Ever Summer

Lost in their naked embrace, the yesteryears and all that came before were forgotten. For Soraya, he was still the handsome bourgeois she never thought she would love for so long. For Gerard, she would be always be the beautiful and principled activist, who will forever hold his heart. The years have changed them physically but not the love that spring in the summer of ‘70. ------------------------ Prologue The Present: Year 2010 Soraya could barely contain her excitement as she sat under a makeshift shelter under the scorching heat of the summer sun. Today is the groundbreaking for the proposed construction of “Sinag”, the long-delayed project of Hope Foundation, an NGO being managed by Soraya. She had almost given up on the project in frustration of having worked hard in vain for years. Only the helpless and hopeless faces of the abused women, have kept her focused and determined to carry on. They needed a bigger place to house the growing number of these hapless souls: the battered wives, the pregnant and abandoned women, the young victims of incestuous rape. For years, Soraya have devoted much of her time practically begging for sponsorship from both local and multi-national companies as well as noted charitable organizations. As director of the Hope Foundation , she tirelessly did countless presentations for prospective donors praying and hoping for their generous response . Her relentless efforts paid off. Slowly but surely, support started trickling in: construction materials, money, as well as pro-bono professional services. Only one thing is lacking. The most important thing. A suitable land for the shelter. Until one day, a miracle happened. She received an e-mail from a US-based Foundation. And just after several meetings with the representative of the Foundation. Soraya’s dream became a reality. ------------------------------------------------------- Soraya’s luck continued as the head of the foundation accepted her invitation to grace the ceremonial groundbreaking. It will be the first time she will come face to face with her very generous benefactor. After all, a grant of two-hectare prime lot is not peanuts, especially if it is located in the fast- developing community of Sta Rosa City in Laguna at the outskirts of Metro Manila. Her heart beating fast, Soraya braced herself as the car bearing her VIP guest arrived. She stood up to meet the two man who were walking towards her. She stopped on her track Stood transfixed on the ground as she got a closer look at them. Her heart pounding.! Only one man in her life has this effect on her. “It couldn’t be HIM.” She thought. It has been years since. “Miss Soraya Luna, this is my boss Mr Gerard Montesser“ Said the man who had negotiated with Soraya about the grant. Their eyes locked. Gerard’s was enigmatic. Hers was totally surprised. Gerard offered his hand first. Soraya gently took it. And as their hands touched, the magic warmth of yesteryears’ summers came rushing back. -------------------------------