C3 MISTLETOE

"How did we end up like this, Bash?"

"I really have no idea, Mile," he said while looking at the whole place, smiling.

"Are you happy?"

"Are you happy?" he asked instead and then faced me with small smile.

I looked at him, observing every little detail of his face. Years already had passed, but he still got that handsome face. Those thick brows, bluish iris, pointed nose and his pinkish lips. I stopped myself for looking too much. It was just hard not to stare.

"We're engaged! Of course, masaya 'ko."

"Yeah, akalain mo 'yon dito din pala tayo hahantong."

We both stared to each other's face with small smiles.

"Let's take pictures, Mile. Ganda ng lugar, oh."

We then took pictures. I could finally smile without heavy feelings. I could turn the next chapter of my life, without re-reading the last chapter.

"Oh, look! Our picture looked more beautiful with Mistletoes as background," he said. Pointing our picture with those plants behind us.

"Great! Kahit sa picture pinapaalala sa 'tin 'yung past," I joked. He just shrugged and smiled.

We are here at the roadside. In front of us is the scenic seashore, sea, and the sunset. We were seated on the roof of his black van while drinking some beer. It was relaxing to have this talk with this view.

"Let's sing, you choose for song," he said while tuning the guitar.

"These days na-adik ako sa kanta ni Bieber na Mistletoe, e."

"Great! I know the chords," he said, then started to strum.

And as we sing, the memories with him started to run on mind.

It was foundation day of our school. There were booths installed in every side of the campus. We were just roaming around the school with my best friend, Tasha, and tried funny things we could see. Until I laid my eyes on a printed paper. It was an invitation card of a Choir organization. Pinulot ko 'to mula sa sahig at binasa.

"Join," Tasha said.

"I wanted to join but I should prioritize academics over this."

"Sis, you should balance academics and extra-curricular activities. Bakit ako kaya ko namang pagsabayin ang academics at paglalaro ng volleyball? Just learn how to manage your time. I know naman na hindi mo na kailangan ng financial assistance and discount for tuition fee, just so you know maraming benefits ang pagsali sa school activities. In your case, just share your talent."

The next thing I knew, I filled up the registration paper. And got text message few days after for schedule of screening. I was so nervous while watching other student showing their talent in front and been observing by pioneers of the Choir. When it was my turn, everyone were just watching my steps until I reached the front.

"So, your name is Aldrea Melissa Valencia, right?" asked by a guy who seems at his 3rd year college, I nodded. "Okay, start."

I heaved a long sigh and started to sing. I focused on the lyrics, para iwas embarrassment. And when the chorus came, I started to feel comfortable to the point that I got close my eyes and feel the lyrics I was singing. My voice resonated in every corner of the room. And when I opened my eyes after annunciating the last word of the song, I got clapped and smiles from them, and even the evaluator smiled at me.

Few days after, I got text message saying I passed the screening and was informed for next schedule of training as an official member.

After my afternoon class, I'd to go directly to room B-315. When I stopped in front of the door, I sneaked a peak but there was no one. So, I just sat on the floor and got my phone para may magawa ako habang naghihintay.

After a while, I felt someone sat near me. I looked up and saw a guy who were looking at me too.

"You're Aldrea Melissa, right?"

"Yes, bakit mo 'ko kilala?" I asked and squinted my eyes to him.

"Chill!" he said while waving his hands in the dismissive manner. "Nando'n ako no'ng screening. Tumatak ka lang sa 'kin kasi magaling ka."

My cheeks heated after hearing that. I looked away and cleared my throat.

"I am Sebastian Vicencio, Bash na lang. One year na 'ko sa choir."

"Okay," I just said.

After that little chat with him, he always approaching me. Kaya minsan pinagkakamalan na kaming may relasyon. He's kind, funny and talented. Tenor s'ya at Soprano naman ako. Lagi kaming nagkakatinginan 'pag nagvo-vocalization at kapag water time lalapitan n'ya ako para mangulit.

We were eating lunch and Tasha was ranting about her prof when Bash approached us and sat beside me.

"Pasabay kumain ha?"

"Bash, right? Pino-pormahan mo ba si Mile?"

Nabulunan ako dahil sa tanong n'ya. Napaka-diretso talaga ng isang 'to.

"Well, I like her. So, kung gano'n nga 'yung tawag sa ginagawa ko," he said and shrugged.

"Oh, Mile anong say mo do'n?" Tasha asked

I looked at Bash who was busy eating his lunch, when he felt my stare he stopped eating and looked at me too.

I sighed. "If you're serious enough when it comes to relationships, then, you could court me."

So, that was it. Tumagal ng ilang buwan ang pangli-ligaw ni Bash sa 'kin at 'di nagtagal sinagot ko na rin. Wala naman akong nakikitang mali basta 'wag lang maka-apekto sa pag-aaral namin.

We were happy. Our relationship was smooth. He cared to my grades so lagi n'ya 'kong naiintindihan 'pag wala akong time sa kanya minsan. Being a third-year college student was just busy, especially when your course is PolSci. Bash was busy too because he's graduating. So limited lang 'yung time para magka-usap kami.

Until his graduation, I was not able to attend his graduation ceremony because I was reviewing for our final exam. He said it's okay, instead sumaglit na lang daw ako sa bahay nila to celebrate. So, tinapos ko muna lahat ng reviewers ko kaya inabot na 'ko ng alas-nuebe nang makapunta sa bahay nila.

I thought the party was over dahil tahimik sa harap ng bahay nila. Pero nung makita ako ng isa nilang kasambahay na nagtapon ng basura sa labas, sinabi n'yang nasa likod si Bash kasama 'yung mga kaibigan, nag-iinom. So pumasok ako, walang dalang kahit anong regalo para sa kanya.

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko ng maabutan ang ginagawa n'ya. Akala ko babagsak ako sa lupa dahil sa panghihina. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko, basta ang alam ko lang nasasaktan ako.

"Stop it, Karen."

"Why? Wala naman dito 'yung girlfriend mo. So, cheat day muna," the girl said seductively while kissing his neck.

Until he laid his eyes to where I was standing. He pushed Karen and stood up. Namutla at hindi maikurap ang mga mata na nakatingin sa 'kin.

"Mile, let me explain. It was not the way you're thinking. I'm not cheating, baby," he said as he was reaching my hand.

"Don't talk," I said and looked up to stop my tears from falling. Just then, I realized I was under the Mistletoe they had at the garden.

"Baby, I-I tried to push her-"

"But not enough to stop her, Bash," I said. "Let's break up."

Hindi s'ya tumigil ng pagsuyo sa 'kin kahit no'ng nag-Law school ako. He always waited for me kahit late na ng gabi. Dumideretso siya sa harap ng school ko galing sa trabaho. I told him na tumigil na siya at 'wag ng mag-aksaya ng oras pero hindi s'ya nakinig. So, para tumigil na s'ya kinailangan kong gumawa ng kilos.

"Shawn please magpanggap ka lang na boyfriend ko. Kailangan lang nating magholding-hands sa harap n'ya then tapos na," I pleaded for the nth time.

"Why don't you tell him directly na ayaw mo na sa kanya?"

I sighed, "Mahal ko pa rin siya kaya nga naaawa ako na pumupunta s'ya dito galing sa trabaho. Pero sa ngayon ayoko munang mag-commit ng relationship, ayokong mawalan na naman ako ng time sa kanya then what? Mauulit lang yung nangyari noon," I said.

He gave me a cold stare for a moment as I gave him a begging stare. We locked in a staring competition until he nodded.

We walked go to the gates of school and saw him to his usual spot, he was underneath the Mistletoe. He quickly noticed Shawn so I intertwined our hands.

"What's this, Melissa?" his voice had a warning tone.

"You see bro, it's obvious. Boyfriend n'ya ko," Shawn answered him instead.

"You're lying. Melissa, if this is your way to-"

He stopped talking when Shawn cupped my face to kiss me. I was shocked because it was not part of the plan!

"Bash, right? From now on, don't come near her. I'm not comfortable to see you around her."

As I looked to Bash, I saw crystal tears on sides of his eyes. He bit his lower lip and looked at the floor. Without saying anything, he'd turn his back against to us.

I got back my senses when he waved his hand to my face.

"You okay?"

"Y-yeah."

"Sabi ko, kailan nagpropose si Shawn sa 'yo."

"Well, last week. He planned very well, to the point that he even asked dad not to go for work," I said.

Shawn was just too comfortable with dad because he knows he's the favorite among in-laws.

Bash just smiled. I told him earlier what was my scheme back then and how my relationship with Shawn got started. He was shocked but he get over it few moments after.

"How about you? How did you propose for Karen?"

"Hmm, we spent five days to Tagaytay and I asked our family to do things in our house. So when we got back at home, our family welcomed her, whom were all smiling at her. And behind her, I already bended my knee, offering our engagement ring," he said while smiling. I could see through his eyes the happiness he was feeling.

Silence ate us for few moments. And just both stared to the scenery in front of us. I'm glad we're happy now. We're engaged but not to each other. At least, our end is not sad. Somehow life bring some people to be part of our chapter, but not be part of our epilogue. My story with Bash was just like bonus chapters. I smiled to myself and looked to the Mistletoes behind us.