That One Summer

02

"San Andres, you're beautiful."

I strolled down the street, dancing with a carefree spirit as I listened to the music blaring through my headphones. The sun warmed my face, and the rhythm of the song seemed to sync perfectly with my steps.

I could see the curious glances from people I passed. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangisi. I knew the effect I had.

I knew I was gorgeou—

I tensed up when I heard a series of loud honks behind me.

"Hey, Miss! Naglalakad ka ba para magpasagasa?"

Hinubad ko ang headphones at lumingon. I saw a woman leaning out of her car window and shot me a frustrated look.

Wait, what did she just say earlier?

The woman's voice cut through my thoughts. "Tumabi ka!" she shouted.

Napatingin ako sa kalsada. It was wide enough for her to pass easily, and I was already standing on the side. Is she blind?

Rather than giving in to her demands, I crossed the street to put some distance between us.

It was my first day of freedom, I don't want any trouble.

Pumunta ako sa isang malapit na playground kung saan naglalaro ang grupo ng mga bata. An inexplicable urge pushed me towards the swings at bigla-bigla na lang akong kumaripas ng takbo.

As I arrived, may batang babae na humarang sa akin nang huminto ako sa tapat ng swing.

"Oops, ako ang nauna!" she said, her tiny hands gripping the swing's chains.

I furrowed my brow, wanting to assert that I was here first, but I couldn't speak to defend myself. I just nodded, letting the child take the swing even though I was eager to ride it.

A feeling of defeat washed over me as I walked toward the bench shaded by the tree. Bawat hakbang ko ay labag sa aking kalooban.

"Hoy! Hindi ka ba sasakay sa duyan?" I came to a halt and turned around. Nakita ko ang batang babae na papalapit sa akin.

"Gusto mong sumakay?" tanong niya sabay turo sa swing.

I nodded, unable to vocalize my eagerness.

Inilahad niya ang kanyang palad nang makahinto siya sa aking tapat. "Bayad muna."

I frowned, puzzled. May bayad na pala ngayon ang pagsakay sa swing?

I opened my bag and reached into the compartment where I kept my money, my fingers brushing against the familiar texture of the bills. I pulled out a dollar and handed it to her.

She wants a bribe to use the swing. Magaling din 'tong bata 'to. Business-minded.

Her eyes widened as she took the money, her tiny hands gripping the bill with a mixture of wonder and excitement. Itinaas niya ito sa ere at masusing tiningnan. "Hala! Dollar ba ito?"

My forehead creased. Hindi ba halata?

She looked at me, bakas sa kanyang hitsura na hindi siya makapaniwala. "Hindi ito fake?"

I shook my head.

Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang tumalon-talon at humalakhak. What a strange kid.

I left her and went to the swing.

Bakas sa aking mukha ang malapad na ngiti nang makaupo ako sa swing. I started swinging gently, gradually building up momentum. Hindi ko akalain na sa loob ng mahabang panahon, makakasakay muli ako sa swing.