When September Sparks

Prologue

Five years have come and gone...

Here I stand, at my very first book signing event. It fills me with joy to see so many people who appreciate what I've created.

"Let's give a big round of applause to the author of 'When September Sparks,' none other than Miss Zachariah Marie Villanueva, also known as Miss Zachy!" Their applause seems to stretch on forever, a chorus of appreciation. Taking a deep breath, I silently acknowledge to myself that...

 I've made it this far.

"So, Miss Zachy," the host addresses me, her voice filled with curiosity.

"What inspired you to write 'When September Sparks,' a book that has become the best-selling book of the year?"

I paused, taking a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before responding. In that moment, there was only one person on my mind, the one who had ignited the spark that fueled my creativity—him.

"It's a story of my first and perhaps last love," I began, attempting to smile despite the tremor in my voice, willing myself not to succumb to tears.

"Moving on to the next question," the host announced, seamlessly transitioning the conversation. 

"Could you enlighten us on the inspiration behind the title of your book, 'When September Sparks'?"

"When September Sparks is all about the magic of my favorite month of the year, which is September. A month full of hope & heartbreaks. It's all about being in love with someone but he or she is still stuck with someone else, and with that, you'll hope until September to feel the magical sparks of love" pero hindi nila alam na ang buwan na 'yon ay kaarawan ng taong pinakamamahal ko.

"It was indeed an unconditional love," the host says. 

"Thank you so much, Miss Zachy!" 

My best friend assisted all of my readers in falling in line to get my autograph. Marami na rin palang nagbago simula ng nawala ako pero kahit ganoon pa man ay kailangan kong tanggapin ang lahat ng mga nangyari...

"Miss Zachy! Pa sign naman ako ne'to!" sabay abot ng libro.

"Miss Zachy, hindi mo deserve 'yon! Pero sana magkaroon pa ng sequel!" biro naman ng isang reader.

"Sequel?" napatawa ako. Hindi ko alam kung magsusulat pa ako ng panibagong libro... para sa'kin... matagal ng natuldukan ang kwentong ito.

"Kung kaya ng powers ko, why not!" sagot ko pa habang nagawa kong ayusin ang glasses ko.

Nakarinig ako ng mga bulong-bulungan sa likod dahil sa isang kilalang personalidad na pinag kakaguluhan. Itinuon ko ang sarili ko sa pagpirma ng libro.

"Shet ang pogi naman non!" pabulong na sabi ni Jessa. 

"Sino ba 'yon? Dapat ako yung pinag-kakaguluhan kasi moment ko 'to!" medyo irritableng turan ko. I waited for this moment to be perfect pero bakit sa lahat ng bagay ay may kaagaw ako ng atensyon?

"Balita ko isang sikat daw na engineer 'yon" kinikilig na sabi pa nito. 

"May kilala din akong engineering student dati, akala ko green flag! Red flag pala! Ayon nga  favorite color niya green, naging nature lover tuloy ako" dismayado kong sabi. Ever since nangyari 'yon, ginawa ko ang lahat para mag move on. 

He was my almost...

"Huy alam mo ba Ria! Swerte mo naman kasi isa siya sa mga reader mo!" then she poked to my hips. Muntikan na akong mapamura dahil nakiliti ako. Isinawalang bahala ko nalang ang mga pinagsasabi niya at nagpatuloy sa pagpirma.

"Ano kayang name non? Ma search ko nga sa google" pag-iimbestiga nito.

Ilang minuto pa ay narinig kong napamura siya. Tinapik niya ang aking likod at umiling iling. Sumeryoso ang mukha niya. Napansin ko  rin na mas lalong umingay ang paligid.

"Don't tell me Ria that this is your ex!" nanlalaki ang mga mata niya habang ipinakita sa akin ang picture. I can feel my heart racing rapidly inside my chest. Every time my heart tells me to stalk him, but I control myself not to fall for him ever again in my life. Since I went to the US, I haven't stalked him anymore.

I couldn't believe how much more handsome he had become, his features seemed to have sharpened, his smile brighter, and his confidence radiating in every gesture. 

I struggled to hold back my tears as memories of the past flooded my mind.

"Hi!" a familiar voice greeted me, stirring memories that had been tucked away for quite some time. 

It had been a while... 

"I'm an avid fan of yours, Miss Zacharia," his words hit me like a ton of bricks, but I still savored the way he said my name. It felt like a harmonious melody echoing in my ears.

I simply gazed at the guy who was the inspiration behind this story, feeling a rush of emotions flooding back like a wave crashing against the shore.

My mouth hung open and all the air left my lungs... As I fought to catch my breath.

For a moment, the dead butterflies in my stomach came alive. The familiar feelings inside me still lingered, hoping to experience the same emotions I once felt before.

All I knew was that I was finally healed, but in that moment, I felt shattered into pieces as his reflection flashed across my face. 

Grief is weird. You convince yourself that you've moved on, but unexpectedly meeting that person from the past... it's like reopening a wound you thought had healed.

A pen fell to the floor, its sound echoing, blending with the gentle rustle of pages turning in a book.

As I saw him again, memories rushed back, flashing before my eyes in an instant.

I couldn't utter a single word. I swear, I'd like to stop my heartbeat, but I can't control it.

I want to ask him 'why', but I don't have a courage to do so...

Raging anger intensifies within me... All I can feel is pain, confusion, and betrayal.

Just as I returned home, regret flooded in. The faces of those who inflicted deep mental scars upon me served as painful reminders. Forgiveness feels impossible; their presence reignites wounds I can't mend.

He once became my home...

My Kennedy...

"Ria, can we still go back to September?"