How To Tame A Demon

Special Chapter 02

S.C. 02 : Christmas Present

Five hours before Christmas.

"Did you find one?" Kuya Kurt asked, his voice laced with impatience. I shook my head, feeling defeated.

"Wala pa rin," I replied softly, my tone matching the heaviness in my chest. He sighed.

"Bakit kasi ngayon ka lang naghahanap ng regalo para sa kaibigan mo?" His question was more of a scolding than anything else. I bit my lip, resisting the urge to correct him.

Boyfriend, Kuya. Boyfriend.

"Hindi kaya! Matagal na akong naghahanap ng gift para kay Travis kaso wala talaga akong maisip na pwedeng ibigay sa kanya."

It's true. For the past month, I've been racking my brain for the perfect gift, but everything I thought of felt inadequate. Nothing seemed enough for someone like Travis—someone who could easily afford anything he wanted. Siguro libro pang-aral? But that feels too... impersonal.

"Sus, kahit naman hindi mo siya bigyan, okay lang. Ang mahalaga, kasama ka niya," Kuya added, shrugging.

"Pero gusto ko pa rin siyang regaluhan," I insisted. "Ngayon na nga lang ulit kami mag-ccelebrate after five years, tapos wala pa rin akong mabibigay sa kanya?"

And this is our first Christmas as a couple. I want it to be... memorable for him, for us.

"Edi bumili ka nalang ng maskara para matakpan yung panget niyang mukha." Kuya's joke was met with a raised brow from me. I scoffed, crossing my arms.

"Kasalanan mo rin kasi 'to, Kuya. Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit siya nagpakalayo-layo noon. Akala mo limot ko na 'yon?"

He coughed awkwardly. "I-ibang usapan na ‘yon. Akala ko ba... napatawad mo na 'ko, bunso?"

"Napatawad nga kita," I replied, my tone sharp, "pero hindi ibig sabihin no'n ay okay na tayong dalawa."

Silence fell between us as we continued walking through the mall. I brought Kuya with me to help choose a gift for Travis, but it seemed like his only purpose here was to complain.

Still, I couldn't bring myself to be mad. He just got back from America, and I know he's still tired. Besides, it's Christmas. Ayoko na siyang pagalitan.

As we passed by a row of stores, I glanced at Kuya Kurt from the corner of my eye. He followed silently, his gaze wandering aimlessly. Napabuntong-hininga ako.

He doesn't know yet. That Travis and I... are together.

It's not that I don't want to tell him. It's just... I don't know how. Kuya has always had this grudge against Travis, and I'm afraid of how he will react. But we have to tell him eventually. Maybe now, while he's home for the holidays, would be the best time.

He'll only be staying for a week, and I'd rather Kuya hear it from me than anyone else. But knowing him, he might overreact.

"We can go home now, right? Ako nang bahala sa lalaking 'yon pag nagalit sayo." Kuya's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I rolled my eyes. "Ewan ko sayo. Bakit ba kayo laging nag-aaway? Kayo na nga ang mas matanda, kayo pa ang laging pala-away."

"Inaaway ka ba ng gago?!" His tone shifted immediately, full of concern.

"Hindi! What I meant was—KUYA!" But he didn't listen. He was already pulling me towards the parking lot, determined to confront Travis.

Honestly, sometimes Kuya's overprotectiveness makes me want to punch him.

***

"Nak! Bumaba ka na jan, tulungan mo akong maghanda ng mga pagkain dito!" Mama's voice echoed from downstairs, breaking through the haze of my thoughts.

I left my room, heading down the stairs, nibbling on my nails out of habit. Anxious.

What do I do now?

Upon reaching the living room, I found Mama busy setting the table, and Toby barked excitedly at the sight of me.

"Hi po, Tita!" I greeted Travis' mom, who sat on the sofa, browsing through her laptop for movies.

"Nandito ka na pala, Avery!" she exclaimed, smiling brightly.

"Anong mas magandang panoorin? Black Adam o Black Panther 2?" she asked, showing me her screen.

"Black Adam nalang po," I answered after a moment's thought.

"Sige, Barbie: The Princess & The Popstar nalang," she replied with a mischievous grin, completely ignoring my suggestion.

I smiled awkwardly, unsure how to respond, before heading to the kitchen where Mama was preparing food. I helped with the chairs and plates, my mind still restless. Travis' present—or lack thereof—still weighed on me.

I glanced at the clock. 11:37 pm. Just twenty-three minutes left until Christmas, and I still had no gift for Travis.

I sighed heavily, stepping out of the house to clear my head. The cold December air greeted me as I walked up the hill near our home. Our village was peaceful, the lampposts softly illuminating the streets. From where I stood, I could see the whole place glowing under the night sky.

I looked up, the stars twinkling like scattered diamonds.

"But not without you," I whispered, lost in thought.

"Speaking out loud again, Avery?"

I nearly jumped, turning to see Travis standing a few steps behind me. He walked over, sitting beside me on the grassy hill, his eyes following the horizon. I bit my lip, trying to suppress a smile.

"You're here," I said softly, letting my gaze fall to the ground.

Silence settled between us, the air thick with unspoken words.

"Ano 'yon?" he asked, breaking the silence. I turned to him, hesitating.

"Ah... nothing." I fidgeted with my hands, unsure how to tell him about the gift. Or rather, the absence of one.

"Travis..."

"Hmm?"

"I... I don't have a present for you," I finally blurted out, my cheeks heating up. His expression softened, and he chuckled quietly.

"Is that what you've been worrying about?" he asked, amused. "Avery, you don't need to give me anything. You're enough."

I smiled shyly, my gaze falling to his lips. Paano kung... i-ibigay ko nalang sa kanya...

In a sudden burst of courage, I leaned in closer, pushing him gently back onto the grass. His eyes widened, surprise flashing across his face.

"B-Bab... by..." he stammered, barely able to speak as I straddled his stomach, leaning down until our faces were just inches apart.

"Merry Christmas, Travis," I whispered, my breath warm against his ear.

Lord, forgive me.