Niki and Andy

Chapter 25: Every Room is Empty Until My Eyes Land on You

Hanggang alas dos ng madaling-araw gising ang buong pamilya ni Andy. They took a lot of pictures with the food and the pets had a hard time restraining themselves from stealing a chicken or two.

They didn't really eat much. Nagpuyat lang talaga sila nang kaunti para ma-picturan ang mga handa nila nang magkakasama ang buong pamilya. They even dressed up to look a bit more festive. Tita Andrea insisted. She gave each of them a Christmas themed headband and Andy was the only one who refused to wear one because he was wearing the kermit hat she gave him.

He looked so silly with it on, but he didn't seem to mind. He was bragging to his parents how she crocheted the piece in just a few hours, and without practice, even though she didn't tell him such things. It all worked out in the end since kulang ang headbands dahil extra siya.

She wanted to take a photo of just the family, but they didn't let her stand behind the camera. Nakakapit sa braso niya si Tita Andrea para hindi siya umalis sa frame. Si Andy ang nagsi-set ng timer tapos tatakbo ito sa likod niya pagkatapos.

Niki had such a fun night. It had been so long since she spent Christmas with a family.

Pagkatapos mag-picture taking at kumain nang kaunti, nag-exchange gift naman ang mga ito. Since Niki didn't bring anything, siya na lamang ang taga-capture ng moments between the giver and the recipient. She noticed that Tonet was also filming the whole thing.

"Niki, here's your gift," nakangiting sabi ng Tito Antonio niya. It was a big rectangular box wrapped in a horrendous Christmas themed wrapper, and with a stick-on bow.

"Hala... nag-abala pa po kayo." She was hesitant to accept it, but she couldn't refuse the gift. "Wala po akong regalo sa inyo."

"It's okay, Hija. Birthday gift na rin namin sa 'yo 'yan."

"And you have already graced us with your presence, true favorite child," Andy said while bowing, which made everyone laugh.

Niki tore the wrapper excitedly. It was a bit heavy. She truly didn't know what to expect. Napamaang siya nang makita kung ano ang niregalo ng mga ito.

"Sabi ni Tonet nasa wishlist mo raw 'yan, so we figured that we'd buy it for you para menos gastos," paliwanag ni Tita Andrea.

It was a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle set. Naisipan niyang magbuo noon nang papaubos na ang pera niya. She added that exact box to her wishlist para kapag nagkatrabaho na siya, iyon ang una niyang bibilhin.

She has always liked puzzles, of any kind. She thought it would make good content for her vlog. Oorasan niya kung gaano niya katagal iyong mabubuo.

"Thank you po! This must have been expensive."

Tito Antonio waved his hand dismissively. "It's a gift, Anak, don't think about the cost."

"Tapos yung regalo sa 'min matching sweaters," Angelo said, rolling his eyes.

Tita Andrea laughed. "Oh, that reminds me!" Tumayo ito at pumunta sa kwarto nito na nasa may kusina lang. She went out with an ugly knit sweater with her name at the back. Proud na proud nito iyong ipinakita sa kanya.

"Thanks, tita! I feel like Harry Potter all of a sudden."

Tumawa si Andy. "See? Favorite child."

"Wag kang maniwala kay Angelo, Hija. Nabigyan na namin ng cash 'yang mga yan. Ayaw kasi ng in-kind na regalo."

Niki took her gift to the bedroom after. Inilagay niya iyon katabi ng luggage niya sa kwarto ni Antoneth. After washing up, inilatag niya ang mattress na pinagamit ng Tita Andrea niya sa kanya. Dalawang magkapatong na matresses, isang malaking duvet na tiniklop niya sa dalawa para hindi sasayad sa sahig, at isang makapal na kumot. It ended up looking like a normal bed without the bedframe.