Jollyjoie Serad Pepito

My Best Christmas Present Jj Serad It was Christmas Day. The cold breeze and the frosty white snow were felt by busy shoppers. I was not busy then, but my mind was. It kept playing my childhood memories when I was still with my father. He used to bring me to the snowman and always gave me presents placed in the Christmas sock. He cooked delicious foods for me and bought me chocolates whenever I felt sad. Yet, those sweet moments ended when he went for his mission as a military man and left me with my aunt, my father’s elder sister. I was twelve when my father left and I thought I will be in good hands with my aunt Lorna. She never cared for me; she comes early in the morning already after she gambles from the neighborhood and leaves me with nothing, not even a cent, for my supper. So, I used to have an empty stomach. I usually go out at night and search for my own food. I was never different from any other beggars. Lucky I was, I have known a wholesome man, Chris. He listens to me during the times I do not have someone to talk to, especially when I do not feel like going to school. He gives me food when the night comes and sends me home to make sure I am always safe on my way. He was thrice older than I and he is like my father. But, he also suddenly left when I reached 21. Christmas Eve came. I was alone in my house. I got already a stable job. I decided to go out of my aunt’s supervision when I was 18 and settled for something I could live on my own. Anyways, I knelt down and faced the altar. I lit a candle of thanksgiving. I prayed and wished for nothing else --- to see my father again. He never came back since he left. I also do not know if he had been to my aunt’s house for the past three years after I abandoned the place. I guess he never did come home. Suddenly, somebody knocked on the door. I was surprised when a blind man appeared before me. “A man brought me here. Is this the house of Bob Hilton?” “Yes, but I am sorry, he is not around”, I answered deniably. “Somebody told me to give this present to Bob. Tell him to open this on the 28th. Just follow what I say.” “Excuse me, may I know your name?” Without an answer, he went away. I lied when he asked if it’s my house, he is really a stranger to me but his voice sounds very familiar. Well, I just thought he was just a messenger. Yet, why a blind man?! I stared at the present. I wonder what’s inside it. It is just as small as a cigarette box. I kept thinking of something that could possibly fit in there. Two days passed and the morning of the 28th came. I hurriedly groomed myself and excitingly opened the box. I slowly opened it, trying not to tear on the wrapper and at the same time, I have second thoughts whether it might explode and burn me out. Stunned, there was nothing in there except for a piece of folded paper and it reads, “St. Ezekiel’s Church @ 12 noon”. Doubting, I could not think well what would be there. My pessimism brought me to the conclusion that this could be a joke because December 28 is Innocent’s Day. But then again, there’s no harm in trying. 12 noon came. I was seated at the last bench of the church. The door was widely opened and a white coffin and mourning people got in, and my thoughts started to think negatively, but I just waited what will happen. Then, the mass began. I wasn’t comfortable. I heard the loud cries of the people around. Meanwhile, my tears started to fall when the priest announced, “Bless the soul of our brother Chris…” and so on. I realized then that it was him --- the wholesome man who used to be like my father. From far away, I saw the blind man who once knocked on my door. He waved his hand and signaled me to come to him. That proves one thing --- he can already see. I looked at my back, thinking it was not me he is waving at. But I found out I was only the one in there, so I approached him in doubt. He hugged me tightly and whispered, “Welcome back my son! I missed you a lot!” I cried with joy because I knew immediately who he was. “I am sorry I have left you and Ate Lorna. I should not have gone for my mission to serve other people. I should have served you first, Bob. Because of that, I got blinded and half of my body turned burnt. I know this is the very reason why you did not notice me.” “But father, how were you able to see? Three days is just a short span of time for you to have an eye operation.” “Chris told me you have been a very good boy. He is my best buddy. I told him to look after you and he just did. You know what, he gave me the chance to see you again.” “How? Things seemed to happen in a rush.” “Last 24th, he became a victim of a car accident. He was blooded and almost everything of him became impaired but not his eyes. He decided to donate his eyes to me because he knew he won’t be able to survive. Before his death, he gave me your address, yet, he never told me it was yours. He said he wanted you to be here in his burial and by now, I know he is glad you came.” “I just can’t believe you and I are together again.” “I got many presents for you, son!” “No father, I don’t need them. I have already opened my best Christmas present. It’s when I opened the door and see you again!” He hugged me even tighter and I know, he is happier.