Adventures

Gift Giving (Part 1)

"O, eto pa ang huli oh."

I said, handing Alden the last gift I had prepared for the kids at the White Cross Children's Home in San Juan.

Before getting myself fully engrossed in all the Christmas festivities, I decided to pay a visit to the orphanage that has been close to my heart ever since I was kid. 

After all the blessings I've received this year, I wanted to give back as a form of thanksgiving for all the good that I had experienced, and what better way to do such by surrounding myself with children who deserved just as much love as I did.

"Okay na. Handa na tayong pumunta sa White Cross." Alden smiled, after he placed the last gift inside a paper bag. It was so nice of him to accompany me today, despite the fact that he still had a lot of commitments to attend to after our visit.

"Sandali lang." I said, holding unto his arm. I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and smiled back. 

"Sige, alis na tayo." I added.

&&&

The moment we arrived at White Cross, we were welcomed very warmly by the kids singing Jose Mari Chan's classic hit, "Christmas in our Hearts". I got a little teary-eyed as my team, Alden and I stood in front of them, listening with the ears of our hearts. 

Sa murang edad ng mga batang ito, alam kong marami na silang napagdaanan, but it was so comforting to know that they could still find it in themselves to smile and enjoy Christmas. 

After their little song number, we proceeded to having some parlor games with them. Naglaro kami ng musical chairs, give me what I want, newspaper dance at marami pang iba. 

Talagang nag-enjoy ang mga bata dahil nung kainan na, ang tahimik. They were all hungry after the series of parlor games that were prepared for them.

Truth be told, when it was time for the gift giving, the last part of our visit to White Cross, I did not want to leave. Ang bitin. I still wanted to have more time with the kids, but my schedule just couldn't allow it. So I savored every bit of this afternoon and promised to myself that I'd come back again.

"Mga bata, nag-enjoy ba kayo sa pamasko nina Kuya Alden at Ate Maine?" Mama Ten, Alden's personal assistant, asked. He served as our emcee for this afternoon.

The kids responded with an "Opooo" and seemed restless in their seats. 

"Siyempre, hindi kumpleto ang pasko kapag walang gifts!" 

As soon as Mama Ten said this, the kids cheered. They were so excited for the gifts.

"O, sige. Para hindi magulo ang bigayan nga gifts, mag-linya muna ang lahat. Isang linya para sa boys, at isang linya para sa girls." 

The kids formed two, straight lines as Alden and I waited with some gifts in hand. When the Christmas music started playing, it was a signal for us to give the gifts inside the paper bags. 

"Merry Christmas." Alden and I said, with very, wide smiles on our faces.

The gift giving was going well, up until there was a little girl who was the last child to receive a gift. Unlike the rest of the kids who responded with a smile and thank you, she reached inside one of the paper bags and got another gift. I instantly looked at Alden. He was just as confused as I was.

"Bakit siya kumuha ng dalawa?" Alden asked me. 

"Hindi ko nga alam eh. Ayokong namang pagalitan." I said.

Our eyes followed the little girl.

With two gifts in hand, she approached a little boy who was on the far end of the room, in a wheel chair. She handed the gift to him, hugged him and smiled. 

"Para sa'yo." I read her lips. "Merry Christmas."

I was so touched by what I had just seen. It was right for Alden and I not to judge this little girl for getting more than she was supposed to. She wasn't thinking solely of herself, but she was thinking of a dear friend this Christmas season. 

"Kaya naman pala." Alden smiled as we watched the little boy and the little girl open their gifts.

"Yan naman talaga ang tunay na diwa ng pasko eh. Ang pagbibigayan," I said.

"Pagmamahalan.." Alden teased.

"Pero thank you ulit ha. Kasi sinamahan mo kami dito." I said. 

Alden put his arm around me and pulled me closer. Grabe, forever mabango talaga siya.

"Walang anuman. Alam mo namang kahit sa ganitong paraan, gusto kong maramdaman mo na parati akong nandito para sa'yo. Ma-mimiss kasi kita eh. Tuloy na tuloy na ang Japan di ba?"

I could sense the sadness in his voice. It was going to be a while before we'd see each other again and I, myself, was feeling a little down whenever I thought about not seeing or being with him for a very long time. 

"Mmmm-hmmm." I responded. "Pero mabilis lang naman kami dun eh. Before you know it, nakauwi na rin kami, kaya huwag ka ng malungkot." I pinched his cheeks. 

"Huwag kang mag-alala. Babawi ako sa'yo mamaya. Mag-dedate tayo."

My Tisoy instantly lit up.

"Talagaaa?" He said. 

I wiggled my eyebrows in reply.

"Talagang talaga."