Special Chapter: Holidays With You

Rory's Point of View

C H R I S T M A S ' S  E V E . . .

Binuksan ni Kai ang pintuan ng mansiyon para sa 'kin. I couldn't do it for him because I am carrying a fifteen feet tall Christmas tree. It's been a while ever since the mansion filled with Christmas décor. Bumili na rin kami ng bago dahil pinaglumaan na ang mga 'yon sa bodega.

A soft smile impetuously plastered upon my lips when I saw Kai's excitement on his face. He seemed like a child who was looking forward to everything that was related to Christmas. Me, on the other hand, it reminded me of my childhood.

A time where my family would gather together to spend time Christmas, or any holidays. I remember when Mama baked me my favorite cookies despite I couldn't eat it. Hinding-hindi rin niya kalimutan ang pagluto ng spaghetti.

Naalala ko pang mag-agawan pa kaming magkakapatid. Subalit mabilis na napawi ang matamis kong ngiti sa aking labi. Napalitan ito ng malungkot at at nangungulilang ngiti. It's been a while since the last time my siblings gathered to spend time holidays together.

Kailan kaya ulit? I hopefully thought.

"Excited na ako," saad ni Kai nang mailapag na namin sa sahig ng living room ang aming pinamili. I smiled. My forehead was quick to furrowed when I noticed the sad expression upon his face. "Mag-tatlong taon ko ng sasalubungin ang Christmas's eve nang wala sina Mama at Papa," malungkot niyang komento.

"Hey . . ." pagtawag ko sa kaniya. I hugged him tight, and rested my chin on his head. He hugged me back with a heavy sigh escaped upon his lips. "I am here, and Lola Merci. I've invited Hecate's family as well."

Mabilis kong pinunasan ang nagsibagsakan niyang mga luha. It's been one week since Kai said yes. Habang tumatagal mas lalo akong nahulog sa kaniya. It grows stronger day by day. Hanggang sa dumaan sa utak ko na gusto ko na lamang siya bakuran habang buhay.

"Hecate is coming here?" Kai asked in surprise. I nodded as a response. "Kung gano'n, kailangan nating matapos ito nang alas sais ng hapon."

Napatawa ako ng mahina nang bigla siyang mataranta. Kasalanan ko kung bakit ngayon lang kami nakapag-disenyo ng bahay. Kinulit ako ni Kai noong nakaraan, pero ako naman ang panay tanggi. I just wanted Kai to myself. Spending time together.

Going on our first official dates as boyfriends. Going to the beach. Ginagala siya sa mga lugar na hindi pa niya napupuntahan katulad na lamang sa Acays de Lapaz, Vetos Lucos, at Dupont. At ginala niya naman ako sa Las Plovis.

We enjoyed each other's company. Hindi ko siya binibigyan ng rason na magalit sa akin. I valued his emotions, and my ears is always ready to listen to him. Kahit na ano pa man ang sasabihin niya, palagi akong nakikinig. I don't want to let him feel that he's not worth it.

Because he's more than worth it.

Natapos kami sa pag-disenyo mga pasado alas sais. We didn't expect that it took us that long to put all things together. Nasa labas kami ng bahay, yakap-yakap ang isa't isa. Habang pinagmamasdan ang mga colorful na Christmas lights.

Hindi na rin kami nag-abalang magluto para mamaya dahil sabi ni Lola Merci at ina ni Hecate ay sila na raw ang bahala. I wanted to hired a chef for all of us, but they insist. Sabi rin ni Kai, masarap magluto si Lola Merci ng spaghetti.

Later that evening, Lola Merci and Hecate's family arrived at exactly eleven o'clock. Hecate's father brought a bourbon. Lahat sila may dala-dalang regalo. I didn't expect Lupus would come. Because when I invited that bastard, he declined immediately.

Natatakam ako sa amoy at hitsura ng mga pagkaing dala nila. So as Kai. Never in my childhood I've tried to eat normal foods without throwing up. And now Kai joined the club. Isinarado ko na ang pintuan nang makapasok na ang lahat.

Magkahawak kamay kaming dalawa ni Kai na sumunod sa living room. When we arrived, Hecate's father's sweet smile greeted us both. Tumayo ito't nilapitan kaming dalawa. The rest of the guests were just watching us with smile on their faces.

Nagkatinginan kaming pareho ni Kai bago tapunan ng tingin ang ama ni Hecate na nasa harapan namin. He then grabbed our hands, facing the palms on the ceiling. My forehead was quick to furrowed in confusion when he placed an amulet.

"An amulet to suppress your abilities . . ." he said. Kai's eyes widened. An amulet he got from Ace is the same amulet he got on his sixteenth birthday. A pendant of a full moon with a crescent moon on both sides. Ang akin naman ay 'yong kwintas ko na may pendant na skull, ". . . and be human as long as you'd both like," he added.

"Does this mean . . ." Kai couldn't restrain his voice from cracking, ". . . I could eat normal foods again?" Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw his eyes starting to water.

Ace nodded as a response. It means―lumunok ako ng laway. I could now experience how tasty normal foods are! Dinamba naman ni Kai si Ace at walang pakundangang nagpapasalamat. Me, on the other hand, looked at Hecate's father in the eye to thanked him through my gaze. He winked me when he understand what I am trying to relay.

"That's not my Christmas gift though," he cracked a joke. "The real is there." Itinuro niya ang mga regalong nasa ilalim ng Christmas tree.

Bumalik ito sa pagkakaupo, katabi ng ina ni Hecate. Kai's grandmother, Hecate's mother, Hecate herself, and Lupus were happy for the both of us. Kai drifted his attention to me and hugged me tightly. Napayakap din ako pabalik sa kaniya.

Isinuot ko naman sa kaniya ang kwintas niya. At ganoon din ang ginawa niya sa 'kin. Pagkatapos ay sabay-sabay naming sinalubong ang noche buena. We all had great time, and when the clock strike at midnight, I couldn't explain my feelings when I taste the foods for the first time.

Damn, it taste so fucking good!

After eating together, we decided to open the gifts. I received a simple photo album from Kai. It's simple yet it feels so grand. A treasure I could cherish for eternity. From Hecate, I received a white sneakers, and from Lupus, I received a necklace made of beads.

"Merry Christmas!" Kai and I awkwardly smiled with our face flashed in red. Sina Lola Merci, Ace, at Grace ay nakangisi nang malapad. Nakisabay pa sina Hecate at Lupus.

Paano ba naman, ni-regaluhan nila kami ng condom.

N E W Y E A R ' S  E V E . . .

Mabilis kong pinigilan si Kai nang aakma siyang bumangon. He looked at me in disbelief. I immediately bit my lower lip when I realized how cute he is. He is like a wife.

"Ry . . ." he threatened me with his voice. "Nandito na lahat bisita natin, tapos tayong dalawa nagkukulong sa kwarto," nako-konsensya niyang wika.

I could say that basing on distinct voices from outside. Today's December 31, 2022. This time, sasalubungin na naman namin ang bagong taon. Noong pasko kami-kami lang. So we've decided to invite his pack, and Hecate's family to celebrate together.

"Alright," pagsuko ko. Bumangon ako, ganoon din siya. Ninakawan ko na muna siya ng mabilisang halik sa labi bago tumayo. "Sabay na tayo."

We both entered the bathroom. Nagsipilyo't naghilamos na rin. Nagbihis ako ng simpleng black plain t-shirt. Pagkatapos ay lumabas na kami ng kwarto. Pagkalabas na pagkalabas pa lang namin ay amoy na amoy ko na ang mabangong pagkaing niluluto.

"Kuya Kai!" sigawan ng mga batang nanonood ng telebisyon sa living room.

Ang iilan sa kanila'y nagtakbuhan papalapit sa amin. I was so surprised when they hugged us both. Pagkatapos ay nagtakbuhan muli pabalik sa couch. Kai jumped in surprised when we heard an average loud explosion from outside.

Tumawa ako ng malakas nang sapakin niya ako sa braso.

"Relax . . ." I teasingly said. "May mas masarap pa diyan na magpapaigtad sa 'yo," pagpapatuloy ko pa.

His face turned as red as tomato. Habang ako naman ay tumawa na tila proud sa sarili. Habang siya naman ay natahimik. I chuckled one more before tightening my grip on his hand. Hawak-hawak kaming lumabas ng mansyon.

The moment we got outside, his people greeted us. May nakahandang tatlong mahabang lamesa. At may dalawang lechon namang nakatihaya sa gitnang lamesa. Out of the corner of my eyes, nakita kong nandoon sa mga nagkukumpulang mga teenagers.

Some of them were holding a different types of explosives use for this kind of celebration. Ang iilan naman ay may hawak na torotot. Kai marched towards the elderly to help preparing. Ganoon na rin ako. I couldn't find Hecate, Lola Merci, Ace, and Grace here. Marahil ay nandoon sila lahat sa kusina, nagluluto.

"1 . . . 2 . . ." all of us counted, ". . . 3. Happy new year!" sigawan ng lahat.

Iba't ibang klaseng ingay ang umalingawngaw sa paligid. Pasabog, torotot, at kung anu-ano pa. It was then followed by fireworks dominating the sky. Napatingin ako kay Kai nang bigla niyang hawakan ang kamay ko. Sumalubong sa akin ang matamis niyang ngiti.

"Happy new year, babe . . ." he greeted me.

I kissed him on the forehead. "Happy new year, ma belle," I greeted back.

V A L E N T I N E ' S  D A Y . . .

"Dear, my heaven and hell . . ." Pagbasa ng isa sa opisyal ng supreme student government sa liham na sinulat ko para kay Kai. Rinig na rinig ng buong campus mula sa mga nakasabit na mga PA systems sa dulo ng bawat hallway, ". . . When you came into my cold life, you made a great impact. You don't have to compare yourself or be that someone from my past just to repay my love to you."

Nagsigawan naman ang mga kaklase namin nang makita nila akong pumasok sa classroom. Bitbit ang bouquet of flowers, a life-size stuffed toy, at isang gift bag. Kai, on the corner of my eyes, were in utter shock and his face were as red as tomato.

He gave me his warning look. That only made me flash a smile, and my heart skipped a beat. I was quick to bite my lower lip to restrain myself from snatching him out of this place and shower him kisses until we both couldn't breathe.

Hecate pulled him from his chair. Itinulak siya papalapit sa akin. Mas lalong lumakas ang hiyawan. Me, on the other hand, couldn't refrain myself from burst out laughing. Bakit ba? He's so adorable that made me came to the point I want him all by myself.

"Your presence . . ." Hindi nakaligtas sa pandinig ko ang pagiging emosyonal ng speaker, ". . . is enough to repay me. You are like a heaven's gift, but you are also capable to put me in hell if I lose you," pagpapatuloy nito.

Mabilis na tinakpan ni Kai ang kaniyang mukha nang makalapit ako sa kaniya. Habang ako naman ay tumawa ng mahina. Pero sinundan naman nito ang pagtubig ng aking mga mata. Don't lost your shit, Rory! Put yourself together! I cleared my throat to restrain the emotions that are building up within me.

"I love you . . ." the speaker paused, ". . . for eternity, Caelestis Reyan Gehenna." Lumakas ang hiyawan ng aming mga kaklase nang marinig ang buong pangalan ni Kai. "From your Red Fangs King, Rory Colmillos Del Grosso."

"Love wins!" isa sa mga kaklase namin ang sumigaw.

Naghiyawan ulit sila. Habang kaming dalawa naman ni Kai ay tumawa nang mahina. He shyly remove his hands he covered on his face. Binigyan ko siya ng matamis na ngiti. He smiled back, with his soft and teary eyes.

"Babe . . ."

"Ma belle . . ."

We both hugged each other. Natahimik ang lahat. Ang iba naman ay sumisipol. Nang pareho kaming kumawala ay ibinigay ko sa kaniya ang bouquet of flowers, pati na rin ang gift bag. He let me carry the life-size stuffed toy for him.

"Happy Valentine's Day . . ." Nagulat kami pareho nang sabay naming batiin ang isa't isa. We both chuckled because of it. He looked me in the eye . . .

. . . and kissed me right in front of many.