Chances Between Us

10.

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"So, what did you asked for santa to give you this christmas?"

It was a cold night, im leaning front in the terrace while watching the night sky getting crowded with the stars above. Its almost christmas, ilang oras nalang at kakain na kami ng noche buena. I smiled at the thought that he's smiling while talking to me in the phone, though i wasn't sure how i ended up assuming that.

"Except from you? hmm, i just wished for a good upcoming year to me," i shivered.

I heard him hissed, just like what he always do everytime i threw some punchlines.

"Merry Christmas Dan," he said.

"Merry Christmas my love," i joked.

"Come on dear, help your siblings in fixing the table," i heard his mom, i chuckled at him. Mas inuna nya pa pala akong tawagan kaysa' tumulong!

"Coming, mom. Hey, i call you back again if i have time okay?" he said.
"No prob," i heard him running away, di nya pa talaga tinurn-off.

I looked up the stars again, the view of them above makes me want to believe that 'wishing stars' do exist. I will definetly spend a day just to wish that hendrix would like me too.

I startled when i noticed that im not the only one here in the terrace, kuya luxio was looking straight at me. The wind causes his hair to move to from another side, he got a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Hala, kanina ka pa kuya?"
"Kaka-akyat ko lang, bakit ka nandito?" he shivered, probably because of he's only wearing a sleeveless black sando.

"Star-gazing lang," i looked up again, he knows i liked to do this eversince im a kid.
"We used to do this with him, kung hindi lang ba' naman gago e," he chuckled, but i can hear the pain in between them.

"Its been 6 years, and i still miss him," a tear fell from my eye.

I remembered how perfect he was as a father, sya na siguro yung pinapangarap ng marami. We grew up close to him, and it hurts so much to see him leaving.

Mom's never really been so violent, she never shouted at him or even hurted him physically. Ni minsan, di pa namin sila nagkikitang nag-aaway. She said its because a thousand punches and kicks can't even define how hurt she is inside.

Kahit nung naghiwalay na sila ay hindi nya siniraan samin si papa, she tells great stories about him for Rio na 3 years old pa lamang noon. It was kuya luxio who made me understand everything, then one day nakita nalang namin syang umaalis.

"I hope he's doing good with his new family, sana maging huli nya na' yun at maging kuntento na," my voice broke down. Nothing's really been so painful than to wish happiness for the one you love, even if that happiness no longer includes us.

He wrapped me with a hug, i hugged him even more tighter. I cried and cried again, like what i did the last time we talked about him.

As soon as i calmed down, we made our way towards the dining room. Its 11:30 pm, everything was set in the table.

"Merry Christmas!" everyone shouted, the house looks so cheerful ngayong dumating ang kapatid ni mama na si Tita Marie, at ang mga pinsang kong si Izza at Khel.