Rabiya's pov
One month later_
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!" sabay kalampag ni MJ ng dalawang takip ng kaldero. The fireworks started and can be seen from my condo unit that I had when I won Miss Universe Philippines.
"Merry Christmas MA!" I hugged her.
MJ joined. "Marry Christmas Tita!"
"Marry Christmas mga anak!"
"Yieeee sabi na magkapatid tayo Rabiya eh! So nagka Indian ka at Arabo ma??" naka akap parin sya Kay mama.
"Ewan ko sayo Merijin. Kumain na nga tayo! Mas masaya siguro kung andito sina Amanda noh para ma experience din nilang mag pasko sa Pinas." kumuha si mama ng Plato tapos inabutan kami ni MJ.
"Ibyang oh namimiss na ni tita si Amanda."
I smiled while getting my own food. Inuna ko muna yung spaghetti. "Miss ko na nga rin..." I whispered.
"Miss ka ba?"tanong ni MJ habang nagsasalin ng coke sa baso nya— luh narinig ako?
I sat on the sofa.
Kumusta kaya sya? When we parted ways madalas pa kaming nag uusap but this month hindi na ako naka received ng any messages from her, okay lang din naman dahil alam kong busy sya and busy rin ako. I'm very focused on my training that I cant even check my phone so hindi na ako magtataka and I'm not expecting either—hindi naman kami.
I browse my phone and a message popped out.
'MERRY CHRISTMAS! ❤️ ' Jeric message.
'Thankyou Erik! ✨❤️Merry Christmas ' I replied back.
I also received a lot of greetings from my PA, Ms. Janine, Ms. Shamsey and other MUPh family. Ang sweet, they even send gifts for me.
I'd have a very strict and serious training and alam ko after this Christmas I will be back to training again. I'm happy that I can manage my self and my time.
"Langga! Here's my gift." MJ walk towards me while holding a box.
I smiled. Na surprise talaga ako, saka di ko naman toh nakita. "San mo toh tinago?" I laughed while receiving it.
"Secret! Open mo na dalii!"
I started unpacking and literally excited. "Haluuh! Woww!" she bought me a pillow massager.
"It will help you, alam kong sasakit likod mo during your training. You can use it at home or while driving." she sitting next to me habang hawak ang Plato.
"Uyy thankyou ha. Di mo naman sinabing may pa gift ka, next time nalang yung sayo ha—ang mahal nito MJ."
"Ano ka ba Ibyang okay lang yan. Libre mo nalang ako ng kape masaya na ako dun. Diba tita?—ay wait meron ka din pala tita marami ka sa kwartong dress, buti nga nakapag shopping ako kahit rush hour. Madami yun tita at alam kong kasya yun sayo.Rampahan ko kami."
"Suss nag abala ka pa hindi naman ako mahilig sa ganyan." mama said. I remember how she doesn't buy her own clothes but instead ako yung binibili nya.
"Ako nga dapat bumibili ng mga gamit mo ma eh... MJ thankyou talaga ha. Nahihiya na nga ako kasi lahat pinoprovide mo sakin tapos ako wala manlang ambag sayo.. "
"Asuss! Anong wala? Grabe sya... Langga shempre para na kitang kapatid, kayo na yung pangalawang pamilya ko and I'm willing to give you anything you want. Paskong pasko ha wag tayong mag emote please!" she laughed then hugged me for a second. "Try mo na toh ha. Para mamassaged ka later, ang sarap kaya nito gamitin talagang nahihilot yung muscles mo."
"Try ko nga." I turn it on then placed it in my back against the sofa. I already feel how it pressed my tensed muscled, ang sarap sa pakiramdam, it's like a normal hand doing a massaged and it is very helpful kasi I don't need someone na hihilot sakin kapag pagod ako, nakakamiss lang si Amanda...
Amanda's pov
I haven't celebrated my christmas with my family since I'm in Bangkok. I just had a short videocall with my mom then after that I choosed to have a walk late at night in the busy streets alone.
I saw a coffeeshop, I suddenly crave for a coffee and I hope old maid is here with me.—i entered the café wearing my coat paired with boots.
"What's your order ma'am?"
"Uhm one cappuccino please. Thankyou."
"Anything else?"
"Nothing." I smiled. I headed to a vacant table next to the glass wall to wait for my order.
A lot of people are wondering around the streets but here in Thailand we don't really celebrate Christmas since most of the population here is Buddhist and 25th is not an official holiday. Shopping, along with eating and partying the night away, is usually on everyone's agendas in Bangkok. A must-see is the Christmas lights decorating Bangkok's many buildings, trees, bridges, and lamp poles. Sometimes, even tuk-tuks and food stalls are adorned with colorful and twinkling lights.
I heard the bell from the door meaning someone just entered—our eyes accidentally met and I didn't expect to see him here.
___
"I thought you were in Canada." I started as I was looking at my coffee under the table.
"I just returned... How are you? It's been a while." he smiled.
"I-I'm fine... I'm having a busy training but I'm fine. How about you? I'm trying to contact you..." I really missed him and it hurts me when we parted ways.
"Uhn I've changed my contact number. I'm not using my old social media accounts..." he said then grab his coffee.
"I'm glad to met you here... Where's your boyfriend?" it's the first time I've mentioned it—he throw me a surprised look then put his cup down.
"We just get married. Civil wedding in Canada.." he awkwardly smile then his eyes traveled down my hand that were holding the mug.
"Married?"
I look at my engagement ring. "N-no... Not yet."
"When?"
I look out the glass wall then put my coffee down the table. "I don't know..." I look at him. "I-I'm... I'm sorry. I didn't do anything to help you.I should have asked mom to accept you, to be honest I hated you for who you are and for choosing someone than your family b-but now I understand what you're going through... I finally understand that you just wanted to be happy and no one will gonna change who you are. You're too brave. I hope I could be like that... "I look down my hands where my ring is.
" Hey...Amanda is there anything wrong?? "he concernly asked. When I heard that question I felt my tears building up that it's hard for me to look right into his eyes.
" I-I'm afraid... Im having a big decision that will change everything and that changes really scares me but I'm sure that I will never regret it —it's just I don't want to dissapoint Mom. I don't want to hurt her again, and I don't want to hurt Joe. I don't care about my career but I care about this people. "
He just stared at me as if he's looking at my soul—he pursed a smiled. "You've changed. And I wonder what happened..."
I closed my eyes draining my tears that I was holding—I sighed. "Let's say.. I finally become a better person. But it makes me feel a weak person."
"Amanda... I don't think you're weak. Once you started to value your self and others that's not weakness. Just remember nothing really matters but happiness... Choose what makes you happy."
Yeah...
Just what Rabiya thought me..
