May binago nga pala ako sa naunang chapter. Dun sa dulo. Nung papunta na sila sa simbahan. Nasa inyo na kung babasahin niyo uli. (*´∇｀*)

-Author-nim ♡♡♡

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After seeing Burandai kiss Antonio, I quickly left the scene. Hind pa rin magsink-in sa utak utak ko ang nangyari.

Burandai kissed him. For a girl living in an era where women are conservative and exhibits etiquette, she sure is bold. Even I, na nagmula sa panahon kung saan marami ng liberated, don't have the guts to do that.

But I guess she did that because she saw me. Is she that threatened? Ganun ba siya katakot na baka agawin ko si Antonio? I haven't even thought of stuff like that, for heaven's sake! Kahit kelan ay hindi pumasok sa utak ko ang mang-agaw. I'm Kristin Lopega. I maybe a bit bitchy but that doesn't mean I'm a man-stealer.

All I did was like Antonio.

At hindi pa naman sila ni Burandai, so why is Burandai that threatened?

I was pulled away from  my thoughts nang biglang may humawak sa braso ko.

"Kristn, kanina pa ki- Ayos ka lang?" napalingon ako kay Corazon.

"H-ha?"

"Namumutla ka," she said, worried. She let go of my arm at agad naman akong napahawak saking pisngi.

"Ayos lang ako. B-bakit nga pala?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Mabuti naman. Nahanap mo na ba ang kuya Antonio?"

Umiling ako, "H-hindi e." I lied.

She sighed, "Baka kasama lang siya nina Jose. Huwag kang mag-alala, kaya na ng kuya Antinio ang sarili niya."

I nodded. There's no need to worry, he's with Burandai. My shoulders slumped with the thought.

Mukhang napansin ni Corazon ang pagiging tahimik ko butu she refrained from asking.

"Ano, Kristin, ako nga pala'y sasabay na kina ALing Isay pauwi dahil ako'y tutlong sa paghanda ng pagkain. Gusto mo bang sumabay? Mamaya pa kasi uuwi ang supremo at ang iba."

"S-sasabay na ako sa inyo. Saka, gusto ko rin tumulong." I answered.

Tumango siya, "Halika na't ihahatid na tayo ni Santiago."

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Nang makarating na akmi sa bahay ng Tandang Sora ay nagpaalam na si Santiago. Meron din naman siyang pamilyang uuwian. Pero mukhang wala naman sa mukha nito ang kagustuhang umuwi. Must be because of Corazon.

Agad naming inihndaang mga pagkain lalo na't nandito ang supremo at ang ilang kasapi ng katipunan. Maraming pagkain ang nakahanda. Mostly rootcrops and meat. May mga pagkain ding familiar sakin, like queso de bola and lechon. Nakakamangha lang at mula pa pala sa panahong ito ay nag-i-exist na ang mga pagkaing ganito. I also noticed na nasa hapagkainan din ang puto bumbong. Back in my timeline, palagi akong nakakakita ng ganito. But I've never eaten one. Iniisip ko kasi noon na it was commoner's food. Can't help it, I always see people sell and make this in stalls usually seen in the sidealks.

THe first time I tasted it was when Corazon and I attended the first night of the simbang gabi. Corazon would wake me up early in the morning and we would to church. The mass would end before dawn breaks. Outside the church are people selling puto bumbong and bibingka. Corazon brought me one and I was surprised that it tasted good.

'Di lang nagtagal ay dumating na sina Oriang at ANdres kasama ang iilang kasapi ng katipunan. Agad namang hinanap ng paningin ko si Antonio. My gaze landed on him pero mabilis din akong napaiwas ng tingin.

I faked a cough at kinalabit si Corazon, "Punta muna ako sa kwarto."

Nagtataka siyang napatingin sakin, "Hindi ka ba muna kakain?"

"Mamaya na siguro." 'Di ko na siya hinintay na sumagot at pumunta na sa silid namin.

I closed the door the moment na nakapasok ako. I made my way to the bed at naupo.Napatingin ako sa kahon kung saan nakalagay ang regalo ko kay Antonio na dapat san'y ibibigayko sa kanya kanina. 

I heaved a sigh. Ibibigay ko pa ba 'to sa kanya? He already received a gift. And, I have to admit, that gift was way better that mine.

Muli akong napabuntong-hininga nang maalala ang kanina? DId he kiss her back? Maybe he didn't. Maybe he did. And that thought pierced my heart a million times. 'Di naman kas imposible. They've been together since childhood. There's a huge chance that he'll fall for her. And, Antonio said that he's already in love. Maybe he was reffering to her. Maybe he was talking about her.

Did I misunderstand his actions towards me? Masyado ko bang binigyan ng meaning ang pagiging maalalahanin niya?

I raised a hand and brought it to my chest.

This feeling is wierd.

I stayed inside the room for a while, lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling. 'Di din naman ako makakarelate sa pag-uusapan nila. And, I'm not into event like this. My christmas seasons were never festive. Christmas day became an ordinary for me. I've got no one to celebrate it with. My parents would be on business trips or spending the holiday seasons working. I'm not used to this kind of events anymore.

I stood up ang opened the window just next to my bed. The cold breeze greeted me.

"Mom, dad, kuya.. Merry christmas," I whispered into the air hoping that it'd reach my family.

I stared at the starry sky. The view never failed to amaze me. I embraced the beautiful scenery before me. The moon illuminated the whole place along with the twinkling stars. Sa mga parte na hindi naisinagan ng buwan ay naroon ang mga alitaptap. The night was enchanting.

Simula noong dumating ako dito ay mas lalo kong nagustuhan ang gabi. I liked the night ever since, it's quite and fresh ideas comes into mind. Pero, dito sa panahong 'to ko naransan ang manatili sa labas ng bahay sa gabi, not to think of stuff that'll just stress me out but to enjoy the cold night breeze.

I closed my eyes and just let nature embrace me.

"Napakaganda ng gabi, hindi ba?" I blinked and searchedfor the owner of the voice.

It landed on Antonio who was sitting on a wooden bench sa ibaba sa labas ng bahay. That bench is where I would sit when I wanted to be alone. Thanks to the moon I could see his face. He was looking at me.

I quickly averted my gaze, "A-Antonio? B-Bakit nandyan ka sa labas?"

"Gusto ko lamang magpahangin," he answered. "Hindi ka ba sasama sa salo-salo?"

I gulped hoping it'll sink the loud thumping of my heart. I averted my gaze,"Ah.. Mamaya na."

"Ganoon ba?"

Just like that, silence filled th air. This is awkward. Gusto ko nang lamunin ng lupa. I don't know how to face him after witnessing 'that' earlier. Yes, I wanna talk to him about it pero nakakahiya. Para naakong nanghihimasok.

"Ano nga pala ang ibibigay mo sa akin? Nahiwalay ako kanina sa inyo dahil nagkausap kami ni Bernarda," halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang muli siyang magsalita.

I cleared my throat, "A-ayos lang. Ibibigay ko lang sana ang regalo ko para sayo."

"Hindi ka na sana nag-abala. Sapat na sa akin na ako'y batiin sa aking kaarawan." I looked at him. But he accepted Burandai's gift, right? And he's not gonna accept mine? This really hurts on a whole new level.

I tiptoed and leaned forward to get a better view of him. Itinukod ko ang aking dalawang kamay sa interior sill ng bintana.

I inhaled, "I-it's not much but I put a lot of effort into it so please accept it."

"K-kristin-"

"Unang beses kong magbibigay ng regalo sa di ko naman kamag-anak, so, I insist. Tanggapin mo."

"Mag-iingat ka't baka mahulog ka!"

"An-!" I suddenly lost my balance. Antonio stood up and rushed to my side.

"Kristin!"

Oh my God, I'll fall!

I shrieked and closed my eyes waiting for that huge impact. But nothing came.

I slowly opened my eyes only to see Antonio looking at me with worry in his face. Nasa tapat na ibaba siya sa tapat ng bintana ko. His arms were raised as if he was ready to catch.

'Di ako nahulog?

"Darn it- ayusin mo na pagkakatayo mo. Y-you're heavy, you pig." Agad akong napalingon sa batang nakahawak sa bewang ko at pilit akong hinihila pabalik.

"K-Karlos.." I muttered.

"You're heavy, boar."

I regain my balance at inayos ang pagkakatayo. Muli kong nilingon si Karlos only to find him gone.

"Kristin!" Ibinalik ko ang atensyon na ngayo'y nag-aalala na. "Ayos ka lang? Hindi ka ba nasaktan?"

I shook my head, "Hindi. A-ayos lang ako."

I saw how he sighed in relief. That was embarrassing. I desperately want the ground to swallow me right now. If it wasn't for that mushroom-brat-Karlos, I would've hit the ground or I would've landed in Antonio's arms— damn you, Karlos.

     "Paano kung nahulog ka at hindi kita nasalo?" natigilan ako nang muli soyang nagsalita. This time, he wasn't using his normal gentle voice. "Hindi ko alam ang gagawin kapag nangyari ang bagay na iyon," then he raised his head and stared into my eyes.

And I swear, my heart skipped a beat. I stared into his eyes. The night isn't that dark. I could see his dark brown eyes clearly. His eyes were so deep, in which its depth is immeasurable. I swear, if I drown myself into it, I could never come up for air again.

Should I put any meaning into it? Should I expect something again? But what if, mali na naman pala ako?

Pero meron man o wala, wala namang mawawala sakin, hindi ba? So, why not seize the moment and let fate do her thing?

I smiled, "Sandali lang." I went to the table kung saan nakalagay ang regalo ko kay Antonio. Kinuha ko ito at bumalik sa bintana. "Dapat kaninang hating-gabi ko pa ito ibinigay sayo. Saluhin mo," he nodded and I gently dropped the box.

He catched it but he didn't open it. Instead, he looked at me. He was about to say something but I hushed him, "Don't say anything. Just accept it. Pinaghirapan ko 'yan." I said with a smile.

Gumaan ang pakiramdam ko nang muli siyang ngumiti. He opened the wooden box. I couldn't see his reaction dahil likod ng ulo niya ang kaharap ko, but I saw how he traced his hand on the embroidery of the handkerchief. All the blood in my body rushed to my cheeks as I felt butterflies in my tummy. No, hindi lang ata to butterflies, baka nga alitaptap talaga 'to.

I hitched my breath when he looked at me again. A shy smile was plastered on his face but I saw how his eyes sparkled with joy.

     "Maligayang kaarawan, Antonio."

     "Maraming salamat. Ngayon lamang ako nakatanggap ng ganitong regalo sa aking kaarawan," he said.

The stars covered the dark sky. It was beautiful. But in his smile, I see something more beautiful than the stars. It was captivating and mesmerizing. Simply put, it was enchanting.

     "Felices Pascuas, binibining Kristin."

The music that the wind and the crickets created was accompanied with the beautiful melody that my heart made.

     "Felices Pascuas, Antonio."

-

Opo. Tama po kayo. Ako'y nilanggam, inatake ng mga bubuyog at dinagsa ng mga daga nung ginawa ko ang chapter na 'to. Salamat naman at napapangatawanan na ng kwento ang title. Wew.

Napagdesisyunan ko na gawing theme song ng kwento ang "The Great Unknown" ni Miss Sarah Geronimo featuring Hale at ang "Ikaw lang ang mamahalin" ni Miss Sarah uli. Ahahahaha.

P.S. Pwede niyong tawagin ang mga karakter ng kwentong ito bilang "Team Ayos-ka-lang". At opo, marami pong heart si Kristin.

Kung gusto niyo makita ang mga comics, fanarts, illustrations ng My Handsome Katipunero, punta lang kayo sa aking instagram account @janellerevaille. Hart hart everyone.

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Felices Pascuas- 'yan ang greetings noon bago pa maging 'Maligayang pasko' or 'Merry Christmas'

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Hi. Did you like this chapter? I hope you did. To show your support for the story, kindly SMASH that vote button. You can also comment your HINANAING in the comment section. Thank you. (づ￣ ³￣)づ