Walk On The Wild Side.

CHAPTER 22.

CHRISTMAS

Mabilis rin ang naging takbo ng panahon. The older you get the faster time goes. It's Christmas Eve. Ang mga nag lalakihang bahay sa aming village ay parang may kompetisyon sa pagandahan ng palamuti o Christmas decoration. Syempre, hindi rin mag papatalo si Mommy. Ang tuwid na daan na papuntang main road ay hindi na kailangan pa ng poste because it's now illuminated with Christmas lights.

Naging mas moody narin si Ate Chelsea because I am now looking at them. Kuya and Ate Chelsea is arguing about mangoes. Nag rereklamo kasi si Ate na hindi raw matamis mangga. When lately she did asked for hilaw na mangga. Naka ngiti akong umiling at tsaka tumayo na sa dining table at inilagay ang tasa ng kape sa sink.

"Chelsea, you asked for hilaw na mangga." Kuya Jared explained irritateded but laughing.

"Yes, but I want it sweet." Pag rereklamo naman ni Ate.

"My, may hilaw na mangga bang matamis? Help me." Tawag ni Kuya kay Mommy na busy sa pag sort ng mga gifts sa ilalim ng Christmas tree.

"You need to go there, mom," I said laughing at tsaka kinuha ang remote at humigsa sa kama looking for a good movie to watch.

"Jared, anak tawagin mo si Nana Elsa pabili nalang kayo ng mangga." Narinig kung sabi ni Mommy which I find funny thinking we have a mango farm in Dalagute.

"Dy, usually we have stock mangoes from our farm. Bat ngayon wala na?" Tanong ko kay Daddy na nag babasa ng newspaper sa kabilang sofa.

"It's not harvest season Loisa. Isa pa, I rarely go there yung mga tauhan nalang doon ang nag mamaneho. Tsaka kung my harvest man, deretso na sa mga palengke sa karatig-bayan." He said without taking his eyes from the newspaper. Oh.

I impulsively change the channels on the T.V and ended up turning to Netflix to watch some series. The hell! It's Christmas. It's 10 in the morning and I'm hearing Kuya and Ate arguing and why the hell is Diego still not texting me?! It kinda bothers me how he's not texting me the way he did back then. God! Why am I being paranoid and clingy? When he told me he'll be busy for the rest of the Christmas break for an upcoming skate video he's filming. Kaya ayun at inubos ko ang araw sa panonood ng series at documentaries. I do not want to send him another text after my good morning message. I'll just give him time.

Sumapit ang gabi at wala parin akong natanggap na text galing sa kanya. I shrug it off. I'll just spend this Christmas Eve with my family. Baka ganoon rin ang ginawa nya. Right!

"Losers!" Sabi ni Kelsie nung natalo kami sa scrabble ni Kuya Jared.

"Argh! I give up!" I said at tsaka sumalampak sa sofa. I look at my phone at itinapon ito sa kabilang sofa nung nakitang wala paring text galing sa kanya. Damn, it's 10 in the evening. Malapit ng mag papasko.

"I'm getting some wine." Sabi naman ni Kuya at tsaka tumayo.

"What's wrong with you? Para kang namatayan ng alaga?" Tanong ni Kelsie nung naiwan kaming dalawa sa sala.

"Nothing." I lied.

"I fucking warned you about Ashford." She said pointing at me. I laugh at tsaka tinapunan sya ng throw pillow sa mukha.

"Napaka judgemental mo talaga." Sabi ko at tsaka umiling.

"E, ano pa bang ibang rason?"

"Fine! I admit. He did not text me today." I said at tsaka huminga ng malalim.

"Ay, grabe! Clingy, te?" Sabi nya at tsaka humalakhak.

"I know. I'm thinking he's just busy."

"For real! It's Christmas baka nag spend time lang rin sa mga magulang. Thank you." She said at tsaka tinanggpa ang baso ng wine na inabot ni Kuya.