Missing Peace | COMPLETED

Chapter 14

December 24

"Camberlie! Your mom is calling!"

I diverted my gaze from my reflection through the mirror to our room's door when I heard Daphnie's Mom's voice.

"Wait lang po, Auntie!" I shouted as I finished putting on my earrings.

I rushed towards the door at agad na inabot sa akin ni Auntie ang cellphone. "Go downstairs na when you're done, ha," she said as she taps my shoulder while smiling.

I smiled back and nodded at her. "Yes po, Auntie. Thank you po."

I went back inside our room as I placed the cellphone behind my ear and planned to go back getting ready for Christmas tonight.

"Hi, Mom!"

[Sweetie!] I heard Mom giggled over how excited her tune was. [How are you? Are you doing well? Kumain ka na ba?]

I chuckled lightly. "I'm doing great, Mom. I can take care of myself, I'm not a baby anymore."

[But you're still our baby!] I heard Dad interfered with our conversation.

[Let's switch to a video call nga, 'nak, so your dad and I can see you.] Mom ended the call right away.

Ibinaba ko muna ang cellphone ni Auntie before I got my phone and wait for Mom's call. Mom can just call my number like what she did sa number ni Auntie, but mas sanay siya na tumatawag kay Auntie and Auntie's phone will tour around everyone at their house.

Mom called through a video call and I immediately answered it.

"Hon, come! She's here!" Mom shouted while looking somewhere, obviously calling Dad.

"Hi po! Merry Christmas!" bati ko when they shared on my screen.

"Oh, merry christmas to you, too, my princess!" Dad greeted me.

"What are you wearing?" Mom suddenly asked. Lumapit pa siya sa cellphone niya to look at me closer. "A pajama?"

"Yes, Mom." I chuckled while nodding. "We're going to have a pajama party later with the kiddos po kasi. They're going to sleep with me and Daphnie po."

Dad then chuckled. "Oh, too sad." He's smiling and teasingly looks at Mom, like they were still a teenager. "Your mom hoping you'll wear what she sent for you."

"Ohhh," I reacted before I sheepishly smile at Mom through the phone's camera. "Hindi pa po namin nabubuksan ang mga regalo. Maybe later. That's the most awaited part of the kids po, e."

Lahat ng gifts ay nasa baba, including what my parents sent for all of us. We just didn't open it yet because it's still not Christmas.

"But don't worry, Mom, if we'll go somewhere bukas, I'll wear what you sent for me po," agad na dagdag ko with a vibrant voice.

"I highly doubt that." Dad chuckled, so as Mom. "Your uncle hates crowded place at lahat ng napupuntahan diyan sa Pinas ay palaging maraming tao kapag pasko."

"Right, Dad." I chuckled lightly. "Maybe we'll just get something for the kids and we'll let them pick movies."

"That seems fun," Mom giggled. "Too bad we were not there to join you, and we're so sorry for that, sweetie." Her voice suddenly became sad as she smiled apologetically at me.

My parents were staying at our house in Canada for holiday this year and even for the new year. Not being with them is not new naman so I'm already used to this and I'm fine with it, because I understand them.

Nakakasama ko naman sila minsan. Either sa Canada ako magpapasko or birthday, or sa ibang country on where they are currently staying. Supposedly, pupunta ako doon para sa Christmas holiday ngayon but I decided na dito na lang muna ako, not because I don't want to be with my parents, but because I want to spend my probably last holiday here in the Philippines with my cousin Daphnie and her family, might as well with my friends na rin if we can set a date for gala the next following days.