That Summer When She Cried

Part II: Her Summer Songs and My Winter Tunes

A happy ending can be seen in multiple perspectives. I may not have seen things the way she wanted but I love her enough to make sure we will both end there even if we took different routes.

-Jeric

--

The forecast said that it would be a sunny and fair weather within the Metro the whole week.

My brain said that it would be rainy with no chance of sunshine tomorrow. So it was best to just stay inside my room until the season changes.

I heard someone knock on the door. I wanted to open it but I was too lazy, or maybe tired, to stand up and see who was outside. No matter what I would do and no matter who would talk to me, Tanya would still go.

"Ahia, breakfast's ready," I heard Almira call from the outside, then followed it with three knocks.

I didn't say a word and just let her continuously call me. Shortly, the knocking stopped and I heard the footsteps walking away.

I thought I could slowly reclaim my peace until I heard the door click.

The door went open and I heard my mom say her thanks. She quietly closed the door while I was still covering my face with my pillows. She took a seat on the space beside me.

"Can you take a seat and let me see your face, please?" Mom asked. I took my pillow out and sat on the bed.

"Hindi ka ba aalis?" Mom asked me. I've been at home for three days in a row after graduation and I missed all celebrations I could. I was preparing myself with the reality that in two days, I would be alone.

I shook my head. "I'm tired. Mainit sa labas."

"Are you not seeing Tanya?" she asked me which gave me some surprise. "She's leaving in two days, right?"

"How did you know?" gulat kong tanong.

"Nasabi sa akin ni Almira," she answered and she told me about the two's encounter which I never knew of. But at least they know now without me needing to say anything.

"You may be right, mom. Maybe she's not the one for me. Maybe I shouldn't really have pursued her," I told her.

She forced a smile and embraced me.

"But I may be wrong. Maybe she's the one for you. Maybe I shouldn't have stopped you from pursuing her," she answered.

Natigilan ako sa sinabi nya. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong matuwa sa sinabi nya o dapat ba akong manghinayang na wala na din namang kapupuntahan kahit ano pa ang tingin nya kay Tanya.

"I shouldn't have said those words. I shouldn't have thought of her that way. I should have thanked her for making you the man you are now," she answered and held my face. Mom leaned her head on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry I made a contribution to that pain my favorite son feels. Mothers can go wrong too and I'm sorry that I had it committed thru you," she told me.

I laughed. "Mom, you never have to say sorry. I knew you wanted the best for me."

"I scared the best one away from you. Why will I not say sorry?" she answered. "Mahal kita Jeric. I was scared that you wouldn't get what you wanted if you pursued her. And I was so wrong. Alam mo bang nag-usap kami ni Tanya?"

I shook my head.

"It was right after your graduation," she told me and wiped her tears. "I saw the two of you talking and I saw how you both tried to stop yourselves from crying. I followed her and asked her if we could talk. She's one hell of a courageous woman."