Summer to Forget ✔️

15

It was already half a year since I attended Lau's debut party where Czesar's band performed. It was also three months after Czesar and I got official but we made our relationship private. We go out on a date but not to those popular public places in our town just the both of us since Lau also dates my brother and we don't want to see each other with our partners around. That's awkward.

Since Czesar and I attended different schools, we barely see each other. So if we both have time, we would grab the chance to meet. Czesar and the twins are attending the same school so they sometimes see each other. Sabi pa niya ay bantay sarado raw siya ng kambal sa university nila.

I am fine in our house even without the twins. My stepmom—Falaviana is coping up with me. She's nice. It's just I hated her quickly when I saw her. It was such a bad move. She just wanted to be close with us that's why she wanted the twins to come home every day last year but now they're back in their dormitory. She has a motherly figure though. Tsaka hindi niya lang talaga gusto kapag makakakita siya ng kalat sa bahay.

We always talk to each other, mostly every day. We eat our dinner together since she had to go to her work and I have to go to school. She would often cook us food, and Dad? he barely goes home. He's always in his office since he got his dream position.

Tita Falaviana also told me that she has a son, who's in college, whom she never told me about any single information about her son. Ayaw ko naman silang pakialaman kaya hindi na rin pa ako nagtanong.

“Nga pala hija. Your birthday is next week na, what are your plans? Where do you want it to be celebrated ba?” she asked me in her demure tone.

She is preparing the food for the both of us since it was only the both of us in this house. Today's Sunday and our house helpers are not still here.

“Hala oo nga po pala. I just want it to be simple po, maybe some of my close friends and relatives.”

“Where do you want it to be?”

“Siguro dito nalang po, tapos na naman po siguro by that time ang pool.”

“Okay. That's good. Besides we still have to prepare for the feast, this is the first feast in the town na iyong Papa mo na ang Gobernador so we must prepare for it.”

I gave her a single nod and started eating instead. As usual, she cooked a good dish. She's a good cook. As in, super-duper good cook. We had a great talk. She's fun to be with too. We had a great time together kaya hindi ko na namalayan pa ang oras.

It was nearly nine in the evening when we were still having fun in the kitchen when my phone rang. It was a call from Czesar whom I named 'Langga <3 ' on my contacts. Tita probably saw it because she was surprised when she saw it. I never told her that I am in a relationship with someone. I don't know if Rawl too. Basta si Namiel lang talaga ang nakakaalam at si Lau sa relasyon namin. We didn't even status each other online. We want to have a low-key and private relationship.

I rejected his call and type a message instead.

To: Langga <3

I'll call you later, I'm still talking to Tita Viana.

“So you got yourself a boyfriend? Alam ba 'yan ng Papa mo?” she asked me when I put my phone on the table after I click the silent mode.

“I don't know if he knew po, wala rin naman po iyong pakialam sa akin. It's on you if you'll tell him or not but it would be great if you're not going to tell him po.”

Pagkatapos kong hugasan iyong mga pinggan ay dumiretso na ako sa kuwarto ko at tinawagan si Czesar. I told him about what happened and he was nervous about it. We haven't told our parents yet not until we will last for a year. It was my plan. Ayoko namang malaman ng ibang tao na kami na tapos hindi lang rin pala kami magtatagal. We are just saving ourselves from embarrassment.

We video chatted for almost an hour and slept.

The time was fast because today I am here in our city office as an intern. Today is the first day of March. Dad wants me to be assigned here so I am now, sitting on a bench, facing in a lot that is for sale. It is my first day here and we were having our lunch break. I bought myself a cup of coffee as usual. I found this place when I am walking to a coffee shop.

May nakadikit roon sa puno na may nakalagay 'LOT FOR SALE' at may nakaakibat rin doon na numero. May nakalagay rin doon na presyo ng lupa. It was affordable, lalo na dahil maganda ang lugar nito. Malapit lang itong sa plaza ng city at ilang lakad lang ay maabot mo na ang munisipyo. I took a photo of it. I am interested in the property, if only I am my legal age, I would probably buy the lot and if it's the case, I should wait for more than 6 months.

Probably I am already in college by that time.

 
Kaya nang makauwi ako ay tinanong ko kaagad ito sa isang kasambahay namin dahil sa pagkakaalam ko ay doon lang siya nakatira malapit sa lupang nagugustuhan ko.

“Naku, gang. Marami na ngang nagtangkang bumili sa lupain na iyon pero hindi raw nila makontak iyong numerong nilagay roon.”

“Ay. Siguro kapag nag labing walong taong gulang na po ako. Iyon po siguro iyong bibilhin kong regalo para sa sarili ko. I want to have my studio there po and a music room.”

“Magandang ideya yan hija, malaking lupain rin naman iyon. Pwede ka pa ngang magnegosyo ng sarili mong coffee shop.”

“Pwede rin naman po kaso gusto ko pong mas hands-on kapag may sariling art studio na po ako.”

“O siya sige, tutulungan kita sa pamamagitan ng pagdadasal. Magbihis ka muna doon sa kuwarto mo, tatawagan na lamang kita mamaya kapag kakain na kayo ng Tita Viana mo.”

Pagkatapos naming dalawang mag-usap ay sinunod ko iyong sinabi niya. Naligo muna ako bago isinuot ang aking pajama dahil wala na akong balak na maligo mamaya bago matulog. I also sent a text on Czesar that I am home.

To: Langga <3

Nasa bahay na ako. Ingat ka pauwi. Tawag ka na lang kapag may free time ka na, may sasabihin ako sa‘yo.

Hindi ko naman alam kung may ginagawa pa siya kaya hindi na ako naghintay kapag mag-reply siya pero agad naman itong tumawag sa akin nang hindi ko pa naibababa ang cellphone ko. I was thinking about writing another chapter on my ongoing novel since I wanted to finish the novel within this month. Or maybe filming another cover since I still haven't posted a video on my channel for this week.

“Hey.”

“Hello.”

“What's the tea?”

“I saw a lot for sale near on the city office and I love it. What do you think? It's a good investment I think.”

“You have a picture on the property right? Or send me the details. Let me look at it.”

“Okay okay wait.”

Uh-huhh. I think I know this place.”

“Really? I'm planning to buy it.”

“Alright. I'll tell you the owner when I can remember it.”

“Okay okay thank you!!! I'll call you later when you get home.”

I ended the call. I grab my laptop and brainstorm. I was typing on my laptop when I heard a knock on my door. Then it was followed by a voice.

“Tam. Kakain na raw sabi ng Tita Viana mo.” I heard Ate Leah say.

“Sige po, Ate.” tugon ko sa kaniya at inilagay na ang laptop ko sa aking lamesa.

Bumaba na agad ako at naghugas ng kamay bago umupo. Nandoon na si Tita Viana sa puwesto niya nakangiti ito sa akin habang ilpinupuwesto ang mga plato.

“I heard that you're interested in a land on the city?” she immediately asked.

“I'm still asking for information ass po. I think it's a good investment po tapos paparentahan ko nalang kapag nabili ko na. Do you think I can already buy that property po?”

“Yes. I know the owner of that land. Hindi mo pa ba tinanong iyong kasintahan mo tungkol sa lupaing iyon? I know he knew the owner of that land. He knew the owner too well.”