PROLOGUE
I breathed in the Christmas spirit and my view was blinded with the Christmas' soulful lights.
I heaved a sigh as I made my way to my apartment, trying to ignore the biting wind that was howling on me.
It is still December nineteen, yet the Christmas spirit is all around with all the homes that have been decked with Christmas lights. The lampposts adorned out in verdant garlands. Children all dressed out in Santa hats, running around. And of course... the dropping of snow.
As I gazed up, I held out my palm trying to catch a snowflake from the hazy snow clouds that obscured the sky. And as I watched from afar, the glittering city lights faded into the thick snow clouds.
Mas lumalamig na ang gabi kaya binilisan ko na ang paglalakad. I'm glad though that my apartment is by the corner.
I opened the door and I hung the coat on the rack. My boots were damp, so I decided to leave them on the small porch outside.
I had just returned home after spending the day in the library at the university. Although we do not have lessons, I went to the library today to read and pass time because it is so dreary inside my apartment that I needed to get out of the house. There is no one else in my apartment that I can talk to. I do have a large social circle. But they are now spending their time off with their families this holiday week.
I am alone in this big city on a holiday week!
All around me are getting into the Christmas spirit, but I can't help but feel somber.
The sudden ring of my phone startled me out of my thoughts. It is Liza and she wants a video call. I rolled my eyes knowing what she'll be pestering me about.
Sinagot ko ang tawag niya nan aka busangot. Sumilay ang ngiti niya sa screen ng phone ko.
"Hi!!!"
"What?!" sumimangot ako. Ngumisi siya lalo.
"Uwi ka na, gaga!" Liza's annoying voice echoed around my small apartment. I rolled my eyes at her.
"I'm not coming home."
"Ano ba kasi ang rason ba't ayaw mong umuwi?! For ilang years na? 5 years, Mary!"
Napapikit na lang ako ng mariin habang nakikinig sa sigaw ng pinsan ko.
"'Tas sabi ko ka tita pauwiin ka, sabi niya ayaw mo daw talaga! Ano ba ang meron? Pagbigyan mo na si lola, oh! Miss ka na non."
"Tinatawagan ko nanaman siya lagi."
"Libre ko flight mo."
"Afford ko 'yon." I sticked my tongue out. Umirap naman siya.
"Sige na! Miss ka na namin! Pupunta nanaman kami sa mansion niyo na wala ka!" she lamented.
"Our other cousins are there, Liza. You can hang out with them. Also, bahala ka, my mind is not going to change." Umiiling ako. Sumimangot siya lalo. "I have a project, pagod ako recently. Kaya hassle na kapag uuwi pa ako sa Pinas 'tas babalik dito."
"Okay, whatever. Bigyan mo nalang kami ng pasalubong." Sabi niya. Tumawa naman ako at tumango.
I spent the rest of the evening chatting with her. Liza is my closest cousin. The Velasco clan is huge.
Our grandparents, Josephine and Alfredo Velasco had four sons. Tito Angelo, tito Alvar, tito Anwar which is Liza's dad, and my father, Abner Velasco.
Tito Angelo has four children. Tito Alvar has five. Tito Anwar has three. And my dad has only me!
