The Last Letter

32

Chapter XXXII

That time we spent on Suzanne’s brother’s farm is surely worth remembering.

After we said goodbye to the kind hearted and welcoming family of Suzanne, we finally got to go home the next morning. We were so tired from all that travelling and walking around so after Ben dropped everyone at their own house and dormitory, we didn’t see each other for a while.

It was fine since it is the semester break, I’m fine because I got all the rest I needed after that hell of a week of both examinations and traveling . I didn’t know traveling could be more tiring than it was that day.

Both Ben and Suzanne were busy. Ben was preparing for the upcoming regional sprinting competition, so he’s working out for most of the time because he said he wants to go to the national championship. On the other hand, Suzanne is as usual, busy from her work but at least she’s getting more rest these days. I know what’s happening because we got pagers and I just message those two other than my family. We message each other at least once a day.

Suzanne also really appreciated the gift I bought for her on her birthday. Did I tell you what it is? I don’t think so.

It was a minimalist rose gold necklace with a sun pendant. I also made a note for her that said “Happy birthday to our ray of sunshine! Hope you like this gift!” So yeah, that’s just what it is but I always thought it was the most perfect gift for her.

The semester break was three weeks but it passed by like a flash. I didn’t even get to be productive in those weeks, I just laid down on my bed all day, eating and hanging out with my younger brothers. Other than that, I sometimes helped with my father’s farm and that’s just what I did. Too bad that my glorious break from the university ended just like that.

And it was the second semester.

Apparently it is more serious on the academic side but on the positive note, it is more fun than the first semester since these months have so many events for both the university and our department. There are also many holiday breaks like the halloween and the christmas break so… this semester will be fun. I surely hope so!

***

Suzanne’s POV

That day was definitely one of the most special days of my entire life.

I got to go with my friends in my grandpa and brother’s house and they both seem to approve of both Benjamin and August.

I still remember what grandpa told me that night. When everyone was sleeping, I woke up to the sound of grandpa’s door opening and it was really late that night. His room is opposite of my room so I could hear the noise he’ll make especially at this quiet night.

He was drinking water from the dispenser when I saw him. He even said he almost had a heart attack when he saw me turned around just to see me standing and staring at him.

“I can’t sleep grandpa. I’m sorry to startle you at this time. I am just so happy today that I cannot think of anything else and can’t erase the smile from my face.” I said. We both sat on the couch at the wooden deck just outside the main door.

“I know Suzanne. You look so happy today and I’m glad to see you smiling so much. They seem like really nice and good kids so I trust them that they’ll take care of you.” Grandpa replied.

“They’re the best grandpa. They treat me with so much care and concern. They are also smart too, actually role models in the university for being friendly and treating everyone nicely. I am so lucky that I got to be so close to them, it was nice to have friends like Benjamin and August.”

Grandpa nodded as I spoke.

“Not only you are lucky. They are also lucky that they became close to someone like you, my granddaughter. I watch you grow up into someone with a really kind and selfless heart. And with that, I want you to always be happy and proud of what you are becoming.” Grandpa said.

I hugged him tightly as I could and he lightly tapped my shoulder for that.

“Remember to always be kind and understanding to everyone, ok? And don’t ever trouble and betray your friends. I wish I could take care of you in the city but I’m sorry that I’m becoming so old and weak as days pass.”

“It’s okay, I’m completely okay in the city. I’m having fun with my friends so I sometimes forget that I’m exhausted from my work.” I said and smiled to reassure my grandpa.

We sat there in silence for a while. Just appreciating the night, I guess.

“So do you like someone now? You know you can tell me anything Suzanne.” Grandpa asked out of nowhere.

I chuckled lightly and I felt my cheeks burning. Am I blushing right now?

“I just admire someone, grandpa. But it's nothing more than just admiration.” I answered, hoping to end this conversation. I’m worried that someone might hear us talking about this.

“August?” I looked at grandpa with my eyes wide open. How could he know that?

“It’s obvious Suzanne. I remember the way you look at August with the way your grandma looked at me when we were your age. That’s how we started.” He laughed softly.

“No grandpa! I just admire August as the kind of person he is and as my senior in the university. I swear, there’s nothing more than that!” I feel my heart racing as I defend myself. Well, I know myself and that’s the truth. I don’t like August as a man even though he's close to my ideal man. Liking him will only result in trouble, I might lose both August and Benjamin if that happens.

“Okay calm down Suzanne. I didn’t say you were wrong.” He said still laughing softly because of my overreaction. So with that, I calmed myself down so grandpa won’t tease me more about August. He then stopped laughing when I became quiet by his side.

“It’s not wrong to like someone, my granddaughter. It’s perfectly fine to like someone so you don’t have to be ashamed or defend yourself. I also like that you admire a guy like August. He overall seemed like a good kid. Sorry for teasing you about him though, it’s my fault that you reacted that way.”

I smiled at grandpa.

“You’re right grandpa. Since we are on this topic, I’ll tell you some things about the guy I admire. He… has a really good relationship with his family and friends. I actually know every member of his family grandpa, I met them and was invited to their home multiple times. They were all warm and good-natured people. August is also smart and likes to study lessons in advance so that he won’t cram when the examinations are coming. He likes to sleep, he loves good scenery, he’s good at sketching and painting to the point that his room is full of his drawings. He loves nature and you know one time grandpa, he helped the elderly janitor to clean the mess that the outsiders left in the university. With his simple gesture of helping the janitor, other students became motivated to help clean the university that day. When he was hospitalized because of an accident, he received so many messages and gifts from everyone who knows him. He’s that great of a guy, grandpa.” I smiled.

Grandpa just nodded as he looked at me telling him all about the good things I like from August. “He seemed like a very good guy, like the first time I saw him.” He replied.

“But you know what grandpa, I can never like him. I’ll lose the two friends I value so much if such feelings grow. So as much as possible, I suppress all these feelings that I have. And of course, I still need to focus on my studies, work and family, especially for you grandpa. I’m still hanging on to my promise to grandma that I’ll become an architect someday.”

“I know you’ll reach your dream Suzanne. Your grandma must be so proud of you right now as you speak. And with relationships, I know you’ll figure that out someday when you fall in love. You know yourself more than anyone so I trust that you’ll do the best thing for your happiness.” Grandpa said.

I nodded and hugged my grandpa again. When grandma was still alive, she was the one I told all my secrets and feelings to. Grandpa looks serious every single day so I hardly talk to him about something personal. Mostly, just about school and restaurant stuff. But now, we’re having conversations like these every time that I visit him. It feels very warm that I get to talk to grandpa with topics like this. I never imagined that.

After that, since it was becoming more and more late at night, and me, Ben and August also need rest for driving back to the city in the morning, grandpa convinced me that we both should sleep.

In the morning, grandpa was still asleep so he hadn't seen us get going. I just left him a note on his bedside table and gave him a goodbye hug.

We drove safely back to our homes and when Ben dropped me off at my dormitory, we thanked each other for one great and memorable day. I also gave him a friendly hug for everything he’s done for me. I honestly would have given more than that hug to express my gratitude but I’ll save that on a more special day that we three will have in the future.

Then that’s how one of my special days ended. A plain goodbye for more amazing and happier days with my two best friends. I hope this kind of moments will last longer than just a day.