The Burning of Summer

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

I woke up really late the next day, alas dose na ako ng tanghali nagising dahil na rin siguro sa alas tres na ako nakatulog.

Wala ang mga kapatid ko ng bumaba ako sa ng kwarto at ang naabutan ko na lamang doon ay si Manang Carmen na matagal na ring naninilbihan sa amin.

"Good morning Summer hija! Hindi kita nakita kagabi!" lumapit ako dito upang yumakap.

"Pasensya na Manang napagod ako sa flight kaya maaga akong nagpahinga sa kwarto." paliwanag ko nang humiwalay ako dito.

"Sigurado akong gutom ka na, ipapahanda ko na yung pagkain mo sandali lang..."

"Sige lang po Manang take your time."

Pumunta na ako sa dining table at naupo sa pinakadulo kung saan madalas umuupo si Daddy.

"Nasaan nga po pala sila Ate at Rain?" tanong ko habang naglalagay ng pagkain sa plato.

"Ang Ate Winter mo may urgent meeting daw sa opisina. Ang Ate Autumn mo naman nagpunta sa shop niya si Rain ewan ko ba dun sa bata na yun, kung saan saan nagsusuot."

Natawa naman ako sa huling sinabi ni Manang. I ate in silence while thinking about things.

My abuela owns a vast land in our province in Quezon. I used to always spend my summer there because I love the fresh air and horseback riding so much. My parents even got me a foal at a young age because I am too fond of horses.

There's a war going on inside my head right now. There is a part of me who wants to go there because of Dad and there is also a part that is telling me not to because of the place and abuela.

I  know Dad and I don't want to make him feel bad. Alam ko kung gaano niya kamahal si abuela. And I love and respect my father so much that I'm afraid to disobey him. He's done almost everything I ask of him ever since. Kaya nga ako tinawag na spoiled.

After eating I tried calling Zydney but unfortunately, she's out of the country. Aayain ko pa mandin sana siya since bored ako dito sa bahay.

Kaya tumambay lang ako sa bahay maghapon. I spent some time watching, went to the garden and picked some flowers, I even cooked some snacks for myself. And finally, I decided to take a dip at the pool when the sun went down.

May isang oras din akong nagpabalik balik lang ng langoy doon. Nang magsawa ay saka lang ako umahon. Dumiretso ako sa kwarto para magbanlaw at eksaktong pagkatapos maligo at magbihis ay kumatok ang isang kasambahay at sinabing kakain na ng hapunan.

I went to the dining room and saw Ate Winter sitting beside Rain in their usual spot. I sigh before walking to them and sat beside Ate Autumn.

Si Rain lang ang madalas na nagsasalita at paminsan minsan ay sumasagot ako. Sa kalagitnaan ng pagkain namin ay doon nagsalita si Ate.

"You still didn't dye your hair?" Ate Winter said coldly.

Tumikhim ako bago sumagot.

"I won't be coming with you tomorrow."

Narinig ko ang pagsinghap ni Rain at sinalubong ako ni Ate Winter ng nakamamatay na tingin.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Look I still need time to think okay? I mean you just dropped the bomb at me yesterday and I need time to let it sink and-" I tried to explain but got cut off.

"What is there to think about? Dad wants us all to go there, isn't that enough reason to go?"

"Ate hindi mo naiintindihan.."