Memories Begin in Summer

Chapter 17: Maki

"Nasa lounge ka na ba?" 

I nodded at Mama. It's been thirty minutes since our last interaction, and she's already calling me. 

Thirty minutes earlier, all of my family's eyes are bawling out. They're sobbing in front of the airport as they send me off.  Looking at them now, they looked exhausted. I can even see Yumi sleeping heavily in the back. 

"My flight got delayed. I still need to wait for five hours here in the airport." I informed her. 

I saw Mama's forehead scrunched, "Limang oras?! Ang tagal naman!" 

"I have my laptop with me naman. I can use this to kill time." I answered before taking a sip of my juice.

"Kahit na! Ano ba 'yan! Okay ka lang ba diyan?" Mama asked. 

"I'm fine. You should rest, Mama. You woke up pretty early." 

I saw her covering her yawn with her hand. "Oo nga. Antok na ako. Tutulog muna ako, ha? Update mo ako kapag pasakay ka na nang eroplano."

I nodded, "Yes, I will. Take care."

I shifted my attention back on my laptop after the call ended. I sighed, knowing I have to stay here in the lounge for five hours. Good thing, the place is comfortable enough for me. Wala rin masyadong tao kaya makakakilos ako ng ayos. 

To kill time, I decided to organize the pictures I took throughout my whole stay in Ezperanza. I made folders, based on the theme of my pictures.

My expression changed from serious to amused when I realized the names of my folder. 

Family. Friends. Fiesta. Places. Sid. 

Earlier, when I skimmed my journal, I've read that Sid told me that he'll soon have a picture in my camera. I probably wrote that because of my amusement. 

But looking at my laptop, his wish surprisingly came true. He just wanted to have a picture in my camera, but here I am, dedicating a whole folder for him. 

Am I that down bad to you, Sid? 

I decided to check each folder, containing pictures of memories in Ezperanza. For the entire time, I felt a familiar warmth spreading through my chest. It felt like I'm home. 

Who would have thought that I'll be ending my summer in this way? Longing and reminiscing the sun-drenched days I've spent with people who gave me nothing but genuine love and happiness. 

After checking the fourth folder, my heart started to drum after seeing Sid's name below the folder icon. I stared at the folder for a little while, contemplating if I am ready to see his pictures without crying here in the lounge. I don't want to cry because there's other people in this place. It's so embarrassing.