"Good morning, Ma!"

Kelvin gave his mother a big hug. Kararating lamang niya sa bahay ng mga magulang. Dumaan muna siya roon bago pumasok sa trabaho para sumabay sa almusal ng mga ito.

"Ano'ng meron? You sound so cheery," Moira commented.

Inilapit niya ang bibig sa tenga nito at saka bumulong, "She's back."

The comprehension on her face suggested that she already knew who he's talking about.

"How is she?"

"Lovely," he replied, a smile playing on his lips as he remembered how she was the other night.

His mother smiled knowingly. Over the past two years, natanggap na ng pamilya niya na seryoso talaga siya kay Celine. Hindi na kasi siya nakipag-date kahit kanino. Minsan nga ay ang mga ito pa ang nag-uudyok sa kanyang makipag-date, but he will always decline and will focus on work instead.

Mas naging madali para sa kanya na ituon sa trabaho ang atensyon nang nawala si Celine. He realized that he didn't need to date other women to fill that void when she left. Natuto siyang maghintay. He just hopes that his patience will pay off this time. Hindi pa rin niya sigurado kung ano ang deal nina Celine at Yuan.

Mukhang mas naging close ang dalawa. It's probably because they didn't lose communication while Celine was away.

But there's something different about her. Hindi niya ma-pinpoint kung ano. And he wasn't just talking about her demeanor or the way she dresses. There's something different in her eyes. He saw that when their eyes met last night.

And he didn't know why it gave him hope. Parang positibo ang dating noon sa kanya.

"Are you going to bring her here for Christmas?" his mother asked.

Umiling siya. Mukhang malabo iyong mangyari dahil siguradong kasama ni Celine ang pamilya nito sa pasko at bagong taon.

"But she might come to my birthday celebration."

"So, magsi-celebrate ka ulit?"

"Probably."

Nang umalis si Celine papuntang Chicago, he didn't feel like celebrating during his birthday. Kaya nagsimba na lamang siya kasama ang pamilya during those times.

--

Moira was happy for Kelvin, and worried at the same time. Masaya siyang nagtino na ang anak niya. Hindi siya naniniwala noong una na kaya nitong makatagal nang walang girlfriend. He's just built that way. He needs companionship.

But for the past two years, pinatunayan nitong kaya nitong maghintay para sa babaeng mahal nito.

She was happy seeing him happy. His eyes would always sparkle kapag si Celine ang pinag-uusapan. There would always be a smile on his lips whenever he mentions her name.

He's so in love with her and it makes her worry. Alam naman nila pare-pareho na walang gusto si Celine kay Kelvin. They're just friends, or at least, that's what they were before she left. Hindi niya alam kung may nabago ba sa nararamdaman nito or if she would even consider his feelings this time around.

Alam niyang masasaktan si Kelvin kung kaibigan pa rin lang ang tingin ni Celine dito. He just loves her so much and she knew that friendship wouldn't contain it. At paano kung may ibang magustuhan si Celine? What if there's someone new in her life already?

It would crush Kelvin for sure.

--

Celine went home for Christmas. Iyon na yata ang pinakamasayang pasko nilang magkakapamilya. Kahit sila ng tatay niya, medyo mas maayos ang pakikitungo sa isa't isa kesa dati. Hindi pa rin ito ganoon kagaling, but he's coping. Cancer made him a better father. Maybe he's trying to make up for his past mistakes before it's too late. Whatever it is, Celine surely appreciates his efforts.

Gusto sana niyang doon muna hanggang bagong taon, pero birthday naman ni Kelvin ang kasunod. Maghahanda raw ito at imbetado siya.

Lumuwas siya pagka-pasko at sinubukang maghanap ng regalo the day before his birthday, but she doesn't know what to give him. Alam niya ang mga bagay na gusto nito. Ang kaso, alam din niyang mayroon na ito ng mga iyon.

Iyon ang hirap sa mayaman, e. Ang hirap nilang bilhan ng regalo. They can get whatever they want whenever they want them. So what else could she give him?

With no gift at hand, she went to his house with Janelle and Marlon to join the celebration. As usual, maraming tao at maraming handa. Paskong-pasko pa rin sa bahay ng mga Aragonza. She couldn't help but marvel on the beauty of the house. Every inch of it screams opulence.

Kelvin's mother still looks the same. Para ngang mas bumata pa ito. She hugged her tightly and welcomed her back. May fudge brownies daw itong inihanda para sa kanya.

After everything that happened in the past, she was glad that she still feels welcome there.

--

Celine sat quietly on one corner habang isa-isang nagpipresinta ng regalo ang mga kamag-anak at kaibigan ni Kelvin dito. Nagsisisi tuloy siya kung bakit hindi siya nagpabalot ng kahit ano.

Pero ayaw naman niyang kahit ano na lamang ang ibigay dito. Dapat kasing pinag-iisipan ang regalo. Either you give a gift that you know the receiver would want or something that they will remember you for.

Well, she couldn't think of any.

Nang gumabi, the party was moved to the backyard. Inuman daw at barbeque. She doesn't drink and she's already full, kaya nakipagkwentuhan na lamang siya sa mga kaibigan.

"Guys, may leche flan pa sa fridge. Kuha lang kayo if you want!" Moira announced.

"Ako po, gusto ko," she told her.

"Kuha ka na lang, Celine," nakangiti nitong sabi sa kanya.

Tumango siya at pumunta sa kusina para kumuha ng leche flan. Naabutan niya roon si Kelvin na kumukuha ng karne na naka-marinate sa refrigerator. He smiled when he saw her.

"Need anything?"

"Leche flan lang," sagot niya.

Tumabi ito para makakuha siya ng kailangan. After getting the flan, he closed the fridge's door and told her that he'll go ahead.

"Kelvin, teka."

"Yes?" he inquired.

"Ano... sorry, wala akong regalo."

"Ano ka ba. It's okay."

Umiling siya. "Sabi ko sa 'yo dati, babawi ako sa 'yo pagbalik ko, di ba?"

He frowned. "Kelan?"

"No'ng kasal ni Janelle. Hindi kasi ako naka-attend ng birthday mo, e. Tapos wala rin akong regalo. Sabi ko babawi ako pero wala pa rin akong regalo."

"I don't mind, Celine."

"Nakakahiya lang kasi," she continued. "Lahat sila, meron. Ako, wala. Ang hirap mo kasing bilhan, e. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng gusto mo."

Nakukonsensya siya na napakarami na nitong naibigay sa kanya tapos siya, ni regalo, wala.

"Ano ba'ng gusto mo?" tanong niya. "Ihahabol ko na lang before New Year."

"Huwag na," tanggi ni Kelvin.

"Hindi nga. Sige na. Tatlong birthdays mo rin na wala akong regalo sa 'yo."

"All right." Inilapag nito sa lamesa ang hawak na tray. "Anything?"

She nodded. "Basta huwag kotse."

He chuckled. "Kahit ano, di ba?"

She looked at him incredulously. "Huwag namang kotse, grabe ka."

"Okay. We'll scratch that option. But anything else is okay, right?"

She nodded.

He smiled and took two steps towards her. Her mind was still thinking of the possible gifts that he would like to receive when she felt his hands on her face. The slight coldness of those hands brought her back to her senses.

Why is he standing so close to her?

But the answer came right away when felt his lips on hers, lightly pressed, as if unsure if it's okay. When she didn't complain, she felt his kiss deepen. Nanlambot kaagad ang mga tuhod niya. Pero bago pa man siya matumba ay nakakapit na isang kamay nito sa bewang niya.

She felt like drowning, but it's the best kind. And she didn't care that she was gasping for air when he ended it.

Hindi na niya alam kung ano'ng gagawin pagkatapos. Nakakapit pa rin si Kelvin sa bewang niya, but there's already enough distance for her to breathe.

Nakatitig ito sa kanya, probably waiting for her to say something. Wala naman siyang masabi dahil parang tumigil sa pag-process ang utak niya. She was still thinking about that kiss and how much she liked it.

"I hope you're not angry," he finally said.

She shook her head. How could she be angry when she's still disoriented?

"You said anything," paalala pa nito.

"O-Oo nga."

He smiled. "Thank you."

Hinalikan siya nito sa pisngi saka ito bumalik sa labas. She was left in the kitchen, still gripping her flan like her like depended on it. Mamaya na lamang siguro siya lalabas. She needs to calm herself first. Para siyang aatakihin sa puso sa lakas ng kaba niya.

--

Hindi ni Kelvin maitago ang tuwa nang lumabas siyang muli sa bakuran. He could still feel her soft lips. Did he really kiss Celine and she didn't slap him? Dahil ba pasko o birthday niya kaya okay lang dito ang ginawa niya?

He gave the tray of pork meat to Jake and sat next to Janelle.

"Ang laki ng ngiti mo, a."

"It's my birthday. Alangan namang sumimangot ako," sagot niya.

"Wala naman akong sinabing bawal ngumiti. Nagtataka lang ako. Para kasing may kakaiba sa ngiti mo."

"I'm just happy, that's why."

"Bakit?" she pried.

"Secret."

Ngumuso ito. "Bakit nga?"

"Basta nga. I'll tell you when I'm ready. But until then, just be patient."

He doesn't want to share it with anyone just yet. Sikreto na lang muna nila ni Celine iyon. Hindi pa niya alam kung ano'ng sunod nitong gagawin. Baka umiwas na naman ito sa kanya. Problema na naman.

He hopes that he kissing her wouldn't ruin his chances with her.