The Green-Eyed Writer

9-Unfair

I did my best to stay cheerful for Christmas Day.

Naging busy ang aking umaga sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa pagluluto ni Mama. Hindi nawala ang kanyang signature Spaghetti, na talagang hit sa aking mga kamag-anak at mga pinsan tuwing December 25. After we cooked her spaghetti, we also made her Christmas menudo and prepared the buko pandan dessert.

Lahat ng ito ay dadalhin namin sa bahay ng aming lola, ina ng daddy ko, sa New Manila.  Dito na kami manananghalian along with our other relatives. To be honest, I don't really look forward to this holiday gathering. Bukod sa palatanong na mga tito at tita tungkol sa iyong grades, school, at non-existent love life, mahilig din silang magyabang tungkol sa buhay ng kanilang mga over-achiever na anak.

Not that I hate them, I just don't like being stuck with them for so long. But anyway, it's only one day. It helped me not to think so much about all things Wattpad.

After the family lunch, I left the dining table and spent some time at my lola's mini living room. Favorite place ko iyon sa buong bahay mula noong bata pa ako. Doon ako laging nakikita ni Lola every time I visit.

There, I spent the rest of the day reading books and listening to the music in my phone. Hindi ko na pinansin na nagkakagulo sa main living room dahil may nagaganap na games among my cousins. I want to be alone for a while. Buti na lang walang naghanap sa akin.

The day went by and before I knew it, gabi na ulit at matatapos na naman ang araw ng Pasko.

"Saan ka nagpunta, apo?" Lola asked me nang magmano ako sa kanya.

"Sa mini living room niyo po," I replied calmly. "Nagbasa lang at nagpahinga. Sorry po, di ko na napansin ang oras." I mean it when I said that.

"Naku, di ka na nakapag-merienda, sana tinawag kita kanina," nag-aalalang sinabi ni Lola. "Itong batang ito, bookworm na maituturing! Siya, uwi na kayo." She smiled.

"Bye po." I hugged her quickly and walked out the door, kung saan naghihintay ang aking pamilya sa labas, sa tabi ng aming kotse.

During the drive home, I was looking out the car window, lost in my thoughts while listening to the song in my eaprhones.

"Venny, kanina ka pa tahimik diyan."

Lumingon ako and stared at Kuya Venson, who said those words.

"Oh, why Kuya?" I pressed my phone screen to stop the music, then I removed my earphones.

"Wala, nawei-weirduhan lang ako sa iyo. Sobrang tahimik mo today," biro niya.

"Di ka na nasanay," I smiled sheepishly.

"Buong araw lumipas, tapos na gift-giving and saan kita nakita? Nakaupo sa may bintana sa kabilang salas, nag-iisa at nakikinig ng music. Ayan tuloy, di na binigay ni Tita Bless ang maganda niyang gift for you," ngisi niya.

"Hoy! Don't tell me di mo kinuha mga gifts ko! Sorry na!" Sita ko sa kanya.

Oo nga pala, may yearly gift-giving din na nagaganap tuwing Pasko. At my age, I still receive gifts.

"Nasa akin ang gifts mo, Venny," lumingon si Mama sa akin from the front seat and smiled assuredly. "Tita Bless gave you a Longchamp bag."

Inangat niya ang isang green na paper bag na may tatak ng nasabing brand.

"Wow," I felt myself smile genuninely for the first time since this morning. "Magpapasalamat ako kay Tita Bless later," I said.

"May good news ako," Dad said from the driver's seat. "Sa Baguio tayo magce-celebrate ng New Year's Eve!" He exclaimed happily.