Memories Begin in Summer

Chapter 2: Maki

"You're really going?" Kira asked me with teary eyes.

I nodded. When I saw her reaction, I had to immediately sip my coffee to hide my smile. 

After my discussion with Mom, I messaged her to meet me when she's free. Luckily, she had a day-off a day after. We decided to meet on our favorite coffee shop—the one inside the alley near our school. Malapit lang siya, but it's not crowded kasi hindi sobrang kita ng mga tao.

I didn't tell Kira that I'll be back after three months. I just told her that I was still going. Gusto ko kasing makita ang reaction niya.

 Whenever I have something important to say, I always put some suspense because her reactions never failed to entertain me.

I bit my straw when I saw her shedding a tear. She instantly hid her face and wiped it. I just watched her as I restrain my laugh. 

"Y-you take care of yourself, o-okay?! I'm not there to constantly remind you. T-that's a very unfamilliar place! Make sure to be friendly!" she reminded me. "But not too much! Do not replace me, okay?! I'll follow you talaga!"

I smiled before nodding. Akala mo, ate ko siya. Ako nga ang palaging nag-aalaga sa kanya. She talks like I cannot survive without her when in fact, she can't survive more without me.

"Also, don't trust anyone! Baka later, ikaw na ang nasa news!"

I frowned at her. Ang O.A talaga.

"Mama assured me na safe 'yung place, so I am not worried anymore." I said before taking a bite of my blueberry cheesecake. 

"Where will you live ba?" she asked me before taking a bite of her strawberry cake.

"Ezperanza. Mom's hometown." sagot ko.

"Where is that?" she asked. 

"I don't know. Never been to that place before."

"Do you think there'll be cute guys there?" Kira teased me as she played with her food.

I shrugged, showing no interest in her question. "I don't know, and I don't care."

I've never dated anyone. I don't think I'll ever will. I have no plans on being in a relationship. I don't know, Relationships never peaked my interest.  Regardless of how it's a very common topic during our high school, I never felt pressured to try it. 

I'm more comfortable of being alone. Bukod sa mas nakagagalaw ako nang ayos, wala din akong pinoproblemang emosyon ng iba.

I was born alone, I'll survive alone, and I will die alone. That's my plan.

"What if... you find your true love in Ezperanza?" tanong niya.

Umiling ako. She's really a hopeless romantic. Kakanood n'ya 'yan ng K-drama, e... She thinks, destiny is true. Kira believes that love is for everyone. 

Well, it's not that I don't believe in love. I do believe that true love exists. Mama and Appa proved it to me. Hindi din  ako bitter. I heard stories that loving someone is painful, but I never personally experienced it. There are people who liked me, but... I don't know. Maybe, romantic love is not for everyone.