WAKE ME UP WHEN IT'S DECEMBER

Hermelyn Sandoval hugged her thin cardigan tighter around herself as she walked along the street. The cold December air bit at her cheeks, but she kept walking, her eyes fixed on the long bridge not far ahead. She didn't know why she was going to that bridge tonight, it wasn’t exactly a tourist spot, but something about the wind, the lights, and the quiet made her feet move in its direction. But the bridge is exactly the hiding place of her tears. There, she could talk to herself, while understanding everything happens in her life. All she wanted this December is... her Mom. Or maybe she just needed space. Space from loneliness. Space from thoughts she had tried to bury for years. After all, this night marked as the ten years, ten years is a long years, since she last spent Christmas with her mother. Her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket: "Christmas is coming… Take care always, my sunshine.” A message from her mom. Short. Sweet. And painful in ways she couldn’t explain. Hermelyn exhaled deeply, releasing a white puff of breath into the night air. Her mother meant well, she always did. But no amount of sweet messages could erase the ache of being left behind. Their family wasn’t poor. Her mom didn’t need to go abroad. Yet she insisted, chasing a salary bigger than what her father ever earned when he was alive. And so Hermelyn walked on this cold night alone, and quietly. The city around her sparkled with Christmas lights, the streets decorated with lanterns, glowing snowflakes, and giant stars that hung above the roads. Cars passed by, their headlights streaking through the night like glowing threads. The wind carried the distant smell of roasted chestnuts and street barbecue, a scent that usually made her feel at home but tonight, it only reminded her of what she's no longer had. When she reached the middle of the bridge, her pace slowed. Her lips parted in surprise. Down below, a large ferry passed by, its deck glow with vibrant decorated lights. Reggae beats, the music pulsed through the speakers, and both kids and adults were dancing with pure joy. People were holding hands, lifting little ones into the air, and kids spinning around in delightfully awkward rhythms. Their laughter rose up into the night sky, bursting like fireworks. It looked like a floating family reunion. One big celebration. That was everything she secretly missed. Hermelyn leaned against the cold railing of the bridge and watched, she mesmerized, until memories crept into her mind, sweet, warm memories of her thirteen-year-old self dancing with her grandfather, while her grandmother clapped along. Her parents, both alive, both laughing, watching her with wine glasses in their hand. Back then, her world was full of hope and joy, with her family, specially when Christmas season is coming. She whispered to herself; “If only I could turn back time…” Her eyes drifted upward toward the stars, silently sending wishes, that she knew would never reach the heaven. But peace never lasted long for her, not tonight. Because a sudden scream shattered the air. “COME BACK TO MEEEE!!!” Hermelyn flinched so hard her elbow hit the railing. “Ow—” She snapped her head toward where that voice came from. A man, he is tall, messy-haired, and clearly out of his senses, he stood a few feet away from her, clutching the railing like it had just betrayed him in a past life. He yelled again, now his voice cracking, “COME BACK.... please... COME BACK TO MEEE!!!” Hermelyn blinked hard. "What the heck? A romantic tragedy? A hurtful breakup? An ex-girlfriend who escaped into the night? Or… possibly… melodrama caused by alcohol?" She whispered under her breath. Another wail exploded into the December air. “AAAHHHHHHHHHH!” “What kind of man screams like that, at a bridge? Is he heartbroken or practicing for audition of Kdrama?" Hermelyn winced. “What... the..? Okay, that one came from deep inside his soul.” The man yelled again, louder this time. He yelled with frustrated voices, but now it's like a tragic or dramatic howl. Hermelyn had a fragile mood to protect. “Hey!” she called out, her voice echoing along the bridge. “If you’re planning to scream out of your lungs, go to the other bridge!” The man slowly turned his head toward her. His eyes were puffy red, glossy. And very, very drunk. “I ended up here…” he slurred. “The other bridge is… too far. And my legs... I think they’re on strike.” Hermelyn crossed her arms. “Well, I’ve been hanging out on this bridge for years and this is the first time I’ve seen a grown man crying like a toddler here! Are you really that weak?” The man gasped as if she slapped him using a book of dictionary. “I… am NOT weak.” “Then face your problems,” she replied back. “If you have a problem, solve it!” Her voice carried across the bridge, startling like a flock of birds somewhere. The man stared at her, and then... unexpectedly, he burst into laughter. It was a genuine, tipsy kind of laugh, so ridiculous! that it made his shoulders shake. After a moment, he composed himself and said, "You’re… You’re such a BRAVE woman!” Hermelyn flipped her hair. "Oh, I KNOW I’m brave. Thank you.” “Hah! Then why don’t WE switch bridges? Leave me here... me and my heartbreak!” Hermelyn insisted. “No way. I got here first. I'm sure you are familiar with the canteen rules! First come, first served!” The man squinted at her like he was trying to focus on a moving target. "Ohhhh, so you’re not just brave, you’re smart too! You’re the brave one! You’re the smart one! You’re the... amazing one!” “Wow, thank you,” Hermelyn replied, sarcasm dripping her like a honey. The man wobbled. He step left and follow to his right. Then a full semicircle turn. Only then, Hermelyn did fully realize, he was absolutely, undeniably, unquestionably drunk! "Great. Just great!" Hermelyn sighed. She finally had a peaceful moment to herself, a perfect view, emotional flashbacks, and starry night wishes. And then this man, whoever he was? he decided to perform a heartbreak concert right beside her, in this bridge. But despite the annoyance, Hermelyn couldn’t help but glance at him again. His messy hair… His flushed cheeks… The way he kept rubbing his face like trying to erase the sadness with friction… He wasn’t bad-looking. Actually… He was that one, who is frustratingly attractive, of a sad drunk. "Ugh. No. No way, I am not here to entertain someone that is broken hearted! gosh!" Hermelyn whispered. But fate, apparently had other plans. Because as she inhaled to clear her mind, the man suddenly lost his balance and.. “Woah. HEY!” Hermelyn caught his arm before he toppled sideways. Their eyes met... closer... too close.. her breath-knockingly close. The guy blinked. Then smiled drunkenly, but still he looked so adorable. "Thanks… bridge girl!" he said. Hermelyn’s heart skipped. "Don’t call me that.” “What’s your name?” he asked. “Hermelyn.” He grinned. A lopsided, stupidly charming grin. “Nice to meet you, Her-me-lyn,” he said, mispronouncing it as if it were a tongue twister. “I’m… I’m the ugly guy having a very dramatic evening.” She snorted. “Oh, I can see that.”