The Burning of Summer

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

We all settled in the dining area to eat lunch. I sat beside Rain at sa tabi naman nito sa kabilang gilid ay si Dad. Sa harapan namin ay si Ate Winter at Ate Autumn habang si abuela ay naka-upo sa dulo na napapagitnaan ni Dad at Ate Winter.

I saw the two woman who bad mouthed me before. Nang makita nila akong naka-upo doon ay nanlaki ang kanilang mga mata.

I gave them a death glare kaya mabilis silang nagyuko ng ulo habang nagsasalin ng inumin sa mga baso.

"I'm really glad na kompleto ulit ang mga apo ko dito.. thank you for coming Summer." I gave abuela a forced smile.

"Abuela are the workers here really rude?" I started. Maybe I'll just scare those two. Yeah, that's what I'm going to do.

Sabay sabay silang lumingon sa akin dahil sa sinabi ko. I saw Dad and abuela shot me a worried look.

"What? Why? Did someone disrespected you? Or may nang bastos sayo?" Sunod sunod na tanong ni abuela.

"Summer meron ba?" tanong naman ni Dad.

"I just encountered some unwelcoming people here... its fine though."

"Wag kang mag-alala mija, kaka-usapin ko ang mga trabahador hindi ako papayag na ganoon.. kahit sino pa ang dumating ay dapat laging maayos ang pakikitungo nila sa mga tao.." That is what I love about my abuela.

She was one of the kindest people I know. She's one of the reasons I am a spoiled brat too. She always gave me what I want.

Well aside from that one thing that I begged her to do.

Okay this is not good. Don't go there Summer.

Do not overthink.

"By the way girls, since nandito na si Summer I want to say something.." natigil kami sa pagkain at tumingin kay Dad na nagsalita. "I will be leaving tomorrow, I will go back to Manila."

"What? Dad why? I thought you'll stay here with us."

"I stayed here for two weeks na Winter, I'm good. May mga kailangan akong asikasuhin doon."

"Dad if it's about business ako na lang ang pupunta." Sagot ni Ate Winter.

"No need Winter, ako na ang bahala." nakita ko ang pagtutol sa mukha ni Ate Winter sa sinabi ni Dad pero dahil alam niya namang wala siyang magagawa para baguhin ang isip ni Dad ay nanahimik na lang. "You and your sisters will stay here and help around the place-"

"I feel like I wouldn't like what you're about to say Dad." Putol ko sa kanya at bahagya naman itong natawa.

Binalik ko ang atensyon ko sa pagkain at hinantay itong ituloy ang sasabihin kahit na alam ko na kung ano iyon.

"Well help around, like magtanim or mag-harvest, things like that.."

"In short, experience the farmers' life!" Natutuwang pinagsiklop ni Rain ang dalawang palad. "This is going to be a fun experience! Oh and abuela I want to learn how to ride a horse, na-inggit ako kay Ate kanina she looks like a goddess riding one!"

"That's easy mija, bakit hindi ka na lang magpaturo sa Ate Summer mo? And I'm sure Winter and Autumn still know how to ride the horse, am I right?" pinaglipat lipat ni abuela ang tingin kay Ate Winter at Ate Autumn at hinantay ang sagot nila.

"I do abuela but I'm no expert.." Sagot ni Ate Autumn.

"I'm sorry abuela but I also only know the basics, Summer here is the expert in riding a horse." Tumingin ako kay Ate Winter dahil sa huling sinabi niya.