When Summer Ends

Prologue

"In every girl's life; there's a boy she'll never forget and a summer where it all began."

I immediately diverted my gaze from the quotation flashed on the screen of my television. As soon as I grabbed the remote control, I turned it off and got myself a glass of water. I still couldn't believe how quick time passed by, like it's been four fucking years already? Parang kahapon lang noong nagmamakaawa ako sa sarili kong tigilan ang pag-iyak. Tapos ngayon magce-celebrate na naman ako ng Death Anniversary?

"Ano? Hindi na naman kayo free? 3 years straight na kayong hindi free ha," maktol ko sa harap ng aking laptop, kausap sina Fiene at Javi. Paano ba naman noong first Death Anniversary lang nila ako sinamahan magpaka-wasted sa Xylo, tapos ang weird lang kasi after niyon, mayroon na silang mga reasons kung bakit hindi nila ako masamahan.

Kaunti na lang talaga iisipin kong fake 'tong dalawang 'to.

"Bebe time ako," maikling tugon ni Javi na ikinairap ko. "I swear, wala kami sa Manila. Babe, come here!" sumigaw si Javi sa kabilang linya.

"Me too, Bora kami. Honeymoon things," Fiene winked at me as if I didn't know her man. 

Understandable naman 'yung kay Fiene since she just got married three days ago, ang hindi ko lang matanggap itong si Javi. I just know if she knew that I've been drinking every fucking 21st of May, she would definitely allow Javi, my best friend, to be with me. I knew her, feeling ko nga sasama pa siya, that's how much she loves me. I missed hanging out with her too.

I heaved a sigh. I will come there alone, again. Ngumuso ako sa dalawa, at nang magpapaalam na kami sa isa't isa ay nakita ko siya. 

"Delia!" she waved at me with so much joy. God, I missed this girl.

"Missed you big time! See you, around. Bye!" I waved back. Tumingin ako sa gawi ni Fiene. "Bye, Fiene! I-kumusta mo ako kay Kuya ha!" I teased her with a smile before I ended the call.

Inilibot ko ang tingin sa aking condo. Too messy. I decided to spend my time cleaning the whole condo. I ordered food online, because I didn't think I still have time to cook. I planned to go to the mall to buy myself a new bodycon dress, well... and probably a new stiletto, because I feel like kaya walang progress na nangyayari sa akin every year is because I still wear that damn silver stilettos that I wore on our first fucking anniversary. Sinamaan ko ng tingin ang shoe cabinet kung saan nasa pinakataas ang silver stilettos na tinutukoy ko. Kinuha ko iyon at itinago sa lugar kung saan hindi ko madalas mapapansin.

After I had my lunch, I took a shower and got myself a low waist beige cargo pants paired with a white tank top. I had my skin care done and put on minimal make up. Right after kong i-blow-dry ang buhok ko, I fixed it with my signature messy bun. I was so hesitant na lumabas for a reason that I couldn't name. Parang may nag-uudyok sa akin na huwag na lang muna lumabas, but for some reasons naman, gusto kong tumuloy. Maybe... para matapos lang agad itong araw na 'to?

@santi: Wya?

@fenella: condo, why?

seen

I waited for more than five minutes, but he didn't reply. Kinuha ko ang susi ng sasakyan ko bago lumabas ng condo. Nang makarating ako sa parking lot ng condo building, I saw the familiar Porsche... again. Taon-taon ko rin napapansin ang sasakyan na 'yon dito, ang malupit pa ro'n lagi rin na tuwing May 21. I found it weird since I saw it two years ago, like I wasn't that dumb not to notice it lalo pa't alam kong may nagbago sa akin after what happened four years ago. That shit again, that shit that happened years ago... God, Fenella! Hintayin mo lang matapos ang araw na 'to, next year ulit.