Cold Summer Nights || On-Hold

Prologue

Friday night and she's riding a bus that's heading to Baguio.

After ten months full of stressful weeks and sleepless nights, she's coming back to where she felt home. She's going back again to where she really belongs.

Hoods on, and earphones were plugged in. She's listening to her favorite song.

In her left side was an open bus window where she can clearly see the beautiful and calming citylights of urban life and the ever-enchanting full moon. On the other side was her bag, full of no-other-than clothes that she's going to use for the entire summer.

Cold breeze was touching her not-so-tan skin, most specially her face that was an inches-near the window. Seems like she's really enjoying the view from her seat.

She can see the busy streets of the city, including the tourists wandering around, the Baguio people waiting for the transportation that would bring them to their destinations, the blinding lights coming from the loud cars, jeepneys and taxis, and the brilliance of the chandelier in every hotel and big houses.

Even though she travelled alone, excitement was seen in her deep eyes. Once she got back home, she knew she's back in her safe haven.

Two hours of sitting in the bus seat and now, she's going down the bus. Upon stepping her right foot on the ground, her nose sniffed the cold weather letting her feel that she's really in Baguio, her hometown, the city that never left her.

She walked down the pavement of the busy Session Road with packs of people she's encountering.

"Nothing's changed," she whispered to herself in the middle of the crowd.

As soon as she reached the jeepney station that will bring her to their home, she saw people lining up, waiting for another jeepney to arrive. She went to that direction to line up with the other passengers.

Two jeepneys were filled, and for the third now, she finally has the chance, she's inside the jeep that will bring her home. She brings out a 20-peso bill in her wallet and let the other passengers give it into the driver. She was then given back a 10-peso coin.

Inside the jeepneys were different people, strangers but she knew some of them. They just might not recognize her since she only goes back home every two months.

Several minutes passed and now she's near home. Far-seen was their house and she called the attention of the driver to stop.

She stepped out of the jeepney then stand up infront of their house for a while. She stares at it, the entire house that she left months ago.

She thought to herself, "'I'm home. I'm back." then she smiled. Walking inside the garage, dogs barked at her but she disregarded it. Probably, Tita Aileen was already asleep. She, then, continued walking until she reached the stair to her home. The home that her Mamita left for her.

After she found the keys, she opened the door right away. She just threw out her bag on the sofa and went to her room.

Been months and finally, she's home again. She can feel the safety, the vibe she wanted, the feeling of being at home and at ease.

"Finally, I can rest." she said. Then she closed her eyes and let the sleep creeps her away.

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morenangmanunulatx