Your Place Or Mine? BOOK VERSION (PUBLISHED BY VIVA PSICOM)

Chapter 51: The bracelet

HALEY'S POV

"Dahan-dahan, baka mabasag," paalala ng Mommy ni Russell habang binababa sa truck ang isang napakalaking statue ng Santa Claus. It's from England. She bought it online along with other Christmas accessories.

How time flies. This is my first Christmas with my husband, Russell. Next week, I'll set up our first Christmas tree.

Sa bahay nila Russell, Christmas in the air. Palm trees in front are lit with colored Christmas lights. And that gigantic Santa Claus was proudly placed at the entrance. The 15-foot Christmas tree is set-up beside the fireplace. Just like my Mom, Russell's Mom takes care of every little decoaration details. I'm sure nakapag-decorate na rin si Mommy ngayon. Right after ng All Saints Day, she made the tradition that she'd start decorating. But as early as September, you can hear Christmas songs in her playlist.

And since Russell and I are here this weekend due to his Mom's request, we'll help to decorate. I'm sure she misses Russell. Nasa Zamboanga kasi si Ralph to manage hotel branches in the South.

After all the drama, I'm a bit relieved. At least bumalik na ang tiwala kay Ralph ng mga parents nila. It's sad that Ralph won't be spending the holidays with us. Of course he'll be with Alyssa. So Russell and I decided to spend Christmas with his Mom and Dad.

The clock chimed at 2pm. Russell texted that he couldn't make it to lunch. These past few days, madali siyang mainis. Lalo na kapag tinatanong ko kung anong oras siya uuwi. Alam kong may practice siya everyday so he's pissed everytime I asked about his schedule. So, I don't ask anymore.

Ayokong isipin si Russell. Naiinis lang ako. I want to keep myself busy. I started helping his Mom with the decors. I picked up one basket filled with colored Christmas balls.

"Sige ikaw na magkabit ng mga 'yan. Unahin mo 'yung mga red, then 'yung mga blue and green," sabi nito.

And I found myself smiling as I hang the last blue Christmas ball. The tree is almost done, poinsettias na lang ang kulang. Napapapikit ako. Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. I want to reminisce the ecstatic feeling when I was a kid. When I think of Christamas, few things come to my mind. Fireworks, gifts, food, vacation. I slowly opened my eyes. But now, what do I expect every Chirstmas?

"Anong plano niyo sa Christmas vacation?" I was pulled back to where I was.

Lumingon ako sa Mommy ni Russell. "Baka dumalaw po kami kay Daddy sa Spain. Nagkausap yata sila ni Russell. Baka do'n na rin kami mag-spend ng New Year," sagot ko.

Ngumiti ito. "That's great! Sabi ng Mom mo, hindi makakauwi si Harold sa Christmas."

Actually, bihira siyang mag-spend ng Christmas dito sa Pilipinas. So we visit him every holiday. But when Hans started college, kami na lang ni Mommy ang dumadalaw kay Daddy. Hindi na siya sumasama. Busy siguro siya sa mga babae niya.

"Ako na po ang magkakabit ng mga angels." Kinuha ko ang isa pang basket na hawak niya.

"Nice bracelet." She's staring at my wrist.

It's a white gold bracelet with two merlion charms.

"Bigay po ni Russell from Singaopre," maikli kong sagot.

"Nagpunta kayong Sinagpore?" tanong nito habang patuloy sa pagkabit ng mga decor, at napatigil naman ako.

Tama ba ang narinig ko? Tinatanong niya kung nagpunta kami ng Singapore. I thought it's a business trip so his Mom should know about the trip. Bakit siya nagtatanong ng parang wala siyang alam?

"Kelan kayo nagpuntang Singapore?" She probably thought I did not hear her first question.

At wala akong balak na sagutin ito. That second question confirmed that business hasn't something to do within Russell's itinerary. And surely, it's not a business trip.