Behind Every Pages

Chapter Twenty-nine

Lestari

The past week leading up to Christmas has been filled with so much lightness. Even though our family isn't complete, I feel the Christmas spirit more this year.

Especially with the wonderful news. Ate Florence announced that she's pregnant!

There were supposed to be just four of us celebrating Christmas Eve - Ate Florence, Kuya Alistair, Luther, and me, but I was surprised when Ezra joined us. He even brought the food he ordered, adding more to our feast.

"Merry Christmas, Lesty," he approached me and handed me a bouquet of pink roses in a Christmas theme. I smiled and accepted it. He did the same for Ate Florence, handing her flowers and congratulating her on her pregnancy.

"Thank you," I said to him, beaming. We gathered in the kitchen and exchanged greetings. We just waited for midnight, so while we did, I invited Ezra to my library.

"Wow," I smiled when he said that. Unlike my old library, this one is much bigger. It's quite spacious. Daddy's books are still here, along with Mommy's, so maybe the books have multiplied inside. Naglakad kami sa parte ng mga libro ko, nandoon ang collection ko ng mga libro niya.

"Dagdagan mo na para mapuno na," I grinned, pointing to his shelf, which now had ten books. His books number was growing, and he was becoming more popular as writer here in the Philippines. I'm so proud of him.

Napatingin ako sa kaniya habang hawak-hawak ang libro niya. Hindi ko mapailawanag ang sayang nararamdaman ko. Nasa harapan ko, sa library ko ang author na matagal ko nang hinahangaan, bonus pa na nililigawan pa nga ako nito. Parang hindi totoo.

What if nasa loob lang pala ako ng fictional book?

I chuckled, catching his attention. "Nothing," I smiled.

"Thank you for loving my books," he approached and held me by the waist. There goes my heart beating faster when he does that. The light was a bit dim inside since I only turned on one light, but I could still see his intense gaze on me. I even gasped when he lowered it to my lips.

"E-Ezra..."

I was surprised when he leaned in, but I closed my eyes and waited to see what he would do. Is he going to kiss me? Is it happening now? But I haven't given him an answer yet? Am I sure? It's fine with me. It could be my Christmas gift to him. But the kiss I felt was on my forehead.

I opened my eyes and saw his face. I swallowed hard at the sensation. He kissed my forehead, but even then, my heart was overflowing with joy.

I could hear the combination of our heartbeats. It was so comforting to hear them as if we were on the same page of a book because we both felt the same.

After that, we went back and mingled with the others. Busy si Ezra sa pakikinig kay Luther na ngayon ay lumalabas ang kadaldalan sa Kuya Ezra niya. I, on the other hand, was engaged in a conversation with the couple in front of me. I smiled at how caring Kuya Alistair was towards his wife now. I thought they wouldn't have children anymore, but look at that, they had one. Ate Florence is already thirty-six, and Kuya Alistair is in his forties, but God is so good and blessed them. I was so happy for them.

"Merry Christmas!" malakas kong sabi nang makita ang orasan dahil alas-dose na. Lumapit kami sa isa't isa at nagbatian at nagsimula nang kumain. Napapangiti ako sa mga nangyayari. Kapag ganito ang okasyon dati ay wala talagang ganap sa bahay, magpapaluto si Dad pero hindi naman kami sabay-sabay kumakain. Hindi rin nagbabatian. Parang wala lang.

Nang matapos kumain at magbukas ng mga regalo ay nagpaalam na ang mag-asawa na magpapahinga na. Kaming tatlo naman ay naiwan at nagkaayaan pang mag karakoke habang umiinom ng alak. Alam ko namang umiinom si Ezra ng alak dahil nakita ko ang picture niya dati na nasa bar siya. I remembered the chat I had with him. It was embarrassing!