Bibingka

The church bells ring across the village, signalling the end of the day’s morning mass. As the moon is just about to set, hundreds of people are already out and about starting their day with a Christmas tradition.

You step out as the choir continues to sing the ending song. The cold morning air hits your face, making you thankful that you wore your hoodie this time. A yawn escapes from you as you pause by the entrance, taking your time as you wait. Following you out and clinging to your arm was your girlfriend, Sana.

“I think the priest saw you nodding off to sleep.” She jokes.

“That’s what happens when we sit near the aisle.” You both chuckle. “You’re off from work today, right?”

“We both are, silly. It’s Saturday!”

“Oh yeah.” You say trying to shake off the sleepiness. “Sorry, still a bit drowsy.”

“Seven nights in and you still get sleepy. Unbelievable.” She says with a giggle. “Anyway, why’d you ask? Got any plans for us?”

“Definitely. It involves our bed and possibly two extra hours of shut-eye.”

“Wow, what a packed schedule.” She jokes back at you. “Before that, you think we can get–”

“Already on it, Sana.” A soft smile forms on your face, a smaller one compared to the big and bright smile that Sana was wearing. 

It was just a small request, a tradition by now, that two of you do during the holidays. You make your way out of the parish grounds, ready to start the short walk back to your house. Before that though, you make a quick stop at one of the little carts stationed just outside. The aroma of the different pastries fill the air, adding hungry to the adjectives that could presently describe you. You stop by the regular cart, the vendor already recognizing the two of you and getting your usual order ready. When you get your order, you hand back a bill and tell them to keep the change, hoping you help start their day off right.

The walk back home is always quick. The church is just a stone’s throw away, so driving would seem a bit redundant. Even more though, you cherish the way the walk helps you slow down during the holiday rush. You get to notice all the little things. The sky, which was once pitch black, was now slowly brightening to blue. The streets being lined with colorful Christmas parols, acting as temporary sources of light as the sun slowly rises. Breathing in the cool, early morning air. Feeling it against you skin, making you want to dig deeper into your jacket. How it causes Sana’s grip in your intertwined hands to become tighter, hugging your arm as a source of warmth. No words are spoken, they were never really needed. It’s at this time where the two of you just appreciate the silence in being in each other's presence. The drive would be easier, sure. But these short walks help you slow down during the holiday rush, letting you calm down as the year winds down to a close.

When you get home, it's the same routine. Sana heads up ahead with some plates and utensils. You take a detour to the kitchen to make coffee for the both of you, bringing the two cups along as you head up stairs. You pass through your air conditioned bedroom before exiting out the balcony, where you find Sana with her mouth full, cheeks ballooned like a hamster, already halfway through with her food.

“You just couldn’t wait for the hot coffee could you?” You tease her.

“You know I can’t.” She mumbles with her mouth full.

“Here.” You say as you hand her the mug. “It pairs well with the bibingka.” She takes a sip to help her wash down the pastry.

You settle down on the seat beside her, grabbing a fork and taking a bite of your food. Sana suddenly stands up and joins you on your lounge chair, snuggling to your side to fight off the cold. You chuckle as you wonder if the chair can handle both of your weight. This would be the seventh straight morning where the two of you would watch the sunrise after the mass. 

“Seven down…” Sana says.

“Two more to go.” You finish her thought for her.

“You think that myth is real? When you finish the nine nights, a wish you have would be granted?” She asks with a sparkle in her eyes as she looks up at you. 

“I’m… not sure it is.” 

But you want it to be.

“Let’s say it is…” Sana starts. “I’d probably wish just for next year to be good to me. Stay healthy. Be happy. Actually, for everyone. Just for everyone to be happy.” She says with the largest grin as she takes a sip of the coffee. The simplicity of her wish tugs at your heart. Something so pure and innocent. It’s nothing superficial or materialistic. Neither is it selfish. A perfect wish to match the perfect woman. All these thoughts help you get lost in her eyes before she shakes you out of your trance. “How about you? Have a wish in mind? If it were true?”

“Not really. No.” A simple but brief answer, though it couldn’t be any farther from the truth.

In truth, you did have one. Probably just as simple as Sana’s. One that’s been weighing your mind and heart for months on end. It’s taken the shape of a small piece of jewelry, adorned by a diamond. People can have a multitude of materialistic and selfish wishes, but for you it’s simple. And only a little bit selfish. Your only wish?

For her to say yes.

Your heart’s racing. You want to say it to her now. You want to propose to her now. It would roll off of your lips so easily and finally lift a heavy weight off of your mind and heart. 

But you don’t. You can’t. Not yet.

She deserves the perfect proposal. To match the perfect person that she is. So you’ll bide your time. For now. Now? You go back to answering Sana’s question. 

“I have you.” You say as you cup her cheek and direct her to look at you. “You know, like what Mariah Carey said. All I want for Christmas is you.”

“Wow. Cheesy.” She giggles as she raises the slice of cheese that topped the pastry.

You bring Sana close and wrap her in a tight hug. Mainly to combat the cold air, but also to just to keep her close. You didn’t notice, but the sun finally broke through the horizon, its golden rays illuminating the sky. The two of you sit there and watch as it slowly rises up, bathing the sky in orange.

“I know we’ve seen it multiple times already in the past few days, but the sunrise is always pretty.” Sana exclaims. She’s not wrong, but your gaze wasn’t focused on the sky. The whole time your eyes remained glued to her as she watched the sunrise with wonder and amazement, glowing in the golden rays of the sun. It’s all perfect. Her. The sunrise. The warm cups of coffee. The half eaten bibingkas. 

You never want it to end. 

You want it to last a lifetime. 

Hopefully, it will.

A yawn escapes from Sana’s mouth as she stretches in your embrace.

“I think I’ll take you up on those two extra hours of sleep you have planned.” She says with a soft smile. 

“Alright.” You say before you give her a kiss on her forehead. “You can go ahead to bed. I’ll take the plates down to the kitchen.”

Sana gives you another soft smile before she steals a quick peck on your lips. She rushes back inside giggling to herself before hiding under the blankets. You’re left alone on the balcony chuckling to yourself as the sun continues to crawl up the sky. You finish the rest of your coffee as you take in the view.

Sana was right. 

The sunrise is always beautiful.