A Bet That Changed Us ︱Pablo Gavi

83: A December to remember

December arrived with a chill in the air, and it brought with it the holiday spirit I loved so much. The first day of the month felt like a fresh start, with the soft morning light streaming into my apartment. There was no training today, and I planned to spend the day decorating, a tradition that always brought me joy. I slipped into a cozy sweater, made myself a hot cocoa, and opened the storage boxes filled with ornaments, lights, and festive decorations.

As I started untangling the lights, my phone buzzed with a message from Pablo.

Pablo: What's the plan for today?

Me: Turning this place into Santa's workshop. Want to help?

Pablo: I'm on my way. Bringing coffee and something sweet.

Twenty minutes later, he knocked on my door with a wide smile, holding two cups of coffee and a bag of pastries. He looked at the chaos of decorations sprawled across my living room and laughed.

"This looks intense," he joked, handing me my coffee.

"Always is," I grinned, taking a sip. "But now you're roped in."

We spent hours decorating, stringing up lights, setting up the tree, and carefully placing each ornament. Holiday music played softly in the background, adding to the festive atmosphere. When Pablo threw a piece of tinsel at me, it turned into a playful battle, leaving us both breathless and laughing on the floor. Between the decorating and joking around, we talked about everything—our favorite Christmas memories, holiday traditions, and how different this year felt from all the others.

"I'm glad I get to do this with you," he said, his voice soft but genuine, and the warmth in his eyes made my heart flutter.

By the time we finished, the apartment looked like a cozy winter wonderland. We sat back on the couch, admiring the twinkling lights and perfectly decorated tree, proud of our work.

"You know what we're missing?" Pablo said, his eyes lighting up with a playful idea. "A trip to the Christmas market."

It was an offer I couldn't resist. "Let's go."

The market was bustling, alive with the sounds and scents of the season. Stalls lined the plaza, selling handmade crafts, ornaments, and festive treats. The air was filled with the sweet smell of roasted chestnuts and cinnamon, and everything felt like a scene out of a Christmas movie. As we strolled through the market, we bumped into Ansu, Balde, and Lamine, who were trying on silly Santa hats and arguing over the best holiday snacks.

"Look who decided to join us!" Ansu shouted, pulling us into their circle. "What's up, you guys?"

We spent the next hour wandering with them, sampling holiday foods, taking ridiculous photos, and enjoying the festive atmosphere. Pablo bought a personalized ornament with our initials on it, and I picked up a small snowflake one for my tree.

"For our tree," he said, placing it in my hand with a grin. The simple gesture warmed my heart, making the moment feel even more special.

But just as I was getting lost in the holiday cheer, my eyes landed on a sight that made my blood run cold—my father, standing just a few feet away. And he wasn't alone. He was with a woman, his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulder, and two kids clung to their sides, laughing as they looked at the decorations. My father looked older, grayer, but there was no mistaking him. Seeing him now, playing the role of a devoted husband and father, filled me with a mix of anger and disbelief.

I froze, unable to move, my breath hitching in my throat. All those years of wondering why I wasn't enough for him to stay, why he left my brother and me without looking back, came crashing down on me. And now, here he was, living the perfect family life without a care in the world.