"Merry Christmas!" Nakangiti bati sa akin ni Jax nang pumasok ako ng aming classroom. Ini-abot niya sa akin ang isang maliit na regalo kaya bahagyang napakunot ang noo ko.

"Gift?" I confusedly ask, she giggled before nodding.

"Syempre, alangan ipinapahawak ko lang sayo." She sarcastically said which made me chuckle before I pinch her chubby cheeks.

I sat down on my chair, placing down my backpack, aside from my backpack, I also have an eco bag containing my gifts for the others.

"Here, Jax oh." I hand her a gift. Her eyes widened and gasp, "Hala, ang laki! Thank you!" She cutely said which made me giggle.

"Oy, ano 'yan? Bakit may abutan na ng regalo na nagaganap?" Tanong ni Tobi mula sa likod ko.

Napahagikhik ako bago kinuha ang regalo sa eco bag na naiiba ang balot para alam ko na kay Tobi iyon.

"Here, Merry Christmas!" I said as I hand it to him, just like Jax's reaction, his eyes widened and his jaw dropped as he reach for the gift.

"Alam mo kinakabahan ako sayo. Sa inyo ni Laura, masyado kayong mayayaman, baka house and lot na ang laman nito ha! Pero salamat salamat, very much appreciated!" He said which made me chuckle, "Sira, hindi 'no. Sa online ko na nga lang 'yan binili since wala ako sa mood na lumuwas noong nakaraang linggo." Sagot ko sa kaniya at utay-utay siyang tumango.

"Mamaya ko na bubuksan kapag nagbigayan na ng exchange gifts." ani ni Tobi at napatango nalang ako. Us three fall into silence as we wait for our other friends to arrive.

Maya-maya lang din ay dumating na si Laura, she first ask for Ali and Gwen as she arrived. When Tobi said that it's just me, him nd Jax for now, Laura nod and went to her seat. I reach for my gift for her and faced her since her seat is at my back for now.

"Here, Merry Christmas!" I said as I turn around to face her. A smile prints on her face before reaching for the gift.

"Thank you so much, here's for you!" She crouch down to reach for something, when she lift her body up, she handed me a gift.

"Merry Christmas!" She said and I smiled as I reach for her gift, "Thank you!" I said and faced my front. I put the gift in the eco bag first since I also want to open it later. Waiting for Gwen and Ali somehow took longer. But they still made it before the party started, they even arrived together.

"Merry Christmas!!" Ali greeted me as she seat beside me. She also have an eco bag that contains gifts. She put down her bag first before she crouch down and grab the gifts inside the eco bag.

"This is for you! I hope you'll like it." She said, smiling as she hand me a large gift, "Wow, thank you so much, this is big." I said as I reach for the gift. She giggled before continue giving gifts to the others.

"Lory for you!" Napalingon ako kay Gwen na katabi ni Laura sa likod nang tapikin ako nito sa balikat. She handed me a gift and I immediately said thank you to her.

They started giving gifts to each other, same goes with Tobi who just waited for the others to arrive before start giving his gifts. The party soon started, there were games that pretty much Ali and Gwen enjoyed since the two almost joined all the party games. Ali also almost won every games she joined that's why by the end of the party games, she have received lots of prices.

After the games, it's time for us to eat. Ali was the one who dragged me to the foods since it's buffet.

"Baka hindi ka pa kumain, hindi ka tumayo eh." She said while we are in the line,

I giggled, "Hindi ah, kakain ako, ayaw ko lang sana pumila." I said and I hear her scoff.

"Naku, kung magpapatagal ka, baka maubusan ka ng shanghai, may nakita ako lima ang kinuha kanina, tapos may apat. Mauubusan ka kapag nagpatagal-tagal ka sa pagkuha ng pagkain, sinasabi ko sayo." she said which made me chuckle, she's like a mom scolding me. We have lots of foods, there's baked macaroni, carbonara, palabook, chicken, shanghai, sisig, and siomai. For dessert we have coffee jelly and buko salad, for drinks we have pandan and sago't gulaman.

"Bakit hindi ka kumuha ng siomai?" Ali suddenly ask me when we're eating,

I look at my plate then look at hers not answering, she suddenly put two of her siomai on my plate, leaving her with only one.

"There, masarap siya." She said, smiling at me,

My brows furrowed, "You only have one left, hindi ka pa nakakakain kaya how can you say it's delicious?" I ask and she just smiled at me before paying attention to her food again and not giving me an answer.

I picked up a siomai with my fork before taking a bite and just like what she said, it indeed tasted delicious.

I'm still eating when the teacher said it's time for the exchange gifts. I hear Tobi squeal at my side which made me chuckle a bit and shake my head.

I am watching them give out their gifts while eating at the same time. Laura was called, I'm peacefully eating when I heard how Laura described who she got.

"So... ang napili ko po ay... mabait, friend ko, tapos uhm... moody. Si Lory po." My head snap up as she called my name. I wipe my lips with my towel before picking up my gift for our classmate and standing up and walking towards Laura to receive my gift.

"Mabait ako?" I whispered which made her giggle.

"Thank you, by the way." I said and she smiled before nodding.

I then place down her gift for me on the floor first before I describe our classmate that I got for the exchanged gift. Once I have handed him the gift, I went back to my seat with Laura's gift on my hand. 

"Nabunot sis, hindi napili." I told her as I sat back down on my seat. 

Surprisingly, the classmate that I got already gave his gift. So our teacher called Tobi to start it again. Tobi got Jax which made the two laugh like they expected it, Jax got Ali which made us a bit surprised since it was unexpected. Ali got Nico, her crush, then Nico got Gwen.

"Hala ka Tobi, walang nakabunot sayo." Laura teased from the back since Tobi haven't received any gifts yet. But turns out, a male classmate of ours haven't handed out his gift yet and it's for Tobi. So finally, Tobi got his gifts.

"Open niyo na?" Tobi asked, holding his gifts. Us girls looks at each other before nodding.

I opened Jax's gift for me, it's a cute keychain and a cute pen, it's really cute because it's baby pink colored and have some cute charm. Next is Laura's, it's a cute, red, Beats Speakers, when I look at Ali, we received the same thing from Laura, hers is black colored. From Tobi I received a Bench n Bath towel and a Bench cologne. From Gwen it's a cute tote bag with a cute prints on front. And from Ali is a bead painting set which made my jaw dropped.

"You like it?" I glance at Ali who watched me open her gift.

My eyes widened and nod, "Of course! Thank you so much!" I said and she smiled at me, "No problem, I'm glad you like it." She said and I smiled and nod.

After the party, one by one, me and the friend group went home. Laura was the first one to leave, then Jax, then me. Ali said they have practice at the band so she needs to attend.

When I went home, I just changed into comfortable clothes and fell asleep. Around 3PM I woke up, the gifts from my friends are scattered on my glass table in front of my TV. I don't know what to do so I started walking around my room, head empty. Until I sat down on my bed and pick up my phone. I scroll to my contacts to see if anyone is online. Jax is, but I don't know what we should talk about.

I just decided to call Inin through his phone number because he's not active in his social media.

On the first ring, he immediately picked up, [Yow, kamusta?] He immediately ask as he answered, his jolly voice somehow made my mood light up a bit.

"Christmas break na kayo?" I asked while playing with my bedsheet.

[Yes, Christmas Party nila kanina,] he replied, nila? Bakit hindi namin?

"How was the Christmas party? Did you had fun?" I asked, I don't want to make conclusions that he didn't attend their Christmas Party.

[Hindi ako umattend.] he replied in a low tone voice. I can tell he's a bit sad about it, but why?

"May I ask why? Pwede naman na hindi mo sagutin." I asked, I don't want to make him feel worse about it. I already know he feel sad that he wasn't able to attend their Christmas party. And maybe asking him about it will make him feel worse.

[Hindi ah, okay lang. Tagal na natin magkaibigan, alam mo naman na gustong-gusto ko na nagke-kwento diba?] He said with a slight giggle on his voice.

"Ah oo nga pala, so may I ask why hindi ka umattend?" I asked once again.

[Okay, una, wala akong pang-ambag sa pagkain. Pangalawa wala akong maayos na damit, pangatlo wala akong pang exchange gift.] Sagot niya, my lips formed a small 'o' before slowly nodding.

"Ah... that's... I'm sorry, are you okay?" I know he feel down right now. Christmas party is a good experience for students. And I know he's sad that he don't get to experience those.

[Huy, ano ba, wala 'yon, sanay na ako, simula elementary hindi talaga ako uma-attend ng mga party-party na ganiyan. Kaya okay lang.] That's even worse! He haven't experience a Christmas Party at least once?!

I don't know what to answer, I heard he is talking to someone from the other line and I used that short period of time to think of something that can cheer him up. And by the time he spoke to me again, I already have something in my mind.

[Oy, andiyan ka pa ba? Namatay ba yung tawag?] Humina at lumikas ang boses niya which I think inilayo niya ang tawag mula sa tainga niya.

"I'm here, busy ka ba mamayang gabi?" I ask as I think of my plan.

[Hindi naman, bakit?] He asked,

I slowly nod, "Okay, by 5PM, pupunta ako diyan, may pupuntahan tayo, okay?" Hindi agad siya sumagot at nanahimik ng ilang segundo.

[Saan?] That's his only response which made me chuckle.

"Basta, may pupuntahan tayo." I said, a small smile crept on my lips.

[Okay okay, alas sinko? Sige sige, mag-aayos ako.] he said and I nod.

"Okay, papatayin ko na yung tawag, see you!" I excitedly said.

[Okay okay, see you! Bye bye!] Once he's done talking, I ended the call and jump out of my bed.

I went to my closet first to find some things I don't like anymore. Then I saw a black over-sized hoodie from Balenciaga, an oversized t-shirt from Louis Vuitton, and an old, Herschel Backpack that still looks nice.

I went back to my bedroom, I grab the Christmas wrapping paper that I used to wrap the gifts for my friends and starts wrapping my gifts for Inin. I put the three gifts into separate wraps so that he will open a lot of gifts. I don't know him, but I like opening gifts. I don't really care what's inside but as long I have something to tear and open, I'm happy with is.

I finished wrapping the three gifts, but I think there's more I can give him. So I look around my room, begun scanning drawers and other things. I found a cap that I don't use that much since I don't use cap or hats that often. I also found a new earphones but looks like it has been in my drawers for a very long time. I also found some keychains and some bead bracelets that I made myself. When I feel contented on the things I found, I once again start wrapping them.

Six gifts in total. I finished wrapping them around 4:26, I just place my gifts in an eco bag before I went to my closet and change into some black trousers before tucking in an over-sized sweater. I paired it with some black, combat boots.

I went back to my bedroom, brushed my hair and prepare a backpack. I used my small Hershel bag to carry my wallet, phone and towel. I also sprayed some Victoria Secret perfume before I grab my gifts and went out my room.

"Tita, pupunta lang po ako kila Laura, magpaparty lang kami doon." Paalam ko kay tita bago ako lumabas ng bahay.

"Kuya Therence, motor." I stick out my hand to catch the keys, he chuckled before throwing it to my that I caught.

I hop on the vehicle and drove off as the gate opened on its own. I am meters away from Inin's hut when I stopped and message Laura.

to Lau-ruh:

Hey, I told my aunties I'm with you, so if they ask you, say yes and make stories up.

She immediately seen it.

from Lau-ruh:

What?! Idk how to make up stories! You should have said you're with Ali cause she's good at covering you up!

I giggled as I read her reply where she included crying emoji.

to Lau-ruh:

I already said I'm with you, goodluck bestie!

I turned off my phone after hitting send, I put it back to my backpack and proceed to Inin's hut.

"Inin, I'm here na." I said as I turn off the engine of the motor.

"Lalabas kayo hija?" Tito ask who's in the construction site. I look at his direction and shyly smile.d

"Yes po tito." I replied and he just smiled at me and nod.

Few seconds later, the door of the hut opened revealing Inin. His hair is pushed upwards and looks like he put some gel on it. But his clothes look... eh.

"Ready kana?" I ask and he nods. He went out of their hut and bid goodbye to tito before hopping in.

"Let's go somewhere else pala muna." I said as he hop on.

"Huh? Sige, kung saan mo gusto." He said before he wrap his arms around my waist to secure his safety.

I drove to the nearest boutique to get him some new clothes to wear for this... ahm... party of us two.

"Bakit tayo andito?" Taka niyang tanong nang pumasok kami sa loob.

"Basta, excuse me, can I see your jeans?" I asked one of the saleslady. She guide us to their pants and I begun looking through the designs.

When I spot a Levi's pants with a good design, I pull it out from the rack and place in front of Inin to see if it's match him. When it does, I hang it on my arm.

I then proceed to some sweaters, I pull out a Green, Nike sweater that I think would look good on him.

"Here, isukat mo." I handed him the pants and the sweater, he look confusedly at the clothes then to me. He wasn't able to utter any word as the saleslady guided him to the fittings room.

Few minutes later he came out wearing the clothes. A giggle escaped my lips as he tucked in the sweater that I soon removed. I fixed his pants and made him turn around.

"Looks nice, now for shoes." I said and walk away from him to look for shoes.

"Ahm... Lory bakit mo ako pinagsusukat ng damit?" He ask behind my back. But I didn't mind answering him and just grab the white, Converse, high-cut shoes.

"Isukat mo rin ito, oh, also this na pala." I grab a sock and handed it to him with the shoes. I'm surprised that it both fit him.

"Turn around," I said as I examine his look. I slowly nod when I'm satisfied and called the saleslady.

"Miss, we'll get this, isusuot na rin niya." I said as I walk towards the counter.

"Huy, Lory, bibilhin? Huy wala akong pambayad nito!" Habol sa akin ni Inin sa counter. I faced him and smiled.

"Papasko ko sayo." I said before handing the cashier my card. I ask them to put Inin's original clothes into a paper bag.

"Hindi kita kayang bayaran." ani niya nang makalabs kami.

"Inin, hindi mo kailangan bayaran kasi papakso ko nga diba?" I said as we hop on the vehicle again.

"Salamat," He said behind my ears as he wrap his arms around my waist.

"No worries," I said and drove off.

We arrived at Coyo where I wanted to treat him, he is looking around, examining the place while I order for us two. I ordered two kinds of pancit, then chicken, letchon kawali and some fries.

"Do you like the place?" I asked him that caught his attention. He look at me and smiled.

"Hindi ko alam na may ganito palang kainan malapit sa tinitirhan namin. Andon lang yung tinitirhan namin eh." He said, pointing at the direction of their hut.

I giggled and nod, "Do you like your clothes?" I ask and he loom at himself before nodding and smiling at me.

"Sobra, ngayon lang ako nakapagsuot ng ganito kagandang damit. Para akong bagong tao!" He exclaimed which made the both of us chuckle.

He started telling stories about his childhood where tito couldn't afford to buy him new clothes or toys but can afford to buy him foods that he asks for. I can tell based on his stories that tito is a good father. He was able to raise Inin on his own to be a good son and person even though he's working at the same time. Tito also have his priorities in life. He's also hardworking since Inin said there's no day that tito don't have work. But even though he's also working, I can also tell he didn't lack anything in terms of taking care and loving his son.

After minutes of Inin talking, the foods came. I also requested the waitress to play some Christmas Songs while we're eating for more Christmas vibe.

I can't help but to steal glances at Inin while we're eating. He looks like he's enjoying it so much. Watching him eat already makes me feel full. He's not a picky eater at all, he eats the vegetable son his pancit while I don't. I just put them at the side.

He lift his head up and wipe his lips with the tissue. Then he look at me and for unknown reason he started laughing.

"Why? May dumi ba ako sa mukha?" I asked, he shook his head, "Wala wala, na-realized ko lang kain ako nang kain, natahimik ako bigla. Sorry gutom lang." He apologized and I shake my head.

"Hindi ah, don't apologized, wala kang dapat ipag-apologized." I said and he slowly nod.

"Pahinga muna ako, marami pang pagkain, sayang naman." He said as he lean on his chair.

I took this opportunity to give him the gifts, "Here, these are for you." I said as I hand the eco bag, he received it with his eyes wide open.

"Lahat 'to?" He asked and I nod, "Uy! Salamat!" He stated before starts opening them. I smile prints on my face as I saw how shocked he is with the gifts.

"Uy! Salamat nang marami! May bago na akong bag!" he exclaimed while looking at the Herschel bag.

"Ang astig nung T-shirt at hoodie, pati sumbrero tapos earphones, tapos yung bracelet at keychains! Salamat talaga Lory!" He exclaimed, his voice full of happiness and gratitude which made me can't help but to smile.

He then put those back in the eco bag, he look at me and pout making me confused, "Wala akong regalo sayo." He said, I smiled and shake my head, "No worries, hindi na kailangan--"

"Alam ko na! May ireregalo na ako sayo, kaso baka next year ko na maibigay." He cut me off which made my brows furrowed.

"Ano?" I asked, he then giggled, "Secret, para surprise!" He said, a wide smile on his face. Napatawa nalang ako at napasapo sa akin noo. He's a guy full of happiness.