Chapter 25
1360 Words
December 20 – 4:02 PM – Riverside Garden Resort, Antipolo
The air was crisp, the late-afternoon sun tinting everything gold.
Aira stepped out of the van with Mira, Nhene, and Ashley behind her, bags slung over their shoulders. Fairy lights were already twinkling along the pathways, and soft Christmas songs played from hidden speakers.
It was surreal—this was their Christmas party or 1st semester end party . A mix of tired and tender.
"Ang ganda ng venue, noh?" Mira whispered, eyes wide.
Aira nodded. “Parang panaginip.”
4:45 PM – Class Pavilion Area
The class had rented a small events space by the pool, lined with tables filled with potluck food, a hot chocolate station, and a long gift table.Sobrang ganda talaga ng venue parang gusto ko na dito hehehhe
Everyone was loud, in sweaters and socks and oversized hoodies—exactly as planned.
[Class GC – Pined Message:]
🎁 Theme: Warmth
🎁 Exchange Gift Budget: 200-250
🎁 Optional surprise for your closest seatmate/buddy
“Uy, sino makaka-partner ni Aira?” Nhene teased, nudging her side.
Aira shrugged. “Random draw eh.”
But her heart knew who she hoped it would be.
5:10 PM – Exchange Gift Draw
A small whiteboard had names. One by one, everyone picked from a hat and read the card aloud.
“Ako si Gab … at ang nakuha ko ay si Ashley!”
“Celine… ang nabunot ko ay si Mira!”
Calix stepped up last. He smiled, reading his card silently before facing the group.
“Si Aira.”
The entire class went: “AYIIIIIEEEEE!”
Aira flushed but walked up calmly.
Calix handed her a wrapped package. “No pressure. Just… something small.”
5:13 PM – Aira’s Gift
She unwrapped the gift slowly. It was a tall ceramic mug—matte white—with minimalist writing in black:
> Still Growing.
Aira froze for a second.
“That’s…” she blinked. “This is what I texted you about.”
Calix smiled. “I saw your message. Then drove out to find the closest thing to what you described.”
He didn’t say more. But Aira felt it all.
5:30 PM – Private Moment Under the Lantern Tree
Fairy lights were strung between trees near the edge of the resort, with a bench underneath.
Calix nudged Aira. “Come with me?”
She nodded, following quietly.
Once they were seated, Calix pulled something from his bag—another package. Small. Not part of the official exchange gift.
“This one’s not from the GC. It’s from me.”
Aira looked up, surprised. “You got me two gifts?”
He smiled, scratching his neck. “Just… open it.”
Inside was a handmade photo frame, wood-carved. It held a candid Polaroid Mira had snapped weeks ago—Aira reading under a tree, unaware of the camera.
The engraving on the frame read:
> The day you didn’t know you looked peaceful—and the day I realized I wanted to protect that peace.
Aira’s breath caught.
“Calix…”
“I wanted you to have something that reminds you how far you’ve come.”
6:01 PM – Aira’s POV
> “No one ever gave me something like this before.
Not just the mug. Not just the frame.But the feeling of being seen—and loved exactly where I am.”
6:45 PM – Dinner & Bonfire Prep
The group moved to the bonfire pit. Food was passed around—pasta, fried chicken, cookies, and hot chocolate.
Someone played a guitar. Others roasted marshmallows.
Mira whispered beside Aira, “You okay?”
Aira, holding her frame close to her chest, nodded. “I think… this is the first Christmas I’ve felt steady in a long time.”
7:10 PM – Group Photo
Class photo time.
“Group hug!”
“Uy Calix, tabi mo si Aira!”
Another round of teasing. Another round of photos.
But between the snapshots, Aira stole a glance at him—this boy who’d waited without needing to be begged, who gave without keeping score.
He met her eyes, smiled, and mouthed, “You okay?”
She smiled back.
8:00 PM – Aira’s Journal Entry (She’s writing from her phone in the corner)
> “The surprise wasn’t the gift.It was the quiet joy of being known.And not running from it.”
8:20 PM – Bonfire Pit, Still at Riverside Garden Resort
The fire crackled as the sky turned inky and clear.
Some of their classmates were roasting marshmallows, others singing out of tune with the guitar. Laughter broke in waves.
Aira sat cross-legged on a picnic blanket beside Mira, watching the flame dance.
“Kung every sem may ganitong party, baka di na ko ma-burnout,” Mira joked, sipping hot choco.
Aira grinned. “As long as walang surprise quiz sa next sem, game ako.”
8:42 PM – Games Time
“Okay! Next game!” the class president yelled. “'Truth or Hug.' Walang ligtas!”
Everyone groaned—but participated.
Calix got called early.
“TRUTH!” someone yelled.
“Okay,” the president grinned. “Who made your heart race this semester—aside from coffee?”
Everyone: “Woooooh!”
Calix didn’t blink. “Aira.”
The group exploded in squeals.
Aira covered her face. “I hate this game.”
9:09 PM – Moment Away from the Crowd
Later, Aira quietly slipped away to a quiet spot under the fairy lights—just far enough from the crowd, just close enough to feel part of it.
A few seconds later, Calix followed, carrying two mugs of cocoa.
“Knew you’d hide,” he said, handing one to her.
She took it, smirking. “You’re getting good at reading my exits.”
“I pay attention.”
They sat in silence, legs stretched out, watching the glow from the bonfire reflect on the water nearby.
Then, softly, Calix asked, “Can I ask something real?”
Aira looked at him. “You always do.”
He hesitated. “How do you feel right now?”
Aira took a breath.
> “Safe,” she said.
He blinked.
> “Not loud. Not panicked. Not trying to impress. Just… me. And not scared that I am.”
Flashback – Aira, Christmas Two Years Ago
She was at a table full of people, but felt invisible.
The boy she liked then was on his phone the whole time.
She remembered thinking: “Why do I always feel like I’m too much or not enough?”
Tonight felt like the first time that voice was quiet.
9:50 PM – Back at the Fire
The class was winding down. Some were lying on blankets, others singing softly.
Mira lay beside Aira, both of them staring at the stars.
“Grabe 'no,” Mira whispered. “College is draining… but this? This made it feel worth it.”
Aira nodded. “This is the kind of tired I don’t mind.”
10:07 PM – Before Going to Sleep (Girls’ Shared Room)
Inside their overnight room, the girls changed into pajamas and curled into blankets. Some were still chatting, some scrolling through photos taken.
Mira leaned over. “You okay?”
Aira nodded. “I’m… happy.”
“Not just because of Calix, right?” she teased.
Aira smiled. “Because of everything. Because for once, I don’t feel like I’m bracing for something to go wrong.”
They exchanged soft goodnights.
10:58 PM – Calix’s POV – Poolside Bench
He was scrolling through the photos—one of Aira laughing, her head tilted back, unaware the camera caught her joy.
> “She’s really healing,” he thought.
“And I’m lucky I get to watch her come back to herself.”
He didn’t want to rush her.
But tonight confirmed something for him.
He didn’t just like her.
He was already sure.
11:30 PM – Aira’s Journal Entry (Phone Notes)
> “Some gifts aren’t wrapped.
Some surprises don’t come in ribbons.
Sometimes, the best thing you’ll receive is the quiet confirmation that you’re no longer afraid to be loved.”
- Writer
