When Summer Falls For Autumn

CHAPTER 04

May 10, 2016

If I would be a painter, I would paint how the foamy little waves trail along the shore then goes back on the sea. I would emphasize how the sun shines upon it as the reflection of light glimmers on the blue water. Of course I would focus on the rough yet smooth grain of the crystalized sand and would make the audience feel like they were there in front of the sea.

Oh how nice to be back here in Ilocos!

I almost lost out of the reality because of being delusional imagining how mesmerizing it is to describe the majestic view of the sea by picturing it on a painting. Thank God Charlie let out his scary growling bark that made me realize that I am not dreaming.

Our vacation got a little bit delayed because of the business meetings that our family had to attend. The elders were all involved in it so we don't have a choice but to behave our ass inside our house and wait 'til they finished their business thing.

I am always excited of summer. Yes, as I always do. But this time, it is more than excitement, it is more of challenging. The last time I talked to Ash he already made a bucket list for us for the whole two weeks of summer vacation. Yes! Two weeks! That is too short!

One of the list that I am most excited of is riding a KTV! I've never experienced riding a KTV. I only ride Lolo Daddy's golf cart and it's kinda little bit boring when Lolo Daddy maneuver it as if we are not rich enough to consume a lot of gas.

And of course one of the things I am excited of is to see Ash. 

There's something about him that I really felt I was connected. It feels like I already known him for the longest time or we've met somewhere in our past and we couldn't just remember it. What I feel about our friendship is different. Very different.

The moment our car entered our huge gate, my spine shivered how nostalgic it is to gaze at our beach house. It's still the Greek style beach house that I've known since I was a kid. A lot had passed and the paint starts to fade away,  the plants above the blue wooden roof on the terrace are starting to fall off, not as bloom as before.

And I suddenly realized how important this house is, it binds Lafortezas, it bind us all, even those people whom I am not related with. I wouldn't found a new friend if isn't because of Casa Laforteza.

"Lolo Daddy's waiting for us inside!" nagmamadaling lumabas si Kuya Aster at dali-daling pumasok sa loob. 

Sa sabik ko din na makita siya ay tumakbo na din ako papasok. Nang dahil sa pag aasikaso nila sa mga business ng mga Laforteza ay siyam na buwan din yata naming hindi nakita ng personal ang mga Lolo't Lola namin. At sa tagal na naman naming hindi nagkita ay sadyang walang mapaglagyan ang kasiyahan namin sa pagkasabik na mayakap at makita silang muli.

Sinigurado kong nakasarado ang gate upang isama na sa paglabas ng sasakya si Charlie at hayaan na muna siyang magliwaliw sa hardin. Nang makitang sarado at nakalock na ang gate ay dali-dali na din akong pumasok sa loob.

Sa pagpasok ko ay tumambad sa akin si Lolo Daddy na nakasakay sa isang wheelchair. 

Bumagsak ang balikat ko sa nakita, maging ang ngiti sa aking labi ay biglang nabura. Ang pintig ng puso ko'y hindi ko maikalma, ni hindi ko mapigilan ang utak ko sa tanong na "Bakit naka upo siya riyan?" lalo na't hindi ako sanay na makita siyang nakaupo sa wheelchair ginuguyod ng isang care giver.

Lolo Daddy's eyes met mine. I tried to fight the tears that are holding back or even tried calming the shakiness of my lips. I bit my lower lip, I squeezed my eyes and I managed to hold back all the feeling of pain.

"Oh, my dearest Aurora!" he planted a very sweet smile with having those pale skin and dark under eye.

Dali-dali akong lumapit sa kanya upang hagkan siya. Sa panahon na lagi akong humihipan ng kandila sa kaarawan ko'y akala ko'y ako lamang ang tumatanda at nananatili sila sa mga edad nila. Napagtanto kong tumatanda rin pala sila at maaaring sa susunod na panahon, araw o taon ay maglaho na lamang sila na parang abo.