Get Through the Night (ACATN Book 2)

Simula

SIMULA

"Pink or red?"

I pouted while looking intently at the two glitter pens I'm holding, pink on my left and red on my right.

Um...

Itong pink na lang ang ipang susulat ko tapos red naman sa heart. I nodded as if affirming my choice to myself. I put down the red glitter pen.

Taking one deep breath, I opened the card I made, a clean bond paper folded into half. Tinitigan ko pa ng ilang segundo at inisip ang mga isusulat ko.

I adjusted my grip on the pen and held it properly.

Dear Hamlet Rurik Zubiri,

Hi! My nem is Pollana Kassandrei Park La Viña. My other nem is Polka. I am seven yers old. My bertdey is December 25. U are invayted and yur brader. Please come to my bertdey party. I want to be yur frend.

MIRRY CRISMAS AND HAPY NEW YER to U.

I LOVE U VERY MUCH.

Teyk care alweys.

Love,

Polka

I picked the red glitter pen to draw a heart beside my name.

"Lagyan ko pa kaya ng heart?"

Tumango tango ako at naglagay pa nga.

"Hm... Stars din." I opened my pencil case and scattered the crayons to choose the right color. "And then moon! Right."

I have to make sure that it's properly drawn dahil magaling si Ham mag-drawing. Ilang beses na nga siyang sumali at nanalo sa mga poster making. Kailangan tama at maayos ang pagku-color ko.

Kinuha ko ang scissors at gumupit ng hugis puso sa pulang color paper. Nilakihan ko. I then grabbed the glue and put some on one side of it. Maingat kong idinikit sa harap ng card ang heart. My fingers lightly press it to make sure na buong nakadikit.

My lips pursed seeing some excess glue on the edge. Pinalis ko iyon ng daliri ko. Hinipan ko na rin para mas madaling matuyo.

I smiled seeing it's almost done. Kinuha ko ulit ang glitter pen para magsulat, then tapos na ito.

To: Hamlet

"Uy, what's that?"

My shoulder jumped hearing Carmi's voice from behind. Agad kong naitago sa ilalim ng mga hindi gamit na bond paper ang card. I think my heart almost jumped off my chest sa sobrang gulat at kaba.

Did she see it?

"What are you doing?" Mas lalo siyang lumipat at nang-usisa sa ginagawa ko.

Narito siya sa amin ngayon. We finished our final practice for our Christmas play, na bukas na gaganapin. I am actually excited about it. At lalo na Christmas party na pagkatapos ng performance.

"I-I'm making Christmas greeting cards." I nervously turned to her.

"Lemme see."

"No!"

She's a bit surprised at my high pitched tone.

"It's a surprise. You should not read it before Christmas day," I panicked as I explained.

"You made one for me?" Her eyes widen in delight.

"Of course. I made one for you." Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. "I am making more, para kay teacher, kay Mommy, Daddy, Lola..." I blew one short breath nang matantong marami pa akong kailangan gawan. Someone's going to be sad kapag hindi ko nabigya.