Chapter 24
1421 Words
Tuesday – December 18 – 8:09 AM – Aira’s House, Rizal
“Tao po!” Mico shouted from the living room. “Ate, tara naaaa!”
“Sandali lang,” Aira replied from upstairs, trying to untangle her hair with one hand while searching for her wallet with the other. “Kayo na nga lang mauna mag-ayos!”
Ana peeked in from the doorway, holding up Aira’s canvas tote. “Ate, ito ba ‘yung dala mo kahapon?”
“YES! Lifesaver ka, Ana.”
Their mom laughed softly from the kitchen, apron still on. “Maaga pa naman, no need to rush.”
“Eh si Mico kasi parang excited bumili ng buong toy store,” Ana mumbled.
From the kitchen, their mom called out, “Kami ng Dad n’yo dito lang sa bahay today. Gusto raw niya magluto ng lunch na tayong apat lang muna.”
Aira paused at the top of the stairs. “Really?”
Her mom nodded, smiling. “Parang namiss lang din niya ‘yung ganitong setup. Tayong buo.”
kasi simula nung nagkita kaming pamilya na buo ay si dad ay nag change na natauhan na sya namiss na nya kaming anak nya at yung asawa nya na si mom.
Aira’s heart warmed at that. December mornings like this—simple, quiet, full of soft background music and the smell of garlic rice—were rare lately. It felt… grounding.
10:22 AM – In Transit
“May gift suggestion ba sa GC?” Aira asked while scrolling through her phone beside Ana in the backseat.
Mico, sitting in front, turned around. “Yung class president niyo po ate nagtanong if gusto ng exchange gift, pero wala pa final sagot, ‘di ba?”
“Yup. Parang nagvovote pa lang kung gagawin sa mismong party or earlier.”
Aira stared at her screen.
[Class GC – " 2nd Year Lit Squad 💬"]
Paolo (Class Pres):
> Exchange gift po ba tayo this year? 🙌
If yes, suggest budget and if may theme!
Ashley:
> Yes! Dapat cozy theme. Hoodie or mug 🧣☕️
Budget ₱200?
Celine:
> Game ako sa hoodie! Or kahit stuffed toy.
Gab:
> +1 sa hoodie idea!! Kahit fuzzy socks, basta malambot.
Mira:
Basta magiging masaya tayoo @everyone 😁
Renz:
> Pwede rin food? Hahaha Joke
Aira smiled faintly. The energy in the chat was sweet. Not overhyped. Just right.
She typed:
Aira:
> G ako sa hoodie/mug theme. Basta kahit simple lang. ☕️
11:33 AM – Inside the Mall ( Robinson cainta)
“Dun po tayo sa second floor!” Mico said, leading the way.
Ana held Aira’s hand tightly while looking at Christmas lights strung along the railings. “Ang ganda nito… parang fairy lights sa rooftop, Ate.”
“Yeah,” Aira agreed. “Pero walang Calix ngayon, ‘no?”
Ana giggled. “Wala nga. Pero okay lang, may Ate ako.”
They explored stalls full of pastel mugs, stuffed bears, and soft flannel scarves. Aira tried not to overthink things, but she couldn’t help wondering…
> “What would Calix like, kung ako ‘yung makadraw sa exchange gift?”
She spotted a plain ceramic mug with a small mountain print and the words:
“Still Growing.”
She bought it without hesitation.
“Para saan ‘yan ate ?” Mico asked.
“Wala. Gusto ko lang.”
But in her heart, she knew—it reminded her of Calix.
1:06 PM – Food Court Break
Mico and Ana devoured their spaghetti and fries while Aira sipped her lemonade.
Their mom texted her:
[Mom 💌]
> Lunch almost ready dito. In case gusto n’yong mag-take out for dinner, sabi ni Dad nyo.
Enjoy the siblings time, anak. 💕
Aira stared at the message longer than expected.
> “Enjoy the siblings time.”
She didn’t realize until now how much these small pockets of peace mattered. The school stress. The uncertainty with Calix. Her quiet fear of hoping again.
But here, in between fries and holiday music, she wasn’t overthinking. She was just… being.
And that meant something.
3:44 PM – On the Way Home
Ana dozed off in the backseat, head on Aira’s shoulder.
Mico hummed quietly to a Christmas song playing on the radio.
Aira’s mind drifted to the party, the gift she bought, and whether Calix had even thought about her today.
She opened their chat—but didn’t message.
Not yet.
Some things can wait.
For now, December was hers.
4:22 PM – Back at Home
The moment they got back, the smell of garlic butter chicken greeted them. Aira dropped her shopping bag near the shoe rack and smiled as she heard her dad humming in the kitchen.
“Dito lang kayo, ah,” her mom called. “Konti na lang, ready na ‘to.”
Mico rushed to wash his hands while Ana set the table, carefully placing utensils the way she saw on cooking shows.
Aira stood near the doorway and took a moment.
The laughter. The clatter. The music in the background.
> “This is what healing looks like. Not perfect, but present.”
5:31 PM – Family Dinner
“Anak,” her dad said as they sat down, “balita ko malapit na Christmas party niyo?”
Aira nodded, swallowing a bite of rice. “December 20 po. Sa venue na in-announce ng class president namin.”
“Exchange gift?” her mom asked with a smirk.
“Actually, opo,” Aira said, smiling. “Pero vote pa kung hoodie, mug, or kahit food.”
Mico chimed in, “Sana food! Mas masaya ‘pag may kain ate .”
They all laughed.
For once, there was no tension. Just forks hitting plates and overlapping voices.
And Aira thought—maybe this kind of normal is something she can believe in again.
6:09 PM – Aira’s Room
She sprawled on her bed, scrolling through the class GC again.
[Class GC – “2nd Year Lit Squad 💬”]
Paolo (Pres):
> Final vote: Hoodie or Mug for exchange gift! Vote by tonight para maka-ready na by Thursday!
Theme: “Warmth.” 🤍
Celine:
> OMG ANG CUTE NG THEME 🥺
Ashley:
> Hoodie ako! Or kahit socks basta comfy!
Gab:
> Mug!!! Gusto ko ‘yung pwede ko dalhin sa dorm roof HAHA
Aira hovered over the reply button.
Aira:
> Mug gets my vote ☕
Something that makes you think of home.
She stared at her message.
It wasn’t just about mugs.
She knew that.
7:18 PM – Mirror Time
Aira tried on two hoodies, one soft blue, one almond brown, for the upcoming party.
She couldn’t help but think—would Calix be there early? Would he bring banana bread again? Would he sit beside her like always, like it was second nature?
She touched the mug she bought earlier, still wrapped in its box.
Still Growing.
It echoed something in her chest.
8:02 PM – Calix’s POV – His Room
He leaned back on his bed, hoodie over his head, music low.
Scrolling through the class GC, he saw Aira’s message.
> Something that makes you think of home.
His fingers hovered over their private chat.
He wanted to message her first. But something in him liked waiting now—not because he had to, but because she chose to text first these days.
He smiled.
8:18 PM – Message Received
AIRA:
> Hey. Wala lang. Naisip lang kita nung nakita ko ‘yung mug section kanina.May isa dun, nakalagay: “Still Growing.”Parang ikaw. Parang tayo.
CALIX:
> That’s… probably the best thing someone’s texted me this December.Can I say something?
AIRA:
> Go.
CALIX:
> The way you notice things… it makes me feel seen in ways I didn’t know I needed. Thank you.
AIRA:
> You make it easy. You’ve always made it easy.
9:11 PM – Rooftop Vibes (From Home)
Aira stepped out to their small veranda. The stars weren’t as visible as they were on campus, but she could still make out the same sliver of moon.
She thought about the party.
The mug.
The hoodie.
The way her friends were growing with her.
The way Calix stayed, quiet but steady.
Midnight – Aira’s Journal Entry
> “December 18. No confessions, no big changes. But something about today felt warm. Like everything I needed was slowly finding its way to me. Not loudly. But gently. And I think… I like it that way.”
- Writer
