That Summer Night of August

Prologo

The summer breeze blew gently, causing my dark brown hair to dance gracefully in sync with it. The surroundings was silent that I could only hear the rustling of the leaves of the trees.

When I saw the swing, where it all started, I couldn't help but smile. This was the location where I met someone who would go on to become the most important person in my life. This was the place where he gave me a lot of help.

A lot of memories were created here, both negative and wonderful memories, to be precise. I'm not going to talk about the terrible memories since it will only hurt my heart. Even after what happened, I never had negative feelings about this place. Because this was the place where I was able to recall all I had forgotten for a long time.

It's been what? 2 years? I don't know. I stopped counting since I decided to broke up with him.

I felt the cold metal on my hand as I held onto the stand of the swing. I bit my lips as I recalled some memories. It was a memory that I couldn't forget no matter how hard I try.

Bittersweet.

"J–just tell me to stay, love. I won't go. Those papers won't matter... just tell me. I can't just leave you, love. It hurts. I am so sorry." I looked at the eyes of the man I really love the most. It was full of sorrow, it was begging and it kills me.

I wiped the tears streaming down through my cheeks. My body was shaking and I couldn't stop it.

"Everything is just so messed up. My demons are killing me, and I don't know what to do. My family's in chaos, mahal." My voice broke as I covered my face with my palms. "H-hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pa bang ipagpatuloy ang tayo."

"Please don't do this, love. Hindi ko kaya. I'm so sorry. I am so sorry that I couldn't protect you. Just don't do this."

I smiled bitterly as I sat on the swing that it made a creaking echoing sound. "I should be the one who's sorry. I thought I didn't matter, I thought I couldn't hurt you, because I was only me."

I will love your memory forever.

That memory will forever be part of me.

He will always be a part me.

I stayed there for a couple of minutes, thinking about nothing. I always keep telling myself that I don't need anyone, but goddamn it. I'm so lonely. I wish I was more honest about the things that really hurts me.

I just graduated as a Summa Cum Laude in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree. I did my best because that was what my dad wanted me to. It was my dream to become an engineer too but... the idea that all my dreams were coming true and they were not enough to make me genuinely happy haunts me everyday.

But still... I have to move forward. I must move forward.

I was a bit startled when my phone suddenly rang. I immediately reached for it inside my pocket and looked at the id. I sighed when I saw the name of my brother.

Yes, my life sucks, but at least I have my brothers.

["Nasaan ka ba? Everything is ready here, kuya. Come home already."]

I smiled when I heard his voice. "May dinaanan lang ako. I'll be there in a minute."

["Tell me where are you so I can just pick you up."]

"Huwag na. Pauwi na rin naman na ako. If you have another prank again, Tim, I'm gonna kill you. Sige na, maglalakad pa ako."

["You're at that place again?"] My brother's voice softened on the phone.

"Hmm." I slowly nodded even though I knew he couldn't see it.

["Kuya, I need to tell you something."]

"It can wait, Tim. Diyan nalang sa bahay."

["No, wai–"]

He couldn't continue what he was about to say since I cut him off in the middle of it. Timothy would always plan a prank for me whenever I had a party. In addition, I detested practical jokes.

I still hate it.

I pushed myself to my feet and took a deep breath. This will be the last time I will be visiting this place. After my college graduation, my family and I had planned to leave the country, along with my brothers and Tita Tiffany. She is the mother of my brothers, she advised me that it would be a good idea to start a new life in a different place. That was something I agreed to. We need to start over and let go all the pain.

I silently walked on the cracked pathway of the abandoned park. It was 1 year ago since the owner of this died. But I still often went here. It just that... I can't seem to let this place go vanish.

When I reached the gate, I slowly grabbed its handle and closed it. It made a creaking sound due to the rusts, it wasn't been taken care of for a long time. I sighed when I looked at the abandoned park again.

I'm going to miss you.

When I turned my body to the direction where I will be getting the bus, I bumped into a broad chest. It has a familiar scent though but I didn't bother to look at the person because I was rushing to get on the last bus. It was already near evening. I just said sorry to the person and quickly moved my feet.

"Dee, can we talk?"

I froze on my spot when I heard the voice.

A familiar feeling suddenly rushed through my whole body. A dangerous yet soothing feeling. The feeling that I tried to forget for 2 years. The feeling that I promised myself I would never feel again. The pain, the memories... it's all coming back again.

My chest began to tighten as I slowly turned my body to his direction. My hands were shaking, because I knew in myself who owned that voice. It was once my favorite sound.

When I completely faced his direction, there I saw his forest green eyes, his jet-black messy hari, and his insanely handsome face. His physical appearance changed a lot. He's more matured looking now. I couldn't help but smiled bitterly. I couldn't help but let my tears fall.

"Architect Howell."

He's a famous architect now. He even topped the board exam.

I am so proud of him.

Oh, God. I miss him.

I immediately dried my tears using my hands. I should not be feeling this. I'm sure he already moved on. It has already been 2 years. I didn't walked towards him, and he also did the same. We just stood there, 2 meters away from each other.

So near, yet so far.

"Please stop crying every time you see me." He said, his hands on his pocket. "Because it will make me think that all I did was hurt you."

"No, you know you didn't." I said, shaking my head. "I, um, I thought you're not coming back? What are you doing here?"

"Something came up with mom's hospital. And I have to get back something what's mine." He explained casually.

I nodded. "I see. Sorry, I can't stay any longer. It was nice seeing you again, Architect Howell." I was about to walk away when he spoke again.

"Wouldn't you ask if what's that something I want to get back?"

I did not answer. Instead, I just stood there, waiting for him to tell me.

"It's you."