A Love To Remember

Chapter 56: Holidays

Chiara

During my elementary days, after a long holiday break, babalik ka sa paaralan mo with your classmates asking; where did you spend your holidays? or what did you get for Christmas? So syempre, as a kid, you'll boast to others saying na; ay o look I got this, ah we tour around Europe, nothing fancy. Am I right?

Then, almost all of your teachers will ask you guys individually kung ano-ano ang mga natanggap niyong regalo at alin dun ang pinaka-paborito niyo. Kung ano iyong pinakagara, iyong pinakamahal, that would be our favorite, right?

But now, I'm not the 9-year old Chiara who'll throw tantrums whenever my Dad won't buy me a certain toy that I want. I'm now the 17-year old Chiara and my perspective against holiday spirit, totally changed.

If someone will ask me if what's my favorite thing about Christmas? It is seeing the smile plastered on my love ones faces, hindi ko na kailangan ng kung anong materyal na bagay, ito pa lang, masaya na ako.

Mariin akong napangiwi ng biglaang kumirot naman ang tiyan ko, I immediately stood up from sitting at the edge of my bed as I ran towards the bathroom sink. Sumuka ako ng sumuka, halos lahat ng kinain ko at lahat ng gamot na nainom ko, naisuka ko na.

It's no use at all, buhay nga ako pero araw-araw, pakiramdam ko naman, pinapatay na ako ng sakit kong 'to.

After throwing up, I fixed everything first at inayos muna ang sarili ko, I'm all dressed up but looks like something's missing..

Smile Chiara, smile. I tried my very best to smile, a sincere and real one. At nang maipinta ko na ang ngiti sa labi ko, lumabas na ako ng kwarto ko at dumiretso sa kwarto nina Mama.

"Mama, look!" I beamed at umikot pa sa harap niya, flaunting my off-shoulder red dress, perfect for holidays.

At dahil pasko ngayon, naglakas-loob akong maglagay ng sandamakmak na concealer sa katawan ko just to cover my bruises and so that, I can wear an appropriate clothe, rather than a sweater.

"You look fabulous Ate!" Mama exclaimed, I grinned as I gently flipped my well curled hair.

"I know right, nagmana sa pinagmanahan!" I confidently answered, nagkatinginan kami ni Mama and as if on a cue, we both ended up laughing at each other's remarks.

"O, anyare?" Dad asked nang pumasok siya sa kwarto nila ni Mama, he's also wearing a red polo while me and Mama are both wearing red dresses.

"Sabi ko Daddy maganda ako!" wika ko at umikot ulit, "You must be really proud to have me as your daughter Dad!" dagdag ko pa at kumindat kay Daddy, he acted like he was about to puke, making me frown.

"Saan nakatago ang mga electric fan d'yan sa katawan mo Chia? Hangin natin ah." natatawang komento nito, I rolled my eyeballs as I crossed my arms.

"Look who's talking, kanino pa ba iyan magamamana eh kundi sa'yo." Mama interrupted and this time, si Daddy naman ang napanguso. Hah, roasted! Under talaga kahit kailan!

"Oo na nga, maganda na kayo." he said as he glanced at his wristwatch, "We're running late, let's go?" dagdag pa nito, sabay kaming tumango ni Mama as the three of us made our way to our destination.

Today is December 25 and this is the first Christmas that I'm going to spend together with Mama, we're going to make this day memorable because who knows? This might be my last.