A Beautiful Mess

PART 57: Not A Missing Piece

Part LVII: Not A Missing Piece

December.

Chad was excited when the first day of the month came. It was something that he looked forward to not because of the celebration but rather because of celebrating it with her.

At the same time, Chad promised his parents to visit their grandparents who are in the US for the holidays. He made that commitment to them at the start of the year so he didn't have any choice but to let the season pass without Raffy beside him.

School was getting lighter since most people are already starting to get ready with the long vacation that was coming up. Less projects, less requirements, less exams, and more avail time.

More time meant out of town for them.

Two days ago, they finished setting up the Christmas tree on his condo. She had it decorated with cartoon character stuffed toys, and a pair of Mickey and Minnie Mouse locked in an embrace at the top, encircled with white lights.

Raffy was sitting on the floor while finishing the decors for the Lewis' Christmas tree that afternoon. They were at the family's resthouse for the weekend since they were starting to dress up the place for the holidays. Chad had it as a routine to put up the ten-foot christmas tree which stood in the grand living room of the house.

They picked up the customized decorations on their way to the resthouse. It was an angel-themed Christmas for them and so there were boxes of angels of different sizes that they unloaded when they got home.

"How do you like the theme babe?" he asked her. He just got down from the ladder after putting the biggest angel playing her harp that went on top of the tree.

Raffy clipped one of the angels she was holding and stood up beside him. She admired how tall and stunning it looked. It was adorned with lights and ornaments that gave beauty to its theme.

"It looks very inspiring," she said, looking at the angel Chad just finished adding.

"I chose the theme," he said, looking at the same direction, and proud of it. She couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

"Really?" she looked at him.

"Yes," he said. "I found my angel this year so I thought if we'll put up lots of angels too, the others who will see this will also get to find theirs too."

"How did you find your angel?"

He chuckled. "She's standing right next to me."

She laughed. "Just because you keep on fooling around me doesn't mean I do not deserve a nice gift for Christmas. Your flattery is not enough," she kidded.

"Speaking of. We have to talk about that," he said.

"What about it?"

"I'm leaving for the holidays," he said.

"Leaving? Vacation? But we'll still celebrate together, right?" she asked him.

"I'm afraid not," he said. "I promised my parents that I'll go with them in the US to spend the holiday with my grandparents. I mean, I said it when the year started. I didn't know that you'll come along. I wanted to stay for you but Mom got me the tickets already."

Raffy forced a smile. A big part of her felt troubled to be away from Chad. "It's okay. Spending it with your family is the real essence of the season. I'll be fine."

"I'm sorry. I know this is our first Christmas together but I wouldn't be around," he apologized. "But I promise to make it up to you once I get back."