Mystery Santa

X. You Win

Raquel's view

We are finally leaving the last store. Lavelle's car is completely full of stuff. I stopped paying attetion to whatever else she bought after getting matching Christmas themed pajamas.

"Siguradong magiging masaya ang pag de-design natin ng apartment mo!" She squeaks out in joy. I can't help but smile, can she can any more adorable? She just always puts a smile on my face. I love being around her. She is such a light, she makes everything better.

We get back to my apartment and the first thing about that Lavelle does is try unboxing the christmas tree. "Alam mo pwede nating gawin yan mamaya, pahinga muna tayo, di ka ba napagod kakahanap para sa christmas theme na gusto mo?" I tell her.

"No, kelangan ng i assemble to para malagyan na natin ng mga ornaments, that's the best part," she tells me while assembling the tree.

I walk over to her and kneel down next to her. "Lavelle, we don't need to do it now,"

"But, Raquel, I just want to help you get in the christmas spirit. Meron akong kutob na you have a bad connotation of christmas and gusto ko lang ipakita sayo that christmas isn't so bad," she explains. Her declaration warms my heart. I've never had anyone to care so much to the point that they are willing to do everything to change a bad memory without even asking why it's bad.

"Uhm,Lavelle," I reply while embracing her in a hug. "The best ka sa lahat,"

"I was born amazing, I came out and the doctor were like,holy crap look at that amazing baby," Lavelle says.

We start laughing our asses off. By the same time I start to calm down there are already tears rolling down my cheeks. Lavelle is still a giggling mess on the floor beside me. After a few more minutes she calms down too and sits up next to me.

She looks at me with such a bright smile that is unbelievable adorable. I just want to grab her and kiss her. But I can't do that. That means losing.

But losing really all that bad?

Every second that I spend looking at her makes me less willing to win. Maybe always winning isn't the right decision. Maybe moments like these are worth losing for.

To hell with it. If losing means getting her then it's worth it.

I grab Lavelle's chin and she widens her eyes at he sudden moment. "You win," I whisper before pulling her closer to me so that I can kiss her.

Lavelle smiles into the kiss then kisses me back with the same passion. I feel her wrap her arms around my waist. We continue kissing until we can't breathe anymore.

Lavelle and I break away to take a breath. "What's changed?" She asks.

"I realized winning isn't everything," I reply leaning in to kiss her again and she gladly receprocates it.

Lavelle pushes me back so that I'm laying on the floor and she's on top of me. She breaks away from the kiss to look at me.

"Sobrang ganda mo," she blurts out, making me blush.

Lavelle traces my jaw and puts her hand on the side of my neck to lift my head up for another kiss.

"Sa tingin ko nasisimulan ko ng mahalin ang Christmas kahit papano," I mumble into her lips.

"Good, kasi kelangan pa nating mag decorate sa buong bahay mo," Lavelle replies.

"More kissing now, decorating later please," I beg Lavelle as I give her another peck.

Lavelle chuckles and gets off of me to stand up. She extends her hands for me to grab. I sigh and grabs her hand and she helps me back up to my feet.

She wraps her arms around me tightly and I relax in her embrace, "can we stay like this for a few more minutes," I beg.

"Wow, who knew you would get so clingy after one kiss" Lavelle teases.

I playfully punch her arm and Lavelle giggles. She then pulls me back into a hug.

"I'm just craving this right now. Di ko talaga naranasan ito sa sobrang tagal na panahon na, dahil mag isa lang ako lagi tuwing christmas," I explain.

"Well di kana mag-iisa ngayon. Andito ako for you," she replies sweetly.

"Alam mo, kailangan ko nang simulang mag pasalamat sa kapatid mo dahil sa expired na chocolate,"

Lavelle giggles and adds, "Me too. I think I'm really hitting an all time low. Thanking my brother for messing up. Woah,"

"Wag mong sasabihin sa kanya na sinabi ko yun ah, or he will never let me live it down," she says.

"Will do," I reply  before leaning in and kissing her.

-phone's ringing-

Lavelle's phone goes off and she grabs it. She checked the person calling and sighs before accepting the call.

"Hi, ma," Lavelle says.

"Yes ma, promise magdadala pa ako dessert para sa dinner,"

"Okay, bye ma," Lavelle says before hanging up.

"Yung mama ko nagwawala dahil sa christmas dinner namin. Maraming kamag-anak ang darating," She says bending down to grab an ornament.

"Okay nga yan eh. Ako ng walang ka christmas dinner na pamilya matagal na,"

"Anong ibig mong sabihin? Yung parents mo nagtatrado sa araw na yan?" She asks obliviously. I don't blame her, no one expects to hear my tragic story.

"Hindi ah, they actually died when I was young,"

"Hala, pasensya kana ah, I didn't mean to pry," Lavelle says.

"Okay lang, di mo naman alam eh. Sa grandparents ko ako nakatira pero namatay na rin sila matagal na At yung ate ko at ako di talaga close," I explain.

"So you are going to spend Christmas all alone?" She ask.

"Yeah. It's fine, sanayan lang," I reply.

"Oh hell no. You're not spending this Christmas alone. Sumama ka nalang sakin sa family dinner namin," she suggests.

"Wag na, Lavelle. I don't want to be bother,"

"You're never a bother to me. Alam kong masyado pang maaga para ma meet mo family ko,pero ayokong mag-isa ka sa pasko,"

"You're too sweet," I tell her.

"So is that a yes? You'll come with me?" She ask.

"Depende," I tease.

"Aw come on, Raquel. We can make out for a bit more before decorating the tree," she suggests.

"Gusto ko yan," I reply wrapping my arms around her neck and leaning in to kiss her.

Lavelle breaks away to ask, "So? Ano masasabi mo?"

"Oo na, oo na. Pupunta na,"

"Yeas!" Lavelle yells before grabbing my cheeks to pull me in for another kiss.

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