Something That Glitters

28 // Sleight in Love

Sleight in Love

During December, I have always owned and rocked the theme Loveless Christmas. Since day one, I've never had someone special to kiss under the mistletoe before, to celebrate the concluding holidays of the year with, to lose inhibitions with drinking eggnogs, and to kickstart another round of crazy year with. Nope, no one.

I remembered someone once told me that love life wasn't much important when you have the great company of loving family and friends, and yeah, I knew that. Of course, and duh? But heck, could they give me kids of my own? No. Not unless it's out from the department store, with its life operated by batteries, and only wore a plain onesie.

I wanted kids straight outta my coochie. You know?

I should've buckled up because a related thought suddenly came to mind.

"Auntie, hindi po ba kami masyadong mabilis ni Archer?"

"Hindi naman. Benjamin and his ex-wife clicked right a way like that—"

"Hmm, sabagay," sabi ko habang tumatango-tango at inaantok na nakatingin sa labas ng store.

"—yet look at them now divorced."

"Auntie!" Lumagitik ang ulo ko na lumingong pabalik sa kanya. Patigilin ba naman puso ko, e! Ang salbahe talaga nito.

"I only answered you, Snooki."

"Yes, but that's a wrong answer naman, Auntie, e! You're supposed to assure me and feed my ego. Ugh! I hate it here," I reacted theatrically.

Auntie lifelessly stared at me. She blinked three times, which gave away that she didn't know what to necessarily say next. So I assisted her by saying, "You can now start by saying na dahil sobrang ganda at bait ko kaya ako kinababaliwan ni Archer, at magtatagal kami nang mas matagal pa sa forever. Go."

Umiling siya at saka ako ini-snob. Nagkibit na lang ako ng balikat kasi sanay naman na ako. Pero lagi ko pa ring hinihiling sa lahat ng santo na sana bumait na siya. At sana kayanin by end of calendar year.

Habang pinapakain ko ang bff ko ng crickets ay naalala kong wala pa nga pala akong regalo sa kanya. I suddenly felt bad. But I thought, what would I give her anyway? I didn't know any good lizard stuff. Should I just cook Adobo Crickets? Tapos iyong toyo ay kay Auntie ko hihingin? Kekeke~

I ran out of time for gift shopping, actually. I was already set to go home in the Philippines two days from today. And I did miss it at home because this had been the longest that I was away, but I knew I'd miss it here, too.

If it wasn't for the little family that I had, who fostered me here, it would have been much easier to leave.

Maagang dumating si Julio sa shop dahil maaga rin namang naubos ang mga bulaklak. Bukas pa darating ang mga bulaklak galing Sunsworth, at baka hindi na ako buong araw makapagtrabaho sa shop dahil mag-eempake na ako.

Nasa storefront ako at inaayos ang pagkakatayo ng bike ko nang makita kong lumabas si Jerry mula sa tavern. Luminga siya ng tingin sa kalsada, habang ako naman ay may naka-ready nang ngiti sa labi para cute na ako pagkakita niya sa akin.

But his eyes never flew to see me. His gaze stopped somewhere where a family seemed to have a little reunion along the sidewalk. And they were really at it, with their hug-fest and path-blocking celebration.