Love Next Door

26 - Breakaway

"So ano na? Kailan mo siya ipapakilala sa amin ng Papa mo?", tanong ulit ng kanyang Mama.

"Hindi ko po alam, Ma. When the time is right, I guess. I promised to keep my mind free from him during this break. Saka kilala niyo naman na po yun eh."

"Hindi kaya. Kilala namin siya bilang photographer ni Nathan, oo. Pero bilang kaibigan mo, hindi. Teka nga muna. Bakit mo naman siya iniiwasang isipin? May problema ba kayo?", malambing na tanong ng ina sa anak.

"Wala po, Ma. Mabait po yun. Gusto ko lang... mag-focus sa inyo. Sa pasko. Ngayon ko lang ulit kayo makakasama eh.", Mika hugged her mother.

"Aysus, ang Potchi namin. O siya, sige na. Mag-ayos ka na ng gamit mo, para makapag-explore ka after dinner. I know you need your alone time. Maliwanag daw ang buwan mamaya. Masayang magtagu-taguan ng feelings."

"Hay naku, Ma. Yang vocabulary niyo eh, kakapanood niyo ng OTWOL."

"Ganun talaga. Basta anak ha, yung tinuro ko sayo. Kahit pa gaano kagwapo yan, kahit gaano kaganda ng abs nyan, kahit gaano pa kalamig at kadilim, wag kang bibigay."

"MAMA! NKKLK, ano bang mga sinasabi niyo?", Mika cringed at her mom's words.

"Naniniguro lang. You'll never know, diba.", Bhaby smiled knowingly.

*****

JERON

We used to spend the holidays at home in Tagaytay, but for some reason, Mom and Dad decided to celebrate Christmas Eve in Batangas this year. Yung New Year na lang daw ang sa bahay, since we'll be welcoming it with the rest of the clan, including Ama and Angkong.

I'm not complaining though. Change of environment na rin. And everyone seems to be really excited, especially my parents and Kylie. Si Kylie, gets ko. Sabik sa swimming yung bata. Pero sina Dad, I've never known them to be fond of the beach.

"Are we there yet?", my niece asked for the nth time.

"We're almost there, apo. Sleep ka muna.", Mom answered.

The kid just shook her head and turned to me.

"Uncle Ron, dapat ininvite niyo si Auntie Ye para mas masaya eh.", our little girl said all of a sudden.

"Baby, your auntie has a family, too. Of course gusto niya magkakasama sila sa Christmas. Just like us.", Achi Mira answered for me.