Love Me on December

Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1: Wish

"Last year, I went from Iceland just to visit my relatives." Lylia said with a smug, as she took a sip on her milktea.

I uninteresting rolled my eyes unnoticed, while our group of friends were listening attentively at her. I was surprised when Argus ignored Lylia's iterate story, and drifted the conversation about me.

"How about you, Rita? Are you planning a vacation abroad?" He asked interruptedly between the conversations of our friends.

I looked at my friends one by one with dead malice on my face, Argus is more interested on me than anyone's attention. I faked a sweet smile at them.

"Uhm well... maybe my Dad's planning a vacation this Christmas break." Maarte kong pahayag sa mga kaibigan kong Australian dito sa bansang ito.

"Oh! So, you're leaving for Christmas." Harith seconded, one of our friends.

"And where that is?" Mataray na tanong na ngayon ni Lylia.

Nakataas kilay ko siyang binalingan, at nakaangat ang gilid ng labi.

"Hmm... maybe somewhere South-East..." I said and lazily shake my milktea, with kaartehan.

Natahimik sila at bakas sa mga mukha nila ang pag-iisip, kung saang bansa ako magbabakasyon sa susunod na buwan. Mahina akong napahalakhak.

"Too bad, I couldn't spend Christmas with you, huh." Naririning kong nanghihinayang tugon ni Argus, at malagkit na ngayon ang tingin sa'kin.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, at mabilis nang kinindatan habang sumisimsim sa sariling milktea. I looked away and glanced at the wall clock, I immediately grab my things para makauwi na.

"Bye, guys. Gotta head home now." Pahayag ko, at hindi na sila hinintay na magpaalam pa sa'kin.

They were clueless as I stand up from my seat and hung my limited-edition Chanel handbag as I'm about to leave this milktea shop. I didn't wait for them to bid goodbyes, and just gracefully walk away from them as if leaving some group of sht friends behind.

"DM me later, Rita!" Narinig kong pahabol ni Argus, bago ako nakalabas sa lugar na 'to.

Kanina pa naghihintay sa'kin ang sundo ko, but I let my driver wait me for long just to mingle with those btches.

Nang makapasok na ako sa loob ng kotse, kaagad nang pinaandar ng driver ang makina at tinatahak na namin ang daan pauwi.

I stared at the window as I lost my senses to daze. Nagsisimula na ang malamig na klima sa bansang ito. And it's actually my most-awaited favorite season out of three seasons here in Australia.

But I suddenly wonder, pupunta na ba kami ngayong taon na 'to ni Dad sa Pilipinas?

I sighed helplessly. I don't think Dad has plans to go to that country. He's somehow disturbed every time I open up a topic about it, and I don't think he'll agree with me this time... pero susubukan ko pa rin mamaya na makipag-usap kay Dad tungkol sa bansang iyon.

Nang makauwi na ako ng bahay, naabutan ko ang aking ama na nilulunod na naman ang sarili sa trabaho.

"Dad!" I greeted him energetically and ran towards him.

I embrace him into a hug, while he's occupied again with those papers on his desk. I withdraw afterwards when he doesn't even budge, he removed his glasses then faced me.

"Rita... you see I'm busy with work, could you please tone down your voice and go help yourself for dinner." He arrogantly said, and massaged his temple.