CHRISTMAS HAUNTINGS

ENTRY 11: Long-awaited Reunion

Title: Long-awaited Reunion

Pen name: nymfeia

WC: 674

Christmas is a day where people gather with their loved ones. It was a reunion day and a bonding day. A day where we will send our most heartwarming wishes and love.

...

Tomorrow was Christmas Day. Ellen was busy cooking in the kitchen for tomorrow night. She was humming in a Christmas song while stirring the ingredients on a pot.

Kakatapos lang mag-christmas decor ni Ellen sa buong bahay niya nang siya lang mag-isa dahil wala namang tutulong sa kanya dahil hindi pa umuuwi ang pamilya niya galing sa trabaho. Tumawag kanina ang anak niya na bukas pa daw siya makakauwi, ganun din ang asawa at iba pa nyang anak.

Ellen was excited and was very much looking forward for tomorrow to come because all the family members will be present tomorrow.

Simula kasi nang magkatrabaho ang mga anak niya at bumukod ay naging busy na sila sa kani-kanilang buhay at trabaho. Minsan na lang sila dumalaw sa loob ng isang taon dahil nga sa sobrang busy nila.

Ang asawa niya naman ay isang OFW. Tapos na ang kontrata ng asawa niya sa ibang bansa at pauwi na nga ito ngayong araw sa pilipinas dahilan para bukas pa ang dating nito.

Nang matapos magluto ni Ellen ay gabi na. Kumain muna siya ng hapunan, nag-lock ng mga pinto, bintana, at gate. Pagkatapos, pumanhik siya sa second floor ng bahay nila at pumasok sa kwarto niya para matulog na.

Kinabukasan. Nagising si Ellen sa malakas na ringtone na nanggagaling sa cellphone na nakalapag sa maliit na table sa gilid ng kama.

Bumilis ang pagtibok ng puso ni Ellen. Marahil ay kagigising niya lang at naalimpungatan siya dahil sa ringtone. Hindi napansin ni Ellen ang panginginig ng kamay niya at panlalamig nito nang abutin niya ang cellphone.

Her heart skip a couples of beat when Ellen saw an unregistered number on the screen.

Inexplicably nervous, Ellen still answer the call.

"Hello? Mom?"

Ellen subconsciously sigh in relief when she heard the voice of her eldest child.

"Bakit napatawag ka? May nangyari ba?" Nagaalalang tanong ni Ellen.

"Baka ma-delay kami mom mamaya. Balak kasi naming antayin si Dad sa airport."

"Ganun ba? Sige, sige. Basta mag-ingat kayo ha?"

"Yes, mom."

"Bakit ka nga pala tumawag sa ibang number?"

"Na-low battery po kasi cellphone ko kaya nakitawag ako sa cellphone ni Alison."

Medyo napanatag si Ellen sa narinig. "Kasama mo si Alison? Kamusta na ang magiging manugang ko?" Masayang sabi ni Ellen.

"Mom!" natatawang saway ng panganay na anak ni Ellen. "Sige na, mom. Kita na lang po tayo mamaya."

"Sige, sige. Magiingat ha."

"Yes po."

Tumayo na si Ellen sa higaan niya at nagasikaso na.

That Christmas night, Ellen was happy bonding with her family. The long-awaited reunion finally happen.

...

"Madam Ellen looks happy in her sleep," a nurse whispers after she saw a smile on the face of the comatose patient, Ellen.

The nurse sigh.

"Madam is so miserable. Just as she finally have a reunion with her family after 5 years, her whole family died in an accident."

'What kind of bad luck is this?' the nurse thought.

The door open and the nurse attention shifted on the door. A beautiful lady enters but it couldn't hide the weariness and melancholy on her face.

"Good evening, ma'am Alison," bati nung nurse. Alison smiled at her.

Nang lumabas ang nurse, umupo si Alison sa upuan sa may gilid ng hospital bed. Alison couldn't bear it anymore and tears escape from her eyes while she was clutching on Ellen's hand.

"Mom..." Alison was in so much pain.

Until now, she couldn't believe that something like that would happen.

It's been 2 years since that accident happen. And every Christmas day, that tragic event haunts Alison.

Alison grew up with Ellen's children. She was the daughter of Ellen's friend, who died. Since Ellen was Alison's godmother, she takes care of Alison until she becomes an adult. Ellen's family became Alison's second home, but now her second family is almost gone.