"Oh.. uhm. I'll ask my mom. I probably won't be able to go."
"Bakit naman Anne?" Tanong ni Josh.
"Ah. Kasi I haven't actually told my parents about it yet.. humahanap ako ng right time.. just today, I got a call from my workplace and they're actually offering me a job that is very hard to resist. I don't know yet if I'm gonna take it. I'm weighing the pros and cons."
"What? Eh diba binenta mo na house mo? San ka titira dyan?" Tanong ni Jah.
"Ah dito kay Tita Marie. She's leaving her house to her niece here but she said I'm more than welcome to stay here.. di ko pa alam eh. I have to talk to the HR rep. Depends on when they need me to start... I hope after New Year pa. So I can still visit."
"Anne sana naman dito ka mag Christmas. Para mameet mo na parents namin at para makasama mo na ulit parents mo."
"We'll see." I didn't tell them that I rejected the offer because I want to surprise them. Haha.
The only people who knew were my parents.
"Love, bakit naman ganon? Akala ko magkakasama na tayo ulit... may chance pa pala na hindi. Miss na miss na kita eh."
"Hey...I haven't fully decided yet."
"Eh.. love.. "
"Yes?"
"Love... uwi ka na please? When ka mag dedecide kung tatanggapin mo yung trabaho?"
"I have a meeting with HR on Monday. Tita Marie and I are set to leave on the 28th if I don't accept the job."
"Sana wag mo tanggapin."
——
Today is Thanksgiving and we went to Tita's sister's house to celebrate. This is my last Thanksgiving in a while. I posted pictures on my Ig and wished everybody a Happy Turkey Day.
I haven't talked to the boys today except for offline messages.. they are busy practicing for their Christmas show.
After dinner, we went home early so we can leave early for Black Friday shopping. We went to the outlet and shopped til we dropped.
I bought so many things for pasalubong. I am definitely over baggage and I have three extra luggage that I am paying to fly extra. My other stuff are already in the Philippines including my other pasalubong. I'm excited to go home. On Monday, I will tell the boys that I am only going to Japan with Tita for a week then go back to California for work. I have a plan. I heard they set up the Christmas party on the 5th of December. Mas maganda daw mas maaga.. they planned for a week of Christmas celebration at a resort. They contacted my parents and invited them and my parents will go. My mom's cousin will look after my grandparents while they're gone. Even Tita Marie is going because of Ate Nette. They booked a secluded hotel in Boracay for the celebration.
So Monday came... and I told them the news.. they were all upset most especially Pau and Josh. They barely talked to me today.
"Hi Pau!"
"Oh hey, love."
"I'm sorry..."
"Well, you gotta do what you gotta do, you know. I just wished that you can spend Christmas with us."
"Maybe next time, Pau."
"Sana nga love, sana nga."
I also messaged Josh.
"Hey Ssob. I'm sorry there was a change in plans."
"Hey Susnshine. It's your life, Anne. Who are we to stop you from making decisions that can affect your life. I just wish we can spend Christmas here.."
Twenty-Two
Start from the beginning
