A week has passed since Matrix met Kuya Walnut and received his welcome punches.

It has also been a week since he consistently drop by our house to see the kids.

It has also been three months since I started admitting to myself that professional help is what I need to address my repressed emotions.

Tomorrow is one of the happiest days of the year.

Christmas Day.

I have come to realize that bad days are necessary for us to grow.

It was inevitable and it's up to you whether you'll dwell and be stuck with it or you'll decide to rise up again and think of brighter days.

Matrix and I were civil with each other but not enough to bring back the love I used to have.

He would play with our kids then will bid goodbye by night time.

We never talk to each other unless it's about the kids.

Both my Kuyas remain aloof with him because of what happened.

Tomorrow should be one of our happiest days.

Tomorrow supposedly is our first anniversary.

But, some good things never last.

I sighed and went to our kitchen.

All our helpers are busy checking the ingredients for the dishes they will make for later's Noche Buena.

The two nannies were playing with the triplets while Ate Thalia went out with Kuya Winston to fetch their son at her mother's house.

I checked the fridge if there are available ingredients for my leche flan and tiramisu graham that I will make later.

Then I heard knocks on our main door.

I frowned when I remembered that the helpers told me that they will leave already to avoid hassle in the supermarket.

Lazily, I went to open our door and was surprised to see my mom and dad, both with shy looks on their faces.

We were staring at each other when my mom said, "Hi anak. Merry Christmas."

I do not know if tuyo na luha ko at ni isang kusing walang pumapatak mula dito.

I mumbled my greeting and let them in.

"I know what we did to you is unforgivable. But please listen to our explanation." Dad pleaded and looked into my eyes.

I nodded and was silent when they started talking.

I do not know what to feel.

I should be happy that after more than a decade, they decided to show up.

Are they guilty that they left us?

Or is it pity? Have they known about my situation recently?

"I forgive you." I blurted out which left them shocked. "Nakakapagod na din magalit. Simula ng iniwan nyo kami nila kuya, walang araw na lumipas na hindi ako nagtatanong kung anong naging kasalanan namin para iwanan nyo kami at sumama sa mga kabit nyo. Nakakapagod maging malungkot. Yung tipong nakikita mo ibang mga bata na ang sasaya kasi buo ang pamilya nila. Nakakapagod humiling na sana ganon din kame nila kuya. Na hindi namen kailangang tumalikod para hindi  makita na wala na kaming ibang malalapitan pag may mga tanong kame."

I could see them started to cry.

I did not stop talking.

Maybe, this is all I needed. To let go of all this bottled up thoughts that I have been keeping for years.

I smiled.

"Magiging masaya na lang ako sa kung anong meron ako ngayon. Pipiliin ko na lang na pahalagahan ang mga bagay na nasa harapan ko at sisiguruduhin kong hindi mararanasan ng mga anak ko ang naranasan ko noon." I said to them with a smile.

"Hindi man kami okay ng ama ng mga anak ko, pasasaan ba at maaayos din ang mga gusot na pinagdaanan ko. Kung magbati man kame, isipin ko na para na lang yun sa mga anak namen. Hindi na ako hihiling ng para sa sarili ko. Maging masaya lang ang mga anak ko."

My dad had to caress mom's arms to calm her down.

"We're really sorry. We fell out of love and found it in another person. We wanted to talk to you but nauunahan kami ng takot na ipagtabuyan mo kame." Mom said and wiped her tears with her hanky.

"Okay na ako,mama. Papa. Tanggap ko na." I said sincerely. "Kung sa iba kayo makakahanap ng kaligayahan, susuportahan ko kayo. Kalimutan na naten yun. Matanda na tayo para hindi magmove on."

"Salamat sa pag-intindi, anak." Mom said and held my hand.

"Saan kayo nagstay?" I asked trying to change the topic.

"May bahay si Tita Fely mo dito malapit. Kasama ko mga kapatid mo doon." Papa said.

"Same with Tito Andrei mo. We're staying at his mom's house naman." Mama added.

"Uh, gusto nyo bang magtanghalian muna dito? Maya-maya gigising na din mga triplets ko." I said shyly.

"Triplets ang apo namen?" Dad asked in amazement.

I nodded and blushed.

"Sige! Mamayang hapon na lang ako babalik. Itetext ko na lang si Andrei na sunduin ako mamayang alas tres." Mom said and clapped excitedly.

Thankfully, nakaluto na sila Yaya Aneli kanina at iinitin ko na lang yun para sa amin.

Mom helped me set the table and put out the dishes after heating them in the casserole.

Just in time, our yayas went out the room, both carrying the babies. Dad was already carrying and playing with Timothy at the couch.

"Ayan na ba ang mga bata?" Mom asked and blinked when she saw the tiny arms and face of Winter and Trevor.

I nodded and felt a heavy feeling lifted from my heart.

This time, I felt peace.

There was no more hatred when I saw my parents playing and cuddling my bundles of joy.

This time, everything will be alright.

No more unhappy thoughts and bad memories.

Christmas will now have a happy mark in my heart.