Chapter 37
Mrs. de Lara left, giving Mark the opportunity to talk to Toni about what had happened the night before. Too bad, he didn’t know where and how to start. He looked at Toni, and saw that she had that same dreamy, far-away expression on her face. The exact same way she looked after she and Martin made up last night. “Why didn’t you help my mom with the cooking you lazy monkey you!” Toni joked, laughing as she ruffled Mark’s hair affectionately. He just plastered a cold, fake smile on his face that he knew would absolutely dampen her parade. He didn’t mean to do it intentionally though, it was all that he could think of to show her that something was wrong. Mark suddenly saw the hurt and angry expression in her eyes, but she just smiled cheerily. Toni kept talking to him, but he barely responded. He didn’t even show signs of interest on to what she was saying. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked casually, not letting her irritation get the best of her. “What’s wrong with me she asks…” Mark muttered in the most annoying tone Toni had ever heard him use. She slammed her glass down that she was holding unto the table. Mark nearly jumped from his seat, surprised at her action. He watched Toni breathe in and out deeply a few times. “Without sarcasm, would you please, tell me, what’s wrong with you.” She said calmly, not looking at Mark. He swallowed hard, knowing that he should be careful with the tone that he’ll be using. He knew a big fight could start if he upset her. “I… I… I just got jealous over Martin, that’s all.” He said softly. Toni continued to look at him, a blank expression on her face. A smile was slowly trying to break free on her lips, causing it to twitch. She tried to straighten her expression. “Why?” “Well, I just have this feeling that something happened between the two of you in the past. I’ve been going crazy trying to reassure myself that it was nothing but I couldn’t help but to feel jealous and feel worried now that you’re friends with him again because it really is so obvious that there’s something special between the two of you and I… I just don’t want to lose you all over again now that I finally have you.” Mark said, looking down at his hands. “Mark, something did happen between Martin and me in the past. We did have something very special between us. He was my best friend, but then we had a fight before I left for Ireland…” “But I still can’t help but to feel jealous!” Mark said, sighing exasperatedly. He suddenly felt Toni’s hands on his face and her lips on his. He was quite surprised he wasn’t even able to close his eyes and kiss her back. “Was that enough to convince you that I’ll never leave you for someone like Martin and that you’ll never lose me, ever again?” Toni asked once she pulled away, holding on to his hand. He looked deep into her eyes and he saw that everything she said was meaningful and true. “Hmmm… I think I need a little more convincing…” he trailed off. Toni laughed softly. “Oh Mark…” she said, sighing. She was about to say something but Mark silenced her with his soft, red lips. Toni pulled away. “By the way Mark, you really don’t need to feel jealous… Martin is gay.” Toni said. Mark laughed out loud until his sides and cheeks hurt.
The night was absolutely wonderful. Christmas lights and lanterns were lit up everywhere and everyone had smiles on their faces. There was some sort of magic in the air. It must be the magic that Christmas brings. It was already Christmas Eve, and people were busy going around from the church and unto the streets. Mark looked around him. It was certainly different from Christmas Eve back at home, but it still felt great. Toni held his hand as they went down the steps. There were stands and stalls of all sizes, selling food that looked rather peculiar to him. Toni’s mother asked them to wait for her so she could buy some so that Mark could try them all. He told her there was no need for going through all the trouble, and he graciously thanked her for the gesture. They were busy “arguing” over it when he felt Toni, jab him softly on the ribs. Mark suddenly remembered that Filipinos have the tendency to feel offended when they offer you something and you decline.
They got home around 10 in the evening, and Mrs. de Lara busied herself in the kitchen by preparing the food for Noche Buena, which they would have around 12 midnight. Toni and Mark offered to help but they were sent away by Mrs. de Lara. She claimed they’ll just be “two love birds in her way”. So they went outside and stood by the doorway, watching the lovely array of fireworks that their neighbor was proudly showing off. They came out in the sky in all sorts of shapes and colors, looking absolutely radiant. Toni found them beautiful, but Mark wondered why at times, Toni’s grip would suddenly tighten on his hand. He found out later on that Toni nearly had an accident with a small firework called a “baby rocket” when she was 8 years old. All she could ever hold since then were sparklers and those red, small sticks that pop when lit up and dance around when thrown to the floor. She just couldn’t get rid of the fear for years.
After a few minutes they were called. They made a short prayer before starting to eat. After the meal, Mark felt as if he never wanted to eat anything, ever again. He had never tasted so many different foods in his life. They looked so weird to him, but they actually tasted good and some of them were exquisitely mouthwatering. He couldn’t even remember what they were called. All he knew was that they tasted great!
Mark, Toni and Mrs. de Lara sat around the Christmas tree later on, like little children opening their presents. Mark got Toni a palmtop computer, since he knew she would love one of those. He gave her mother a really expensive DVD player, since Toni once mentioned that she loves watching movies. They felt quite embarrassed at the presents that Mark gave them. They were way too expensive that they wanted to give it back but Mark insisted that they keep it, and that he would get hurt if they didn’t accept the gifts. They only gave him a cool backpack and a windbreaker, adding more to their embarrassment. Mark didn’t mind. It wasn’t the price of the gift that mattered. It was the person who gave it that mattered.
Mrs. de Lara excused herself for a while, and when she got back she gave Mark and Toni one last present. It was a silver tin box that was about only an inch or two wide, which looked like a cube. They opened it and there lay identical rings, one larger and thicker than the other. Each ring looked like a silver rope that was twisted together. Mrs. de Lara handed the larger ring to Mark and the other to Toni. “I saw those rings one day in a store, and it immediately reminded me of the both of you. See how those silver lines are intertwined? They’re just like the two of you, tightly wrapped up around each other and they just go on and on forever, just like your love for each other.” She said, hugging them both before saying goodnight and going off to bed. “Your mom is so sweet.” Mark said, looking at the ring on his finger. “Yeah…” Toni said as Mark placed his arms around her. “Merry Christmas.” he whispered into her ear. “Merry Christmas.” she whispered back. They spent the whole time together in the living room, talking and whispering sweet nothings to each other. Mark and Toni eventually fell asleep on the couch, wrapped in each others arms.