The Last Letter

31

Chapter XXXI

After chit chatting and talking about Suzanne's life in the city, her work and studies for like 2 hours, it was now past 4pm. The sun is still up outside but the weather has gone cloudy and windy.

Suzanne’s brother and his wife are preparing for a small and simple feast to celebrate Suzanne’s late birthday. It was also a part of their plan when Suzanne visits sometimes and today was that day. They were really nice and accommodating people, and they reminded me so much of my relatives living far from us when we visited their homes. They also smile a lot like Suzanne’s grandpa, who is now taking a nap in the living room.

They did not want us to help with the kitchen work so instead, they told Suzanne to walk and show us around the orchard.

“It’s so nice here.” Ben said while taking a really big breath from nature. We were walking down the path to more and taller mango trees.

“I know. It’s the best place for grandpa’s health. The air and water is clean. He eats only organic foods so he will live a longer life.” She replied.

“It’s also the best place to go to, after a stressful week. I wish I could live here. Can your brother’s family adopt me?” I asked jokingly.

Suzanne chuckled. “No, your mom won’t ever give you up. But I feel you, I was also asked to live here but I declined. I just didn’t want to be a burden to my brother and his wife.”

“Wait Suzanne. Can I ask you something? Is he really your father or your grandpa? You call him your grandpa but you call his son your brother. It was bothering me for a while.” I asked finally. It just didn’t make sense to me, unless her parents agreed to just call them grandma and grandpa.

“It is a long story, I’ll tell both of you soon. But they were my mom and dad, just not biologically, and since they were old when they took me under their wings, they just told me to call them grandma and grandpa.” She smiled. “I am only adopted.”

Ben and I glanced at each other then looked at Suzanne who seemed unaffected with her sudden revelation. But we know deep inside, she may feel different and uncomfortable.

“I trust you both so I told you that. And the rest, I’ll tell you soon. It was a really really long story.” She added when she noticed that we both stopped on our tracks and just stared at her.

“Whenever you’re ready.” I told her with a smile so she smiled back at both of us. So that was the answer to Ben and I’s question. Although it was an answer I didn’t expect, I appreciate Suzanne for telling us such a personal secret. The timing of the wind couldn’t be more perfect at that time. The wind blows really cool and refreshing, hitting our faces.

“I know a good picnic place not far from here. How about having a picnic before we go home? There were also many fireflies here at night!” Suzanne told us excitedly as if a lightbulb shone on her mind.

“Sure Suzanne, it’s your late special day so whatever you want, we’ll do it. And we could go home late, it’s the start of the semester break tomorrow anyways.” Ben replied and smiled.

“Yay! Thank you so much!” She jumped up and down like the little kid earlier.

On our way back to her brother’s house, we picked some ripe and unripe mangoes, a medium-sized basket for each of us. It was fine since Suzanne asked for permission and her brother was cool about it and even told us to bring more back home to share for our families. He said it was the very least thing he could do for his little sister. He won't ever complain about just a couple of mangoes we’ll pick.

Suzanne also told Ben and I that his brother here is the kindest and nicest among everyone. Although all of them were nice, she barely sees them since they live far from here or overseas. Her brother volunteered to fund her expenses and allowances in school but she insisted on working for her own financial needs. She doesn’t want to take advantage of her foster family so she didn’t bother them much. Suzanne is really amazing and awe-inspiring.

We got back to the house at around 5pm. We couldn’t take it anymore to just stand or walk around while everyone is busy, so Ben, Suzanne and I were the ones to set up the table.

We sat and ate at around 6pm and finished by 7pm since we ate really well while having a light and fun conversation. We also told them some of our family background, just for them to put their trust in us that we won’t do any harm to Suzanne.

Suzanne’s brother offered us beer but we declined since we’ll still drive back to our town tonight. They also offered us to sleep at their house since there was an empty bedroom upstairs that we could use. That became our last resort if we don’t get to go home by tonight. I think mom and dad will understand but I don't know about Ben’s parents since he wasn’t home for the last two days.

Everyone was having fun talking to each other, exchanging funny and inspirational personal stories. Suzanne couldn’t take off her smile for the rest of the time we were sitting in front of the dining table. I could tell that she missed these kinds of moments since she was alone most of the time.

She also took a lot of pictures, almost everything that happened today is documented on Suzanne’s camera. Knowing Suzanne for quite a while now, she values and cherishes moments like this so she takes a lot of photographs. When I asked her why, she answered: “So that I have something to look back on in the future. I don’t want to ever forget these memories captured here in my camera.”

“If grandma was there with us earlier, it would've been a lot more fun.” She said as the three of us walked to the good picnic place she mentioned earlier. She was looking at the pictures she took earlier in our dinner time.

“Do you miss her so much?” I asked.

She looked up to the sky full of stars. “Of course. Every single day. Even just looking up to the stars at night reminds me of her.”

“She’s always with you.” Ben said.

“I know. And I would sometimes think that she led me to both of you. That’s why I have become so much happier these past few months.” She replied.

The three of us smiled at that thought. Maybe she’s right.

I heard the sounds of flowing water not far from where we were walking. And soon enough, we saw a lake overlooking the moon.

“This is it! Not many people know about this place so we are lucky we have it solo tonight!” Suzanne exclaimed.

We laid the big blanket on the grass and assembled the snacks we bought earlier during our road trip. We sat there in silence for a bit, with Suzanne in the middle, Ben on the left side and me on the right side. All you could hear is the sound insects made, some birds chirping and the small waves from the lake. We just stared at the moon and the sky’s wavy reflection on the lake.

Suzanne was right, this place is so beautiful and peaceful. We all need to see places like this in our lives, even at least once. As a lover of nature myself, I approve of this place. I bet the scenery here is even prettier during the day.

We just engaged in little talks since we were talking the whole day and we’re quite running out of topics. So most of the time, we eat or just lay down on the blanket in silence and look up at the stars in the sky.

We didn’t need to talk to know what each other were feeling. All I know is that we three enjoyed that evening so much.

Just as we thought, we decided to spend the night at her brother’s house as per Suzanne’s brother’s advice since there were no postlights on the way here. We might be in an accident if we insist on going.

I called home and mom agreed that we shouldn’t take the road this late at night. She said she’ll kill me if we do. And she told us to take care, don’t cause trouble to the family and also talked to Suzanne’s grandpa to thank them for taking good care of us today.

Suzanne cleaned and organized the room where Ben and I will sleep and her brother let us borrow his comfortable clothes. Just as after taking a quick shower and changing into Suzanne’s brother’s cozy clothes, I laid on the floor bed she prepared for us. I immediately felt my body feeling tired as I look back on everything that happened today, from the moment I wake up to now that I’m about to sleep.

I felt my eyes barely hanging on so I closed it not paying attention to anything. At that time, I think I completely fell asleep without even saying goodnight to anyone.

To be continued…