AWEFULL

The last time I celebrated Christmas with a significant other was two years ago, with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. It wasn’t even a “celebration” as we were never really together during special occasions. The reasons, of course, were already stated in some of my poignant entries here.

Since I am unaccustomed to having someone special on Christmas, everything that Nace did really pleased me. Perhaps, “pleased” is an understatement. Everything made me smile… and happy.

For a couple of days now he’s been telling me that he would be very busy this coming holiday season. He even told me he would have to go on duty (24-36 hours) every other day. Three days before Christmas, while I thought he was on duty, he called me up though I was working. I usually put my phone on silent mode whenever I am at work, but that day I wasn’t able to do it. When I answered the phone, he just asked me if I’m busy. I told him I’m not that busy then he said he’s at the lobby of the building where I work. I didn’t believe him at first because I really thought he was at the hospital. But he sounded so serious.

When I saw him at a coffee shop by the lobby, he was in his casual outfit. That’s when I realized he didn’t go to the hospital. I wondered why he went to my office (fyi, it was the first time that he went there). He even drove from QC all the way to Ortigas despite heavy traffic caused by the season.

“Bigay ko lang gift ko for you before ako makulong sa hospital. Para just in time for Christmas. I love you.” (then handed me a bulky paper bag which I initially thought contained a stuffed toy — had it been a toy, I swear I’m gonna hit him on the face ) Upstairs, I opened the bag and his gift is this…

Lowepro DSLR bag

A few weeks ago he asked me what I want for Christmas, he even told me “Nahihirapan na ako hanapan ka ng gift parang lahat meron ka na. What gadget do you need pa?”.. I just told him I don’t need anything at all. So I thought he won’t give me anything for Christmas. But of course, I was wrong.

I was very touched not because he gave me a material gift (kahit ako until now wala pa gift sa kanya ). I was impressed because I realized that he always listens to my nonsense stories. I remember one time we met up at his gig, I was late because I came from the mall. I was looking for a camera bag, something small and handy enough for a day/night out since my camera bag is so big I am not comfortable bringing it to parties. But it was a futile attempt as that bag was nowhere to find in Robinsons. Of course, my search for that thing was part of our small talks that night. I thought he wasn’t listening.. hehehe. It touched me that he exerts effort, he finds time… He doesn’t usually go to the malls but he did, just to find that small thing that would protect my “baby” Also, I know that he’s not that knowledgeable when it comes to gadgets and cameras so I know he really exerted effort to know what he was supposed to get.

His remarkable behavior didn’t stop there. I already anticipated not seeing him on Christmas eve because he had tight schedule. Also, I know that Christmas is for the family. We have already agreed that it’s gonna be for our respected families. I’m fine with it, anyway.

A few hours before the Noche Buena, he called me up and asked if I can join him for merienda. I obliged, not because I was famished.. but because I wanted to see him before he goes home to Rizal, his folks’ home. We had our own version of Noche Buena in a Chicken slash Chinese resto in Ortigas (pramis, what we ordered for were good for 4 persons.. haha!) then accompanied me to do some grocery shopping (I am not used to having a guy come with me to shop). He was very patient. He endured the “pain” of following me all throughout my grocery adventure.

Sorry, I wasn’t able to take pictures of our time together.. mejo hindi pa ako sanay kase. Hehehe.

It’s never really the material things that made me happy on this day. It’s the bliss that each moment brings whenever we are together. It’s his every action that sweeps me off my feet.

I’m glad it was a Merry Christmas after all.