Weeks passed in a blur and nothing special ever happened. It’s December 24 and I’m usually locked inside my house, counting mosquitos around me. Not until Guji texted and said I should go with him somewhere.
This is new to me. Being out of the house on the 24th.
I heard a knock on my door and I know it’s him. When I opened the door, I instantly turned my bitch mode on. “Why are you here?”
“It’s my first time to buy gifts. I need second opinion.”
Is he serious?
“Look, it’s the 24th. People are on their last-minute shopping war. Do you want to die?”
“Okay whatever. I won’t buy gifts,”
“THEN WHAT DO YOU WANT?” Yeah sure. I have this temper mismanagement problem and I think it’s eating me alive.
“I want to uhm… take you out. Out like a date. I uhm… I want to be with you right on the first second of Christmas.” He said that without looking at me, and I’m 99.99% sure that he’s blushing and tense. I blinked and swallowed, and when he grew impatient for my reply he grabbed my hand and dragged me along.
Just like that.
The thought of spending Christmas Eve with the person you love is something, doing it for the first time is a greater something. You know, the first times are the most memorable, the sweetest, but at the same time, the most feared by people to try and do.
But once you get to do it, you’ll feel infinite. Like you could do everything, be on top of the world, be the President of the Philippines or cut the ocean in two like Moses did.
I smiled and bowed my head to hide my cheeks that were blushing. For the record, this is my first date ever. Like for real. No bets. No wagers. Not like the dates Yvan and I had.
And I am not afraid.
He took me to the plaza and watched the concert organized by Hugo University, my Alma Mater. We met our friends there and figured out that they’re spending their Christmas Eve with their special some ones. I looked up at Guji and figured that I am his special someone tonight. Cheesy thought, yuck.
“I thought you’re staying at home tonight? Turns out that you’re secretly dating the Boss,” Via glared at me but I just rolled my eyes at her. She snapped at me, saying, “Don’t roll your eyes at me! I’ll take them out of their sockets if you do that one more time,”
“Oh yeah, I give up.” I raised my hands in fake defeat.
Together, we watched the concert throughout the ending. One of the highlights of the event was the phenomenal performance of a boy playing the piano. I noticed that Guji was staring at the boy. “What now? You’re in love with the boy? Shit this, I’m dating a pedophile gay.”
By that, he spanked the back of my head too hard that I think my brain jumped to Pluto.
“It’s the piano, stupid!”
“No way. You’re in love with the piano? Gosh, you’re insane –”
“SB!” When I saw that he’s keeping himself from hitting me again, I smiled. I even said, “I won.”
“I just missed my music.” He began saying, calmer now. He stared at both of his hands, yearning. “I used to play the piano, until Mom died. I lost it. I lost all the notes. My notes,”
My eyes were locked at this picture of him, this 8-year old boy who wants to play the piano but doesn’t know how because he lost his notes.
I placed a hand on his shoulder that he jolted in place. I told him that, “We’ll find them. We’ll find your notes.”
At the background, the fireworks display began and I know that the concert’s done. By the time the fireworks went out, Guji held my hand and led us back to the car. I wonder where we’re headed now.
But I don’t care. As long as I’m with him, anywhere is the best.
He took me to dinner and we hit the road for another long ride. I checked my watch and it read 10:45. “Aren’t we going home yet? It’s pretty late already,”
“Is it? But did I not tell you that I want to spend my first second of Christmas with you?” I saw his lips curve into a smile. “It’s too early, I say.”
“We are we going anyway?”
“Guess.”
“Is that a place? I thought it’s just a brand name –”
“HOW MUCH STUPID COULD YOU GET?”
“Galaxy.” I said. “You’re taking me to the galaxy.”
“Nope. I’m taking you somewhere better than that,” he then changed gears and I know we’re up for a long long long drive that my eyes dropped down dead.
When I woke up, I can’t believe what I’m seeing that I told him, “I must still be dreaming,”