That One Summer

iii

~

Airport

The atmosphere in the airport buzzed with excitement and a hint of chaos.

"Are we all set? Let's go na!" Therese declared.

"Teka, si Jarren wala pa." Dylan said, looking around.

"Jarren? The London boy?" Therese replied, raising an eyebrow.

Dylan shrugged, sheepishly. "Oo, di ko ba nabanggit? Pasensya, nakalimutan kong sabihin."

Therese sighed. "Yeah sure, no problem. Let's wait inside since it's too hot out here."

While walking, Joli went beside Therese.

Joli leaned closer, her voice low but urgent. "Girl, this is your chance."

Kanata added, "Totoo, shoot your shot now."

Determined, Therese straightened her shoulders. "I know, I got this. Don't worry."

~

Taxi

Traffic crawled as they rushed to the airport, and frustration hung in the air.

"Hala! Katraffic. Murag malate naman ta." Kolette exclaimed, glancing nervously at her watch.

(Hala! Traffic. Parang mala~late na ata tayo.)

"Kuya, can we go faster?" Kai urged, anxiety creeping into her voice.

Rain added, "May hinahabol po kasi kaming flight kuya."

"Pasensya na po, ma'am. Traffic po talaga pag ganitong oras," the driver said apologetically.

Everyone sighed in symphony. "HaaAAyyyYYYY"

After about 20 minutes, they arrived at the airport and started running for their lives. In their rush to board, Kai bumped into someone.

"Aba ayos! Watch where you're going." Jarren said, surprised but amused.

"I'm sorry! We're catching our flight," Kai replied, her face flushing.

"Careful, next time." Jarren laughed, stepping aside.

As they finally boarded, Kolette remembered something.

Feeling unsure, Kolette said,"Parang ano, parang familiar yung nakabangga mo kanina, Kai."

"Yeah bruh, siya diba yung singer ng Med Dept?" Rain replied, couldn't contain her excitement upon remembering.

Kai replied in the same intensity, "Oo! Siya diba yung nakalaban natin last year nung University Week?"

Kolette said, "Ay tama ka Kai! Mao diay familiar kaayo siya." (Tama ka Kai! Kaya pala familiar talaga siya.)

While talking, the flight attendant declared the pre-boarding announcement.

"Unya na lang pud uy, pagkakita nato kay Fyangi." Rain said. (Mamaya na lang ulit, pag nandyan na si Fyangi.)

"Mao. Tulog na lang sa ta kay saayo kaayo ang gibook sa eabab." Kolette replied, ready to sleep. (Talaga. Matulog na lang muna tayo kasi ang aga talaga ng nabook ng eabab.)

While waiting, Fyang felt an odd mixture of excitement and tension. Little did she know, Therese and Jarren were en route to the same destination.