(Ravine POV)

During Christmas time...

I knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer it. After a few seconds, I heard Sylvia's approaching footsteps. I can definitely tell it's her because of those clacking heels. She opened the door and the look of surprise suddenly washed over her face.

"Vinny! What a pleasant surprise!" She said in glee. "We were expecting you next week on December 24."

"The semester ended early so I decided to come and surprise you all." I said.

"I wish you would have called us, you know. We could have picked you up at the airport." She said before letting me in. She closed the door before taking my jacket off and hanging it somewhere.

"Where's Milo?" I asked.

"He's upstairs playing. He's going to be so ecstatic to see you so early." Sylvia said. "Do you want me to call him?"

"Just don't tell him it's me." I said before hiding in the closet.

"Alright! Milo, come down, sweetheart! Someone's here to see you." Sylvia called out to him upstairs.

"Who is it, mommy?" He said before rushing down.

After a minute or two, I finally popped out of the closet.

"Boo!"

"Vinny!" Milo said before jumping at me and I quickly caught him with my arms. He wrapped his legs around my waist and his arms around my neck while I hold him up and embrace him so tight.

"I missed you!" Milo said before kissing me on my cheek.

"I freaking missed you too, buddy!" I said before kissing his head. I put him down and he began jumping in excitement.

"Daddy is going to be thrilled." He said.

"Speaking of, where is he, by the way?" I asked.

"He just went out to buy a jar of cranberries. He'll be back anytime now." Sylvia said.

As soon as Sylvia finished talking, Dad suddenly entered the house with a priceless reaction after seeing me.

"I got the jar of- RAVINE!! Oh my God! You're here." Dad said before rushing over to me and giving me a fatherly hug.

"You're supposed to come home next week on Christmas Eve. What made you arrive so early?" Dad asked.

"To surprise you guys, of course!" I exclaimed.

"Anyway, your father finally has the jar of cranberries for our sauce. The oven roasted chicken is just about done.  My panna cotta is also ready. Let's head over to the table for the feasting." Sylvia said.

As we headed towards the dining room and made ourselves comfortable in our seats, I made a suggestion.

"Sylvia, instead of having a roasted turkey for Christmas next week, Can we do pot roast instead?" I asked.

"Oh my God! How did you even know what's on my mind? I was actually thinking that too earlier." Sylvia laughed.

"Mother and son connection, without a doubt!" I said.

"But Vinny, isn't your mommy the scary lady?" Milo asked, a little bit confused about why I called Sylvia my mom.

"Yes, she's my mom but Sylvia has been more of a mother to me than she ever did." I said and Sylvia giggled.

"This is why you will always be the best stepson of all time." She commented. "Here, let me carve the chicken for all of you so we can begin this lovely feast already."

"I'll have the legs, please!" Milo said.

"Sure thing, sweetie!" Sylvia said before cutting the leg for him and placing it on his plate.

"So Ravine, how rude of me, I haven't asked you yet regarding your time in Growling Tigers. How was it?" Sylvia asked.

"Yeah, did you make any friends?" Dad said.

"Oh my God! I have a lot to tell you, guys! The food shacks around the university are so crazy good. The street food and dessert stands, my goodness. I have this friend, Clare who was totally a sweetheart and she introduced me to every single one of the iconic eateries in the area." I ranted.

"Really? What are the food that you ate?" Dad asked.

"All sorts! I got to try balut, Isaw, adobong manok, chicharong bulaklak, dinuguan, daing na bangus. I wish you all could taste it to see what I am talking about."

"That's so good to hear. What about your classes? Did you have a hard time understanding some professors or did you experience any sort of language barrier?" Sylvia asked.

"I did in the first few days but luckily, Sash is there to help me every step of the way." I said.

"Who's Sash?" Dad asked.

"My handsome roommate." I said.

"Sounds like someone has a crush. Is he a Filipino?" Sylvia said.

"No, he's French actually but he was raised in the Philippines by his parents. He speaks Fluent Tagalog. He's very outgoing, he's friendly, he's funny and he's just so charming. Anyway, I do have a slight crush on him but it's never going to work out because he's straight." I said.

"How do you know that?" Dad asked.

"I just know."

"Is he more attractive than Craig?" Milo asked.

"A thousand times more attractive for me!" I said.

"Oh my! Why don't you ask him out?" Sylvia said.

"I'm not going to risk my friendship with him. If I ask him out and confess my feelings for him and I get rejected, I am going to lose him so no, thank you! I am not going to have another heartbreak again. I was foolish enough the first time, I am going to be smarter this time." I said.

"Alright, whatever you say." Dad said before winking at Sylvia.

"Hey, don't giggle like that! It's not funny." I pouted.

"We're not giggling. We just find you adorable when you're smitten like that." Dad said.

"Whatever!"

"How about your academics? How is it?" Sylvia asked.

"My English professor said that I have a hidden talent for writing." I said.

"Really now?!" Dad exclaimed.

"Yep, you heard me. She said that I am a gifted writer and for an amateur, I write pretty well. Just a few mistakes here and there but I can manage and she offered to be my mentor for the whole of four years. How's that?"

"Ravine, I couldn't be more proud of you." Dad said before holding my hand.

"Thanks, dad!"

"What are you writing about if I may ask?" Sylvia said.

"Me questioning the existence of God, me questioning my own Faith, my mommy issues and I'd rather keep the other subjects confidential for a while." I replied.

"It's okay. We understand. It's your right to tell your story and we won't stop you from pursuing your newfound passion. We are always going to have your back, you know that, right?" Dad said.

"Yeah." I answered softly.

"Can I have the chicken breast, mommy?" Milo said, completely oblivious to our discussion.

"Why don't we save the chit chat for later, okay? For now, let's enjoy this wonderful meal and just have fun eating." Sylvia said before carving it one more time and putting the chicken breast on Milo's plate. 

"I agree." I said.

Of course, I couldn't say to dad that I am also writing about how he neglected me. It seems cruel on my part but it's the only way I can achieve justice for myself for everything I have suffered through. I have to do this for myself and no one can judge me for it.