Our Past Connected Us

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

I already placed my gifts for my family under the Christmas tree here in our living room.

Our street is filled with Christmas lights at every lamp posts, we can already hear our neighbor's singing voices. Mapapa iling ka nalang dahil ang iba sa kanila ay naghahabol ng lyrics, wala sa tono o kaya naman ay gumagawa na ng sarili nilang lyrics.

Sharing our some of our foods to our closest neighbors aren't new here in our street, that's why we always have so much for the three of us.

When I was still a kid, I remember running around our house waiting for our clock to turn 12:00. I was a little kid back then who can barely wait until midnight for her to be able to open the gifts she received.

But those changed — completely turned into dusts and ashes

Our father's death removed the warm atmosphere within our home. We're smiling but we can't lie to ourselves that nothing's missing from our systems. 

The night before Christmas already came.

It's already 11:00 in the evening and this time, the three of us once again looked forward for this night to come. After so many years, our hearts are once again feeling the warmth and true essence of Christmas. Maybe because this year turned our bond stronger again. Our downfall already made the three of us stand tall.

I went towards the kitchen's direction and helped my mother on preparing our foods. Unlike from the past few years, we cooked more foods for this year's Christmas eve,

because when I meant family, Jexter's one of it.

Kay ganda ng harana ng tinig
Na sumasabay sa ihip ng hangin

Ang sabi nila...
Ang sabi nila...

Oh, ang sabi nila...

Elton's already outside because he's grilling the barbecues and the marinated chickens. Despite of the eardrum wrecking voices of our neighbor's, the music playing from our home theater speaker makes everything calmer.

 We already heard the gate opened and I think he's already here.

Nag tungo ako sa pinto para salubungin siya. He kissed my forehead and I already helped him with the stuffs he's carrying "Tita sa labas palang naaamoy ko na po yung mga niluto niyo" Jexter said as he hugged my mother 

"Well I'm not the only one who cooked for us" 

My mother proudly said as she tapped my back "Looks like I'll gain more weight every time I'll eat here" Jexter said as he chuckled "Tita, this one's from Mom. She want's me to give this to you" he said as he handed the paper bag to my mother "Nako, nag abala pa si Seira" I heard my mother said as I took my laptop from my room

It was a simple yet elegant white hand bag "Tell her that I loved it" Naka ngiting sabi ni Mama.

"Ma, lapit kayo"

I said as I sat at the long couch and placed the laptop at the center table

"Merry Christmas Tita Joelle!" our friends greeted from the screen "Merry Christmas din sa inyo" My mother greeted back with a smile "Merry Christmas pareng Elton!" said Kyle who fit his self to the screen, kasama niya kasi sa iisang camera sila Lauren, Nexon at Travis "Kuya Kyle, you're already drunk" Nag tawanan kami dahil sa walang emosyon na sabi ni Elton "Greet your parents for me, tatapusin ko na yung niluluto ko"