom ng gamot anak. You've been missing your doctor's appointments lately."

"Okay na ako mom, I'm healthy oh, look magaling na ako!" I stood up and danced while laughing.

"Oops!" I felt dizzy and almost fell.

After eating and taking my meds, my mom guided me to my room and tucked me in.

The following day, I went back to work. I work as an associate in a law firm. My father gave me a choice to work for him, but I chose not to because you know how parents can be in a workplace, especially if they own it.

"Attorney, late ka nanaman." Carmela greeted me the moment I entered the room.

"Good morning din sa'yo ah." I answered her unfitting greeting.

"Balita ko nag walwal ka nanaman daw last night." Her tone became serious.

"Wala 'yun nagcelebrate lang, alam mo na, pasko."

"Jhoana, as your friend and as your coworker, I'm worried. You're not yourself for almost a year now, I don't know what happened. When you came back after the last Christmas vacation, it's hard to say this, but you've changed."

"Carmela, it is what it is!" I answered her with an ear-to-ear smile and entered my office.

I looked at the piled folders on my desk and heaved a heavy sigh; I could not wait to finish all of this and grab a drink.

My day passed just like any other day for me, proofreading cases, meeting clients, minute-naps, and so on.

"Oh Jhoana, uwi agad, 'wag nanaman kung saan-saan nagpupupunta!"

I went out of our office and again decided to grab a drink.

That one drink that I promised myself became two, three, and even turned into a whole bottle.