Watermelon Dreams

Mirror, Mirror

****SPECIAL CHAPTER****

DECEMBER 2019

It was a very memorable Christmas for Olivia. She was grateful for all the blessings she got. It was both a strange and magical year for her. She went through a rough time but the pain was worth it.

Seeing Erin laughing and bonding with her family on a Christmas morning was the most wonderful present she could ever get.
Even without her Lola and Lolo, Olivia knew they were both happy and proud of her.

There was a storm coming and every little moment she could spend with them was very precious. The future was uncertain and scary. With Erin beside her, she's confident to face whatever was coming head on.

"Bakit hindi ko maperfect ang Strawberry Shortcake kagaya ng sa'yo," Victoria complained after eating a forkful of the cake Olivia personally baked.

Pareho sila nitong kumukuha ng dessert mula sa isang separate table. "Well, I could never replicate your Mango Orchestra and your other cakes." Strawberry Shortcake lang naman ang kaya nyang i-bake to perfection. "Let's trade secrets?"

"Deal," sang-ayon nito bago sya iwan para ipatikim ang cake kay Rayanne, na abala sa pagkain ng ensaymada.

Nakaguhit ang galak sa bawat mukha ng pamilya at mga kaibigan nya. Newly-wed Dominique and Pris seemed to be having eating contest over chicken wings. Keithia, who surprised everyone by arriving at the last minute, was having fun talking to Olivia's parents. Erin was in deep conversation with Kristine and Devon.

The garden of the San Victores' Victorian house had never been this joyous. Olivia wished it would always be this peaceful. She'd work hard to keep it that way.

"Merry Christmas." Jessica hugged her. "I'm glad you've found the one. Nakilala na rin namin si Babe." College friend ang pakilala nya kay Erin sa mga ito.

"Ikaw din naman." Tumingin si Olivia sa magkatabing sina Athena at Gabrielle. Palihim ng mga itong inaabutan ng pagkain sina Max at Muning. "Masaya ako para sa'yo, Jess. Hindi man kayo nagkatuluyan ni Pris, masaya akong pareho nyong nahanap ang pag-ibig na para sa inyo."

"Kami ang pinagtagpo pero hindi itinadhana," biro nito. "I used to think that Pris was the one destined for me. I had this dream when I was young. That I've looked into this Mirror of Love at twelve midnight." Napatitig si Olivia rito. "Kung sino raw ang makikita mo sa salamin ay syang nakatakda para sayo." Natatawang napailing ito. "I saw your sister."

Natigilan noong una si Olivia. "Naniniwala ka pa ba sa tadhana?

"May mga bagay na wala kang kontrol o kaya naman may mga sitwasyong hindi inaasahan. Like a force majeure. I guess that's destiny," sagot ni Jess. Nagsalin ito ng tubig saka uminom. "You know what's more powerful? Choice. There's always a choice. Like you are destined to meet this person and fall inlove. Kung itinakda si Pris para sa'kin, dahil sa mga naging desisyon ko, nasaktan ko sya. I chose to break her heart. And because of that, I lost her. I still love your sister. She's my bestfriend. It's our choice to stay friends and put everything that happened behind us."

Nakatitig si Jessica sa anak nito at kay Gabrielle. Kita sa mga mata nito ang pag-ibig para sa nobya. "Akala ko hindi na ako magmamahal ulit then Gabbie came," pagtutuloy ni Jessica. "Umibig ako sa kanya and this time I'm choosing to be brave, be proud of who I am and be with her. For me, she's the one. Ang mahalaga ay kung sino o ano ang pipiliin mo."

Habang pinapanood na bumalik sa upuan nito si Jessica, sumagi sa isipan nya ang sinabi ng Minokawa noon. "Ang buhay ay kumplikado...paiba- iba. Minsan ang kapalaran kahit nakaguhit na'y maaari pa ring magbago. Nakasalalay pa rin ang kinabukasan sa iyong pipiliin."