Sometime In July (2024 edition)

Chapter Fifteen

Three days had passed since Yssa said goodbye, and those three days had been the hardest of Seth's life. He couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep. He rarely left his room.

On the fourth day, he finally stepped outside onto the terrace. The air was cool and fresh, still damp from a rainstorm that had swept through earlier. It was August, and the wet season was at its peak. As the clouds began to part, allowing glimpses of sunlight to break through, the wind blew gently across his face, carrying with it the clean scent of rain. Seth sat down in the chair he used to share with Yssa, lost in thought as he had been for days.

He had spent most of that day outside, replaying their relationship over and over in his mind. He sifted through memories, searching for something—some clue or moment that could help him make sense of how things had ended. He often found himself wishing he could turn back time, relive that day, say the words he hadn't, or take back the ones he did.

Their memories together flooded his mind. He remembered the first time he saw her, the way her smile lit up her face, the countless meals they shared, the quiet moments of laughter and love. Seth glanced up at the sky, mesmerized by the dark clouds swirling above, and watched as raindrops began to fall again, softly pattering against the earth. This was the kind of day Yssa would have loved—a quiet, misty afternoon. He could almost feel her sitting beside him, her presence lingering even though she was gone.

Why am I trying so hard not to cry? he wondered, feeling the sting of loss creeping back in. Their love had begun so simply, in a way that could have easily been forgotten—if it had been with anyone other than Yssa. But now, no matter how much he tried to deny it, he was realizing just how much she had become a part of him.

Everywhere he looked, she was there. He saw her on the porch swing, where he had first truly seen her. He saw her smiling as he played his guitar, her voice harmonizing with his in the warm night air. Inside the house, it was no different. She was there in the kitchen, in the living room, in his bedroom—and most of all, in the guest room where she used to stay. It seemed no matter where he went, he couldn't escape her presence. Even the idea of retreating to the province didn't help; they had made too many memories there, too.

By nightfall, he was still on the porch, his heart heavy with the weight of the day. His head ached from the flood of emotions, and when he glanced at his watch, he realized it was already 10:30 pm. He stood up, walked to the gate, and watched the cars passing by, but his thoughts remained on Yssa. His legs began to ache, so he returned to the porch, sinking back into the chair.

After a while, he went inside, drank a glass of warm milk, and took a long, hot shower. He brushed his teeth and then crawled into bed, pulling out "A Bend in the Road" by Nicholas Sparks. He read for nearly three hours, feeling the sadness settle into his bones, the stillness of the night wrapping around him. By 2:00 am, he closed the book and pulled open the curtains. Moonlight poured into his room, bathing everything in a soft, silvery glow. As he gazed up at the moon, it wasn't Kristina's face he saw—it was Yssa's.

Unable to stop the rush of emotions, he picked up his journal and began to write, tears slipping down his face. Thirty-five minutes later, exhausted and emotionally drained, Seth finally surrendered to sleep, his heart heavy with loss.

* * *

The next morning, Seth was awake before dawn. After a quick shower, he slipped into a pair of jeans, sandals, and a simple white shirt. He felt a quiet resolve as he headed out the door, driving toward Olongapo Memorial Park. On the way, he stopped to buy a bouquet of red roses—her favorite.

He arrived at the cemetery around 6 am, carrying an umbrella against the persistent drizzle. The rain didn't bother him, though. Today, he knew exactly what he needed to do, certain of the feelings that had crystallized over the past four days.