Chapter 10: Chapter 10

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Everybody was congratulates them for winning the title. Selfie, groupies picture taking of personnel on the last part of the event. She felt that Sid always avoiding her too much even sitting beside, especially when one employee asked them to take a photo with them but Sid refused by saying that he needs to pick up the call but she didn’t heard the phone rang. Her feelings seems pricking over and over again.

It was almost late in the morning when the party ends up.

She saw the time on her cellphone it was exactly 2:08 in the morning.

Before she went to the parking lot and drive going home. She decided to drop in the office to get something important it is her laptop.

It was a big box that wrapped by red velvet Christmas gift wrapper. This is the exact description of the something stole her attention when gazed in her table. She read the notes written there.

It is very simple but would become a puzzle too.

To: Double M

From: A

“ Merry Christmas & Happy New Year “

From whom did it come? It’s hard to expect that this for her because she doesn’t have a name. Better ignoring as such.

It took 20 minutes and she got home safely. On the next day, December 21, 2021 she woke up late.

Today is not a busy day rather a happy day, a free from toxic day. It’s Friyay!!!thanks God it’s Friday a twin of Saturday-Sunday weekend. She didn’t go to the office now since a holiday season is nearly approaching so she decided to take a leave to enjoy a long holiday vacation spend with family.

In the next couple of days she got herself busy in buying gifts Christmas and New Year holiday season such as clothes, chocolates, toys and a pieces of ampao. This is her self vow tradition that every Christmas she doesn’t forget to share her blessings to the needy people especially to the street children and beggars along the road. Even it was small but it’s an initiative of compassion something to be grateful, something to be valued, little things to be appreciated. As they say “ ALWAYS FILL YOUR LOVE CUP “ time of giving and sharing. It’s not a matter of price or any material things around but a priceless feelings when you made someone happy and smiled because of little deeds.

On the 24th it’s a Christmas Eve already everyone is busy for the preparation of dishes for the Noche Buena. Just like in the home of Dimayuga family.

Their dining table was full of multiple varieties of dishes. There is Lechon Pork Belly, Spaghetti, Pansit, Lecheflan, Halaya Ube (Purple Crops), buko-salad, lasagna, macaroni salad, grahams, fruit salad, vegetable salad, suman (glutinous rice) and of course Christmas Eve will not be completed to Dimayuga family without coconut extract mixed bilo-bilo of Mommy Wela.

Margaret was stopped while pouring coconut extract in the casserole. She remembered Sid about the specialty of her Mommy Wela. One time when it was visited in their home Sid it tasted good to eat and even wrapped and brought in their home for his Daddy. She was smiled in that thought. He was smiling in that concept but the moment thought it was recovered on her mind what had happened to them and the treatment of Sid to her now, it was replaced a sudden sadness and pain. She is in that scene when the mother entered in the kitchen.

“ Hmmm…smell so delicious daughter ! but please double time as we will attend in the night mass “ Mommy Wela said.

“ Yeah…sure Mommy let me fix it just 5 to 10 minutes. “

“ Ok sure my dear “

Anyway, the night mass will start at 10 pm and the time now is 8:30 pm so she have more time for self preparation.

“ Garee “ her mother touched her wrist

“ Yes! Mommy “ they were already inside the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. The night mass not yet started actually they came early 15 minutes to go before 10 pm. She followed when her mother gazing someone through its eyes.

She can’t go wrong it was her boss. It was Sid. Why does it was decided to go on this Church in fact it was very far from it’s home or condo unit? But just a few seconds ago her question was answered when she saw a girl holding it’s arms. Her mother gazing at her but the eyes most likely questioning. Her tears wants to fall but she pretend that everything is alright and she is not affected. How will she explain the current situation to her mother? Honestly! She has long wanted l confess but she don’t know how will going to start because surely she will receive a BIG BAMBOO from her mother. They got home and has been enjoyed in the occasion but her mother did not ask anything about well maybe it was like a feeling what her going through.

“ This is for you! have a joyous Christmas “ Garee is smiling to the children along the road. She sat down beside on it and handed one food pack which contains chicken adobo, rice and buttered broccoli and shrimp. The child quickly opened it and eat several times it was obviously hungry. She is on teary eyes while staring to the children. Today is Christmas Day but this children is homeless , hungry, longing for everything. Sometimes, life is so unfair but despite of it always believe that all are equal in the eye of God. God loves all his creations. This children is a great blessing taught us a valued lesson in life. She touched the head of the children and gave one piece of Ampao which contains 100 pesos.

“ Young man it’s not a big amount but you can buy something that you want to eat “ she pinched the ampao in the pocket of the children.

“ Thank you po “ the children smiled to her.

“ You’re welcome! Bye! Take care “ she said while being away from the children.

She keeps walking while counting the food packs in her back pack. She brought 30 pieces and now only 5 pieces left. She is still walking around searching for a street children along that area.

“ Ma’am do you want po please buy Sampaguita flower for your Saint in the house “ there is one child who touched her legs which selling Sampaguita. She cocked a coin in her pocket and gave to the child including one food pack. She bought all sampaguita. Afterward, three children approached her and gave them a food packs the same. She didn’t go home yet instead she decided to go around in the Baler Quezon Park. She sat on the bench. While happy seeing children running, eating, making tantrums, biking. This season indeed is a time of family bonding, spending valued moments together for the love ones, friends and relatives. She entered in Museo de Baler looking beautiful spots painting displayed there. This solemn and quiet park made in honor and tribute of the late President Manuel L. Quezon. It is located almost near to Baler Municipal Hall. It serves as a historical landmark in Baler as the birth place of late President. The statue of our hero Manuel L. Quezon is placed in the center portion of the park. There are also food stalls along the park where you can enjoy various sticks such as fishballs, kikiam, squidballs, cheezesticks, grilled chicken isaw, gizzard, liver, pork chicharon, chicken skin crispy chicharon, fish cracker with spicy vinegar sauce, sweet chili, chili garlic oil which the best partner lomi and goto with egg.

“ Ate please give me 10 pieces of fishballs and 10 pieces of kikiam. She requested to put and mix it in a disposable cup then poured with spicy sauce “ she had bite her lips obviously craving on the sticks and now she sat by crossing her legs on the bermuda grass. She absorbed until the last drop of spicy sauce from the cup, exactly answer given to a thirsty person when a vendor passed by selling cold sago and buko or young coconut extract drinks.

“ bbbbrrrrr….urrrppppp….rrrrrrrrpppp…” enough burping to be satisfied.

“ Thank you Lord for all the blessings. Thank you for this fruitful day “ she said it by whispering a call of contentment in life when you did something grate for others.

Better that she went outside today at least she had relaxed, she can breath fresh air most especially she can think. The truth is she cannot forget the scene at church last night. Is that how a woman really takes her boss? or deliberately it’s habit to actually collect the woman? Because the word marriage is no longer in it’s vocabulary as it is happy and contented in life as long as the woman is able to meet his biological needs anyway Sid has a lot of money so he can do everything he wants to satisfy his needs in life. She remembered her one professor in college days until now it is placed at the back of her brain store.

*If you have more money and time you have more choice.

*If you have less money and time you have less choice.

*If you have no money and time you have no choice.

Now she realized that these quotes was quitely true on the other hand to think that money can’t buy a lot in this world but whether we like it or not, if you have a lot of money you have more choices to do. That’s the current trend of life.

But she had always believe that money is not a basis of everything in this world as even you don’t have money but you are a timely and diligent person you can achieve your dreams including to have money.

Her mind has been reach on a mile out of somewhere in the galaxy of life. She got home almost 15 minutes before seven in the evening. She was in the road for a whole day of Christmas.

“ How’s the mission of my lovely daughter? “ when she was in the gate of their house her Mommy Wela came to her already.

“ Hi Mommy good evening “ she took its hand and put on her forehead. So tired Mommy but happy. Thanks for the help Mommy it would not be possible without your untiring support. “

“ You are most welcome. By the way how’s Sid? “ Mommy Wela touching and caressing her hair. They were already in the dinning room sitting on the sofa.

She thought that would escape on it. When the mother is in front of her most likely she can’t get through. She hugged her tightly after confessing all his thoughts.

“ Do the thing that makes you happy, accept that pains and cheer up my daughter! For every mistakes, there is learnings. Mommy is always on the back when you’re weak. “

She was speechless while tears falling from her eyes. It was a huge thing for the mother to talk about because she was relieved. She was enjoyed in the remaining days of her vacation.

It’s a countdown three days before New Year. As a world tradition somebody says if Christmas is merry then New Year is more merrier as throughout the world is celebrating this occasion. New Year’s Eve is one of the global celebrations as it marks the last day of the year having gala dinner, Media Noche where each home’s table was full of basket of round fruits which serves as a sign of attracting lucks throughout the year, wearing clothes with printed polka dots is one of the luck beliefs as well, setting self resolutions. To bid farewell to the year that ends and to welcome the New Year.

During New Year’s Eve she prepared herself to be busy so that she avoid thinking reasons that could bring distress.

“ Welcome 2022 “

This a big signage catched her eyes when she entered in the Aqua Leisure Corporation building.

It’s a new day. Meaning a new hope leads to a new life. In fact she is very enthusiastic today. Greeting here. Greeting there.

When she saw her table upon entering in her cubicle. The big box is still there no one touçhed it. Sid came already. She greeted him a simple “ Good morning “ and it was answered “ Good morning “ that is the way treating each other, very civil or the correct appropriate word is “ super dry of emotions “ lifeless. Around noon when she had a guts to ask about the box when she saw that it was seemed busy and the face aura is not clear her mind was suddenly changed. She chose to be silent and observe instead. She just came up to it when there is a relevant documents that needs to be signed.

“ By the way Ms. Dimayuga I have a meeting with Mr. Butch at 1:30 pm today. Please tell me if you want to go with me but I am not requiring you to do. Ok if you’re not too much busy join me but if it is no need. “

“ Ok Sir “ thrifty words came out to her mouth. Calvary begins. What does it mean? As if she is not given importance even it’s work related seems having a gap now. How can she stay for longer with that kind of boss treatment?

The clock loops quickly. Sid was left already. Actually, she wanted to go with him participate in the meeting its an advantage that she can learn from it, but thinking both of them will be awkward to each other, facing cold treatment from Sid which will become barrier to her so better not to go with, might be Sid does not like her to be with as it can’t decide, and asking for her decision is not necessary. Sid is the boss so it is the one should decide whether she will go with him or not. The most thing that would really hurt for her is the way Sid hasn’t even cared for her.

Two days later.

“ What is this? “ Sid’s voice tune is too high. He was shocked upon reading the paper in his table. It was put on the blue plastic folder. He didn’t expect that everything has fell at this point. Is it the reason why Garee doesn’t come in the office today? Garee called him just early morning today he was informed that that it will not come in the office due to urgent family matters.

Garee is currently still lying in bed. Her reason to the boss for not coming in the office today is just only a drama of course she don’t want to witness the angry. She reached to the point that she would not able to manage everything.

Inside the office Sid is keep on trying to focus in what he’s doing in his laptop but even what he do changed still he can’t. He knew the reason why he is acting like this? It’s because of Garee. He cancelled all the appointments today as he is not feeling well. He left early in the office, hang to the bar and drink multiple shots of hard drink. He got home around 1:30 am. He wanted to be drunk coming home in a way that going to sleep right away and no time to think of the same.

He planned to go to the house to talk but he was discouraged because he knew he had done inappropriate things in their current situation. He tried to call Garee but it was not picking up the call.

“ Ms. Dimayuga good morning please come as I want to talk to you. “ he called her.

“ Ok Sir I’m coming “ she moved quickly.

“ I want to know, what is this? “ the paper almost fading down in the table.

“ So! You want to leave! “

“ Yes! Sir “ briefly answered

“ Please think well Ms. Dimayuga. You had a lot of potentials and I am looking forward to your better opportunity in this company. “

“ Sir I have been thinking about that already “ she said in a formal tune of voice

“ Are you sure Ms. Dimayuga “?

“ Yes! Sir “ very weak voice

“ That’s bullshit Ms. Dimayuga. I don’t believe in your lies. “ Sid is almost screaming and it’s face was very closed to her at the moment. It seems that she’s not worrying with the anger of it instead enjoying the smooth fragrant of breath which could brings her a lot of excitement. The impact of this guy to her was extremely tough and strong.

“ Sir that’s true “ she was recovered on it

“ No! that’s not true now tell me the reason behind why you want to leave. “