First Rain Of Summer | COMPLETED

Thirty

THERESE'S POV

We arrived at the village and the spooky decoration greeted us upon entering. Some houses have corpses in their porches and some have this huge fake web and zombie decoration.

Marami na rin kaming nakikitang mga bata na nakakalat sa streets and some are knocking on the doors. Marami ring mga teenagers na naka-costume and enjoying the night.

"Look, Mom! The fairy with the wings is so pretty!"

Napatingin ako sa sumigaw na bata at nakaturo ito sa 'kin which made me blushed. I can't believe a compliment from a kid would flutter my heart. I smile and waved at her. Nagsimula na kami mag-doorbell sa mga bahay bahay and so far, nakalahati na naming ang dala naming pumpkin basket that Xavier gave us.

"Eight mags-start ang fireworks, paalala ko lang." Stephanie reminded us.

It almost slips in my mind that there are fireworks we have to catch. I looked at my phone to check the time and I gasped. Hindi naming namalayan ang oras dahil sobrang nag-enjoy kaming sa treat-or -trick.

"Last na 'yong bahay na 'yon oh." Xavier pointed. "Narinig ko sa mga bata na chocolate bars daw ang binibigay instead of candies."

Halos kasi ng bahay na pinuntahan namin ay puro candies or bite size chocolate 'yong binibigay. Nagkatinginan kaming tatlo at walang kumibo ni sa 'min; at that moment, we started to sprint towards that house. We happily waited for our turn when we arrive at their porch as there are some children in front of us.

"Totoo nga," I whispered at Xavier as I'm trying to catch my breath. "Those chocolate bars are so huge."

Tumawa si Xavier, tila ba proud siya sa information na shinare niya with us. When it's our turn, we greeted the owners of the house. Two old couples and they're smiling while handling out the chocolate bars.

"Thank you po!" We said in unison.

We turn around and started to walk away from the house. Nagtaka ako kung nasaan na si Kuya Julio.

"Where's Kuya Julio pala?"

"Hindi na raw kaya ng kaniyang tuhod kaya hindi na sumunod," Xavier giggled.

We decided to go back at the resort. Nakita namin si Kuya Julio na nakikipag-kuwentuhan sa guard ng village kaya tinawag namin siya to inform him that we're about to go back.

"Mauna na kayo," he flapped his hands, shooshing us away. "Baka hindi niyo maabutan ang fireworks dahil sa tuhod kong ito kapag tumakbo ako. Susunod ako sainyo." Then, he slapped his two knees and chuckled.

"Sure po kayo?" Xavier asked, worried.

"Oo naman! Hala, sige na at kayo na umalis para maabutan niyo ang fireworks. Maganda panuorin iyon kapag nasa dalmpasigan kayo."

Nagpaalam kami sa kaniya at nagsimula nang tumakbo pabalik sa resort.

"Wait for me!" I yelled because I'm wearing high-heels and it's giving me a hard time to sprint.

"I got you," Xavier then grabbed my hand. He's now holding it as we run.

"Kapag talaga hindi natin maabutan ang fireworks, sinasabi ko sa 'yo Therese! Kakalbuhin kita!"

We still have five minutes before the fireworks show and we're almost at the resort!

"Hold on," I pulled Xavier's hand to stop. "Give me ten seconds to catch my breath."

My chest is rapidly going up and down as I try to breathe.

"Bilisan niyo riyan!" Stephanie exclaimed as she waved her hand to us. Mas nauna siya kaysa sa 'min.

"Are you good?" Xavier asked.

I don't know but I laughed with his question and frankly, wala namang nakakatawa but I just laughed.

"Tara na!" This time, I'm the one who grabbed his hand.

Medyo nahirapan kami sa pagtakbo patungong seashore because of the sand and we're wearing shoes na hindi appropriate sa buhangin. May iilang tao na rin ang nag-aabang sa shore at mabuti na lang maliwanag dito because of the lights.

We were catching our breath and when we looked at each other, the three of us laughed hysterically.

"Para namang hinabol ka ng zombie, Therese." Stephanie laughed. "Ang gulo ng buhok mo."

"What about you naman. Muntik ka nang madapa at mahalikan ang buhangin." I replied with a smirk on my face.

"'Yong mga candies ko!" Xavier cried.

Napatingin kami sa kaniya. "Why? What happened?"

He showed us his pumpkin basket and the amount of his candies dropped. Halos maubos na ang laman noon. We laughed as he pouted. Cute.

"I'll give some sa 'yo." Then I scooped a handful of candies and transferred it to his basket.

That put a smile on his face. I almost jumped when I heard the fireworks. Nagsimula na ang fireworks show and we watched it with a smile on our faces. I heard gasps from people around us, they're also in awe with the fireworks above us.

I didn't know that watching fireworks with friends gave me so much ecstasy. You know, it's just fireworks, well not until now. This is a moment that I've prayed before to God. A moment that I had wished for several years. Now that it's happening, can I just stay here with them? Can the time stop for a while?

I don't want this to end. Just a little more, please.

My heart aches a little bit when the fireworks show is done. I smiled at them despite the little pain in my heart.

"Let's go back here in summer next year," Xavier patted my head. "Thank you for making me experience this. This is my first trick-or-treat, as well as watching fireworks with my friends."

"I'll forever remember this. This is the best Halloween for me." I smiled at him.

Nagulat kami nang pumagitna si Stephanie sa 'min at inangkla ang kaniyang braso sa 'min.

"Friendship over kapag hindi tayo bumalik dito."

We laughed with her statement. I'll make sure that we'll be back here in the summer. We'll have a bonfire next time because as of now, it's not available.