The Last Letter

52

Chapter LII

“Okay, let’s continue later. It’s quarter to 12 already.” Aries said after looking at his wristwatch.

I was immersed in thinking about the same thoughts I always had at night. I could also tell that Ben is the same too. He looks like he was on the verge of drowning himself in his own thoughts.

The three of us stood up and walked inside the house. Mom changed her clothes into a more formal one, same as dad and my younger brothers. At this time of the night, we usually take a photograph. Taking a picture every special occasion is a must for us.

Aries went upstairs, in his room to get his camera. Only he has the access to those so as much as I want to, I can’t use his camera. It has quite complex settings that I know I’ll learn easily but he is the problem. He doesn’t want anyone touching his things, not his family and not his friends. Even now that he lives away from us for about 3 years, he still has his own room that was always locked. I wonder what more special things are in there that he fears we might find out.

He came running downstairs with his special camera and the tripod in his hands.

We let Aries handle all the camera work since he was the expert in those kinds of things. He sets it up in the living room, the usual spot where we always take family pictures every special occasion.

Mom is a very sentimental person just like me. We both like photographs, letters, those things that make you remember how it felt and what it looked like during that specific time and day. Even now, I have kept my cinema, bus and train tickets, flowers that have dried out that I got from different places that hold a special memory, the clothes I wore from my first graduation that I refused to hand down to my brothers, and more. Those things that you can see everyday but have that history you want to remember. Anyways, I’m just so sentimental. That’s it, end of conversation.

“1, 2, 3 say cheese.” Ben said and the light came flashing by our eyes. “One more.” He added.

We are all standing next to each other, I mean just the members of our family. Ben was tasked to take the pictures so he was standing by the camera in front of us.

I made a peace sign and smiled at the camera. In just a matter of seconds, our faces are already inside a machine. Funny, yet amazing how a small gadget like a camera captures much more details than our own eyes. And what’s more amazing is that it can capture what our memory may forget as time passes.

It’s just so astonishing that such a simple invention could do so much. For me, it’s one of the greatest inventions ever.

“Ben, come here. Let’s take a picture with you too.” Mom said.

After changing the settings and adding a timer, Aries clicked the camera and went to his position, same as the other pictures. I don't know what face I made in that picture but all I know is that I was not ready when the flash started.

“One more!” I shouted.

“Sure bro, chill.” We all chuckled lightly at Aries’ response to my childish words.

He clicked the camera again and went beside me and Ben on the back. We three put our arms on each other's shoulders and smiled at the camera. I made a peace sign with both of my hands and waited for the flash to fill our eyes.

*clicks*

“10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… Merry Christmas!”

December 24, 1995 ended just like that.

We all shouted and jumped like crazy. I walked to the speakers and blasted the music so loud that I don’t care if our ears bleed tonight. I just know that it was much more fun than the other years I spent celebrating the same occasion. Maybe because Ben was here that made this celebration a little more special.

Dad shouted that we should go outside and we all did.

Outside were all of my neighbors greeting and smiling at each other. Dad prepared lighting up the fireworks while we maintained a safe distance. The children were going all around greeting each other's families.

Earlier, my neighborhood was like a ghost town because no one was outside because they were busy preparing. But now, they were all out and you could see the happiness on everyone’s faces. We are on the highest part of the neighborhood so we pretty much see everyone up from here. The temperature at this hour might be cold but our hearts are warm for sure.

One by one, fireworks of different colors light up the sky. It was as if we were the main characters in a movie. I see this almost every year but I can’t seem to get tired of this. The fireworks, the smiles on each other’s faces, the Christmas lights, everything just makes my heart light and warm. As if the world is in so much peace and happiness

Mom walked up to me and kissed me on the cheek. “Merry Christmas my baby.” She said,

“Mom, stop it.” We both chuckled. She walked to Ben and Aries too and did the same to them. I looked at Ben who seemed to cannot remove the smile from his face. I went beside him and poked him on his back and pretended that I didn’t do anything.

“Idiot.” He said. And just like that, we both laughed. No context or whatsoever, that’s just how it goes between best friends who’ve known each other for so much time. Even just accidentally looking at each other’s eyes makes us laugh.

“I’m glad I chose to spend the night here. I would’ve felt so depressed if I had chosen otherwise.” He said, just loud enough for me to hear.

“If not for me and my consistent persuasion, you won’t be able to see this.” I winked at him. And for the first time, he also winked at me. We both laughed together again but he smacked my head after.

The firework display ended in just minutes. We also had those straw like, handheld fireworks that we had fun playing with. Mom went around the houses too to greet his amigos and amigas, telling then to come by at our house since she prepared quite a feast.

Since we had nothing left to do outside, we went inside to eat. I reheated some of the food that was not that good when eaten cold. I was bearing all the hunger inside me for hours now just so I could stuff myself up after Christmas eve. Anyways, mom is a great cook so it was worth waiting for the feast.

I suddenly thought about what Suzanne might be doing now but I’m sure she’s enjoying spending the special day with her family. I know I am in love when I experience being so happy and someone would casually cross my mind while doing something. I wonder how tired Suzanne might be from all that she did was running on my mind. That was cheesy, I know.

After a while, all of us are complete on the table. My family and Ben. We were all happily chatting and guess what, Aries led the conversation. Like, was it shocking?

But I’m not mad at it though.

He shares the highlights of his year 1995. Like how he was almost scammed by one of his trusted employees, his girlfriend that he was dating for 3 years now, his plans on buying a house, getting married, and expanding his business and much more. It sounds like he was living the best time of his life. What was he talking about earlier that he wished he could go back to being young again? If I was in his shoes and had plans like that, I would think that I was on a roll and think that this year is my best year.

Ben also shared about his journey of becoming a national champion. His competition is getting nearer and nearer, he just has months to prepare. God knows how proud I am of how Ben has had his eyes focused on his goal and how close he is now to achieving it. I always knew he’ll go big someday.

“What about that girl who was with Ben when I went to the hospital when August was admitted. Are you still friends with her?” Aries asked and then took a spoonful of rice.

“August’s girlfriend!”

My eyes widened in shock upon hearing the words that came from my youngest brother’s mouth. Everyone went silent and they were all looking at me, Aries too who had that confused look on his face. What I could only hear was the deafening sound of my heart beating so fast that any second by now, I think it would burst out on my chest.

To be continued…

Author’s note:

Hello guys! How are you doing? I hope all of you are safe and healthy. Christmas is coming so I already made a Christmas special in this story. Thank you for supporting my story and I wish I could read some of your comments and sentiments. We are approaching the middle of the story, just so you know. Keep reading! ^^