Last Summer

01

CHAPTER ONE

Breathe.

It was all I did after entering my old room. I smiled when I saw my old teddy bear, she was my bestfriend when I was younger. Kinuha ko siya at niyakap.

"I'm back." I talked to my bear as if it would respond. "I'm in so much pain but I managed to survive. Are you proud of me?" A tear fell from my eyes. I quickly wiped it and looked up to prevent more tears from falling.

I recalled what happened on that day. It pains me.

"Liam." I called him and ran towards him. Nilingon niya ako ngunit nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya nang makita ako, unhappy to see me. I maintained the smile on my face and approached him.

"What?" He sounded mad.

"I came to ask you if gusto mong sumali sa summer campaign ko. Our parents would be happy to see us working together." I sound excited.

"Pwede ba?" Malakas na sambit niya. "Stop this. I only approached you and went out with you because my parents said so. Tigilan mo na 'to." Dagdag pa niya.

Nawala ang ngiti sa mukha ko, nagtataka.

"You, you approached me because your parents said so?" I asked, trying not to cry.

"Of course." Singhal niya. "Do you think just because you're beautiful and graceful lalapitan na kita?" Sarkastikong tanong niya. "I don't like you because you, you think you're perfect. You wanted to be perfect, lahat. You're just not my type." He added.

Parang paulit-ulit na tinutusok ang puso ko at nanlambot ang mga tuhod ko.

Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya at unti-unting tumutulo ang luha ko.

Saan nga ba ako lulugar? Some people wanted me to be perfect, some doesn't. I'm confused.

"What can I do for you to love me?" Halos magmakaawa na ako sa harapan niya.

"I will never love you in this lifetime and the next." Kalma ngunit galit na sabi niya. Tumalikod siya at naglakad paalis, leaving me dumbfounded.

After recalling that painful incident, ibinalik ko ang teddy bear sa kama ko at naglakad ako papunta sa cabinet para kumuha ng damit.

I took a quick shower before going down to eat dinner with my Abuela. Sabi niya kasi may mga bisita siyang darating kaya nagbihis ako. I wore a a white sunflower puff-sleeved above the knee length dress. Inilugay ko lang ang wavy hair ko at nagsuot ng simple gold necklace. Bumaba na ako at tumulong sa paghahanda para sa mga bisita.

"You look good, hija." Abuela complimented me.

"Mana lang sa'yo, Abuela." Sabay kaming tumawa.

Minutes later, dumating na ang mga bisita. I was asked to open the door kaya 'yun ang ginawa ko.

"Good evening." I greeted them with a smile.

"Oh, hi, good evening." The lady in her mid 40's greeted me.

Tumango lang ang isang lalaki, her husband I think. Nagulat ko nang makita ko ang isang matangkad na lalaki na naka-white shirt and black shorts. May silver necklace pa siya at silver din na relo. I haven't realized that I've stared at him for too long at bumalik lang ako sa katinuan when he snapped his fingers in front of my face.