The Burning of Summer

Prologue

Prologue

"Alam mo Summer ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit ang dami na ng white hair ni Dad." I stopped drinking my water when I heard my older sister speaking.

"What is it now?" my forehead creased and she just gave me a daggering look.

"Oh please, don't play innocent. You wouldn't actually think na hindi malalaman ni Dad na napatawag ka nanaman sa Guidance Office yesterday." she spatted coldly.

Ipinagpatuloy ko ang pagkain ng almusal at hindi sumagot.

"Ate Summer ano nanamang ginawa mo?" eksaheradang sabi ng bunso naming kapatid habang nakangisi.

"I didn't do anything wrong, I swear." I said dramatically at nagtaas pa ng kamay.

Then I heard my second older sister snort at what I've said so I rolled my eyes in frustration.

"Okay fine, I heard my classmates bad mouthing me and I couldn't just let it go because no one should try to mess with me.." Paliwanag ko and I almost shivered when our eldest sister gave me her coldest stare.

"I think it's the other way around young lady." Kumalabog ang boses ni Daddy ng pumasok ito at agad naman kaming tumayo upang bumati dito.

"Hi Dad good morning!" I greeted him with my sweetest smile and kiss him on the cheeks bago bumalik sa upuan at ganoon din ang ginawa ng mga kapatid ko.

"Summer hindi ka ba natatakot na baka tanggalin ka nila sa listahan ng running for summa cum laude? Ilang beses ka nang na guidance hindi ka pa rin ba magtitino?"

"Dad hindi ko naman kasalanan na bobo talaga yung classmates ko at-"

"See? That is what I'm talking about. Hindi mo ba talaga mapigilan magsalita ng masama sa kapwa mo? Summer can't you be more mature?"

I shrugged at mabilis na nilunok ang nginunguya ko.

"Dad I love you okay? And as long as hindi ako nagpapabaya sa studies ko then you have nothing to worry about okay?"

I flashed him my sweetest smile and I cannot help but to feel happy when my dad gave me a softer look at nagkamot ng ulo.

"Hay nako dad kaya lumaking spoiled si Summer e!" reklamo nanaman ng ate ko.

"Ate Winter love kasi ako ni dad!" then I stuck my tongue out to annoy her even more.

I heard our youngest sibling giggling and my another older sibling sigh in defeat of the argument even if she hasn't really said a thing.

The next thing I knew is that my father and Ate Winter talking about business while me, Ate Autumn and Rain are just quietly eating our breakfast. This is our typical weekend anyway.

Apat kaming magkakapatid. The eldest is Ate Winter, and I swear her name suits her perfectly because she's as cold as ice. She's the type who always has her guard up, and even her smile can feel distant. It's like she's constantly wrapped in her own world, focused on her goals and responsibilities, often pushing herself to be the best. I admire her drive, but sometimes I wish she'd let her guard down and just enjoy the moment with us.

Next is my Ate Autumn. She's really not that talkative, preferring to observe rather than join in on the chaos of our household. Seldom does she voice her thoughts, claiming she's too lazy to say anything unless it's important. But when she does speak, her words carry weight. You can tell she's always thinking deeply about things, and her insights often surprise us all. 

Then there's me—the spoiled one, as everyone says.

And then there's our youngest, Rain. She's our happy pill, the sunshine that brightens even the cloudiest of days. With her infectious laughter and genuine smile, she has this incredible ability to lift everyone's spirits. It's like she has a built-in radar for when someone is feeling down, and she instinctively knows how to make them feel better. Her presence is a constant reminder that even in tough times, there's always a reason to smile.