Divina sighed as she leaned back on her chair to survey her family dining and chattering around the table. She secretly smiled to herself as she thought of the shenanigans of her children and grandchildren today. They think just because she's old, she has no idea of what's happening in her house.
Her gaze wistfully settled on the portrait of her husband, Ricardo, at the end of the room.
"Mahal," she addressed him in her thoughts, "halos kumpleto ang pamilya natin ngayong gabi. Sayang wala ka pero alam kong masaya ka kasi andito sila ngayon kasama ang mga mahal nila sa buhay."
She let her gaze wander to Siegfried and Carmela as she continued to talk to her late husband, "Buti naman nagkaayos na yung dalawa. Naalala mo yung mga panahon dati na muntik na rin kitang iwan pero hindi rin kita matiis? Thank you for being patient with me, mahal. Hindi tayo siguro tatagal ng 50 years kung di ka naging matiyaga."
At the corner of her eyes, she saw Siegfried's twins whispering furiously about something at the end of the table. "Itong kambal na 'to. I'm sure maaga nilang paputiin yung buhok ng tatay nila. Pati na rin itong si Harry," pertaining to the youngest son of the couple and the man who sat beside him. "Sana maging masaya siya sa landas na pinili niya. I'm so happy he came out to us earlier and I hope that he and Louis will be happy. Mahirap pero suportado namin siya."
Divina smiled when she saw Athena and Salvador, arguing about the dessert that they just served to the family members. "Nakakatuwa si Athena, no? I have high hopes for her and Salvador. Napakamapili kasi nitong anak mo. But if what I saw earlier is an indication of things to come then maybe there will be wedding bells in the future."
She looked at the children of Sebastian who were also whispering furiously in their corner. She sighed, "Sana magkaayos na si Baste at yung mga anak niya. They still blame him for what happened to their mother and I hope they will find closure soon. Losing his wife has changed him and I hope he will find the joy to live once again." She sharply looked at Leia who was peering at the kitchen doorway, her eyes blatantly feasting on Sebastian. "Itong batang 'to. Di ko alam kung anong nakita niya kay Baste sa laki ng agwat nila pero kung saan sila masaya, doon ako."
The matriarch swallowed a laugh as her gaze fondly focused on Melanie and Raymond. "These two. Akala nila matatago nila yung kalokohan nilang dalawa." She watched as her daughter fidgeted on her seat trying to stifle a moan. "Yes, both of them are at it again. Hay naku, Ricardo. Kung alam lang nila yung kalokohan rin natin dati nung kabataan natin."
"At itong si Celestine naman, " her smile softened in tenderness. "In love na in love pa rin sa asawa niyang si David. Bakas na bakas sa mga mukha nila. Nag-e-enjoy sigurado ang dalawang iyon sa treehouse ngayon. We had our share of fun times there as well, di ba mahal?"
Her thoughts were distracted with laughter from her grandchild's teacher, Andie and her sixth child, Emile. She covered her mouth with her palm as she hid her grin. "Ang harot talaga nitong anak nating 'to, Ricardo." She shook her head with amusement as Andie's face blushed at Emile's whispered remark.
She glanced wistfully at the empty chair at one end of the table. The seat reserved for her youngest, Alix. Though she was not a child of her loins, Divina never treated her differently from her siblings. She hopes that one day, she will find whatever she was looking for and come home to her--where she belongs.
A loud knock from the front door momentarily stopped the conversation around the table. Everyone turned to the door and waited with bated breath to see who it was. Divina slowly stood up as her heart pounded furiously.
"Ma?" a voice sounded from the opened door.
And her Christmas was finally complete.
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THE FLORES FAMILY TREE
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