Work Text:
2021
Normal na araw na lang para kay Jeno ang Pasko. Hihintayin mag-alas dose, babati sa mga kaibigan at pamilya, tapos matutulog na. Totoo pala talaga na habang tumatanda ka, mas lumulungkot na ang Pasko.
It used to be fun. Back when he was a child, their family would go to their grandparents’ house to celebrate. Napakaraming handa, may pa-games at premyo, may exchange gift, at hinding hindi mawawala ang dance battle nilang magpipinsan na paboritong-paborito ng mga tito at tita nila.
Si Jeno na lang ang naiwan sa Pilipinas. His parents migrated to the States kasama ang Ate niya at pamilya nito. Ang Kuya naman niya, taga-Cebu ang naging asawa kaya doon na rin nakatira. So since Jeno entered college, he has been “celebrating” Christmas and New Year alone. His friends would invite him to their homes, pero nahihiya siya. Sanay na rin naman kasi siya.
Until Renjun came into his life.
They became friends when they were in 3rd year college. Na-reshuffle ang blocks ng course nila kaya nahiwalay si Jeno sa mga kaibigan niya. He doesn’t know what best friends Jaemin and Renjun saw in him for them to adopt him, until they became a trio na hindi na mapag-hiwalay.
Noong nalaman ni Renjun na mag-isa si Jeno sa Pasko, without hesitation, he invites Jeno to spend the holidays with his family. Tumanggi si Jeno kasi nahihiya daw siya. At kung makulit si Jeno, mas makulit si Renjun. He continuously convinced Jeno to go home with him until the last school day before their Christmas break.
“Jeno, dali na kasi! Masarap magluto si Mama, alam mo yan. Favorite mo nga yung adobo niya eh. Tsaka andun yung mga pinsan ko kaya mas masaya.”
Jaemin whispers, “Pumayag ka na. Hindi ka susukuan nyan.”
“Pag-isipan ko muna,” Jeno says.
Renjun rolls his eyes and he calls his mom. “Ah, ganon. Tingnan natin kung maka-tanggi ka pa.”
Sinubukan pang agawin ni Jeno ang cell phone para sana pigilan si Renjun pero agad namang sumagot si Tita Janine sa tawag.
“Mama! Tingnan mo to si Jeno, ayaw pa pumayag na sa atin mag-Pasko. Ikaw nga kumausap para hindi maka-tanggi.”
“Ang tigas talaga ng ulo ng batang yan! Paka-usap nga ako.”
Renjun hands the phone to Jeno, and Jeno has no choice.
“Hello po, tita,” Jeno shyly says.
“Anak, welcome na welcome ka sa bahay, ha? Malungkot mag-Pasko na mag-isa. Dito ka na samin, masaya at magulo kami rito!” Tita Janine laughs.
Jeno looks at Renjun who’s in front of him and Jaemin who’s beside him. Jaemin gives him a thumbs up, “Sige na! Um-oo ka na. Si Tita na nag-invite sayo oh.”
“Sige po, Tita. Lakas niyo sakin eh.”
Napa-hampas si Renjun sa lamesa, “Si Mama lang pala talaga ang sagot!”
“Oh sya, bye na! Isama mo na si Jeno pag-uwi mo bukas. Wala na rin naman gagawin yan sa dorm. Kung gusto ni Jaemin bumisita, pwedeng pwede rin.”
“Opo, Mama. Bye! See you!” Renjun ends the call before looking at Jeno, “Oh, narinig mo yun? Mag-empake ka mamaya, ah. Susunduin tayo ni Papa bukas ng umaga.”
“Yes, boss. Wala naman akong choice.”
“Buti alam mo.”
Jaemin just laughs at his bickering friends.
🎄
When they reached Renjun’s family home, they were welcomed with a scrumptious lunch, all prepared by Tita Janine. May inihaw na liempo, sinigang na isda, ensaladang talong, at kung anu-anong dessert. Parang fiesta lagi sa bahay ng mga Huang. Mahilig kasi talaga magluto si Tita Janine at kung may Most Hospitable Award, siya na ang yearly recipient noon.
The Huang household has always been open for Junhui, Renjun’s older brother, and Renjun’s friends. Noong high school palang sila, laging tambayan ang bahay ng dalawang magkapatid ng kanilang mga kaibigan at kaklase. May gagawing project? Magpa-practice ng sayaw? Chillnuman? Matic na yan, alam na ng lahat kung saan.
Kaya naman hindi na first time ni Jeno doon. Tuwing may handaan o okasyon, laging sinasama ni Renjun si Jaemin at Jeno pauwi sa kanila. But it would be Jeno’s first time to sleep over. Hindi lang basta-bastang sleepover. He would be staying here for almost 2 weeks para maki-Pasko at Bagong Taon.
“Jeno, kain ka pa, ah?” Renjun’s dad, Tito Junior, says.
“Sige lang po, Tito. Busog na po,” Jeno says.
“Jeno, wala bang jowa tong kapatid ko? Ayaw talaga umamin eh!” Junhui says.
“Ay, paano po aamin eh wala naman talaga?”
Renjun rolls his eyes, “Ayan, Kuya. Sana naman maniwala ka na.”
“Sus, baka pinagtatakpan ka lang. Mag-uwi ka na kasi ng jowa dito. Payag na yan sina Mama at Papa. 1st year college nga lang ako nung pinakilala ko si Wonwoo eh.”
Natawa si Tita Janine, “Kuya, wala nga daw. Anong magagawa natin? Wag mo nang itulad sayo na maaga kumerengkeng! Basta pag meron na, sigurado naman akong hindi na mahihiya yan magpakilala satin.”
“Oo nga! Bakit ba ang atat mo Kuya?”
Junhui laughs, “Wala lang. Never ka pa kasi nagpakilala ng jowa eh. Tsaka para makapag-double date naman tayo, ayaw mo nun?”
“Yuck! Corny mo,” Renjun stands up to wash his hands.
Everyone at the dining table laughs.
Jeno, however, feels a light pang on his chest. Ang tagal na simula nung huli silang kumain ng pamilya niya na magkakasama at kumpleto. But for the Huang family, normal na normal ito.
After eating their lunch, they go to Renjun’s room to settle their things.
“Dyan ka muna, Jen. Baba lang ako saglit. Andyan yung remote ng TV. Matulog ka kung gusto mo. Nga pala, magsi-simbang gabi tayo mamayang alas-otso.”
Jeno just nods. Bago pa tuluyang makalabas si Renjun ng pinto, “ Renjun… ”
Renjun looks back.
“Thank you.”
Two words. But Renjun can feel Jeno’s sincerity. Kilala niya ang kaibigan niya. Noong unang beses niya itong yinaya para mag-Pasko sa kanila, alam naman niyang gusto talaga ni Jeno pero pinapangunahan lang ng hiya kaya naman kinulit niya ito nang kinukit hanggang sa bumigay na nga. Jeno would always talk about how he misses his family and how he can’t wait for them to be complete again. Hindi naman magagawan ni Renjun ng paraan yun, so the least he could do is to let Jeno experience again what it’s like to be with family during the holidays.
Renjun smiles, “Parang others naman. Wala yun!”
Renjun goes down to look for his mom, whom he finds in the kitchen.
“Mama, thanks ulit sa pagpayag na dito muna si Jeno. Tuwing iniisip ko kasi na dun lang siya sa dorm niya sa Pasko, nalulungkot ako eh. Hindi ko nalang pinapakita sa kanya. Ayaw kasi nun na kinakaawaan.”
“No problem, anak. Welcome na welcome dito kahit sino sa mga kaibigan mo, lalo na si Jeno na malayo sa pamilya. Bilib nga ako sa batang yan eh.”
Renjun sits at the bar stool, watching his mom prepare their dinner for later, “Ako rin po. May konting mangyari lang sakin, “Mama” agad isisigaw ko,” he laughs. “Hindi ko kayang mawalay sa inyo, Ma. Sana wag kayo mamatay ni Papa nang maaga.”
Tita Janine drops the bowl she is holding, “Anak naman! Seryoso na yung usapan eh.”
“Seryoso rin ako, Mama.”
“Hay, ang bunso ko. Dito lang si Mama at Papa, ha? Hanggang pagtanda niyo, welcome na welcome pa rin kayo dito.”
Renjun stands up and goes inside the kitchen to hug his mom. “Love you, Mama.”
🎄
On the 24th of December, nagkakagulo na sa mga Huang. Maagang gumising si Renjun at Jeno para tulungan sina Tita Janine at iba pang tita ni Renjun na maghanda sa lulutuin para sa Noche Buena. Ang mga nakababatang pinsan ni Renjun, nagtatakbuhan sa sala. Ang mga tito naman niya ay nag-iihaw ng pang-tanghalian nila sa labas. Hindi pa nga sila kumpleto dahil sa gabi pa magdadatingan ang iba.
Ipinakilala rin ni Renjun si Jeno sa mga pinsan niyang kaedaran lang nila na sina Donghyuck at Chenle. Nagbabalot sila ngayon ng lumpiang shanghai at walang tigil ang asaran at kulitan ng tatlong magpipinsan. Si Jeno, pa-tawa-tawa lang sa gilid.
“Nga pala, Jeno, matanong ko lang. Single ka ba?”
Jeno is taken aback by the sudden and random question from Donghyuck, “Uhm… Oo.”
“Perfect! Ire-reto ka namin sa isa pa naming pinsan. Bagay kayo nun.”
“Siraulo! Balak mo pang gawing pinsan si Jeno,” Tatawa-tawang sambit ni Renjun.
Jeno excuses himself when his phone rings, displaying his mom’s name.
“Wait lang ah, tumatawag lang mom ko.”
When Jeno is far enough for him not to hear them, Chenle speaks, “Hoy Renj, friends lang talaga kayo ni Jeno? At ikaw naman Hyuck, reto reto ka agad dyan baka mamaya bet pala nitong si Renjun!”
“Gago! Friends lang kami, promise.”
Chenle squints his eyes, “Di ko sure, ah. May nararamdaman akong tension sa inyong dalawa.”
“Guni-guni mo lang yun! Mag-balot ka na dyan.”
Donghyuck claps his hands, “Ayun naman pala. Perfect talaga! Si Yangyang, ship ko kay Jeno. Tapos si Dery, ship ko kay Jaemin.”
Chenle rolls his eyes, “Dami mong alam. Ewan ko sayo.”
Renjun brushes off this tingly feeling he gets over the thought of his cousin, Yangyang, and his friend, Jeno, together. Parang weird combination? He quickly erases his negative thoughts. Hindi ko rin naman sila maco-control.
By dinner time, kumpleto na ang pamilya ni Renjun. If Jeno’s going to be honest, he couldn’t remember the names of more than half of the people here. He just smiles at every “Ke-gwapo naman ng batang to!” “Ang pogi naman ng bisita mo, Renj!” from Renjun’s aunties.
Donghyuck suddenly pulls Jeno from his aunties and brings him to the garden, “Andyan na si Yang! Ipapakilala ka na namin.”
Lumilingon-lingon siya para hanapin si Renjun, who was playing with his little cousins. Mukhang gets agad ni Donghyuck kung anong gustong mangyari ni Jeno, “Renj! Halika!”
“Andyan na si Yang! Pakilala natin si Jeno.”
Renjun just nods at bago siya sumunod kay Donghyuck, “Huy, okay ka lang ha? Di ka naman uncomfy?”
“Hindi naman. Oks lang,” Jeno gives him a thumbs up.
Much to Donghyuck’s surprise, Yangyang actually brought home his boyfriend, na first time niyang ipapakilala sa buong pamilya.
“Kaya pala nagpa-late ang gaga! Grand entrance with the jowa,” Donghyuck says while munching on the lumpiang shanghai by the buffet table.
“Ayan, kaya ingat ka sa mga reto reto mo na yan,” Chenle says while patting Donghyuck’s shoulders.
For some reason, parang nabunutan ng tinik si Renjun nung pinakilala ni Yangyang ang boyfriend niya. He’s happy for his cousin, promise!
Pero mas masaya lang ata talaga siya kasi ibig sabihin, hindi na ire-reto ni Donghyuck si Yangyang kay Jeno.
🎄
When the clock strikes twelve, they all shout “Merry Christmas!” sabay yakap, beso, at bless sa isa’t isa. Jeno sends a message to their family group chat and to a few group chats with friends.
He waits for Renjun to finish greeting his family before approaching him.
“Merry Christmas, Renjun! Thank you ulit,” he hugs Renjun.
“Merry Christmas, Jeno! Asan regalo mo sakin?”
Jeno chuckles, “Nasa taas. Mamaya nalang.”
“Mamaya na rin lang regalo ko sayo.”
Renjun picks up the bluetooth microphone, “Okay! Pagkakain po magsisimula na ang games natin kaya mag-warm up na kayo! May pa-raffle daw si Mama na iPhone 13 kaya galingan niyo!”
“Hoy! Loko ka talagang bata ka,” Tita Janine says from the kitchen.
By 3AM, unti-unti na silang nagliligpit dahil lasing na ang mga pinsan at tito ni Renjun. Si Renjun at Jeno lang ang hindi uminom masyado kaya sila rin ang nag-akay sa kanila papunta sa kwarto. Si Donghyuck at Chenle, iniwan nalang nila sa sofa.
“Sure ka? Okay lang na dito nalang sila? Kaya ko pa naman. Kahit ako nalang umakay sa kanila.”
“Ay nako, sanay na yang mga yan dyan. Taon-taon nalang ata sa sofa natutulog dahil sa kalasingan. Akyat na tayo.”
Jeno just follows Renjun, who goes straight to bed.
Jeno chuckles, “Pagod? Grabe, ikaw talaga punong abala, noh?”
Renjun nods, “Oo. Pero nae-enjoy ko naman. Kapag hindi ako nakakapag-organize ng mga ganitong ganap, parang nanghihina ako.”
“Renj, pikit ka. Bibigay ko na gift ko sayo. Pero wag ka muna matulog ah!”
“Ang dami mong alam. Bilisan mo na, antok na ko!”
Inilabas ni Jeno ang isang maliit na paper bag mula sa kanyang backpack. Hindi love language ni Jeno ang gift giving at hindi rin siya sanay magbigay o makatanggap ng regalo kaya hindi niya alam kung magugustuhan ba ni Renjun ang napili niya.
“Okay, open your eyes,” Jeno says as he hands out the paper bag.
“Wait lang. Sabay na tayo magbukas,” Renjun walks towards his cabinet and brings out a thin paper bag.
“Okay, at the count of 3. 1… 2… 3!”
Sabay nilang binuksan ang mga paper bag but the only difference is Renjun destroys it while Jeno patiently and neatly removes the tape, kaya naman mas naunang nakita ni Renjun ang regalo na para sa kanya.
“Gago? Paano mo nalaman?” He holds the Moomin keyring in his hand.
Jeno chuckles, “Nung first punta ko dito, una kong napansin yung mga Moomin plushie mo eh. In-assume ko nalang na childhood favorite mo yan kasi wala namang naka-display na ganyan sa dorm mo.”
“Thank you, Jeno. Ang cute cute, oh my gosh!”
Jeno just smiles and his mouth forms an o as he sees Renjun’s gift.
“Thank you, Renjun… Ang mahal nito, ah.”
A sketch pad. Jeno loves to draw at hindi lang ito basta-bastang hobby. He’s really good at it. Before the Christmas break, nakita ni Renjun na puno na ang lumang sketch pad ni Jeno kaya yun nalang ang naisip niyang regalo.
“Ayan yung brand na meron ka eh. Kaya ayan na rin binili ko.”
“Thank you ulit…”
“Wala yun, ano ka ba! Nag-enjoy ka naman ba?”
“Oo. Ang kulit nga ng pamilya mo,” Jeno laughs.
“Sabi sayo eh. Ano, uulit ka pa?”
Jeno just shyly nods.
That was Jeno and Renjun’s first Christmas together, and certainly not the last.
2022
In their last year in college, Jeno and Renjun got closer. Jaemin would sometimes stare at them and think to himself, magjowa na ba tong dalawang to na hindi sinasabi sakin?
But no. They’re really just friends, who may be too dumb to realize that they have feelings for each other.
Renjun didn’t have to invite (or convince) Jeno to spend the holidays with his family this time. Hindi na nga nila pinag-usapan eh, pero alam nila pareho na sasamang umuwi si Jeno sa mga Huang para maki-Pasko at Bagong Taon ulit.
On the first night of Simbang Gabi, they attended mass at the church near their university. Jeno had never been accustomed to such traditions growing up, until Renjun came to his life.
“Kapag na-kumpleto mo yung Simbang Gabi, pwede kang mag-wish,” is what Renjun says to him while they were on the way to the church.
Skinship is very normal for the two. They would even sleep in the same bed and carry each other on their backs. Pero bakit nang tumugtog ang Ama Namin at naglapat ang kanilang mga kamay, parang may iba?
Jeno couldn’t explain what it was. His hands feel sweaty, although it usually isn’t. Hindi siya mapakali at nang tumingin siya kay Renjun, na parang wala namang kakaiba, he calms himself down.
But Renjun is just good at hiding it. Deep inside, parang pumipilipit ang sikmura niya habang magka-patong ang kamay nilang dalawa. He couldn’t wait for the song to end para bumalik na sa normal ang tibok ng puso niya.
In true Jeno fashion, he had to make things awkward, “Sorry, pasmado.”
🎄
They were once again welcomed with a mala-fiestang handa by none other than Tita Janine. Wonwoo, Junhui’s boyfriend, also came kaya naman panay ang asar ni Junhui kay Renjun at Jeno para matuloy na ang “double date” na inaasam-asam ni Junhui.
“Umamin nga kayo! Kayo na ba? Botong boto kami sayo, Jeno. Wala ka dapat ipag-alala,” Junhui says while clinging onto his boyfriend.
“Kuya, wag mo ngang i-hotseat si Jen! Hindi talaga, okay?!”
“Pero may chance?”
“Ay ewan ko sayo. Tara na nga sa taas!” Renjun pulls Jeno.
Humagalpak si Junhui, “Shuta! Umiiwas! May something, Mama!”
🎄
On the 8th night of the Simbang Gabi, holding hands during the Ama Namin seemed to be the most normal thing in the world for the two. A stranger would probably mistake them as a couple in a relationship for 5 years now.
But no, they really aren’t. Jeno sports a smile on his face as he brings down his hand. Hindi na pasmado ang kamay niya at hindi na rin kabado si Renjun. When it was time to offer each other peace, Renjun held Jeno’s hand once more and squeezed it tightly.
Like the most normal thing in the world.
🎄
Wala naman masyadong nabago sa Pasko ng mga Huang kumpara noong isang taon. Ang magpipinsang Donghyuck, Chenle, Renjun, at Yangyang, kasama na rin si Jeno, ay abala naman sa paggawa ng fruit salad at mango graham para sa Noche Buena.
Jeno excuses himself when one of Renjun’s titos calls him.
Yangyang points at Renjun, “Hoy, bakla ka ng taon! Hindi talaga kayo magjowa ni Jeno? Memetey? ”
“Ang kulit ng lahi niyo! Hindi nga. Bakit ba lahat kayo yan ang sinasabi?!”
“Eh kasi naman, pangalawang beses mo na siya inuwi ng Pasko. Kung birthday o ibang okasyon, gets ko pa eh. Pero Christmas at New year talaga?” Donghyuck says while assembling the mango graham.
“Malayo nga kasi sa pamilya. Nasa US parents at kapatid niya.”
“Walang ibang kamag-anak?”
“Nasa Cebu yung isa niyang Kuya. Mahal daw masyado plane tickets pag holiday season, nanghihinayang.”
“Ay sus! Na-enjoy lang nyan mag-Pasko dito satin.”
Chenle breaks his silence, “Alam mo Renj, di ako masyado suportado dyan sa ship ship na yan ni Hyuck pero feeling ko rin talaga may something.”
“Oh diba! Si Chenle na yan! Number one anti-romantic na ang nagsabi!” Yangyang says.
Renjun just rolls his eyes. Hindi naman siya mananalo sa mga to.
True enough, mukhang si Jeno at Renjun na nga lang ang hindi nakakaalam kung ano nga ba talagang meron sa kanila. Everyone—literally everyone—around them would gush over how good they look together pero pakiramdam nila, wala namang nagbago bukod sa naging mas close nga sila.
Kasama na si Jeno sa exchange gift ng pamilya sa taong ito. He has a proud smile on his face when he’s able to mention the correct names of Renjun’s relatives, mula lolo at lola, tito at tita, at mga pinsan, nang mag-“review” sila with pictures.
“Perfect! Ganap ka nang Jeno Huang,” Renjun laughs.
“Ahh, so ako pala magte-take ng last name mo? Parang bagay din kasi yung Renjun Lee eh.”
Renjun drops his iPad, “Ang landi mo, gago!”
Renjun tickles Jeno and of course, the latter fights back. Pagka-lapat palang ng mga daliri ni Jeno sa leeg ni Renjun, tuluyang nanghina si Renjun sa kakatawa. Hindi na nila namalayang pumasok si Tita Janine sa kwarto.
“Ayyy, jusko! Nagkikilitian!”
The two get their hands off of each other at umayos ng tayo.
“Magbihis na kayo! Magsisi-datingan na iba mo pang Tita at Tito, Renjun. Baba agad ha!”
Once the door fully closes, they both laugh.
“Ayan, ikaw kasi! Nakakahiya tuloy kay Tita,” Jeno saya while fixing his clothes.
“Ulol! Ikaw nauna! Ang landi landi mo kasi.”
“Nangingiliti ka pala kapag kinikilig, ah?”
“Ewan ko sayo. Magbihis ka na dun!”
🎄
Tita Janine pulls Renjun into the kitchen, “Anak, bagay kayo ni Jeno. Boto ako! Nung una mo siyang dinala dito, naniniwala akong friends lang kayo. Pero ngayon, may iba talaga…”
Alam niyo na kung kanino nagmana si Renjun ng kakulitan.
Renjun just hugs his mom, “Mama, ikaw ang isa sa mga pinaka-unang makakaalam kung kami na nga. Pero hindi po talaga.”
“You like him, anak?”
Renjun nods, burying his face onto his mom’s chest.
“Jeno is a good man. You’re in good hands.”
“Hindi pa ako umaamin, Ma. Hindi ko nga alam kung gusto niya rin ako.”
“Yung ganung tinginan at pag-aalaga niya sayo, anak, ganyan na ganyan ang Papa mo sakin nung araw!” Tita Janine laughs, “Hindi kita binobola. Ang instinct ng mga nanay, laging tama.”
🎄
They do their same old tradition once the clock strikes twelve. Beso rito, beso roon. Mano rito, mano roon. Jeno is definitely more relaxed and comfortable now as compared to last year’s celebration. Komportable na siyang nakikipag-huntahan sa mga kamag-anak ni Renjun and he’s confident that he would get their names right nang hindi napapahiya.
Hinayaan niya munang mag-ikot si Renjun para batiin ang kanyang pamilya, but his eyes never leaves his friend.
Jeno doesn’t even realize that he’s smiling from ear to ear. Titig na titig siya kay Renjun, hoping for him to look his way. Tumingin ka, tumingin ka. Isa lang, oh. Renjun finally looks at Jeno with a smile, mouthing a “Merry Christmas”. At exactly 12:04AM on December 25, 2022, Jeno finally admits it to himself. He likes his best friend.
Totoo pala talaga yung sinasabi nilang kapag lumingon ka, akin ka.
🎄
Once the celebration was over, they helped in cleaning up the kitchen and garden area. For the first time, Donghyuck and Chenle were sober enough to help out. Si Yangyang naman ang bagsak at natutulog sa sofa.
Renjun pulls Jeno to his bedroom for them to exchange gifts before going to bed. Renjun feels giddy over their silly little tradition. They would only give their gifts once the loud and chaotic celebration is over and they’re the only ones left in the room, enveloped with silence and warmth despite the cold December weather.
“Renj, wag kang magagalit sa gift ko ah. Medyo recycled lang siya.”
Upon hearing that, Renjun hides his disappointment. Big deal sa kanya ang Pasko. It’s his most favorite time of the year. Sa totoo lang, gifts, no matter how small or big, don’t really matter to him. But with Jeno, it suddenly does matter.
“Okay, ano ba yan?”
“Wala pa nga pero parang disappointed ka na agad,” Jeno chuckles.
“Ayusin mo kasi! Ang ganda ng gift ko sayo.”
“Akin na yung gift mo sakin para mabuksan na natin nang sabay.”
Renjun brings out a box and hands it to Jeno.
“Okay, at the count of 3 ah? 1… 2… 3!”
Just like last year, nauna si Renjun sa pagbukas ng regalo niya. Masyado kasing mabusisi si Jeno at talagang maingat niyang tinatanggal ang tape at gift wrapper.
Renjun stares at Jeno’s gift, “Eto yung bigay kong sketch pad last year ah?”
“Buksan mo kasi,” Jeno smiles.
Renjun flips through the pages in shock as he recognizes Jeno’s drawings. Of course, he would be able to recognize them right away. Mukha niya yan eh.
“Okay ba? One year in the making yang gift ko sayo!”
Renjun tears up as he flips through the pages more.
“Thank you, Jen. Grabe naman tong gift mo. Paano ko to mapapantayan?”
“Sus, wala yun. Ako nga yung sobrang thankful sayo.”
Despite being busy as graduating students, Jeno would bring his sketch pad everywhere in case he gets a chance to draw his favorite muse.
Natutulog na Renjun sa classroom habang naghihintay ng next prof, Renjun na naka-upo sa sahig ng dorm ni Jeno, Renjun at Jaemin na magkatabi sa kama ni Jeno, and more of their idle or random moments together. Lahat yan, iginuhit ni Jeno.
Renjun hugs Jeno and the latter rubs his back, “Iyakin.”
“Natuwa lang ako masyado sa gift mo! Sige na, buksan mo na yung iyo.”
Jeno opens the box and finds a sleek black helmet that he can use for cycling. In Renjun’s words, “Para naman ma-engganyo ka lumabas ng bahay kahit wala ako! Mag-bike ka, kayo ni Jaemin! Para hindi ka laging naka-kulong sa dorm. Kailangan mo rin maarawan.”
Jeno laughs, “Ano ako, baby? Baby mo nalang, pwede?”
“Ay pucha naman talaga. Ang landi, ah?”
“Effective na ba?”
Renjun rolls his eyes, “Good night! Merry Christmas!”
2023
Hindi nalang Pasko ang ice-celebrate ni Jeno at Renjun pagpatak ng alas dose dahil first anniversary din nila. Kung dati, magkasama sila buong Christmas break, iba na ngayon. May trabaho na sila pareho kaya naman dumating lang si Jeno sa bahay nina Renjun noong umaga ng December 24.
Renjun welcomes Jeno with a hug and a quick peck on the lips, “Welcome home, mahal.”
They quickly release from the hug once one of Renjun’s titas walks in the living room. Hindi pa alam ng mga kamag-anak ni Renjun na finally, sila na. Noong nakaraang Pasko, agad naman nila itong sinabi kay Tita Janine, Tito Junior, Junhui, at pati na rin sa tatlong pinsan ni Renjun but they kept their relationship as a secret to Renjun’s nosy relatives kasi wala lang, gusto lang nila pagtripan ang mga ito.
Inaasar pa nga ni Donghyuck na gagawan niya ang mga ito ng karatulang “Kami na” kapag nag-announce sila sa pamilya mamayang gabi.
“Lapag muna natin gamit mo sa taas.”
They secretly hold hands while going up the stairs and when they reach Renjun’s room, Renjun lets himself melt in Jeno’s arms again.
“I missed you, mahal. Merry Christmas!”
“Kakakita lang natin nung isang araw,” Jeno laughs, “I missed you too. Merry Christmas,” he says and plants a kiss on Renjun’s forehead. “Tara na sa baba para makatulong na tayo kina Tita.”
“5 minutes. Sosolohin muna kita kasi mamayang madaling araw na ulit kita masosolo nyan. Lahat ata ng tao sa bahay na to kaagaw ko sayo.”
Humagalpak ng tawa si Jeno, “Paano ba yan? Inlove na inlove talaga sakin pamilya mo.”
“Di pwede. Ako lang dapat.”
🎄
Like what they were used to, tulong tulong ang lahat sa paghahanda para sa Noche Buena. Ang naka-toka sa kanilang magpipinsan ngayon ay ang chocolate cake na recipe ni Tita Janine.
“Kamusta naman ang couple of the year?” Yangyang says while slicing the butter.
“Gaga, wag kang maingay! Secret pa nga, diba?” Donghyuck says.
Umiling-iling si Chenle, “Ewan ko ba kasi dyan sa dalawang yan, gusto pa ata ng thrill. For sure naman tanggap na tanggap na si Jeno.”
“Ang kulit kasi nina Tita last year eh! Ayan, one year delayed tuloy ang announcement namin sa kanila,” Renjun says while beating some eggs.
Si Jeno, moral support nalang sa gilid with konting landi kay Renjun.
“Mahal, ako na muna dyan para maka-pahinga ka.”
“Gusto mo ng water?”
“Gusto mo ng shanghai?”
Halos masuka-suka na sina Donghyuck, Yangyang, at Chenle sa sobrang sweet ng dalawa. What more if they can freely act like this in front of their family?
“Nung una, tuwang tuwa pa ko na kayo na eh. Ngayon, tama na! Utang na loob!”
“Parang last year lang, ang pabebe pa nila, noh? May something naman na pala talaga,” Yangyang laughs, “Sa una lang yang honeymoon phase! Kami ng jowa ko nasa pikunan phase na ngayon.”
“Bitter mo naman! Paskong-pasko oh!” Renjun replies.
The rest of the day goes on like usual, na may konting palihim na halik sa pisngi at labi ng dalawa kapag walang nakatingin. For some reason, they’re really having fun with keeping the whole thing a “secret” from their family.
They rest for a while before going back down for the Noche Buena. They’re cuddled in bed and Jeno is lazily stroking Renjun’s hair.
“Mahal, na-kumpleto mo naman yung Simbang Gabi, diba? Ano winish mo?” Renjun asks.
“Pwede ba sabihin yun sa iba?”
“Oo ata? Ako lang naman eh! Dali na, anong wish mo?”
“Ayoko sabihin! Baka hindi magka-totoo.”
Jeno takes the Simbang Gabi wish seriously now, because he believes that his wish for last year was easily granted. Ang taong kayakap lang naman niya ngayon ang wish niya noong nakaraang taon.
This year’s wish? To spend more Christmases with the same man who made him feel like Christmas is worth enjoying again.
🎄
“Merry Christmas!”
“Namamasko po!”
Kung noong dalawang nakaraang taon ay naghihintay lang si Jeno kay Renjun na matapos bumati sa mga kamag-anak nito, ngayon ay kasa-kasama na siyang mag-ikot para bumeso, mag-mano, at bumati sa pamilya niya.
What boggles Renjun’s mind is how his Marites titas don’t seem to even mind. Sa isip isip ni Renjun, mukhang nasanay nalang din talaga sila sa presensya ni Jeno.
Renjun picks up the bluetooth microphone, “Merry Christmas, everyone! Bago po tayo magsimula sa games at exchange gift, may announcement muna kami ni Jeno.”
His relatives look at them, forming a circle with the two in the middle.
He reaches for Jeno’s hand and intertwines it with his. He whispers a “Happy first anniversary, mahal” before speaking into the microphone again.
“Surprise! First anniversary namin ngayon!”
Tumahimik ang lahat and the only thing they can hear is the background music playing from the speaker.
Tita Susan, Tito Junior’s younger sister, breaks the silence, “Jusko! Yun na yun?! Akala ko naman engagement announcement na. Ready na ako mag-ninang sa kasal!”
Jeno and Renjun both have confusion written all over their faces.
Tita Dora, one of Renjun’s titas, speak, “Last year pa namin alam, mga anak! Nakita namin kayong magka-holding hands nung paalis kami. Secret secret at surprise pa kayo dyan, sinong na-surprise satin ngayon?”
The whole family laughs and Renjun and Jeno stare at each other before breaking into a laugh.
“Mahal, na-reverse uno card ata tayo,” Jeno says while hugging Renjun.
“Kaya kunyari nalang hindi namin napapansin at nakikita na ang sweet sweet niyo!” Tita Dora adds.
“Merry Christmas, mga anak! Fail ang surprise niyo!” Tita Janine shouts.
Renjun pulls Jeno into a corner away from their family.
“Happy anniversary, mahal. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! I love you so much!” He tiptoes to kiss Jeno’s forehead and he wraps his arms around his neck.
Jeno wraps his arms around Renjun’s waist and returns the kiss on his forehead, on his nose, and on his lips, “Happy anniversary. Thank you for everything, mahal. Every Christmas with you is the best Christmas.”
Three Christmases later, they surely can’t wait to spend more together for the rest of their lives.