That Summer When She Cried

That Sunny Day Of Burgers And Name Tags

It's amazing what feelings can do to people. Those who have been lying cold rise and smile. Those who have been hurt appreciate the world where they belong. It stitches wounds and heals all stabs. It's not automatic but it's as good as Betadine.

-Andie

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"Ate, dalawang bacon burger na may tig-dalawang cheese, coleslaw, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Tapos dalawang french fries. Yung isa plain tapos yung isa sour cream."

Andie smiled upon hearing Kevin's order. As soon as she got inside his car, dinala sya nito sa isang lugar na hindi nya inaasahan. They didn't go to any kind of fancy restaurant. Rather, Kevin brought her to a simple burger stand na malapit lang din sa school kung saan sya nagtuturo.

It was weird and impressive at the same time that instead of having the usual, he did something too different, something that she did not really expect.

"Ikaw, anong order mo?"

Andie was taken out of her reverie with his question. "What?"

"Anong order mo?" he asked her again. "Specialty nila yung footlong dito na pinaulanan ng cheese."

"Di ba umorder ka na?" takang tanong ni Andie. "Sabi mo dalawang burger?"

Kevin smiled at her then turned to the woman na nagluluto. "Ate, pakigawa na pong apat."

Andie couldn't help but laugh. "Ibig mong sabihin sayo lang yung dalawang burger na inorder mo?!"

"Gutom na talaga ako e. Dapat hihinto ako dito kanina kaso baka hindi na kita maabutan dito kaya sabi ko balikan ko na lang. Okay lang ba yung inorder ko sayo? Fries?"

"Isang fries, Ate. Plain lang po. Saka isang litro ng Coke," Andie added. May bakanteng upuan lang sa tabi ng nagtitinda kaya doon na sila pumwesto.

"Kumusta last day of school?"

"Ayos lang naman. Two weeks lang naman ang pahinga ko then summer classes will start. Saktong pahinga lang yun para sakin," she narrated. "Ikaw? Wala na din kayong klase di ba?"

"Wala na. Last day na kahapon. Nauna pa nga ako sa mga estudyante mo," he said. "Pero next month sabak na ulit sa training. Patayan na ulit kaya hanggang kaya ko lumabas, lalabas na ako. Pag nagstart yung FilOil saka yung UAAP, hindi na ako nahahagilap. Nakakatulog na ako minsan sa kotse dahil sa pagod."

"Sikat ka naman e. Daming babae na nagkakandarapa sayo," she laughed. "Worth it naman yung pagod mo."

"Tss... Kahit na. Pag may nagpapicture naman sayo, hindi naman nila kinukuha yung pagod ko," he said. "Gusto mo maki-share?"

"At talagang dinamay mo pa ako a?"

"Biro lang," he laughed. "Anong plano mo this summer?"

Their burgers got served, including their drink. They continued talking while they started on their food.

"Magpapahinga. Mukha naman kasing imposible na makapaglibot pa ako sa two weeks na availability ko. Isa pa, hindi naman ako pwedeng umalis kung magbabakasyon si Tanya," she explained.

"Bakit laging si Tanya? Ano naman kung magbakasyon ka din?" he asked.

"Walang maiiwan kay Luke. Summer vacation. Hindi naman pwedeng walang kasama yung bata. Hindi naman pwedeng sa katulong lang namin sya iiwan palagi," she answered his question.

"Hindi ba sinasama ni Tanya si Luke?"

Andie shook her head. "Bakasyon nga di ba? Hindi naman bakasyon yun kung may binabantayan ka," she answered. "Pero timing din yung pagyaya mo sa akin na lumabas. I actually need your help. Kung hindi ka kasi dumating, I would have asked for Jeric's help."