Chapter 21
1653 Words
MIRA
Mira sat in the table with Yuan and TJ. “It’s sad Andrei can’t make it today” she told them.
“He’s always busy. He just makes time to listen to your rants” TJ replied.
She looked at TJ and smiled. “That warms the organ in my chest” she told him. Yuan laughed.
“Doesn’t matter if it’s warm, as long as it’s not broken” TJ added.
“You didn’t tell us your boyfriend can dance” Yuan pointed at Archi’s direction.
She looked behind her and saw Archi dragging Aro at the center of the room near Harold and Mathew and started dancing. With Archi and Aro joining them, the other two got energy boosted and started dancing the same steps as them. They looked like they’re enjoying themselves.
“Ugh! It will take a while before I forget this” TJ looking nauseated. “I better get more drinks” he stood up and went to the coolers.
“Did you enjoy the weekend?” Archi asked her on their way home.
“Yeah, I’m happy Kathara liked our gift” she replied. They bought Kathara full gear for volleyball. “I didn’t know you can dance” she teased him.
“Oh. I just had too much to drink” he smiled. “Do you like going to the beach? Perhaps we can spend that weekend away we’re talking about last time” he asked.
“Actually, I’m more of a mountain girl. I like the fog, the cold and the coffee” she looked at Archi who just nodded.
“Okay, we can do that. When are we going?” he asked again.
“I am actually thinking of Christmas” she smiled at him.
“Christmas?” he seems to be thinking about it.
“Yeah. What do you think? It’ll be our first Christmas alone” she added.
Archi nodded. “I’ll tell Mom and Dad about it” he smiled.
“Okay” she smiled back.
They talked about going to Sagada, a beautiful destination in the Mountain Province of Cordillera. She started planning of the things they will bring. She doesn’t really like going on out, but this made her so excited.
Her week was mostly normal. Just the same week she always had. The practice didn’t seem different from the others. Aro don’t spend as much time playing with them because he’s busy teaching Kathara. Andrei has been gone the whole week.
The following weekend, they promised Archi’s mother they will spend it with them since they didn’t make it for a couple of weeks. It will be a few months before Christmas.
ARCHI
Mira wanted their vacation alone during the Christmas break. He can’t help but feel conflicted since it’s always been time with the family for him. But they just made up, and it’s really hard for him to say no to her, he doesn’t want her taking it the wrong way and then not talking about.
“Can’t you just reschedule? Christmas is family time” his mother asked him. He told them about their plans. They were at the kitchen while Mira’s outside sweeping the yard.
“I know, Mom. But we’re planning on making our first Christmas alone” he explained. “Plus, it’s you who told me I should give Mira the assurance” he added.
“I know” Aya said sadly.
“They’re not kids, anymore. Let them decide for themselves” it was his dad. He rarely talks but they really never talk back when he does.
He looked at his mother. She looks so sad. He sighed.
They’re at their room. Mira’s a bit quiet. “Love, is there any way we can reschedule?” he asked her.
“Okay” she replied.
“Really? I mean, is it really okay for you? You’re the one who suggested it” he asked.
She nodded. “What made you decide to reschedule?” she asked.
“I’m just used in celebrating with family” he answered. Mira didn’t say anything. He looked at her and saw she’s asleep.
MIRA
It’s Saturday and Mira’s helping with the chores. She’s sweeping the front yard when she caught a glance of Dolores. “Hi Tita!” she greeted.
“Hi Mira! How are you?”
“I’m good tita. How are you?” she replied.
“Never better” the other woman answered. “So, what are your plans for the holiday?” she asked.
“Archi and I are planning on going to the Mountain Province” she beamed.
“Really? That’s nice” Dolores told her.
“You’re not spending the Christmas here?” It’s Aro popping from the bush.
“We’re not” she smiled at him.
Aro then continued shoveling dirt in his side.
“That’s strange. Alpha likes spending the holidays at home” Aro said.
“Well, I think it will be great for him to try going for once” Dolores shook off Aro.
“I suppose” Aro shrugged and continued what he’s doing.
Archi did seem pretty conflicted when they talked about it. She decided to also shrug it off. They just made up and she didn’t want to think or do something that will turn into a fight again.
“Love, is there any way we can reschedule?” it was Archi while they were lying in bed that night.
He really didn’t want to spend Christmas away, she thought. “Okay” she replied.
“Really?” he sounded shocked. “I mean, is it really okay for you?” he asked.
She nodded. “What made you decide to reschedule?” she asked.
“I’m just used in celebrating it with family” he answered. She didn’t say anything about it.
Well, this could still work out. They started buying Christmas gifts. It looks like fun plus she enjoys wrapping gifts. They also bought several ingredients just in case Tita Aya needs it.
CHRISTMAS
They started their celebration at twelve midnight. They had their Noche Buena. They also invited Dolores, Aro and Kathara, but she said they’ll just come over after dinner, during the gift giving.
“Merry Christmas Mira” Arthur handed to Mira a small box.
There’s pearl necklace and earrings inside with a note:
Merry Christmas and welcome to the family
-Mom and Dad
She almost cried. “Thank you, Tito” she told him. Arthur nodded.
-Mom and Dad, she smiled reading the notes again.
“Tita, this is my gift to you” Kathara whispered to her.
“Thank you” she smiled touching her cheeks.
She opened the gift and saw a complete set of Sherlock Holmes books.
“I heard from Mom you like reading” Aro told her.
She smiled. “Thank you Aro. I appreciate it” she said.
They gave their gift to Kathara, to Archi’s parents, Dolores and Aro. The others also gave their gifts.
The next day, they went to give their gifts to their friends. Mira got gifts from every one, while Archi didn’t get anything.
“Maybe, it’s a gift for both us” she consoled Archi.
“I never received gifts from them, even then” he smiled putting her hair behind her ear ang kissing her cheek. “They must really like you”
“I like them too” she said while arranging the gifts. One slid and she saw the name. “Oh! It’s from Andrei! Let’s see what Mr. Future Billionaire gave us” she said. She opened it and saw a Chanel box. She opened it and saw a two-tone nude and black slingback shoes. She held the shoes in admiration.
“Definitely not ours” Archi joked.
“It’s beautiful” she told Archi. She took the note inside the box and read it:
I hope these shoes take you to places that’ll make you happy.
Merry Christmas, Mira
-Andrei
She’s really touched. Next, she opened Yuan’s gift. It’s also shoes but this time, it’s sneakers. It is nice. It is in cream color. She took the note inside and read:
Merry Christmas, Mom!
From your most handsome son,
Yuan
They both laughed. And then, there’s TJ. She stared at the box.
“Aren’t you going to open it?” Archi asked.
“I want to open it but knowing TJ, it could be a dead animal, or a bomb for all we know” she said making Archi laugh. She opened the box and saw a pink book and a cloth. She took the book and read its cover. “A place called here by Cecilia Ahern” she read. She took the note and read it:
The book is about a woman pursuing her purpose, may that give you an inspiration.
The other one is a dress. You can wear it when you feel ugly. You may still be ugly, but at least you have a beautiful dress. Merry Christmas!
-Tristan James
She rolled her eyes. He will never let an opportunity to insult go. She held the dress up. It’s a sage lace sheath dress from Vero Moda. TJ might be salty, but he’s got taste. “Can we look what Aro gave you?” she asked.
“Sure” Archi said. They opened Aro’s gift and saw a hoody sweater. Archi held it up. There’s a monster written in it. “Wow, no note, very thoughtful” he commented.
“Oh, well I know I already gave you my gift but is there anything you want me to give you?” she asked. She felt sorry for having all the gifts.
“You know what you can give me?” Archi asked suggestively raising his brows up and down.
Mira laughed. “Sure. I give it to you every night but sure” she laughed.
- Writer
