The Summer We Never Had (COMPLETED)

Chapter 07: Nozomi Shrine

Chapter 07: Nozomi Shrine

"You're here." My lips automatically stretched as I saw him walking near me.

His hands were both on the side pockets of his pants. Looking so out of place, screaming handsomeness in every corner of this province. I tried to calm myself, not wanting him to notice how excited I am to be with him today.

"I'm glad you came. Good morning," he greeted as he reached my side. I nodded and gave him a small smile.

"Buti naman nag tsinelas ka na ngayon," biro niya na bahagya kong tinawanan.

Nag-umpisa na kaming maglakad patungo sa Nozomi Shrine. Napagkasunduan namin kahapon na dito kami maghihintayan sa playground ng Del Kyushu bago dumiretso sa destinasyon namin.

Ramdam na ramdam ko ang masarap na pagdampi ng sariwang hangin sa aking balat. Marahang hinahangin ang aking buhok at sumasabog ang iilang hibla nito sa aking mukha.

"You think it's safe?" tanong ko, nangangamba na maaaring makita namin si Asahi roon. Madalas din kaming pumunta roon noong mga nakaraang araw kaya naman nakakatakot na baka doon niya ako hinihintay ngayon.

"Of course. Trust me," mahinahon niyang sagot na ikinatigil bahagya ng pangamba ko.

Tahimik lang kaming naglalakad. Gustuhin ko mang magbukas ng pag-uusapan ay alam kong hindi ako magaling doon. I suck at socializing. I prefer silence more than anything.

"Kailan mo binili 'yang dreamcatcher mo?" biglang tanong niya sa gitna ng paglalakad namin.

Lumingon ako sa kaniya. Nakangiti siya sa'kin habang pinagmamasdan ang suot kong kwintas. Hinawakan ko ito at tinapunan din ng tingin.

"I bought it last school year field trip. Ikaw?" sagot ko at inangat muli ng mga sa kaniya.

"Hmm. Same." Napakurap-kurap ako sa isinagot niya at sinilip din ang dreamcatcher na suot niya.

Our dreamcatchers have the same design but with different colors. Magkahalong pink, white and black ang akin samatalang ang kaniya naman ay sky blue, white at may bahid ng abo. Alam kong ganito kadalasan ang disenyo ng mga dreamcatchers pero kung pagmamasdan nang sabay ang amin ay hindi mapagkakailang magkatulad na magkatulad ang mga detalye.

"Doon mo rin binili sa matandang nagbebenta sa kalye? Iyong maraming alahas sa katawan at may peklat sa noo?" pagkumpirma ko habang inaalala ang mukha noong ale.

"Oo. Kaibigan 'yon ni Lola." Sa simple niyang sagot ay tumango na lang ako at namatay na naman ang usapan.

Nang makita na namin ang Nozomi Shrine sa hindi kalayuan ay mas bumilis ang paglalakad namin. I can't help myself but to gape, complimenting the aesthetic flowers that surround the whole place. It looks more engaging than the last time I went here with Asahi.

I stared at the beautiful goddess' statue. In spite of her amazing features, you just can't deny the fact the she looks miserable in her position. Goddess Nozomi was kneeling, hands were clasped together. Her eyes were full of sorrow, pain and a hint of hope. There were tears on her cheeks, blood on her lower lip. Her background was a mixture of flowers, drops of blood and words I can't understand. If you won't look onto it in detailed way, you won't notice how mysterious the shrine is. It's fascinating and arcane but also eerie in a way. You can always feel chills. You can't find the exact words to describe how you would feel when you gaze at the whole shrine.