A Summer to Forever

1

It's that time of the year again when I would be living at my Tito Allan's house. He is my dad's younger brother who lived alone in his cozy home in Batangas. He was never married nor had any children. He loved being just by himself, and that's why I visit him every summer to keep him company.

"Tara, Meng?"

There goes Tito Allan with two of my duffel bags filled with clothes enough for the rest of the summer. He drove all the way to Manila just to pick me up and drive back to his house. It's one of the most exciting days for me.

"Wait lang, Tito, nalimutan ko magpalit ng shoes," I laughed while I hurriedly went back to the house to change into my good old sneakers.

"Ikaw talaga, Meng! Bilisan mo para di tayo ma-traffic."

I treat Tito Allan like a second dad to me, mostly because he spoils me more than my real parents. I remember one time when I was 7 years old, I wouldn't stop crying just because I saw a Barbie doll in the mall and my mom didn't buy it for me. There goes Tito Allan to the rescue, surprising me with that same Barbie doll with a Ken doll.

"Sorry, Tito Al. Na-excite lang ako nalimutan ko pa magpalit," I laughed while getting inside the car.

"Nagpaalam ka na sa mommy at daddy mo?"

"Opo, 'wag daw po ako masyadong mag-paawa effect sa inyo tuwing may gusto ako kasi kawawa daw po wallet niyo."

The car was filled with laughter because we both knew that Tito Allan was going to spoil me all throughout summer.

"Ano bang dala mo dyan sa mga bag mo? Dala mo ba buong kwarto mo?" Tito Allan laughed while glancing at my 3 duffel bags on the backseat. I was a heavy packer.

"Mga damit ko syempre. Tito naman, 3 months kaya ako sa Batangas! Mag-beach tayo, ha!"

"Sa itim mong 'yan gusto mo pa rin mag-beach?"

"Tito talaga."

I pretended like I was hurt so I started looking at the view outside. I missed going to Batangas even if I just went there last summer. I have always liked going on long drives with Tito Allan because I don't feel like we're years apart, I feel like we're the best of friends. He lets me put my legs in the dashboard and assign me to be the DJ.

I took out my phone from my bag and started snapchatting the view. Tito Allan looked at me and laughed. "Kung hindi text, picture. Ano bang ginagawa mo, hija?"

"Snapchat, Tito. Say hi!"

I switched to the front camera and started filming the two of us.

Roadtrip with the best Tito ever!!! 🚗

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"Meng, andito na tayo," Tito Allan said while gently tapping my shoulder.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw my cousin Sam standing outside the door.

"Uy, nandito pala si Sam! Masaya 'to!"

Sam is my Tita Ruby's son, who is also siblings with my dad and Tito Allan. He is 3 years older than me but we still get along well.

"Musta, cous? Tagal niyo ah!" Sam greeted me while he offered a high five. He opened the backseat and carried my bags for me.