"I don't want you and your family coming back here in Manila with a 'bloody british' accent." The screen turned blank as her video message ended.
"That is for sure Macy. I'm making some of your faves, Mashed Potatoes! Merry Christmas." Sabi ko pa na parang makakasagot kaagad siya. She probably is still sleeping right now.
Two days ago nang dumating ang family ko for this Christmas Vacation. It's been two years since I last saw them, and I just finished my Masters school. Ahh, relief.
"Ako na. I'll get it." Nilapag ni Daddy ang niluto niyang steak at sinundan ang kapatid kong bubuksan na ang pinto.
"Good- - - JAMES DAVIDSON?!!!" My brother screamed upon opening the door. "Come in. Come in." Hatak hatak ni shoti si James papunta sa sala.
"Just so you know, you're my idol." And shoti went on and on blabbering about how he loves James. Bakit hindi ko alam na kilala neto ni shoti si James. Pinakilala din niya si Mommy at Ahia noong natapos silang magprepare ng table.
"Achi, are you done? Let's eat now. We have a visitor!"
"Hi Beatrice." Bati ni James nang pumasok ako ng dining room.
"You know each other?"
"He's my buddy."
"Agh! I thought you're granting wishes of meeting your fans for tonight. I should've known." My cute little brother having his not so cute tantrums again.
"But I have a gift for you." Riley's eyes brightened up but I have to shut off his fantasies for awhile. James sat beside me on the dining area.
"When did you two met?"
"Two or three years ago? In Quezon."
My dad is not that chatty. And so is mom. But tables have turned with James. My brother, being the sweet little kids they are, all they've been asking was how is he feeling with almost everything.
Tinulungan niya ako sa paghugas ng mga plato. "Is it okay if I'm here? Everyone's in Los Angeles. I have no one to celebrate with."
"It's completely fine. You're very welcome here."
Gift opening! Oo, uso pa yun. I gave them my gifts which were kind of cheap, syempre kasi 'student' pa lang naman ako. Hehe.
"I'm sorry Kuya James. We don't have a gift for you."
"It's okay. Excuse me for awhile." Lumabas siya ng bahay and opened his car. Rinig namin ang alarm ng sasakyan niya.
Bumalik siya nang may dala dalang dalawang gitara at iniabot ito sa mga kapatid ko. They look so happy. "I'll teach you how to play it, too."
May binigay din siya sa parents ko which I assume is a gift certificate of some kind.
"And this one is for you." Abot niya ng maliit na box. I already assumed na jewelry yun. I don't fancy those things that much. Nagkakaroon kasi ako ng rashes minsan tapos nagdidiscolor yung mga metal. "You thought me how to love them and not be afraid, so I chose this small lightning pendant."
Sinuot niya sa akin ang necklace na binigay niya. It's real gold, hopefully hindi na magreact sa skin ko. Even if it does, I'd still wear it. I love it. Habang sinusuot niya sa akin ito, mayroon siyang binulong. "And a part of not being afraid is doing this."
As he finished, he straightened up the way he sat. "A year ago, I went back to nan in Quezon. She told me that, I have to get through the parents' permission before asking someone out." And with his first statement, agad akong ang napaayos ng upo sa sinabi niya. "I've waited for her to finish uni and this is it. Pwede po ba akong manligaw kay Beatrice?"
Lahat kami ay nagulat sa sinabi niya. My brothers looked amazed dahil nag-Tagalog siya. "For the past hours that we have met, you already got my approval." My dad held mom's hands and looked at her lovingly.
"Thank you, Sir. I told you, Beatrice. I would be proving it."
"You can come with us in Germany if you would like?"
"Won't I be a distraction, Sir?"
"You won't. And just call me 'tito'."
Oh shit. Stop it you guys.
