Jairus Gail POV

*Arf arf*

I turned to Reese, the dog. She had been walking around my room.

"She's so adorable, kuya" Jaime said sitting on my bed

She picked up Reese and went next to me.

"Do you think she'll like it?"

"That is beautiful, kuya but why is that? Maybe it's better if it's gold or silver, where did you buy that thing by the way?"

"I made"

"Why don't you buy?"

"She doesn't like the things that were bought and given to her, she said she prefers the thing that was made" I looked at the Bracelet with the pink strap and the pendant that I made myself a few weeks ago.

I was almost burnt when I did this. I also engraved her name on it.

Gwyn Reese

Just like the necklace I gave her last time

"I like it kuya and I think she will like it too" she said "What do you think little puppy?"

*Arf arf *

"See" Jaime said again

I just smiled. A few minutes later my sister left, and the dog inside my room.

I looked at Reese. Sitting on the floor with his head tilted looking at me.

I’m not a dog lover but I’m glad the dog is with me now. She is a brown aspin.

"Hey Reese" he barked and turned around I picked her up, I showed her the bracelet "What do you think? Do you like it?"

She barked.

Maybe I'm crazy because I'm talking to the dog. But it makes me smile.

On Decemeber 25 the two of us will meet again, I mean Gwyn, because there will be a big party at their house.

Joms ’ family is also going because there is a big celebration.

I lost my smile when I remembered that their upcoming wedding would also be discussed at the party.

"Your Mommy is getting married Reese" I talked to the dog "But not to me" I looked at the dog who was looking at me and tilted his head while sticking out his tongue

"Would you like to eat?" I stood up and was fitted with dog food on Reese's plate.

Gwyn Reese POV

Masayang nag hahanda ang lahat para sa darating na noche buena mamayang alas-dose.

Suot ko ang kulay pulang t-shirt at nag pantalon lang ako. Tinali ko ang mahaba at kulot kong buhok. Hindi naman ako nag lahay ng kung anong kolorete sa mukha

Ay mali, nag pulbo lang ako ng ng lip tint pala.

Nang bumaba ay madami na ang tao sa likod ng bahay, nandito din kasi ang ilang pamilya ng mga kasambahay namin.

Napangiti ako kay mama ng makita itong tumatawa, may buhat itong bata kausap ang ilang kasambahay.

Ngayon ko lang nakita na ngumiti at tumawa si Mama. Kausap naman ni Kuya ang ilang lalake at ganun din si papa.

"Hello ate" binaba ko ang ingin ko

"Hello" umupo ako at tinignan sya "Ano pangalan mo?"

"Ako po si Carmela"

"Hi Carmela ako pala si Ate Gwyn" pakilala ko

"May nag papabigay po pala sayo nito" abot nya sa akin ng isang papel, kinuha ko ito

"Thank you" agad syang tumakbo paalis kinuha ko naman ang papel

"Good evening everyone" tinago ko sa bulsa ko ang papel ng mag salita si papa sa harap.

Nakinig ang ako kay papa. Hindi masyadong formal at mahaba ang sinabi ni papa. Nag pasalamat lang ito bago nag bigay ng Ayuda sa mga tauhan namin.

Nang dumating ang alas-dose ay kumain na kami sa mahabang lamesa na niready sa labas.

Masayang nag kwekwento naman ang ilang tauhan. Malakas naman na tumawa si papa.

This time hindi pilit o hindi sarkastiko ang tawa nya na nakasanayan ko.

Tinignan ko ang pamilya ko.

Para sa akin ito ang best na christmas eve ng buhay ko at sana hindi lang ito ang the best, sana marami pang christmas na dumating na kasama at kumpleto kami ng pamilya ko.

Nag palitan na kami ng regalo ng pamilya ko at ang ilang regalo naman ay ipapadala ko sa mga kaibigan ko at ilang kakilala sa susunod na araw.

Kinuha ko ang ang cellphone ko, puro text mula sa mga kaibigan ko sa mga pinsan ng pinsan ng tatay at nanay ko.

Nag reply ako pabalik sa kanila. Pero may isang tao ako na tinawagan. Agad naman sya sumagot.

"Jairus" wika ko "Merry christmas"

"Merry Christmas" wika ni Jairus

Nag paalam ako bago nag lakad paakyat sa kwarto ko, sinara ko ang pinto ko at lumabas sa balkonahe bago umupo sa upuan doon

"How Reese?" tanong ko

"She's okay"

"May I see her?" tanong ko

"Yes you can"

Pinindot ko ang video call para makita si Reese, agad naman nito iaccepet ang video call.

Napangiti ako ng makita ko si Reese, may suot itong damit na maliit.

"Sino may bili ng damit nya?"

"Me"

"Hello my baby do you miss me?" tumahol ito at tumingin sa camera "Do you want me to go there, my baby?" nag screen shot ako para may picture nya ako "Baby" halos mapatalon naman ako ng biglang bumukas ang kwarto "What the?! Kuya ano ba!" sigaw ko ng makita si kuya na blankong tumingin sa akin

"Sinong baby? May boyfriend ka?"

"Duh boyfriend" Napangiti naman ako at may naisip na pang aasar "Kuya sorry" arte ko "May pamangkin ka na" kunwaring naiiyak ko

"Tss" rinig kong wika ni Jairus

"What?"

"I'm sorry" Pinunasan ko ang kunwari ang luha ko

"Are you pregnant?"

"No, but I have daughter"

"Gwyn Reese" pinakita ko ang cellphone kung saan nandoon pa rin ang call

"She's Reese"

"Psh"

"Ah kuya can I go kila Jairus?"

"No"

Napanguso ako "Jairus bukas dalhin mo si Reese dito a"

"Yeah I will"

Binaba ko ang call at hinarap si Kuya na hindi pa umaalis sa pinto. "What?"

"Naka uwi na din pala si Isabelle?" umiwas sya ng tingin

"Isabelle?"

"S-si J-Jaime" utal nyang sagot

"Ah yung kapatid ni kapatid ni Jairus?"

"Yeah"

"Oo nung nakaraan, bakit?"

"Wala lang I just want to ask"

"Uy kuya ikaw a, may gusto ka ba kay Jaime?"

"No why would I?"

"Let me remind you kuya she's 2 years younger than you, ikaw tirador ka talaga ng mas bata sayo"

"Psh kunin mo yung nga regalo mo sa baba at nakakalat doon" wika nya bago umalis at nag lakad palayo

"Don't worry ilalakad kita doon para may girlfriend ka hahahaha" sigaw ko

Mag kasing edad lang kami ni Jaime, nakakabatang kapatid ni Jairus.

Simula naman ng mamatay ang papa nila ay sa state na sya nag aral, bumabalik lang ito pag pasko o pag may espesyal na okasyon.

Nang maka baba ako ay kinuha ko ang ibang regalo at nag patulong sa ilang kasambahay para maikayat ang mga regalo sa akin.

Nang makaayat ako sa kwarto ay binuksan ko ang ilang regalo sa akin.

Una kong binuksan ang regalo ni Kuya, isa syang hair brush. Niregalo ko naman kay kuya ay isang relo na F. P. Journe.

Sunod naman ay kay mama, isa syang bag, ang niregalo ko naman kay mama ay isang alison lou na braclet na may nakasulat na mama.

Sunod kay papa. Isa Parker Jotter steel ballpoint pen ang binigay ko dahil mahilig sya nag sulat ng mag sukat. Nakabox ang regalo ni papa, pag bukas ko ng box ay may isang susi, may letter naman. Kinuha ko ito at binasa.

To my Princess...

I know I'm not the perfect father to you, but I want you to be happy. I thought I already knew the things where you would be happy, but not yet. Forgive me for the life I gave you, I know you don't deserve such a chaotic world. But believe it or not, I tried to give you a normal life. But I failed. I know I did something against your will, but believe me or not, I just want to protect you and your brother.

But I won't force you to do something you don't want to do, so just say if you want to end your marriage to young Jackson, Rayden. Because I am willing to consider my life for the safety of our family.

I also know that like your older brother you also want to leave this house. Let me give you what you want. hija, I won't stop you from the things you want to do, but let me protect you and when I tell you if you made a mistake and when that time comes, please don't be upset because I just want to your goodness.

To my youngest daughter, as you grow older, a girl become a young lady, I want you to fly out like a free bird. Go forth and pursue all your dreams. No matter where you go in life or who you grow up to be, I'll always be right here, standing behind you... encouraging you to live your dreams. When you need a hug, me, your mother and your Kuya Rohan are here to give you a hug. When you need someone to talk to, me, your mother and your Kuya Rohan are here to listen. Don't forget that we are always here.

I love you so much our princess, your mom and I love you so much, also your brother loves you so so much. We love you Our little Princes Gwyn Reese.

-Love Papa

Pinunasan ko ang luhang tumulo sa aking mata. Tinignan ko din ang isang papel. Titulo ng bahay at lupa may isang susi naman na syang susi ng bahay.

Pinusan ko pa rin ang luhang tumutulo sa akin bago lumabas. Wala na masyadong tao sa baba at ilang tauhan at kasambahay na lang na nag lilinis ng ilang kalat.

Dumaretso ako sa office ni papa at katulad ng inaasahan ko ay nandoon sya. Naka tayo at nakaharap sa mataas na book shelf.

"Dad" wika ko lumingon sya sa akin bago ko sya gawaran ng yakap "I love you so much, Dad, I'm sorry for being naughty, I'm sorry if I disappoint you, I'm sorry for everything papa"

"Shh" nilayo ako ni papa at Pinunasan ang aking luha "I love you too our princess"

"Ben" Nilingon namin ni papa ang pumasok "Aw sali naman ako" lumapit sa amin si papa at nakiyakap

"Ma, Pa" pumasok si kuya "Tss" Napatawa si kuya "What are you doing?"

"Come here hijo"

"Tss I hate drama" nilapitan naman sya ni mama at hinila bago kami nag group hug

"Let's have family picture tomorrow" wika ni Mama

Nag tinginan naman kami ni kuya bago sabay na tumawa.

♥To be continued♥