'It's the most beautiful time of the year
Lights fill the streets spreading so much cheer,
I should be playing in the winter snow,
But I’mma be under the mistletoe.’
It’s December 24. Christmas Eve. She’ll be spending her Christmas with her family. He’ll be spending Christmas with his family. Everything seemed normal. Food, drinks, gifts and music everywhere. Walang taong may problema. Walang taong malungkot. Lahat masaya because it really is the most beautiful time of the year.
'I don't wanna miss out on the holiday,
But I can’t stop staring at your face,
I should be playing in the winter snow,
But I’mma be under the mistletoe.’
Natatawa siya because she remembered something by listening to this song being played. The fake snow. The telephone booth. The Bieber-like voice. The way he slid himself on the bleacher just to be next to her. Their holding hands. The jacket. The way he looks at her. Everything. And with just one song, she started missing him.
"Ano ba yan." she said to herself. "Julie Anne, nagkita naman kayo kahapon. Ang clingy mo nanaman."
"Ate sinong kausap mo?" Joanna asked her. Nagulat siya na andun pala ang kapatid niya.
"H-ha? Wala. Haha." Joanne snatched her earphones tsaka pinakinggan ang kanta and she smiled slyly at her.
"Sabi na eh. Miss mo na no?" she asked.
"Hoy hindi ah. Bata-bata mo pa kung makaano ka dyan."
"Hahaha. Oh bakit? Wala naman akong binanggit na pangalan ah. Ikaw ha! Mama oh!!!" and she ran out of her ate’s room while calling Tita Marivic.
"Hoy JM!" she yelled after her.
"Ma si ate namimiss na si kuya oh!" Joanna continued. Jac laughed when her two sisters passed by her.
"Mama, si Ate Julie oh. Miss na si Kuya Elmo." Jac joined in. The three reached the kitchen where their mom is busy preparing the Christmas feast. "Mama, mama si Ate Julie miss na daw si Kuya Elmo!" Jac beamed.
"Oo nga po mama. Nagsesenti dun sa kwarto kanina. Tapos nagsasalita mag-isa." dagdag naman ni Joanna.
"Ma hindi po. Wag ka makinig sa dalawang to." Julie said as she ruffled her sisters’ hair.
"Hay nako kayong tatlo talaga. Wag niyo asarin ang ate niyo at baka lalong mamiss si parekoy."
"Mama!" Julie said. Nagtawanan naman silang lahat as she turned bright red.
"Uy si ate nagbblush." Joanna teased as she laughs.
"Julie anak, tatawag yun mamaya ha? Kalma pag may time." Tita Marivic said as she tried stifling her laughter. "Oh sige na. Magbihis na kayong tatlo dun at maya-maya andito na lola niyo." she said. Agad namang tumakbo si Jac paakyat sa kwarto niya and Julie and JM walked upstairs.
"Text ko ba ate? Hahaha."
"Tigilan mo ko. Walang gift bet?" banta niya sa kapatid.
"Haha. Joke lang. Love you ate!" sabi nito sabay pasok sa kwarto.
Julie entered her room too and went for her closet. She was staring at her clothes because she doesn’t know what to wear this Christmas Eve. Gusto niya nga magpambahay na lang. But her mom said na may mga bisita sila this year and that they should wear something nice. At dahil nga andito na ang lola nila from Australia, they all want to look nice.
"With you, shawty with you
With you, shawty with you,
With you, under the mistletoe” she sang as she looks for her dress.
*****
