One Summer Vacation

Part 1

Vacation

"Just this summer Sel, you need this."

Mom followed me to my room as I just walk past her. She's been bugging me to go to my aunts from my dad's side. Not for anything else but for thorough examinations I need.

I dont get them. Hindi naman ganon kalala that I might die but I might still need surgery which is why, they want to ask for a second opinion from another doctor.

I live in a province with a totally outdated hospital equipments and medications. My doctor told me I need surgery, but my aunts dont think so. They wanted a second opinion from a doctor they know in the city.

"Ariselle Oleiva! Will you please listen? This is for your own good. Just get that 2nd opinion and you can go back if they'll say you wouldnt need the surgery. They might have better offer other than that."

I turned to look at my mom. Why does she keep bugging me when she knows naman na I will obey her? Wala rin naman akong magagawa kahit ayaw ko kasi siya naman lagi ang masusunod.

"You need this, okay? Pack your clothes, I will tell them na sasama ka sa kanila once they go back to the city."

I sighed and nodded. Even before, I have no say in here. Siya ang masusunod and I will always be the loyal follower.

*

"What? You won't spend your vacation with us? Come on! We already planned this even before finals."

I sighed. It is my last day and I chose to be with my friends to say goodbye for the mean time.

"I just need a second opinion on my condition. Para na rin matahimik si Mom."

I said as I sip on my drink. Together with my bestfriends Tessa and Livien, we were inside a karaoke hub. The videoke were just playing a melody of a party song pero walang kumakanta sa amin dahil busy sila sa akin.

"Hay naku. For all I know, it's tita's decision. And you'll just go with the flow, right?"

I nodded and they sighed.

"Right. The usual Sel move. Always a slave to her parents."

Ngumuso ako. I have a very strict parents. They always have to know everything about what I do, who I'm with and where I go. I am still a 15y/o grade 10 student, I dont have a say on everything about my life. I cant decide on my own yet.

"Well, atleast she's still here. She's not a very good slave. She keeps secrets from her masters."

Mas lalo akong ngumuso. They know that Mom do not want me going out just anywhere. I lied to be here. To be with my friends and enjoy this day with them.

"Well, whatever, see you next school year then?"

Tessa raised her drink for a toast. We clinked our drinks as if they were alcoholic drinks. Well, Liv's drink is, but Tessa and mine wasnt.

"Goodbye girl. Dont fall in love with the city!"

We kissed each other goodbye before going our separate ways.

*

"We're here."

I woke up when my aunt tapped my shoulders and I do realized we're in a city far from. my province. I'm just inside my tita's van kahit nang isinakay ito sa barko. A two hour ride on the ship and we arrived in Batangas Port until the van get back on its course towards my tita's home and now, we're here.

"Your room's upstairs Sel. Your other cousins live here and you'll share the room with them. Go rest."

I nodded and thanked my tita before going upstairs. I put my luggage just anywhere inside the room and roamed my eyes. There was a double deck bed and looking at how clean the upper part means it was vacant so I decided to put my other things there.

I sighed. This is it huh? It is not hard to like the place, this is where I spend most of my summer vacations when I was a kid. But it changed when my father cheated on my mom. My aunts and mom grew apart until she learned to forgive and risk another chance with my dad.

We aren't rich but we are not also poor. Just privileged enough to put 3 meals in my stomach everyday and pay for my tuition fees at school.

"Eiva?"

Napaangat ang tingin ko sa pumasok ng room and I saw my cousins. I smiled at them before walking towards them to give them a hug.

"Ang laki mo na. Ang tagal na nating di nagkita ah, infairness. Dalaga ka na!"

Ginulo ni Kuya Ayen yong buhok ko at sinimangutan ko siya. He's my closest cousin even when we were young.

"You too Kuya, ang tangkad mo na. But still, payat ka pa rin."

I joked and faced my two other cousins. I hugged them and greeted them.

"Hi Ate Shaina! Ate Mariz!"

They smiled at me and asked me how I am.

"I'm good. They just think I need second opinion towards my condition."

They nodded at my explanation. Alam na nila. When I was in Grade 5, I had a very severe sore throat but we didnt pay much attention towards it. And now that I am almost in senior highshool, it started hurting again. I would have ignored it if it didnt became a part of my daily routine. So I was checked and told I have tonsillitis.

Hindi siya ganon ka-big deal sakin but it was to my family lalo na nung sinabi ng doctor na baka kailanganin ko ng surgery. Ganun siguro talaga pag isa sa mahal mo sa buhay yung maysakit, kahit gano kaliit nagiging malaking bagay sa kanila. Especially one like this that needs surgery.

"Anyways, tita said you need rest. You can have this whole day to yourself. Welcome back couz!"

Kuya Ayen said at muling ginulo ang buhok ko kaya tinampal ko iyon at tinawanan na lng siya habang lumalabas sila ng kwarto while I went up to my chosen bed and let myself rest.