Project LOKI ③

SPECIAL: The Gift (Christmas)

So kung ang nakabunot sa 'yo ay niregaluhan ka ng picture frame, which is one of the common exchange gifts, maybe that person does not value you as much. But if he gives you your favorite book or album or anything that you like, then he cares about you.

Nang matapos na naming i-set-up ang mesa, nilapitan ko ang Christmas tree at tumingin sa paanan nito. I had to put up this decoration myself because Loki does not want to take part in the festivities.

May tatlo nang regalo na nandito. Mine's already here. Sino ang nabunot ko? You will find out later. The other one is from Loki—oh, si ano pala ang nabunot niya? Kasing laki ng shoebox ang regalo niya. Mukhang nag-effort siya this year, ah? That's an improvement, I guess. And then there's this rectangular gift wrapped in green and red. May note na naka-attach.

To Lorelei,

I want you to keep this.
Merry Christmas!

Love, 
Dad

P.S. Sorry

Hindi ko napigilang mapangiti at muntikan na ngang maluha. This is the first time that my father, Walter Rios, gave me a gift this Christmas. Oh, dad. I found it strange because I was not used to receiving a gift from him. Laging pera kasi ang ibinibigay niya sa akin tuwing Pasko o birthday ko. Wala siyang panahon para bilhan ako ng kahit ano.

As a I said earlier, nagre-reflect sa ibinigay ng taong nagreregalo sa 'yo kung ano ang tingin niya sa 'yo at gaano ka kahalaga sa kanya. My dad exerted an effort to buy me something. For me, that's touching... and heartwarming. Really. Given everything that happened between us, this is a development.

Kahit hindi ko pa nakikita ang regalo, I appreciate it already.

"Okay ka lang ba, Lori?" tanong ni Tita Martha na hinaplos ako sa likod.

"O-Opo," I cleared my throat and wiped the tear in my left eye. "Mag-aayos na po ako. On the way na raw sina Al at Jamie."

I put on the Santa costume which my aunt really loved. Kinatok ko na rin si Loki sa kanyang kwarto. I told him to wear the reindeer costume already. After three minutes, wala pa ring response mula sa kanya. I thought of taking down the door and dragging him out. Kung hindi pa siya nakabihis ng pang-reindeer, ako ang magbibihis sa kanya.

Pero mukhang hindi na kailangan. The door to his room opened and he emerged from it, wearing that brown costume.

"Bagay na bagay sa 'yo, Loki!" Napapalakpak si Tita Martha sa tuwa.

"Are we gonna do some sort of roleplaying later?" Loki asked, unamused. You could see in his eyes the embarassment of wearing the costume. Pero alam na niya ang mangyayari kapag hindi niya sinuot 'yon.

"It depends if you behave," I replied, pointing to the couch.

Pumunta na siya sa living room namin at pumwesto sa paborito niyang spot. "Do you know why Santa Claus is always depicted in red costume? Because he's a communist. He gives everyone a gift without asking for anything in return."

Hindi ko alam kung nagdyo-joke ba siya o legit na trivia ang sinabi niya. I only responded with the rolling of my eyes.

"Ang Pasko ay sumapit—"

"PATAWAD!" Loki roared like a lion—or in this case, like a deer.

"Loki dear, hindi ka naman mabiro!"

I knew it. Kaya pala kaboses ni Jamie ang nangangaroling.

"Tuloy kayo," sabi ko.

The door swung open as Jamie and Al entered our humble abode. Nagmano sila kay Tita Martha na tuwang-tuwa pa rin sa kanyang nakita. Suot na nila ang kanilang costume at may dala-dalang regalo.