24
Tshabina
25 December 2012
“Merry Christmas!” we all cheered with unfiltered excitement. This year’s Christmas was held at Danudara’s home because it was their turn to host the open house. It had become our tradition to take turns every year, gathering as one family to celebrate.
The four of us—Zioh, Zeraiah, Tsabinu, and I—were lounging in the family room, busy unwrapping the gifts lined neatly under the Christmas tree. Zeraiah and I were the most eager, the first to wake up and dive straight for the presents. We weren’t children anymore; we knew that. We were teenagers. But we decided some things deserved to stay forever.
Tsabinu joined after feeding Yellow in the side yard, while Zioh came after finishing some of his usual tasks. Lately, he and Tsabinu had been working on something together—an online internship. I never quite understood, but they seemed to spend more time buried in it.
“A present from Mum and Dad,” Zioh announced, holding out a gift wrapped in pink paper for me. He gave me the soft smile of his and sat down beside me. This morning, he looked so sweet in his plain black tee and shorts. Well, he always looked lovely to me, but again, there were dark circles beneath his eyes. He looked tired, and I studied him before he stroked my hair, and I glanced away.
“And… here’s a bonus,” he said, offering me another box. “From Dad as an apology for not being here. Again.”
Nodding, I stared at the gift for a moment. Did an apology require a gift? I turned back to him. “Is Uncle Bakti really that busy, Zi?” I asked.
Zioh nodded, still smiling, before lowering his hand to stroke my cheek this time. Then his gaze shifted around. “Your mum’s got a performance, hasn’t she? Why didn’t your dad come along?”
I nodded and glanced towards the side yard, where Dad grilled meat while laughing at Yellow. Beside him, Mama Nadine was arranging drinks and snacks. I turned back to Zioh. “Mum said we could borrow him. She feels bad because we’ve been staying here so much, like we’re always troubling Mama—”
“Who said you’re troubling us?” Mama Nadine cut me off. She was suddenly right beside us, offering mugs of hot chocolate. We both reached out gratefully.
Her eyes lingered on me for a moment, and her hand smoothed down my hair. “I’m happy you and Bibu are here, sweetheart,” she said with a radiant smile that spread to others. I couldn’t help smiling back, and she kissed my head. “My beautiful girl,” she whispered, tapping my nose.
“Thank you, Mama Nadine,” I said.
She nodded. “You’re welcome, darling.”
Mama Nadine brushed her hands together before standing up. “Open the presents, then eat and get ready, alright? We’ll have the service soon.” Her tone shifted, firmer this time, as her gaze swept across the four of us. Zioh, Tsabinu, and I nodded, unlike Zeraiah, who remained completely absorbed with his mountain of gifts.
Mama Nadine sighed, narrowing her eyes. “Zer,” she called out.
Zeraiah glanced up. “Aye aye, captain,” he replied, before diving back into his pile.
Mama Nadine shook her head with a small smile and walked back towards the side yard.
The three of us returned to our presents, except Zioh. He sat there, sipping his hot chocolate, and his eyes fixed on me.
I kept catching him watching me in certain moments. I was used to it now, and I didn’t mind it at all; in fact, I sometimes caught myself doing the same.
He sat in silence while his gaze moved between my face and my hands as I tore open the wrapping paper. My heart grew restless under the weight of his silence until I finally turned to him.
“Zioh, how old were you when you discovered Santa wasn’t real?” I asked. I didn’t know why, I just needed to break the tension.
Talking to Zioh felt fun, so I always chatted with him about One Direction, Harry Potter, or my annoying math teacher. I always felt safe talking about anything because he listened, responded, and nodded along while I spoke.
He looked at me, reaching out to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I always knew,” his voice brushed against me like calm water. His smile widened. “Mas Zaeem told me when I was little that Mum and Dad were sneaking the presents under the tree. Must’ve been when I was about seven.”
My eyes widened. “Seriously? So I was fooled until I was eleven just because I didn’t have adecentolder brother?” I glared at Bibu, who sat beside him, and of course, he only gave me his faint smile. I huffed, turning my complaint back at Zioh. “I swear, Mas Bibu knew ages ago, but he kept quiet,” I grumbled.
The three of them burst out laughing. “It’s because you were too adorable whenever you went on about Santa,” Zioh teased, caressing my cheek with the back of his fingers.
They always treated me like a baby.
But we weren’t children anymore.
I was fifteen! So were Tsabinu and Zeraiah. Yet I was the only one still being babied.
