Chapter 22：Christmas!

Did you hear that? The bells jingling? The hooves of the reindeers galloping in the air? Do you here the bouncing of Santa Claus' belly coming near? It's finally Christmas! And I can't wait. Today is the 23rd of December, Christmas break just started and after a few hours, somewhere around 5pm, what I know is my staff, Mr. Driver guy will drive me back to The Hut in Manila once again and finally, I can see my parents once again, oh how many months I have been longing for them.

As I strolled through the mall looking for gifts for Elise and John, and also for my parents and when my budget lasts, all the Anakdatu (I should be the sweetest Anakdatu who ever existed.), I don't know but I think I caught something in my peripheral vision, a glowing thing, I think. Oh come on, it's Christmas, can't bad guys just take a break and enjoy the Holidays? Pretty please?

I ignored it for awhile and continued my search for gifts.

After awhile, I finished buying gifts for them, sadly, I didn't got the Datus their gifts, but nevertheless, I'll just be a good agent and I hope that it counts as my Christmas gift to them.

I got Elise a silver necklace with the pendant that shows the infinity sign with her name engraved in it, I hope she will like this. And then I bought John a book for he likes to read. And I got my Mom and Dad 1 kilogram of Black Coffee fresh from Batangas City because Batangas was well known for their coffee that is heavenly.

After awhile, like 30 minutes of waiting in line for it is already rush hour for the Christmas season (Filipinos really take Christmas seriously), finally, I got to the counter and paid and also asked to gift wrap the things.

I took a walk around the mall, well, it's just an ordinary mall you know, lots of people, bad smelling air con reeking smell of rotten eggs or so, that kind of mall.

After some time walking, hearing the Christmas muzak that played in the overhead speakers of the mall, seeing the people shop for their noche buenas, children choosing their gifts and so on, I got distracted and I bumped against a lady and made her paper bags of shopped things fell into the ground.

"I am very sorry, miss." As I helped her on picking her things up.

After fixing the mess I made, I saw her, like not from the surprised point of view. At first thought, it was Elise because damn, she is so beautiful. She has a blonde hair, a face of a hundred times more beautiful than ladies you see in the Miss Universe, a lithe body in which she rocked a blue button down shirt and jeans and sneakers.

She smiled at me "You did great Ramil" but her face became serious quickly "But fear, you trust too much which is very deadly and for that, I warn you for what is to come my dear nephew."

And she smiled one last time as she seemed walking away and I am confused, I don't know this lady. She called me her nephew? What?

"Hey!" I tried following her but a crowd of very crazed shoppers just butted in the way between me and my so-called aunt. And poof, as the shoppers passed, she was gone.

"That's pretty messed up." I told myself as I scratched my head.

***

I went back home to The Hut jr., after that and readied my things for my departure later. And after some time, I finished fixing my things and I figured out too, it's time to give my gifts to my friends.

I went first and walked to John's house to give him my gift. I checked the time through eve and it's already 4pm. It means 60 minutes more and I'm going home.

I got to John's house but alas, he seemed to be not home, nor there are any people in their house so I just put my gift inside their mailbox. I don't know but John seems to be acting distant ever since the day of the duel of Ethan and I, but yeah, I hope everything is okay. So I made my way to Elise's house and walked on.

It's just really awesome how the Philippines celebrate their Christmas. As I walked the streets, there are these houses emblazoned with very colorful Christmas lights, then there are the Puto Bumbong vendors also by the streets, oh, Puto Bumbong is a Philippine delicacy that is mostly cooked in the Christmas season only, it's a kind of rice cake cooked inside a bamboo and it's delicious! Then there are the children who go house to house, singing their Christmas songs for a blessing (which is money), and so much more. Christmas in the Philippines is heavenly.

After awhile, I got to Elise's house. It is also decorated by lots and lots of Christmas lights and so as Christmas decors. I made a knock on the door.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

And the door was gently opened by a woman in her mid 30s, the same face as Elise's but older wearing a flowery dress and a cardigan. She has the face of happiness, wherein smile lines are present into her face. A long hair with gray streaks running through it. This must be Elise's mom. Weirdly, it triggered a memory on me, something about a dream…

"Good Evening, mano po," as I took her hand and brought it to my forehead for her blessing. The Filipino phrase 'mano po' simply meant to ask for a blessing to an elderly with their innate blessings, may it be someone you know or you don't. That is how Filipinos roll. "Is Elise inside?" I asked.

Her eyes widened and smiled, "Oh, you must be Ramil! Pardon me if I never get to see you in the everyday you help out Elise. Elise told me a lot of things about you, come on in! Come! Come!" As she welcomed me inside and ushered me into the sofa wherein I sat.

"I'll prepare snacks for you for awhile okay?" She smiled once again and went near the staircase and yelled "Emanuelle Elise Vertucio! You've got a visitor!" And she smiled at me once again and headed for where I think is the kitchen.

Their house, well is just like the The Hut jr., very alike, except for the furniture, their furniture contains wooden chairs, a wooden sofa, table, sculptures and et cetera. Also there are pictures on the wall of Elise and her mom on I think her achievements at school and stuffs.

I heard footsteps going down the stair case and there comes Elise. She is wearing a white tee with a print of The Beatles (she has the same taste as I, good band, good indeed) in front and everyday shorts and bunny slippers.

She seemed surprised and overwhelmed and she seems to try contain her excitement by playing coy, I don't get her playing coy, "Ramil, it's just the first day of Christmas break and you already missed me." As she tried to look disappointed.

"What? Of course not." I complained.

She went down the stairs and sat with me and once again, hit me in my arm "Just kidding, Merry Christmas in a day! Welcome to casa de Vertucio, wherein we are termites' favorite food, what brings you here?"

I laughed "Oh, I just went by to give my Christmas gift to you."

Her eyes shone with excitement, "A gift for me? Really?" She almost teared up.

Elise's mom went back with a plate of smoking hot grilled cheese sandwiches and a pitcher of orange juice which she set it on the table "Well, dig in!" she announced as she sat to another chair facing us.

Elise and I and Mrs. Vertucio got our own grilled cheese as we nibbled it heartily.

"This is so delicious Mrs. Vertucio!" I complimented her.

She smiled and looked at Elise who made a sour face "Oh thank you Ramil, I am Felicia Vertucio, mother of Elise and again, what brings you here?"

"Oh," I simply pointed to my bag "I was going to give Elise a gift for Christmas."

"Oh!" She said with excitement and she glanced again to Elise "That is very good and kind of you, anyways, I'll leave you two here okay?" She started to stand up " I'll be in the kitchen, call me if you need anything okay?" as she walked towards the kitchen.

I finished my sandwich and satisfied myself with an orange juice and I poured juice also to Elise's glass.

She finished her glass of juice "You know, no one ever gave me something even a gift, my mom does but of course, that is kinda mandatory. And on my whole life, you are the first one to give me a gift. And thank you." As tears welled in her eyes.

I offered a handkerchief to her. She took it and wiped her tears and she gave it back to me.

"Well, it's never too late right? Here," I gave her the box "Open it."

She looked at me quizzically "Uh, shouldn't I open this on Christmas day?"

"Oh right, but on Christmas day, I won't be around here."

She pouted "Why?"

"I'll celebrate my Christmas in Manila, you know, where my parents are." I told her.

"Oh, yeah right. Alright, alright, let's open this up." She ripped the gift wrap off and opened the box.

Her eyes gleamed "Wow, Ramil, this is so beautiful! Thank you so much!" She hugged me.

Realizing what have she done, she immediately removed her arms around me which made me smile, "Erm, I mean, really Ramil, thank you very much, I loved it!" With her smile so wide, like a child who got her first toy.

I smiled back "Merry Christmas doofus!"

She pinched my nose and I exclaimed "You are the doofus", she said "Merry Christmas." As she removed her nose pinch at me.

"Here, I'll put it on to you." I said.

She gave me the box as I took the necklace in it and put it gently on her neck.

"Beautiful." I commented as I put it finally.

"Thank you."

"The necklace, not you."

She hit me again in my arms "You are so mean!"

I laughed "Kidding! Yes, you are beautiful."

She blushed as she is trying to control her smile.

After some moments, I already bade farewell to the Vertucio family.

"You take care there doofus." She told me with concern.

"You too." I told her back.

And of I went back to The Hut jr., brought my things to the car and called my staff and of we went to Manila. It's the most peaceful ride I've ever got on, unlike the last time. Christmas really is for everyone, even the bad guys. I slept on the whole trip.

Hours later, I woke up knowing we are back at the Quezon City memorial circle. I went outside the car immediately with my things then I went to the monument, rode the secret elevator down and then I am finally back home.

As I got down, I saw that my parents were expecting me so as soon as I got off the elevator, I tackled them a very strong hug.

"I missed you guys, Merry Christmas Mom and Dad." I told them as I am trying not to sob.

I'm spending my Christmas break here at The Hut to bond with my parents, train, and do other Anakdatu stuffs, and also, spend the Christmas and New Year here. I guess I'll be messing with the other Datus especially Macabulos and Sikatuna. Merry Christmas everyone!