Memoir of Summer [Editing]

Chapter 4

"Hey, Mav! Wait!"

I stopped from my pace at lumingon sa taong tumatawag ng atensyon ko. It was Dione, Izac's recent girl. Kunot-noo akong tiningnan siya.

"What? Make it fast dahil nagmamadali ako," I said with no intention of hurting her. But it seemed like she took it badly basing on her weary eyes. Kung hindi ko lang talaga alam na girlfriend siya ni Iz, iisipin kong pinopormahan ako nito. Too much confidence for myself? Nah. Her actions from the day we were introduced to each other says it all. Alright, she's damn hot and smart. But I love my sweet innocent Summer more.

"A-ah. Saan ka pupunta?" nag-aalinlangan na tanong niya. I wrinkled my nose for the disgust that etched in me. We are not that close for her to be this nosy. This is why I don't like city girl, hindi sila marunong makuntento sa isa. Well, world can never satisfy us anyway. But still.

"Not your business," I replied exasperatedly. If my hunch is right, then better hurt her the earlier than give her false hopes.

She smiled awkwardly. I felt bad somehow when I saw pain crossed over her gorgeous face. You know, even if I am an ass, I still care for women. As far as I can, I don't want to hurt them. Because I have women in my life, and I surely can kill someone who would hurt them. But in Dione's case, there's no way but to be harsh towards her. Because in any way, she will be hurt at the end.

"Oo nga naman. Uhm, anyway, the group planned for a party for tonight at Hype. Sama ka?"

"Pass."

"But! Ah... I-it's been a long time since you partied with u-us. Atsaka the vacation is almost ove--"

"Don't care." Pagkatapos ay naglakad na ako papuntang parking lot, leaving Dione behind. Hindi na ako nag-abalang tingnan siya. Alam ko naman na nasaktan ko siya sa tono ko. Tumingin ako sa relo ko at nakita kong mag-a-alasingko na ng hapon. Mrs. Santos' summer class lasted for 3 weeks. And I have a week left of my vacation to spend with Summer. If I were the old me, I would chose Dione's offer, but I'm a changed man now.

Bubuksan ko na sana ang pinto ng kotse ko ng matanaw kong pababa na rin pala si Izac sa kotse niya.

"Hey, man. You won't come with us, again?"

"Yeah. I need to be back at the province before the dawn. Sorry man."

Izac gave me a disgust face. "Oh come on, man! You've been so distant with us ever since 7th grade. Sabihin mo nga, may babae ka bang kinababaliwan doon at parati mo na lang gustong nandoon?" pang-asar ni Izac. I smirked at him and that made his grin wider.

"Oh damn! Huwag mong sabihing nagseseryoso ka na para sa isang probinsyana? Fuck, you're screwed!" Izac teased and let out a laugh. I raised my middle finger at sumakay na sa kotse ko. Napapailing na lang ako sa gagong iyon. I gave him a wave before I left na tinanguan lang niya habang nakangisi pa rin.

Along the way, I stopped at a drive thru to buy something to eat. Tumigil din muna ako saglit sa isang kilalang bakeshop dito sa Metro Manila para bumili ng kape at cake. A coffee to make me wide awake, lalo na na mag-isa lang akong babiyahe. As for the cake, it's for Summer. This day is special for the both of us because this is the day when I met her. Kaya nga kailangan ko talagang makarating roon bago magmidnight. It's our 8 years of being together. Napangiti ako nang maalala ko 'yung unang tapak ko sa bahay nila. Somehow, I'm thankful that I was thrown there that summer, because if I wasn't then I haven't met Summer. And she will be left alone for I don't know how long. My smile faded for that thought.

Bumili na rin ako ng pasalubong kay Manang at sa asawa niya. Dahil sa pagbalik-balik ko sa probinsiya napamahal na rin ako sa kanila. They are really nice. They could have been good parents if only God bless them one.

Masaya ako the whole drive. Sinasabayan ko pa nga sa pagkanta ang tugtog sa kotse.

My heart palpated for the excitement when I crossed the arc indicated that I have arrived at my destination. Gabi na rin. Mga alasdiyes na rin ata ng gabi bago ako makaabot sa ancestral house namin.

"Hindi ko alam na darating ka pala. Sana nagsabi ka para naman nakapaghanda ako," Manang said. Her sleepy eyes greeted me.

"Biglaan po kasi. And you don't have to cook for me, nakakain na rin naman ako." Inabot ko kay manang ang dala ko para sa kaniya saka ko siya hinalikan sa noo.

"Ay naku, nag-abala ka pa." Ngiting-ngiti si manang habang tinatanggap ang box ng Brownies na binili ko kanina.

Tinanong-tanong pa ako ni manang. Hanggat sa napag-isipan kong umalis na.

"Oh? Aba'y saan ka pupunta? Gabing-gabi na ah?" Tanong ni manang nang patalikod na ako.

"Ah. Kay Summer po. Sosorpresahin ko sana," nakangiting sagot ko habang itinaas ang hawak kong box. Manang became restless but chose not to say a word. Sa loob ng ilang taon, hindi ko na mabilang ang mga araw na pinangaralan niya ako. Pero alam niya na rin na si Summer ang isang utos na kayang-kaya kong labagin.

"Hindi na ba kita mapipigilan, anak?" Mahinahon na tanong ni manang. Inakbayan ko siya at nginisihan.

"Manang huwag ka ng mag-alala, mas nakakatakot ka pa nga kaysa kay Summer," biro ko.

"Bwisit ka talagang bata ka!" Bulyaw sa akin ni manang tapos ay kinurot ang tagiliran ko. Tawang-tawa naman ako habang tumatakbo palabas. Buti at hindi nayupi ang cake na dala ko.

The way to Summer's villa was as dark as the night sky. But I was thankful that the moon was there to lightened my way. The scent of the grass filled my nose, and I could hear the dancing trees. I am matured enough to realize that there are no vampires nor wolves, so there's no need to be afraid.

Malayo talaga ang villa mula sa highway, that's why it took me half an hour to be there. Isang maayos na kulay pula na gate ang bumungad sa akin. Makikita rin mula rito ang ilaw na nanggagaling sa loob. Oo, pinaayos ko ng kaonte ang bahay nina Summer. Alam ko namn na kahit ganoon na siya ngayon, nakakaramdam din yun ng takot.

Dahan-dahan ang bawat galaw na ginagawa ko. I'm trying my very best not to make a sound until I found her.

"BULAGA!"

"Damn!"

I turned at where the chuckles came from and there I saw the girl in white dress laughing at my misery.

"Grabe, hahaha! Ang bakla mo! Haha," sabi ni Summer na hindi ko na rin maintindihan sa kakatawa niya.

Inirapan ko siya at tumayo mula sa pagkakadapa. Pinagpagan ko ang bandang puwetan ko.

Ugh! Wala na. Sira na 'yung plano ko. Tiningnan ko ang box na dala ko at mas lalo akong napangiwi.

"U-uy." Sinubukan akong kalabitin ni Summer na hindi ko binigyang pansin dahil gaya ng dati, isang parang malamig na hangin lang ang naramdaman ko.

I breathed deeply. Napahawak ako sa balakang ko habang hinihilot ko ang sentido ko. "U-uy, sorry na." Wala pa rin akong naging tugon sa kaniya. I touched my jaw and clenched it. But it just an act to make Summer feel guilty. Oh my poor Summer.

"Maven naman eh! Pansinin mo na ko!"

Naglakad ako sa tinatambayan namin rito sa villa nila. Mula rito sa kinatatayuan ko ay tanaw ang mga ilaw na nagmumula sa bayan na nasa ibaba. One good thing about their villa is its location.

Humilata ako at ginawang unan ang nga braso ko. This felt home. Pumikit ako at palihim na napangiti habang naririnig ko ang pagtawag sa akin ni Summer.

"Maven!"

I opened my eyes and saw her staring at me with pleading eyes.

"Patawarin mo na ako," she pleaded with a pout. I didn't answer, I just spread my left arm, motioning her to lay beside me.

"Ano na?" Tanong niya habang nakatayo parin sa gilid ko. Unconsciously, I grabbed her arms and what I felt surprised me! Ah no. No words could be used to explain what I have felt. Alam kung naramdaman rin iyon ni Summer basing on her bulging eyes. I tried to touch her again, but this time it was full of care like she was a fragile thing. Pero hindi kagaya kanina, tumagos lang ang kamay ko sa kamay niya.

Tell me, it was true right? That in a split of a moment, I have touched Summer. That I have felt her warmth. It was not just my imagination right? Ugh, damn!