A Childhood Relationship Chapter I: THE BEGINNING AND DISTANCE

Chapter 11

CHAPTER XI: THE FIRST SUMMER

The summer vacation is fast approaching and so there are a lot of preparations here and there. Then, the final day of the first school term arrived. Teachers are already handing out long summer homework for us students to hamper our enjoyment. As for me, I thought it would be nice if I can go to my parent's place. However, they beat me to it and told me that I cannot go to their place since it is too far and that they'll be really busy anyways. There's nothing much I can do as they're doing a lot of things for the northern branch of the company they're working for, although as for compensation my mother told me that she'll give me twice the allowance for the entire summer vacation. With that, I thought about how that is good and well since I can at least do some little shopping in anticipation for any dates in the future. However, I don't think I can trust another guy anymore after how two of my boyfriends dumped me for petty reasons. I guess it really is hard falling in love. All I can do is feel the envy of seeing my friends and their boyfriends talking about how they'll spend their summer vacation together. Some are even sad because one of them will go to another place and so they cannot be together. At the very least, I don't need to think about these things and focus on my summer homework as early as possible.

I went home later than expected since I am too engrossed with asking my teachers regarding the homework. They thought me some tips and all that which I greatly appreciated. Then, for the last time, I saw my first ex-boyfriend's classmates and they still have a look of disgust on their faces. Not like it matters to me since everything they think about me aren't true. They don't even have a valid evidence aside from the hear-say from my very ex-boyfriend. Perhaps, it isn't even an overstatement that most students at our school know about the rumors regarding me. I walked with my eyes looking straight ahead of me in order to show them I'm not affected in the least. I took my bag from my classroom and said my goodbye to some of my friends who are still inside. Amidst all my problems in school, my classmates are the ones who supported me and didn't believe any of the rumors about me. Thus, I can say that it is really good to have real friends who would still hang out with you even when the going gets tough. Finally, I left the school and walked towards the shopping district. It was a tough walk since it was in the middle of a hot sweltering summer. Good thing I brought with me my umbrella so I was at least able to fend off the heat. The moment I reached the shopping district, I bought two gallons of ice cream in order to cool myself for the duration of the summer break. Eventually, I went back to his house while eating a pint of expensive ice cream I bought in order to cool myself for a bit. However, the heat was so intense that the ice cream is melting at a faster than normal rate so I walked faster.

I reached his house and unlocked the door and placed the ice creams inside the freezer. I looked around for him but it seemed like he still wasn't back. It was really hot even inside the house so I turned on the air conditioning unit at the living room and set it to the lowest temperature. To complement the cooling of the room, I scooped some ice cream to fill a medium-sized cup. Eventually, instead of watching the television, I went to the veranda to look at the garden as well as the dry pool. I forgot that the glass windows are open which strained the air conditioning unit so I stood up and closed it. Slowly, I took my time with what I was eating until I saw someone emerged from the bottom of the swimming pool. All I saw was the back of the person and he was shirtless and thought about how an intruder entered. Although, when I looked closer, it was the same as his hair so I thought that it was him. On his hand was a huge brush and he replaced it on the small pool warehouse. Then, he took a high-powered hose and washed the swimming pool some more. For some reason, I didn't notice it from the times I was harassed by him, but he has a well-toned body. In fact it is much different from the guys at my school. I guess the gym at his house is really his own as well as the basement hall. Then there is his soccer training and all that so it is only natural. It took him a while but he finally finished cleaning the pool and began to turn on the water to fill it up. He then went towards the veranda and saw me staring at him. He apologized before walking beside me to get something. As he was walking, I asked him why he apologized and he told me that it was because it was only now that he finished cleaning the pool. So, I asked him why he didn't ask me to help with the cleaning since it was my idea in the first place. He then told me that it's going to be hard for me since it was really dirty and hard to clean. With that, he went to get the chlorine he ordered went back to the pool. While he is preparing the swimming pool, I wondered about why he is doing all the troublesome work for me. Although it is already a given since he likes me and wants to do everything I he can for me. Now that I think about it, this would be the first request I made of him, the last time was before we entered middle school. I guess he did not change with the way he is still obedient.

The moment he finished pouring the necessary amount of chlorine on the pool, he stood up to check if it's starting to settle. Since his body is full of sweat, I took some ice cream from the freezer and placed it on the floor of the veranda. I sat over there and opened the glass window of the veranda. There, I called and told him to eat the ice cream I brought for him to escape the heat. He obliged and proceeded towards where I placed it. Before he walked, I caught a glimpse of the sweet smile on his face. It appears he felt happy when I told him about the ice cream. Then, as he went to the veranda, he asked me if he can sit beside me. I told him that is okay, well he is cautious since I might get mad at him again. At least, he really is growing and it is quite good to say the least. I was about o stand up and place the bowl I used to the sink when he talked to me. He told me that it is the first time that I brought something for him and that he really appreciates it. Since, even though he did several things to me, I still gave him something. Right after what he said, I went to the sink and then to the living room to watch television. It's still early so he hadn't prepared food yet and it's hot in my bedroom. I switched the channel to the popular national television and was surprised to see that my neighborhood is featured on tomorrow's program. With what I just saw, I decided to watch it the following day. He also stopped filling the pool with water since the sun already set, but it is already half full.

The following morning, I woke up since the time stated the broadcast would be at exactly 7:00AM. I called my parents to talk about it and they told me that they're currently on day off so they will watch it. I hung up the phone and proceeded to watch the television. It is already twenty minutes since it started so I already missed some parts. I thought that it was captured several months ago, but I couldn't believe that it is live and the host is walking around and talking about the town and its impressive contrast of old and new. The store managers at the shopping district are waving and I couldn't help but laugh since I know them and we are close. Soon, the host is already at the northern district and talking about the large houses at the area. Eventually, he arrived in front of my house and rang the doorbell. I was shocked because she's actually going to do some door to door. However, my house had its power cut so they had no luck. I almost laughed since it is our house and I thought about the looks on my parent's face that they regretted not being there. Then, I forgot that she's going to proceed to his house so I didn't know what to do if she ever rings the doorbell. It's still early so I thought he'll wake up from the sound of the doorbell so I proceeded next to the gate of the house to wait if ever the host comes. Eventually, my thought is right and the host together with her camera crew is already walking and the camera is focused on his house.

She proceeded in front of the house and asked me if she can cover my house. I didn't know what to do since it is on live television so I told her that it is okay. There, I opened the gate and welcomed her to the house. She talked about how it is the biggest house she saw at the northern district of the town and that I may be a daughter of a rich family. I immediately denied it and told her that it isn't my house. She laughed and told me that there is no need to be humble. With that, I gave her a tour of the house and sure enough she commented on every area of the house and how it really is luxurious. I remembered the newly cleaned swimming pool so I guided her there and she was surprised about how there is one at the humongous house. However, I made a mistake with my decision and he is there wearing only his swimming trunks and checking the pool which is already full. I became flustered as the host might see him and misunderstand our situation. She went outside and immediately ran towards him which obviously shocked him. I saw him blush as he is in front of a camera even though he isn't aware that it is actually live. There, the host asked if he is my husband. There, he denied it and told her that we are still both in our first year of high school. She laughed with her mistake and then talked about how his well-developed and toned body made it look that he is already mature. He laughed and talked about how it is just a mistake. I walked near him to warn him that it is on live television when I suddenly lost my balance and fell on the pool. With that, he hurried and proceeded towards the pool and helped bring me out of the pool. There, the host laughed and talked about how he was like a knight who saved his princess. I felt embarrassed yet I didn't know what to do since she told us that we looked like a sweet couple. I thought I need to explain myself but I couldn't talk until he spoke about the truth. He told the host that it is his house and I'm just staying at his place since our parents our away on work. For some reason, it turned into an interview which took a while until she told her goodbye and thanked us for our warm welcome.

I breathe a sigh of relief as soon as she left. Then, he asked me if I am cold and that I should change my clothes for me to not catch a cold. I was about to tell him that it is summer so it doesn't matter, but I couldn't just tell him that. After all, not only did he save me when I fell on the swimming pool, he also helped me when I couldn't speak in front of the camera out of embarrassment. Suddenly, he laughed and told me how it was unexpected that we are interviewed just like that and that he needs to watch it the moment it gets broadcasted. There, I told him that it is actually live and that our neighbors may have watched it already. He fell silent as he was confused until the phone rang and I answered out. Obviously, it is my mother and she was laughing as I thought. She talked about how the two of us looked good in the television and that it was so good that we could pass as an actor and actress. I complained and told her that it wasn't funny until she went serious. She told me that she felt relieved to see that the two of us are close just like when we are still young. There, I wondered since I didn't know that we looked like that. I'm sure I don't like him, but why is it that it looked like we are close to my mother. Eventually, our conversation ended yet I continued to ponder. Seeming that I'd just waste time thinking about it, I thought about how I should just swim since it is summer anyway.

I changed my clothes and put on my swimwear. As soon as I proceeded towards the pool, I forgot that he is there and so it isn't okay for me to appear in front of him. I was about to leave when he saw me and told me how he'll leave for a while for me to swim on my own. I appreciated his gesture so I went to the swimming pool as he went to the other side of the house. I took my time at the swimming pool since it really felt nice and cool. I never knew that I could swim like this without having to leave. I then pondered again about how he cleaned and prepared the pool for me. However, I suddenly felt my foot cramp and it really hurt. I tried to use my other foot but it felt really painful. Then, the memory from earlier flashed before me and I realized how I may have sprained my other foot when I fell on the pool earlier. With that, I couldn't move and the worst part is I'm currently at the deepest part of the huge pool. I desperately tried to move and scream for help but no one appeared. Soon, I couldn't take the pain anymore until I drowned on the pool. There, I thought about how my life will end just like that without even finding someone who will truly love me. Soon, I blacked out and I knew that my life ended at that moment.

Then, for a moment, I regained consciousness and I saw that he is constantly kissing me albeit in a different way. He is also pushing my chest with as much pressure as he could. Then, water gushed from my mouth and I cough really badly. There, I saw him look in front of me with a worried look on his face and he hugged me. It took me a while before I realized that he was performing CPR on me since I drowned on the pool. I felt unconscious again and the next thing I remembered is that I heard the sound of the ambulance. I was in a blank space and I don't know where I am until I woke up from some shouting. I looked around and I saw how I'm in an unfamiliar looking white room with a curtain on the left side and a window on the right. Then, I heard the shouting again and next is his voice. I heard him talk about what exactly happened. He talked about how he is talking to the host who came back and brought cakes for us. Then, he proceeded to go to the pool to see that I'm already unconscious. He hurried towards me and saw that I'm no longer breathing. Then, he desperately performed CPR on me until I woke up. For some reason, it felt like I saw what he did just from what he said, like everything is already projected in my mind. Then, what brought me back to reality was when I heard a loud punch and then a thud on the floor. There, I heard the voice of his dad and shouted at him for endangering my life by filling the pool out of his own selfish desire. Then, he shouted again and I heard more punching sounds. He told him how he is even responsible for the fire which happened and that he even asked me to cover for him. His mother on the other hand is asking her husband to stop what he is doing as it is more than enough. I heard him apologize several times and I could tell that he is crying. He talked about how he really is worried about me and that whatever he did like how he asked me to lie regarding the fire and his desire to fill the swimming pool have no excuses and he is prepared for any punishment. When he told all those, I felt an intense pain in my heart and I had a hard time breathing since he is obviously lying for my sake even though he is already suffering from it. I really felt sorry for him since he's taking all the blame.

However, what came out from his father's mouth was something I didn't expect would actually happen. He shouted and asked him how much more he'll shame the family. Soon, he talked about how starting from that moment on, he is no longer their child and that they'll disown him once and for all. I know what is happening before me and that it is related to his future which will forever be broken if I wouldn't step up to avoid it. With that, I forced myself to stand up and hold the dextrose and walked towards them. In my sight was him on the floor with tears in his eyes and lacerations from the punches. I felt really sorry for him since he is suffering not just physically, but emotionally as well since his parents couldn't forget his mistake from when he was still in middle school. With that, I felt really light and proceeded to embrace him with the sad expression on his face. There, I told his parents the truth about what really happened. I personally told them who caused the fire and that it was me. Also, I told them how I'm the one who asked him to fill the pool and that it was merely an accident which caused me to drown. I even told them how he saved me when I fell on the pool earlier.

His father remained speechless and it was there that I told them to give him another chance since he doesn't deserve to be disowned. I told them how much he took care of me with his all by cooking and doing the laundry for me. I even told them how I know I'm already overstepping my boundaries but they should learn to forget about the past and focus on the present him who changed himself for the better. There, I saw that more tears fell from his eyes so I rubbed his back to ease the pain in his heart. With that, his father told me how he'll retract what he said earlier and that he'll do it for me and not for him. I thanked them for their decision and told them how I'll make sure that he continues to be a good person for the remaining three years that we'll be together. Eventually, they told me how they'll take care of all the paperwork, go back to the office and return back to north. His mother then told me to take care and to get well as soon as possible. She even told me how she'll talk to my parents since they are surely worried about what happened to me.

As soon as they left, I backed off from him and stood up as I only embraced him unconsciously. There, he thanked me for what I said to his parents. He asked me about how he could ever repay me for it. So, I told him that he need not do anything as now we're equal since he saved my life when I drowned. I told him how if he stopped performing CPR even for a bit or didn't perform one in the first place, I wouldn't be alive in front of him now. Soon, the nurse arrived and she told me to stay on the bed. At that moment, I asked her to dress his wounds after taking care of me and she happily obliged. Now that I realized it, he's still wearing his swimming trunks and his body is quite cold so I thought that he didn't spur any moment when the ambulance arrived. Eventually, the two of them left as per my request from her. While looking at the window, I wondered about my actions from earlier and how everything seemed unreal. I thought about how my not intervening would help me to avoid his constant s****l harassment, but I already know the reason why and that I cannot bear not seeing him around me. It's like my self from when we are still young is telling me not to let go of him no matter what, after all he's back now after three long years and it's my duty to protect him.

These four months may be short, but I experienced a lot of things within that time frame. I fell in love twice and had my heart broken twice. I even gained a notorious reputation at our school and several more. Then there are his constant forcing himself on me without regard for my feelings. However, in these four months, I saw how much he changed even if it's not something to actually brag about. I'm not sure if he started to change when I started living with him, but I don't want to get my hopes up, especially when I know that his real reason for liking me is my body. Soon, I was discharged from the hospital after only a day of staying to wait for the results of the medical examinations which all returned normal results.