Tomorrow will ‘Still’ be Christmas.

  

Looking at the big fire that devours his little store, Tonny cannot do anything but to cry. He can’t get in… there is a ‘no-entry’ sign, the firemen stopped him to cross the barricading line. He wanted to save, at least, the gifts he prepared for his children. He pleaded but they don’t listen, “Please, let me in… just for my children…” They dragged him away and calmed him there. Afar, he sees everything… his hard labored little store which he cherished for years is now turning into ashes. Helplessly and horrified, he sunk to the ground.

Tomorrow will be Christmas. But now, it seems that his family would not be happy. He has nothing in his pocket--only the key to his little store… but the little store is already no more.

Everything is in his little store. His little store is just a little stall in the market.  In the drawer, the money he hardly saved for the occasion. In one of the makeshift cabinets, there he placed the gifts he carefully wrapped for his three little children.

Before he left their home that morning, he saw his wife preparing already for the Noche Buena. She is starting to cook rice puddies and sweets. When Tonny bid goodbye to his wife, his wife kissed him and told him, “Please come back home for the Noche Buena.” His children came to him, hugged him and teased him, “Papa, don’t forget our Christmas gifts!” and they all laughed. Tonny smiled, he told the kids, “it would be a surprise!”  He blinked to his wife saying that there’s no need to worry for he had already prepared the gifts, all what he needs to do is to bring them home from his little store.

And now, everything he cherished in that little store is on fire. He has no more business other than this. All are burning already. He doesn’t know now how to start all over again. It was a faulty electrical system that he ignored for years because he doesn’t want to compromise on any possible unexpected expenses. All what he know is that he just wanted to save money. He whispered to his own self, “If I just knew that this would have happened… I should have done better.” But now, it’s too late. The light materials of his store together with his merchandize are all being devoured now by the fire. He started to blame himself. But, it’s too late.

By now, through the news on the media, he imagined that his wife would have possibly already have known the accident. But, it is more painful for him to imagine the disappointed face of his three little children. He is saddened of the thought that he would disappoint them… after all, he made a promise that he would surprise them.

It was already night time when the fire was totally extinguished by the firemen. He checked for any remnants but nothing was left.

He walked home so sad. On the road, a passenger from the van has thrown something shouting “get lost you little useless being!” He checked what was it and he discovered a puppy. The puppy was so afraid. It’s trembling and one of its feet was terribly hurt. He get his handkerchief and put a bondage on the little paw of the puppy. “Now you are better. I hope, you would meet your new master soon.” The puppy wagged its tail and barked at him saying thanks. Tonny started to leave the puppy as he head for home, “I know how sad you feel…” he whispered to himself, “me, too, I am lost.” He looked into heavens and asked God, “God, what would I say to my children?”

 

Now, Tonny is in front of their little house. He can hear his three little children talking excitedly about their Papa’s surprise gift. The imagination of sad faces made him shake his head but he composed himself. He knocked at their door, his wife came out and embraced him, “it’s okay honey” she already knew what had happened, “we’ll get through this,” she comforted him.

The children eagerly run toward him… Tonny kneel, he started to uttered slowly, “I want to say to all of you… about the surprise gift…” his voice starts to crack and the glowing faces of his children starts to fall “…that I am very… very sorry… because…” There was silence… He doesn’t know how to say it. “God, help me,” he thought. The children, also silent, are waiting for his next words. Then, out of nowhere a small bark broke their silence.

The gloomy faces of the children started to spark! “A puppy! A puppy for Christmas!” Tonny looked back and saw the little puppy that followed him. The children jumped into joy and they hurriedly picked the puppy up and joyfully cradle it into their arms. They hug and kissed their Papa, “Oh boy! Oh boy, this is the best Christmas present ever! Thank you Papa.” the children cheered. 

Tonny’s wife is so happy; she embraced Tonny with tears in her eyes.  “Thanks a lot my dear. After all, you made our children really happy.” Tonny looked into heaven, “Thank you God. You make my family happy.”

Merry Christmas. 

Den Mar