How to tame a player? ( Published under Lifebooks)

Chapter 12

Jenny

Maynard's taming was a success, I believe it is. It's because after all that happened, I can see posts and comments that Maynard became lonesome and he never again dated girls for months. It's been months after the incident and now we're celebrating Christmas together.

Andito rin sila Marco at Aicy. At syempre ang mga kaibigan kong si Mayra, Mikah and their boyfriends. Magse-celebrate kami ng pasko dito sa rest house ko sa Davao.

Busy kami ni Mayra sa pagluluto para sa Noche Buena, samantalang busy naman sa pamimili pa ng mga kakailangan sila Mikah at Aicy. Ang mga lalaki naman ay tumutulong lang sa pagbibitbit at paglilinis

"This is very festive season, I never imagined us celebrating it together. But you made it possible," Mayra stared at me while lacing her voice with sarcasm. I know she's thinking that I have something on my sleeves. She's right, but I'm not going to spill it.

Tinapik ko naman ang balikat niya at tinuro nalang ang mga gawain namin, "Gusto ko lang na magkasama tayo ngayong Pasko. Because I won't be with you on the next days."

Mukhang naintindihan niya naman ang ibig kong sabihin, kasi nakita kong naikuyom niya ang palad niya at nagpatuloy na lang sa paggawa.

As the clock strikes twelve, we all went outside to get our party started. We prepared in the backyard, foods and presents.

"Merry Christmas!" We all greeted each other, as we finished giving our gifts to others we all went to our partners. I saw others receiving jewelries, limited edition stuffs and hand crafted goods. But when I looked at Aaron, he was not holding anything that looks like a gift.

"Merry Christmas, A." I said as I handed him my gift. It was medium sized box that made him smile at me. Pero inignura niya ang ibinigay ko at itinuro niya ang screen projector na kanina ay ginagamit lang namin para mag-display ng Christmas themes. Nang mapabaling naman ako doon ay kaagad nag-itim ang screen at napalitan ito ng isang video kung saan andoon ang Papa ko. Nakaupo siya sa isang sofa at halatang nakapang-bahay lang siya nang kunan ito.

"Merry Christmas, anak! Miss ka na ni Papa. Pati si Mama miss ka na rin no'n. I took this video minding what Aaron said, that it will really be hard for you to celebrate with us. But I am still hoping that on the next Christmas you'll spend it with us, with me and with your Mom. I miss you, anak. Mahal na mahal ka namin ni Mama, tandaan mo 'yan."

Matapos nang mensahe ni Papa at naramdaman ko na ang pag-iinit ng aking mga mata, kaya naman minadali akong tumalikod. Damn, I miss Papa!

Pero kaagad akong hinarangan ni Aaron at tinurong muli ang screen. And there I saw my mom; unlike dad she was wearing her office suit. She looks uncomfortable filming it, but she proceeded anyway.

"Jenny, Merry Christmas. Hindi ako gano'n kasamang tao, para 'di ka batiin kahit sa pasko. Kaya Merry, Christmas! Okay na ba?"

Kahit na halatang napilitan lang si Mama ay 'di ko napigil ang pagtulo ng iilang butil ng aking luha, kasi sa tinagal-tagal na 'di kami nagkausap ni Mama ay ngayon ko nalang u;it nakita nag ngiti niya. Nakangiti siya nang batiin niya ako, kaya 'di ko napigil at napaluha na ako. Fuck! Emotions are overloading in my system!

Nang tiningnan ko si Aaron ay kaagad niya akong niyakap. I can't contain my happiness that's why I hugged him back tightly. "Thank you, A! That was one of the best gifts that I have receive, thank you very much."

"It was nothing, J. I just want to show you how much I love you, no matter what happens I will always be here beside you in every little battle that you will face."