The Last Letter

49

Chapter XLIX

We both headed inside after. We left his car outside since no one would really care if someone leaves their car or anything on the driveway. Plus, no one is outside at this hour. Everyone is busy preparing for Christmas eve. Maybe at 10 or 11pm, it will be the time that everyone will go outside to prepare for lighting up the fireworks at midnight.

“Hello Benjamin! It was nice to see you! Happy birthday and Merry Christmas to you and your family!” My mom said as soon as she saw Ben and I walk inside the kitchen. She removed the apron she was wearing and walked towards us to greet Ben.

“Thank you auntie. Merry Christmas to you and everyone here too. By the way, this is all for you and the kids.” Ben replied and handed all the gifts to mom.

“You don’t really have to do this every year dear. Your presence in the house is enough, but still, thank you for all of these. Kids! Say thank you to your brother, Ben.” My brothers immediately went over to us and hugged Ben one by one to thank them for the gifts.

“Wait here okay. I also prepared a gift for you but I was kind of worried earlier that you won’t show up today. Let me get the gift upstairs.” Mom said and before we say anything, she made her way to the second floor where the master bedroom was.

“Mom, that's unfair! You only prepared a gift for Ben? What about us then?” I shouted that echoed the whole room. Well, I only meant it as a joke. It is not in our Christmas tradition to hand out gifts for each other. As my mom said, presence is enough and maybe more than enough to celebrate this special holiday. Also, no one in our family is materialistic.

“Why? Is it your birthday?” Mom shouted back at me from their room. Ben and I chuckled at mom’s response. Mom and I, we actually most of us here in this house, except dad have a really loud voice. Out of all of us, Mom is the loudest followed by Aries. I wonder how dad could bear to hear all of these mouths every single day.

“By the way, where is uncle?” Ben asked. Oh yeah, where’s dad? It’s like I haven’t seen him all day.

I looked at the kitchen, living room, bathroom and anywhere dad could possibly be resting but I can’t seem to find dad in his usual spots. Maybe he’s in his room?

Not long after, Mom came rushing down the stairs holding a medium sized black fancy paper bag. She handed it to Ben and hugged him.

“Thank you for this auntie.” Ben said and smiled.

“That’s nothing compared to what you give to us every Christmas dear. Anyways, how’s your family? How will you spend your birthday and Christmas?” Mom asked.

“Where’s dad?” I interrupted. I know Ben wouldn’t like to talk about his family now as he had said to me a while ago. As much as possible, I don’t want anyone to ruin the day for him.

“He’s out, getting Lechon in the city with Shey’s dad.” Mom answered. Shey is one of my youngest brother’s friends and classmates in our neighborhood. They live just 3 houses away from us so they and our family are quite close. And Lechon is a roasted whole pig. It is a staple in special occasions like Christmas, New year and such.

“Oh okay mom, I smell something burning. You should probably go back to the kitchen.”

“Oh yes! I forgot I was cooking something. Ben, suit yourself okay? There are cooked foods in the kitchen already, you should eat before you leave.” Mom said and rushed towards the kitchen.

“Sure auntie, thank you so much.” Ben said loudly for mom to hear from the kitchen.

I walked towards the sofa in the living room and Ben followed me there. I sat beside my brothers who were watching a comedy show. I don’t know what it is that they were watching but all I know is that it is funny, hence, a comedy. I rarely watch television unlike when I was young so I do not know what was going on in each former favorite channel of mine.

Ben and my brother seemed to enjoy it so I watched with them

Oh right. I should probably tell Suzanne that I am with Ben now so she’ll stop worrying. I looked at Ben who was beside me, laughing and smiling while watching tv. I can’t help but feel guilty. If only he or I liked another girl, I wouldn't have to feel this way whenever I see or talk to him. It feels so wrong.

I excused myself that I needed to use the bathroom but I actually went upstairs to my room. I immediately went straight to my bed and looked for my pager. From what I remember and what I was used to doing, I always leave my pager on my bedside table, near my lamp but for some reason, it was not there.

I scanned my bed, turned and shook my pillows and blanket in hopes to find my pager. Where is it? If it’s not on my bedside table, it will probably be on my bed. I reached for my pockets but there was nothing. I walked to my study table, opened my cabinets but just as I thought, my pager wasn’t there.

My heart almost came out of my chest when I heard my door open. I turned my head to see that it was Ben. He was peeking from the outside.

“What are you doing?” He whispered, still creepily peeking from my door.

“Oh I was just looking for something.” I said and smiled awkwardly.

“What is it? I’ll help you.” He said and walked inside my room casually.

“No, it’s nothing important. I could look for it later or tomorrow. What brings you here in my room? He walked towards me, who was standing beside my study table but then shifted his direction and went straight to my bed.

“I just wondered why you went to your bedroom instead of going to the CR. Anyways, it’s been a while since I’ve been in your room, I miss this.” Ben answered.

“That’s why I’m telling you that you should spend the night here if you have nowhere else to go.” I said and sat on the chair of my study table.

“But if I do that, what excuse can I make up to say to your mom. She might think it’s weird that I’m spending my birthday and Christmas here instead in my home. Worst case, she might notice that something happened at home and she will call home to ask what happened.”

“No, you’re just thinking too much Ben. I’ll talk to mom about it and make up reasons for you. You know mom, she wasn’t that close to your mom and more so to your dad. Don’t worry and just enjoy the rest of the day here.” I said and crossed my arms.

Be smiled at me and laid at my bed. “If you insist then. Do you miss me so much that you really want me to sleep here with you?”

“Yey! There’s no turning back okay? And yes, I miss you so much that it hurts.” I acted as if my chest hurt and gripped my shirt above my chest.

“Eww, disgusting.” He said blankly and rested his right arm above his forehead.

“Do you want to eat? Mom is almost done cooking all the dishes. Why don’t you help me set up the backyard. We could drink beer there until sunrise or until we become wasted. There will also be lighting of fireworks later.”

“Sure, I like that idea.”

I looked at my wall clock and it said 6:30 pm. I glanced at my window and it was already completely dark outside. I turned my head in Ben’s direction and his eyes were closed while his arms were still above his forehead.

“Are you sleeping? I thought you’ll help me.” I said. I waited for a couple of seconds but I didn’t receive any response from him. “Hello? Are you really sleeping right now? At this hour?” Still, no response from him. Ben is going through tough times so I think I’ll just let him rest. It is also his only time to rest since he was always busy during the regular days.

“Okay, I guess I’ll prepare it myself. Rest here, I’ll wake you up later if you’re really sleeping.” I said and stood up. I walked towards my bedroom door, reached to turn off the lights, quietly closed the door and went outside. I rushed down the stairs and immediately ran to the telephone to call Suzanne.

My pager might be just somewhere in my room so I need to warn Suzanne not to message me in pager because Ben is sleeping in my bed. If my pager vibrated even just a little, it could cause massive trouble for both of us.

To be continued…