December - we always look forward to this month. Paano ba namang hindi? Christmas. The different vibe that it gives you sobrang tagos sa puso lalo na kapag nakita mo na yung mga Christmas lights tapos yung mga Christmas songs lagi mo na ring naririnig and the December breeze that embraces you. It is indeed worth the wait. Christmas season is the best season ever! Season of giving and sharing. Season to be happy and to be thankful. A season full of love and realization. Whether we admit it or not, nagsi-senti tayo pag pasko kahit gaano pa kasaya and of course, RJ and Meng too. For the past years they've been attending Simbang Gabi at walang araw na hindi sila nag-emote na dalawa, siguro nga ganoon pag-inlove. They would randomly confess how grateful they are for meeting one another or thank each other for everything or say sorry for all the headaches, heartaches, and muscle pains they've cause or just simply say "I love you" and "mahal kita". Meng and RJ (Maine's effect) also believes that if you attend the nine nights of Simbang Gabi without a miss you can make a wish.
"mag-wish ka na!"
"totoo ba yun?" he asked for the nth time.
"Oo naman! dali na!" she uttured. "pikit na dali!"
RJ heaved out a sighed before closing his eyes.
"mag-wish ka ah! wag ka lang pumikit!" she reminded.
Lord, I just want to make her happy.
"tapos na." he said with a smile.
"ano ba winish mo?" she asked excitedly.
"secret na yun baka di matupad."
"naman eh! ang daya." she said with a pout "clue?"
RJ chuckled and held her hand. "it's for us."
Maine smiled. "Merry Christmas, Tisoy."
"Merry Christmas, Menggay." he leaned to kiss her forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Tonight is the nineth night of this year's Simbang Gabi, huling araw na. Pwede na ulit silang mag-wish pagkatapos.
RJ is sitting at the edge of his bed chewing his lower lip because he is having a hard time on deciding what shoes to wear to match his outfit. After a minute, his eyes landed on the shoe box underneath his cabinet. He decided to wear Maine's first ever Christmas gift. It felt good to wear his favorite pair of white sneakers again. With contentment he stood up and shifted his gaze at the newest picture frame on top of his bedside table. An early Christmas gift from his sister, Riza. It's a very candid picture of him and Meng during their first ever Simbang Gabi. Natatawa na lang si RJ pag naaalala niya yung araw na yun. Paano ba naman sobra-sobra yung pagpapawis niya dahil sa excitement then Meng's parents invited him to join them for dinner na mas nagpakaba sa kanya but the highlight of that day was when Maine, finally agreed to be his girlfriend. Yung matamis niyang 'Oo' ang nagpatalon sa puso ni RJ. His emotions were total mess that day but he wouldn't change it for something else.
"RJ, halika na baka ma-late tayo." his train of thoughts were cut by his dad.
RJ smiled and placed the picture frame back on it's place before he close his door, he took one glance at their photo and that puts his heart at ease.
His dad gave him an assuring tap before he went ahead with Riza. RJ held the boquet of Meng's favorite flowers as he gather his composure. Christmas is very evident on the place, from the lights to the music and of course, the way the wind blew. He stares at his feet for awhile and smiles to himself, he's good to go.
"tito-ninong!" Matti called as he saw RJ.
Matti ran towards him, "is that for tita-ninang?"
"yes, buddy. This flowers are for tita-ninang."
"go see her." It was Niki.
RJ pat Matti's head before making his way to Maine. RJ planted a soft kiss on her forehead then he put the boquet next to her.
"pwede na pala ako ulit mag-wish, mahal." RJ mumbled as held her hand tight and brought it to his cheek. "miss na miss na kita" he then close his eyes.
Lord, please don't take my happiness away from me.
Dalawang taon na simula nung huling Simbang Gabi nilang magkasama, dalawang taon na pero hindi pa rin malinaw kay RJ yung nangyari nung gabing yun. "See you! Always remember that I love you, Tisoy." Meng's last words over the phone before that accident happened was the only thing clear to him at yun yung pinanghahawakan niya. Hinding-hindi niya isusuko si Meng. Two years and RJ is still patiently waiting for his Nicomaine to wake up.
