Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

A s we were on vacation already, I did not have to go to class. Dinners were a bit awkward having everyone there but at lunch times, Liana and I took our turns in the kitchen when the parents went to work.

On the night of the twenty-third, our parents brought us to a buffet. They probably sensed something was going on. I tried to beg off and reason that it was a poor idea as restaurants would likely be full but Dad said he had a reservation.

I sat beside Dad while Liana sat beside Cris. I avoided everyone’s eyes and just quietly sat there. Our parents kept exchanging glances, as though asking each other what to do, because I just knew they put this together to force Liana and I to talk again.

“Ah-hem,” my dad pointedly said because we got to dessert with only him and Cris speaking. “Anything you want to do this Christmas, kids?”

“Nothing, really,” Liana said.

“Not a thing to do but I found out Cholo’s alone at home this Christmas and I asked him to have Noche Buena with us. I hope that’s okay?”

My dad turned to face me with a confused expression.

“My chairperson-slash-boss at DMC. The one who helped with your bags at the airport?” I offered.

“Okay?” Dad said, remembering now.

“He lives two streets away and I offered the house because I felt bad. All he has is the cat. His family’s abroad for the holidays. Long story.”

“Oo naman, I think that should be okay. Our table at home has eight seats, anyway,” Cris said.

“Hmm,” Dad said and I could tell he was going to ask me more questions when he catches me alone. “Si Gian ba, Liana? We can invite him, too, if you like.”

Liana stopped slicing her food.

“Um,” she said, clearing her throat. “He’s—he’s flying out. His parents have a thing somewhere in the US. He’ll be there until New Year’s.”

Liana caught my eye for a moment before looking away again. Our parents exchanged glances.

Uh-oh.

I got nervous. Liana was trying not to show it in her expression, but she had always been transparent. From the looks of it, things were not okay.

I texted Cholo on the way home.

I think they fought :|

Cholo Valiente

Oh? You’ve talked to Juliana?

Parents did over dinner. I listened in

Gian’s flying out daw tomorrow.

Oh, parents said you could come over :)

I know that’s your main concern, LOL

Cholo Valiente

But are you and Juliana okay?

Asking because sans rival

Guess we’ll find out tomorrow

Cholo Valiente

Ok. See you then.

I’ll bring something from Purple Ribbon

Do you want Liana to hate me more?

Cholo Valiente

It’s okay. I’ll take the fall.

Cheeky Prefect Brat.

Our parents did not get their way and by the next day, Liana and I still had not talked. I tried helping out but mostly stayed out of her way by vacuuming the whole house and mopping the floors while she worked in the kitchen. When I finished, I went back inside my room and chilled, waiting for Cholo’s text.

Hoy ano na?

Cholo Valiente

I know you’re excited pero wait lang

Hudas

Cholo Valiente

Hey it was your idea to bring Potato

Do u know how hard it is to be a parent?

Can I just pick Potato up

Tapos bahala ka na sa buhay mo

Cholo Valiente

I was laughing to myself when someone knocked.

“Yeah?” I said, thinking it was Dad or Cris.

The door opened ever so slowly, revealing Liana who was holding a mixing bowl.

I jumped out of bed.

“Hi,” she said in a small voice. “Can you sample my pistachio sans rival icing?”

She met my eyes and looked away, fiddling with her spatula and mixing bowl.

“I feel the pistachio’s too mild and I think I didn’t put enough sugar but I also don’t want to overdo it,” she said, trying to keep her composed act up but eventually a tear fell from her cheeks and she used the back of her arm to wipe it off.

“I swear, I practiced that. I perfected it without crying.”

I approached and gently took the icing bowl from her, feeling my own eyes welling up. I smeared some icing on the edge of the bowl using the spatula, and then used my finger to scrape the small spot for a taste.

“Have you been crying into this bowl since morning? Parang maalat,” I teased and she let out a weird sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob.

“Sama talaga ng ugali mo,” she replied and I could not help but sob with her on the spot. I felt so bad because that was true and at the same time I was just so overwhelmed and happy that she was talking to me again.

We apologized to each other, me clearing out that I had no intentions of ruining things for her at all. She wept in reply, saying she knew that and had let her deep grudges take over and I could not help but cry with her. We promised to talk about things at length and at a better time. We had just been in the same spot when someone came up the stairs.

“Hey, Vinnie, your dad said I’ll find you upst?—”

Cholo stopped in his tracks. Liana and I both stared at him.

“Not a word,” I say, wiping my eyes.

Liana turned her back and did the same as Cholo tried not to smile.