Case
My Christmas and New Year were usually celebrated at Tito Walter's house. Si Arielle lagi ang katabi ko. Our clan wasn't that big, but there were sides that would celebrate with us, such as my other cousins whom I am not close with, my Titos and Titas.
Caden:
Happy New Year. Enjoy the holiday.
I smiled at his simple greeting. I wanted to grasp whatever I have with Caden at the moment. Ramdam ko naman na nahuhulog ako sa kanya, ngunit minsan, nararamdaman ko na baka maging pabigat din ako.
At sa tuwing naiisip ko iyon, biglang naglalaho na parang bula ang interes ko. I would always cling to that little hope that maybe I could enjoy the other side of life without thinking that it would just slip away from me.
He celebrated the New Year outside the country. Mukhang pumunta silang Canada. My New Year was a bit extravagant since Tito Walter was a luxurious type of person. Sinikap kong makihalubilo dahil gusto kong may maisend din na pictures kay Caden lalo na't minu-minuto, may sinisend siya.
I sent him fireworks when he sent me one too.
Caden:
You're enjoying?
Nagtipa ako ng reply.
Kesley:
Ayos lang.
Caden:
You should take a photo of yourself too.
Kumunot ang noo ko sa hiling niya. I wasn't the person who's invested in taking pictures of herself, as I found it nonsense. Saan ko naman ipopost? At wala akong paggagamitan.
Caden:
Just try things without overthinking them.
My thoughts paused as soon as I read his text. So I clicked the camera and put it in the front camera. As I looked at it, the fireworks over me were sparkling. I knitted my brows, confused if I'd smile or not, but I clicked to capture the moment, whatever I was feeling.
I stared at it for a while, wanting to overanalyze the picture, but he said...not to overthink it, so I just sent it right then.
Kesley:
Ayan.
Caden:
Ang ganda mo lagi.
I stifled my smile. Lagi huh?
Caden sent a photo too. He was leaning against the steel bar of their balcony, his head tilting to the side while he smiled warmly.
Ngumuso ako at izinoom-in iyon. Kung hindi lang nasiko ni Arielle, hindi ko namalayang nakangiti na pala ako.
"Ano 'yan?" marahan niyang tawa at binigyan ako ng platito na may dessert. "Ngumingiti ka ah? Marunong nang ngumiti si Kesley?"She smiled and teased me even more.
"Ano ako, robot?" I tried to laugh a little.
Her face lightened. "Wow! Masaya ka yata! I mean, not that you shouldn't, but you should maintain it! Happiness looks so good on you when you wear it! Enjoy your life!"
Enjoy...life.
There was always a fear in me, but there was now a little hope that maybe...I could...enjoy life...this time?
Caden and I continued texting and calling. He was more eager this time. Graduating na siya. While I was still stuck on whether I would enter college after my homeschooling as a senior in high school.
