That Summer Night of August

Kabanata 26

"Mama, how are you? Miss na miss na kita, Ma," I said softly, my voice trembling as I sat down next to my mom's grave. The cool earth beneath me felt both foreign and familiar, a stark reminder of her absence. "And I'm still missing you every day."

The gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze seemed to echo my thoughts, a whisper of memories shared and moments lost. I traced my fingers over the engraved letters of her name, feeling the rough edges against my skin. "Gabriel's here with me. You remember him, don't you? He was with me when I cried under the rain with you on my last visit. Masakit siya sa ulo, Mama, pero inaalagaan niya naman po ako nang maayos."

I chuckled, remembering how annoyed I was whenever Gabriel gave me his grin. "You would've loved to see him. And he's my boyfriend now, Mama."

Ramdam na ramdam ko ang mga titig sa akin ni Gabriel, at hinayaan niya lamang akong kausapin si Mama. A tear slipped down my cheek, but I didn't wipe it away. It felt right to let it fall, a silent testament to the grief and love that still lived within me. "We bought flowers for you today, Mama. Your favorites—tulips. Lola Linda's shop helped us find the best ones. Her shop is closing soon, but we wanted to make sure you got the most beautiful bouquet."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Shane's been helping out too. She's Gabriel's friend, and we became friends too. She's working hard to finish her education, and I'm planning to support her since I have the ability to. It's what you would have done, right?"

I placed the bouquet gently at the base of the headstone, the colors vibrant against the grey. "I hope you like them, Mama. I wish you were here to see all this. There's so much I want to tell you, so much I want to share."

Ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata at hinayaan ang sariling alalahanin ang mga alala ng mga yakap at ngiti ni Mama. "I love you, Mama. I always will. And I promise to keep living in a way that would make you proud."

"Dee, is such a brave person, Tita Divine," I looked at Gabriel, because he said it so softly, his voice respectful and kind. "I've been taking care of him. He's strong, but I know he misses you every day." He continued as he sat beside me.

Napangiti ako sa kanya. Madalas, sinasamahan ako ni Timothy na pumunta dito pero kahit isang beses ay hindi siya umaalis ng kotse niya. Hinihintay niya lamang ako roon. Palagi ko siyang sinasabihan na kahit ay kailan ay hindi siya sisisihin ni mama. Timothy has been ashamed to go and visit my mom's grave, because he's always thinking that I never got a happy family because of them. But I know, Mom would never blame them. I also never blamed them.

Seeing Gabriel talked to my Mom gave me happiness. Hindi ko akalaing darating ang araw na hindi lamang ako ang kakausap kay Mama sa puntod niya.

"Today is Aurelius' birthday," he continued, looking at the gravestone as if speaking directly to my mother. "He's been through so much, but he's still the amazing person you raised him to be. I wanted to make sure this day is special, even though he forgot it himself."

Today is my birthday? How could I forget my own birthday? Napatingin ako sa relo at makita kung ano'ng petsa na. Right.

August 15.

My last celebration was when my Mom was still alive. After she died, I never really cared about my birthday anymore. My Dad would give me gifts but that's all. He never even asked me what I want, pero okay na iyon.

The weight of the past years had overshadowed everything. But Gabriel remembered.

I turned to him, tears in my eyes. "Thank you, Gabriel. Thank you for remembering every little details about me."

Ngumiti sa akin nang matamis si Gabriel. "You don't have to thank me. It's your day, and you deserve to be celebrated." May kinuha ito sa kanyang bulsa na isang maliit na box na nakabalot ng simple, pero eleganteng papel. "I have something for you," he said, holding it out.