Phrases/Word Translations:

Tito: Uncle

Tita: Aunt

Kuya: Older Brother/Male

Balikbayan Box: Package brought from overseas with gifts and snacks

Okay lang ka: Are you okay

Ay sus/Ay nako: Oh my god

Anak: Child

Mano Po: (Your hand please) Greeting/gesture to the elders

Dili: No

Oo: Yes

Noche Buena: Celebration on Christmas eve

It was finally Christmas Eve, but the weather outside didn’t get any colder. Aside from the Christmas decorations, music, and parties, it still felt like any other day. 

Akira was resting on the wooden floors of his bedroom with a large shirt, and his hair in a loose bun. His legs were slightly on top of a fuzzy wool carpet that was in the middle of his room. A suitcase sat in front of him, along with a few clothes and necessities. Their school was taking a boat ride from Cebu to Siargao island next week for a fun New Years trip. Although Akira was extremely excited about this, there was one thing he was nervous about. The journey in total would take about 11 hours, which meant 11 hours, in the same boat, and the same room, with Shiro. The two of them had chosen to bunk together before they drifted apart, but now, it was going to be extremely awkward. And Akira was not looking forward to it.

He placed the last of his tops inside his luggage, when his eyes drifted slowly up to his bed. On top of his bed sat the teddy bear Shiro gave to him when they first met. It was no longer a glowing white color, instead, it had a light gray tint, and a few paint stains from the past 13 years. Akira stood up, slowly making his way to his bed. He picked up the bear, his thumbs rubbed gently across its soft tummy.

“You miss Mr. Bear, don’t you Teddy. Don’t worry..me too.”

Akira said quietly. 

He then dropped his arms, the teddy bear drooping backwards.

“I’m actually going insane. I just talked to my teddy bear.”

A groan slipped from his mouth as he plopped back down, Teddy laid gently in his arms. He was not ready. But it was the perfect time for them to talk about what was going on. Akira was hurt by his actions, and he needed to let him know.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. It rang an obnoxious amount of times. So many times that his ears felt like they were going to explode.

“Mom, I’m busy do you think you can-”

He was then interrupted by Riku.

“Akira! Get the door please? I think that’s a package.”

Akira frowned. He placed Teddy back onto his bed, then stood up. He hopped downstairs, the sound of his steps echoed throughout the stairwell. Once he reached the door, he opened it slowly, ready to grab a package. But, there was no package. Instead, Vin, Malaya, and Amihan stood in front of him, bright smiles on all three of their faces.

“Surprise!” They three said in unison. 

Akira yelped out of surprise, then slammed the door on them. The breeze from the door slamming shut made everyone’s hair fly back. Vin stood there with his mouth agape. Malaya had her hand over her mouth, and Amihan was just shocked.

“What was that for?” Malaya asked, confused.

A few seconds later, the sound of pattering footsteps came from the inside of the house. The door reopened, and Akira stood there with a bright smile.

He was no longer in a t-shirt and shorts with a messy bun, but instead, he was wearing christmas pajamas with his hair flowing down his back. Akira pounced happily onto the throuple, pulling them into a tight hug as if nothing ever happened.

Vin’s mouth was still open, “How did you change that fast-”

“When did you guys land?!” Akira exclaimed, cutting Vin off before he could finish.

Amihan chuckled, “A few hours ago, we just had to stop by SM to buy a few things for Noche Buena tonight.”

“Oh, okay!” Akira stepped to the side, making room for them, “Come on in!”

   The three stepped inside, taking in the cool air of the air con. They took their shoes off, and Akira led them upstairs to Vin’s old room. He set up the bed while they unpacked, and made sure the pillows were extra fluffed up. 

“Do you guys have any balikbayan boxes that I can help bring in?” Akira asked, wanting to help them as much as he could.

“We have two, but we can just bring them in ourselves!” Malaya replied happily. She took Vin and Amihan’s hands, “Let’s go my loves?”

Vin let go of her hand, “Um, I need to speak to Kira for a bit, you guys think you can bring them in?”

Amihan nodded, “Of course we can,” He smiled, then dragged Malaya downstairs.

Once the sound of their footsteps and voices faded out, Vin turned back to Akira. Akira looked at his brother and slightly tilted his head to the side.

“Okay lang ka?” (Are you okay?)

Vin sighed then plopped down onto his bed. He looked up at Akira, “I think I should be asking you that.”

Akira's face dropped slightly, “What do you mean..”

Vin patted the space next to him, motioning Akira to sit down next to him. When Akira sat, Vin turned, placing his hands on top of his.

“You and Shiro..mom told me what was going on.”

Akira exhaled, then looked down at the ground, “It’s nothing…he just started dating Hyori, and we’re not that close anymore.” He turned his head back up to his brother, then smiled slightly, “But it’s not that big of a deal.”

Vin shook his head sadly, then lifted his hands up, moving them onto his face. “Don’t say that. It is a big deal,” He gently rubbed his thumbs against his soft cheeks, “You’re not happy, I can see that it’s hurting you,”

Akira frowned then fell into his brother's arms, yearning for a hug. Vin sensed this, and tightly wrapped his arms around the younger boy. Akira cuddled into him, bringing his knees to his chest and hiding his face in Vin’s arm.

“I’m trying to fix it Kuya, I really am.”

Vin stayed silent, and instead just held Akira tighter. He hated seeing his little brother sad, it broke him. Akira had been hurt too many times throughout his life, and he hadn’t even turned 18 yet. Vin too struggled with these types of situations growing up, and it ruined him. He wasn’t going to sit by and watch the same thing happen to Akira.

Their moment of peace was interrupted by a loud thud from the bedroom door. The two boys turned quickly, widening their eyes at the scene in front of them. Amihan was flat on the ground, groaning as he rolled off of a large balikbayan box. Snacks and gifts were scattered everywhere below him. Malaya stood behind him, her mouth agape as she carried another box in her arms.

Vin sat up, his eyebrows furrowed, “You okay babe?”

Amihan stayed face down and held up a thumbs up. Malaya placed her box down gently, squatting down by his side and patting his back. Vin and Akira laughed, both of them hopping off of the bed to help him up. 

The preparation for Noche Buena was always hard working and stressful, but with family, it made it fun. The house was lively and noisy, the sound of chattering, cooking, and Christmas music tuned out any silence. There was an abundant amount of people in the house, it was almost like the whole neighborhood was there. 

Akira was in the living room, his Tita’s and Lola’s pestering him about everything. He sat there awkwardly, trying his hardest to answer all of their questions.

“So Akira, have you found a girlfriend yet? It’s been quite a while since you’ve updated us about your relationship status.” his Tita Irene inquired eagerly.

His Tita Carmen rolled her eyes, “Ay sus Irene, he’s gay. You should know that already.” (Jesus Irene)

Tita Irene gasped, and her hands flew over her mouth, “Ay nako! I’m sorry anak, I forgot.” (Oh my god! I’m sorry child,)

She turned to Carmen and hit her lightly, “I’m old, give me a break!” 

Another Tita jumped in, Tita Eleanor, “Old? You’re ancient.”

“Tangina mo Eleanor! Ikawng kigola ka!” (F*** you Eleanor! You a**hole!)

Irene kept going, spitting out curses as if she was a rapper while Eleanor just crossed her arms. Akira mumbled loudly, throwing his head back and covering his face with his hands. Of course he loved his family, but it was not fun having to deal with his Titas arguing with each other every second they were together. They sounded like chattering monkeys all the time. It was like the group of them could never get along, even if they grew up alongside one another. He wished they could just be like his Titos. Whenever the family gets together, they all just sit outside drinking Red Horse or San Miguel and talking about whatever. 

The kids made the noisiness even worse. They would scream and cry so loud that Akira swore his head was going to implode. And even when they weren’t crying, they would play around the house, slamming doors, throwing things, and pestering poor Snowy so much that she would hide under Akira’s bed until they were gone. 

And as if the universe wanted to annoy him even more, the sound of something hitting the ground echoed loudly from his room. He jumped up and practically teleported inside there. He swung the door open and gasped out loud. His room was a mess. It looked like a tornado came and left as quickly as it arrived. Tita Irene and Tita Carmen’s children, Romeo, Carlos, Gabriella, and Angelica were causing a ruckus in his room. They giggled when they noticed he was inside.

Gabriella ran up to him, “Kuya Akira! Mano po.” (Kuya Akira! Your hand please.) She took Akira’s hand and placed it up to her forehead. Akira yelped, yanking his hand back.

“No, nuh uh, dili! I’m too young for that!” (No, nuh uh, no!)

Gabriella looked at him angrily, “Mama say bless anyone with white hair!” She attempted to grab his hand again, but Akira backed away,

“Absolutely not, my hair is dyed. Tito Vin probably has white hair, go mano po him.”

She gasped happily, then flew down the stairs over to Vin.

“Tito Vin!! Mano po!!!”

Akira listened to Vin yell angrily at her before he turned back to the other three. 

“Clean this mess up right now! You can’t wander into my room and throw everything around, that’s so disrespectful to your Kuya.”

Angelica frowned and clasped her hands behind her back, “Sorry Kuya Akira…” She said quietly before she began cleaning up.

Romeo and Carlos stood there quietly, avoiding eye contact with Akira. Akira walked over to them, crossing his arms.

“Do you two have something to say? Or do you want me to tell both of your moms what you two did?”

The two boys looked up at him with remorseful eyes and spoke at the same time, “We’re sorry Kuya.”

“Thank you. Now please go help Angelica clean up.” The young boys nodded then hurried off to clean their mess.

“And when you three are done, please go back downstairs.”

Akira turned, then headed back down the stairs. This time he went over to his Tito’s outside, curious to see what they had in store for him this Christmas Eve. He stepped onto the patio and gazed over to his Tito’s. They sat in a semi circle on dining table chairs, beers in all of their hands.

“Akira! Come join us.” His Tito Boy exclaimed. 

Akira smiled and pulled up a chair, sitting next to him. His Tito Juan nudged him with an elbow lightly and held up a bottle of San Miguel.

“Here you go.”

Akira tilted his head at the bottle, “Ah, I don’t drink Tito.”

“You don’t?” He pulled back the bottle, “That’s a surprise, your brothers had their first drinks when they were 16.”

Akira swung his legs, “Well there wasn’t really a law on it back then Tito...” he looked off to the side, “I also don’t drink because of Papa.”

Tito Juan inhaled deeply, “Right, sorry...” He placed the bottle back in the cooler. 

Akira smiled, “It’s alright,” Ready to change the subject, he turned to Tito Boy, “So, how have you and the family been?

Tito Boy patted his head lightly, then took a quick swig of his beer before responding. “We’ve been great, Akira. I took Irene, Romeo and Angelica to Siargao last week. We just got back yesterday.”

Akira perked up, “You guys went to Siargao?!”

He nodded, “Oo, why?” (Yes, why?)

“I’m going with my class next week.”

“Really? Sounds fun, post some pictures on facebook for us.”

Akira laughed, “Okay Tito.” He felt someone nudge him, and he turned to the right.

“How have you and Shiro been? Still friends?” Tito Agustin asked.

Akira hummed, his eyes drifting away and onto the view of the city infront of him, “Umm, yeah, we’re good. Still friends.”

Before the situation got awkward, Vin’s voice called him from behind. Akira looked back, a smug look on his face, already knowing what he was going to say.

“Did you tell Gabriella to mano po me?”

Akira laughed lightly, “Maybee.”

Vin gasped and placed his hands on his hips, “She said she only blesses anyone with white hair! I do not have white hair!”

“Mm, you have a little.”

“Ah! No I don't, I’m only 28.” Vin said, a hint of sassiness in his voice.

Akira stood up, then stood on the tips of his toes, “Well let’s see-”

Vin grabbed his hand and pushed him away, “Alright, enough of that.” He rolled his eyes playfully at the young boy, “Anyways, Mom said to go set the table, she’s almost done cooking.”

Akira nodded in compliance and strutted inside the house. He skipped over to the kitchen and kissed both Sora and Riku on the cheek lightly before grabbing the items needed to set the table. 

He placed a long table cloth across the table, hiding the worn out wood. Then, he added a few Christmas decorations and put a large stack of plates, utensils, and napkins at the end of the table. 

Right when he finished, both of his moms strolled over to the table, placing down large trays of food. There were so many people and so much food to set down that the family had to set up two extra party tables on each end of the dining table to be able to fit everyone and everything. So far, everything was going well. Hopefully, this will turn out to be an amazing Noche Buena.