Why Can't It Be?

Chapter 49- The Decision

Camilla woke up after five hours of sleep. Despite sleeping so late, she felt energized that morning.

"Good morning 'mmy, morning Dad." naabutan niya si Monalisa at Enrico na nag dedecorate sa baba. Ilang linggo na lang, December na.

"Hi, good morning!" Monalisa greeted back.

Enrico just gave her a smile. He was busy untangling the Christmas lights from the storage box.

"Decorating?" Camilla asked picking up one Christmas ornament.

"Yes, Christmas na. It's your first Christmas with us after a long time anak." Monalisa told her happily.

"I'm not sure I am really happy about Christmas 'mmy." Camilla scrunched her nose.

Nalungkot si Monalisa at Enrico sa narinig mula kay Camilla. Sa kabilang banda ay nagpapasalamat sila at sinasabi na ni Camilla ang kanyang nararamdaman. Hindi na niya ito sinasarili lagi. It's a big improvement.

"Anak...we know that it's hard for you but you know we can remember him and not be sad all the time. You can remember Jan and all those happy memories you had with him. You can miss Jan and still be happy. Like how he always made you when he was still alive." sabi ng ina.

"Tama ka 'mmy. It's so hard. It's so hard to remember everything and not be sad, because remembering reminds me that he's not here with me." mahina niyang sagot.

"But we're proud of you anak. We can see that you're trying. Jan won't like it if he sees you down and sad all the time."

"I'm really trying 'mmy. I just don't know how to be happy anymore." Camilla smiled but it doesn't last.

"Hmmm...darating yan. That day will eventually come." this time Monalisa pulled her for a hug.

"Sige na...maiwan ko na kayo. Inistorbo ko pa ang pag dedecorate niyo ni Daddy." paalam ni Camilla.

"Don't you want to join us? We can hang these on the Christmas tree." Enrico said showing her the Christmas balls, bells and reindeers. 

"Maybe next time Daddy." bumeso sa kanya sk Camilla "I missed the outdoors eh, gonna take some pictures para ma relax."

"Alright but first take a picture of us." inakbayan ni Enrico si Monalisa para magpakuha ng litrato.

"Okay. Sige pwesto kayo diyan sa may tree." Camilla happily obliged.

"Ready, 1, 2, 3...smile."

Just before Camilla pressed the button, Enrico kissed Monalisa on her cheek. The photo was so candid. Nakuhanan ni Camilla ang gulat sa mukha ng Mommy niya.

Natawa siya.

"Enrico!"

"How was it anak?" Enrico asked Camilla.

"Beautiful." she smiled sincerely. Her heart ached remembering those similar moments with Jan. He was just as playful, he was just as random.

Sa lahat na lang ng bagay ay si Jan ang naalala niya. She shook her head and tried to divert her emotion. She blinked the memories away.