We returned home twenty-ninth of december. I let myself sleep for a couple of hours when we reached home. I was too exhausted because of excitement. When I woke up, the sun was already down.

"Kuya, dinner na!"

Isang katok lang ang narinig ko matapos iyon. I'm not sure wether it's Krono or Keeno as I was still not on my right state. Sumakit ang ulo ko sa tuloy-tuloy na flight.

I lazily stood up from my bed and brushed my hair using my fingers. I yawned and stretched a little. When I walked towards the bathroom, I saw my disheveled hair. I wasn't wearing any shirt and only had my boxers. I quickly made myself tidy and went out of the room.

"You've been asleep for almost ten hours," Krono informed.

"Hm." I shut my eyes and opened them again. "I was exhausted. Are we going to church tomorrow?"

"Huh? Tomorrow's saturday, Kithian," si Dad.

I can feel my forehead creasing.

"So? It's Christmas."

"You are down bad, brother." Krono clicked his tongue three times.

I did not sleep that night. Maybe because I've slept during the daytime. Or maybe because I was thinking about Amelie too hard.

The next day, I found myself in front of of the church. May bitbit na bulaklak. I was formally dressed too. Not the suit. Slacks and long sleeves.

Pumasok ako at natantong wala masyadong tao. Bumili muna ako ng kandila at sinindihan ito saka nagdasal. Just like what I usually pray these months, Amelie is included.

"Ilan score mo sa online exam, Amelie?"

I heard murmuring from a distance. Nang lumingon ako ay grupo iyon ng mga kababaihan. And Amelie is one of them. Goodness gracious. She's beautiful.

"Huwag na nating pag-usapan." Amelie chuckled.

"Sus. Mataas score niyan. Feel ko. Feeler kasi ako."

I stood straight, waiting for their arrival.

"Guys please tanggapin na natin. Nasa acceptance stage na ako," Amelie paused. "Dalawang beses lang ba talaga nagpapa-exam si sir sa isang semester? Seryoso ba? Saan tayo babawi niyan?"

"Ang tanong ay kung makakabawi pa ba..."

Nagtawanan ang kaniyang mga kaibigan.

"Magbenta nalang tayo ng sha..."

"Isusumbong kita kay sister, Hazel!"

Muli, nagtawanan sila. Nakikita ko si Amelie na para bang nasa isang music video kami. The dreamy effects that suddenly came into my vision as I stare at her laughing and chuckling with her friends. The longer I stare, the deeper I fell.

And in that moment, we locked eyes. Amelie held her captivating eyes fixated on me. On me. And just like that, it's as if the angels had sang a melodic song for me. My heart felt warm and scared at the same time.

"Amelie..."

I already said her name even before I realized it. They stopped in front of me. Mas lalo akong nakaramdam ng kaba. I suddenly want to back out. Nasaan ang lakas mo ngayon, Kithian?

"Uh... yes?" she asked, confused.

"For you."

Nanginginig na binigay ko ang bulaklak. I probably look awful. I don't know how to act accordingly in front of Amelie.

Amelie then accepted the flowers. Her friends gasped and even cheered. Good thing there was no other people around. Baka ma-pressure si Amelie sa mga sasabihin ko.

"Uh... salamat."

"Puwede kang makausap?"

Kung ano-ano ng mga katanungan ang pumasok sa utal ko at bumalot sa sistema ko.

"Puntahan muna namin si Sister, 'te. Goodluck!"

Her friends immediately walked away with giggles. Si Amelie ay nakatingin na ngayon sa akin. I smiled a little and invited her to sit in the bench.

"I'm Kithian. I... was the one who gave you the flower and necklace before."

I extended my hands for a handshake. Tinanggap niya rin. Kasabay no'n ay ang kaniyang pagngiti.

"I know. Kilala kaya ng halos lahat sa lugar na ito ang pamilya niyo. And, I didn't really think it was yours. Thank you. I've been wearing it since then."

Lumawak ang ngiti ko sa kaniyang sinabi. She's cute.

"I admire you even before. And... until now. I'm not sure when will this admiration end. I don't think it will, though." I chuckled. "I'm here to try my luck. You probably don't have any idea who I really am aside from the rumors regarding my family's social status. We have a lot of time to get to know each other if you'll grant it. Kung puwede sana, Amelie, aakyat ako ng ligaw. Sa 'yo at sa... pamilya mo."

Amelie gasped. She immediately covered her mouth. Gulat ang kaniyang ekspresyon. Hindi talaga inasahan ang sinabi ko. I'm determined to try my luck.

"Bakit naman ako?" she asked.

"Bakit hindi ikaw?" I asked back.

We stared at each other for almost a minute. Naglalaro ang aking tingin sa kaniyang mukha. My eyes rested in a particular part of her face. The cute mole on the right of her nose.

"I am not sure..."

"Hindi kita pinipilit, Amelie. I will respect if you will not like the idea of me courting you. Everything will stay as how it was. Gustong-gusto kita pero hindi kita pipilitin kung ayaw mo."

"Hindi. Hindi sa gano'n. Ayos lang sa 'kin. I have a very traditional family and if you really want to pursue me, you should court them first."

Marahang ngumiti ako at tumango. Giving her the assurance that I will. As it was what I planned.

"Ganoon ang plano, Amelie. Liligawan ko sila... at ikaw."

I went home bringing a lot of gifts for my family. I am celebrating with them. Kaya pagdating ay nagtataka silang lahat kung bakit ang dami kong dala.

"May fiesta ba? O advance birthday celebration mo 'to, Kuya?" Krono asked.

"Next year pa naman. January 1."

Natawa ako. Nagulat ang dalawa. I pursed my lips but there was a faint smile. Tumatanda na talaga ako. Ideal age to get married.

"You're laughing. Wala namang nakakatawa. There's definitely something wrong with you, Kuya Kit."

I didn't mind the accusation. Bukas na. There's no way they will ruin my mood today.

"What's all this, Kithian?" Mom shrieked.

"I thought you needed a lot of boys in your life?" I chuckled.

"Boys?" si Dad.

"Hm. Christian Dior. Christian Louboutin. Yves Saint-Laurent. Giorgio Armani. Harry Winston. Ralph Lauren. Alexander McQueen. Jimmy Choo. Louis-Francois Cartier. Loui Vitton."

She gasped. I turned to dad.

"You don't need Enzo Ferrari, Calvin Klein, and Tom Ford. You already have triple K. Kithian. Krono. Keeno."

*****