The Last Letter

30

Chapter XXX

I woke to the sound of my alarm ringing. I looked at my window and then my clock, it was already past 10am. I stretched my limbs and yawned loudly. I looked at Ben on the floor and he is still sleeping soundly and unbothered by my noise.

Apparently, Ben has slept here for two nights now. I wonder why. And when I asked him about it or if something happened at his residence, he only told me he just wanted to save gas. Of course I didn’t believe that but I just let him do whatever he wanted.

And today is what we’re all waiting for. It’s Sunday!

I went downstairs and saw mom preparing lunch already. We haven’t even had lunch yet.

“Where is Ben? His mom called earlier asking why he hadn't gone home for 2 days. Is everything okay with Ben? Is he stressed out for that competition he’s in?” She asked.

“I don’t know either. Ben wouldn’t tell me anything but he seemed fine. He’s still sleeping upstairs. We’ll actually go out later to celebrate Suzanne’s late birthday.” I replied.

“Oh right! Enjoy then! Greet her again for me again or maybe bring her here again.” She winked and got back to cooking.

I looked at her and shrugged my shoulders. I went to the living room where my brothers were watching television after making my morning coffee and getting two pieces of ensaymada bread from the pantry.

About 10 minutes of just watching cartoons, I heard Ben saying good morning to my mom in the kitchen. They also talked about Aunt calling earlier about Ben. He pardoned mom for the trouble but she said it was okay, that’s nothing of a big deal. Ben also used our landline to call aunt and explain the situation why he’s here and he’ll be back home at night.

Since Suzanne’s shift will end at 1pm, Ben ate lunch with my family and we prepared after. We were done dressing up and preparing everything by 12:30 so we drove down to the city and maybe buy some flowers in the remaining time we’ll have before we fetch her at the restaurant. We also hid our gifts and flowers at the trunk so she won’t know it will be her late birthday celebration. Ben will only tell her that we’ll visit her grandpa and nothing more.

I waited by the car to lessen the hassle, while Ben went over to the restaurant. Plus it was scorching hot outside so I didn't really want to step out of the car.

After minutes of waiting I finally saw the two and Suzanne looked happier and more excited as ever. I’m glad she is.

“It’s real? We’ll visit grandpa?” She asked excitedly as she hopped in the backseat.

I nodded at her and she suddenly giggled. I found that really adorable so I laughed and told her to calm down.

We then started the road trip. Ben put the radio on and let the windows stay open. The cool breeze touched my face and it was refreshing after that hot day in the city.

“You guys are really the best. I also planned to visit grandpa maybe next week or so. I’m so grateful you guys planned this.” I heard her voice crack so I turned my head around to see her getting teary eyed.

“Hey it’s alright. We know you miss your grandpa so we did this. Stay happy Suzanne.” I told her, smiling.

She nodded with so much energy so I gave her a thumbs up.

We’ve sung along to every music that’s been played on the radio. Ben and I did this a lot of times but it felt different now that we have Suzanne in the group. Anyone could tell Ben enjoying the ride so much and Suzanne at the back, being so excited to visit his grandpa after a while.

Nothing ever beats the moment of three best friends having their very first out of the town roadtrip. It is seriously the best thing ever.

Since it is quite a long ride, we had a few rest stops for CR and snack breaks. We also passed by two provinces before we could reach there so it was worth it. My family only had a few out of the town trips because my dad finds it very hassling. And because of that, I appreciate every trip we had, especially this one with my two good friends.

I really love nature, and going to different places even though I have done much of it. If I ever own a car of these months or years, I’ll definitely go out of the town for like once or twice a month.

In no time, Suzanne told us we are getting near. The area we’re passing by now is very country-like. Everywhere you look, you’ll see rice, wheat or corn farms. And after a while of asking locals for directions, we reach a road that is finally familiar to Suzanne.

We pulled up in a big gate leading to a private property. Suzanne went outside and clicked the doorbell. Soon enough, a man who looked to be in his 30’s walked towards us and he seemed to know Suzanne very well since they hugged each other.

“This is my brother, Rome. And brother, these are my friends.” She said and his brother shook my hand and Ben’s. “Sorry it was a surprise visit, I hope we won’t cause trouble.” She added,

“No, it’s completely fine Suzanne, it’s Sunday anyway so there were no workers. Dad is inside. He’ll probably get really excited when he sees you. Head inside now, I hope you’ll enjoy your visit.” He said and smiled at us. He opened the gate and told Ben to just drive straight ahead until he’ll see a house.

He passed by a wide area of mango trees. Suzanne on the back proudly says that his brother we met earlier owns this really big mango orchard. It’s just too bad that we just went here at the end of mango season. But it’s a fascinating experience to be here anyway so all is good.

We stopped and parked the car outside a big contemporary wooden house. Suzanne rushed to go inside the house so we waited in the car for a while. There were many trees here so the air outside was refreshing.

After about 3 minutes, Suzanne went outside the house with an old man, about 50-60 years old. Ben immediately went over to him and the old man seemed to remember Ben since they had a little conversation while laughing.

“Grandpa, this is August. They are best friends who became my friends and seniors in the university.” Suzanne guided me to walk close to her grandpa.

Her grandpa tapped my shoulder lightly and smiled very sweetly. He also shook my hands and told me that I look really good and manly. Me and this grandpa seem like we’ll become best buddies at the end of this day. I haven’t met any of my grandparents so I won’t mind hanging out with somebody else’s grandpa since all I know, grandparents are always sweet.

Suzanne’s grandpa led us inside the house and told us to be like we’re in our home. The house’s interior looks very warm and comfortable but still gives an elegant feeling to it. It is designed and decorated very well, it looks like it could be perfect for a rest house.

Ben and I were whispering about the cake melting at the trunk so we are contemplating if we’ll do the surprise now. Suzanne was in the kitchen with her grandpa preparing snacks and drinks for us. We both took that as a chance and went outside to get the balloons, flowers, our gifts and cakes to the trunk when suddenly, a kid presumably in the age of 4-5 years old went to us and asked if she could have the balloons.

With the fear of the kid crying, we gave her what she wanted. But then she came running inside the house and yelled “grandpa! I got a balloon!”.

In a state of panic, Ben lit up the candles even though it was windy. But good thing, the cake hasn’t melted a bit.

We walked inside slowly and fortunately, they weren’t done preparing yet.

“Happy birthday Suzanne!” We shouted in unison as we saw Suzanne coming out from the kitchen, carrying the snacks she prepared for us. She stipped in her tracks and stared at both Ben and I in disbelief. We see on her back is his grandpa smiling and the kid earlier, jumping and clapping her hands in amazement.

Suzanne looked up and we saw tears rolling down her temples. She then looked straight ahead and smiled at us but tears kept falling down her cheeks.

“You guys are really amazing.” She said with her voice unsteady and cracking. She placed the snack on the table and wiped her tears with her handkerchief. “Grandpa, they're the best.” She added.

“I know, sweetheart.” His grandpa replied, smiling at us from ear to ear.

She blew the candle out after wishing for something. His brother from earlier as well what seems to be her wife, entered and saw us. She hugged Suzanne upon seeing her and also wished her late happy birthday upon looking our surprise for her. They look really close to each other. She also shook Ben and my hand and asked the kid to greet us politely. Turns out, it was Kylie, Suzanne's brother’s child and her niece.

To be continued…