Sunshine

XLIX

THE time of the year has finally come. The time of the year where the sun is especially bright and blinding as if he’s always been ready to show off. The king sun might be the happiest at this time of the year. But since he’s the sun the only way he could show his happiness is by shining really bright. Which, for obvious reasons heating the world too much. But then this increasing temperature has made everyone to especially enjoy the cold things this world could offer like beaches and pools and ice cream. The scorching sun might be hated by everyone, but summer vacation could easily become anyone’s favorite.

Summer could be a favorite for various reasons. First is the valid excuse to go to beach or pools or springs every single day. Summer just gives you the permission to ditch everything just for the water. Bikinis could also become a good reason to love summer. Summers are especially loved to show off that well sculpted body that you’ve worked hard the entire year by either eating less or working out more. It’s also the flowery and flowy dresses and skirts and shirts that gives extra colors to summer. Like flowers worn by people who enjoyed the taste of the sun on their skin. The beauty of summer could also mean the unlimited ice cream and the fresh buko juice. But what was look forward so much during summer, the beauty of them all is the hope for a fluffy romance. Romance that blooms on a sunny day that could be as warm.

There is that thing they call summer love. That warm fluttery feeling of a teenager-like heart beating crazily for someone they first met under the scorching summer, shining brighter than the sun even with the sweaty face. That glimmering face you fell for, smiling back at you feeling the same heat. Not from the sun this time but due to each other’s blushing face. And this is why you don’t mind the burning heat of the summer. Because a different fire has been lighting on your heart that also ignites your soul.

Sure, love has always been the highlight of the world.

It is in the first summer of high school that Carlos Ignacio, still in his tender age of 15 understood what they meant when they say summer is the best time to fall in love. It is in the hotness of the summer that makes you crave for that sweet love, though there’s a chance that it could only melt in the summer. But summers are always for colors and a little sweetness. And first love must be the sweetest and the most colorful of them all.

He first felt his fluttering heart under the heat waves of summer. His pounding heart scared him at first. And Carlos was also damn confused why it only happens when he is in front of this certain young lady. This young lady who refused the bright colors of summer and chose black, thus making her shine differently under the hot rays. He can’t help but be drawn to her. And that’s when Carlos knew. That he fell for the first time.

Still a stranger to each other, their first hi and hello sprouted at the beach and ice cream. Both were the witness to their awkward stares and smiles. Their eyes met. They immediately knew this summer will be special to both of them.

“I’m Carlos. You?”

“Stephanie.”

THE night is getting colder. The leaves trembled with its gentle breeze as the cicadas welcomed the early evening noisily. It was a sound annoying but pleasant in some ways. The cicadas are loud, but it could be kind of pleasant since it is still the sound of nature. And besides it complemented the sound of the rustling waves well. The young night away from the city always sounds like this. Different from the city where what you only see are flickering headlights and car honks as the staple sound. Here it is always the loud cicadas. And the almost deafening silent of the night if not for them.

Juan welcomed himself on the old and dark apartment again. The door creaked as he pushed it slightly, revealing him the small four cornered pad that has now become familiar to him. Astra Apartments has been around for a decade or so. This apartment unit must have been a home to someone at some point. But it will never be a home now. It lost it.

The damp corners caused by the rain last time resulted to mosquitoes. Juan remembered to bring mosquito coils this time. He fished the coils from his jacket pockets as he step inside. He set it up on the far corner on the left side of the door carefully lighting it up. The green coiled stick started to burn, producing a smell very unfriendly to the nose. But he’ll get used to it later on. The coil also served as a flickering light to the dark room. Juan closed the door and sat a few meters away from the burning coil, leaning his back on the cold walls and stretched his legs. He closed his eyes.

The apartment was never comfortable. The way he’s sitting now is in no way comfortable. His 2-story flat with cozy sofa and cushions left behind by his adopted parents is of course way more comfortable. It is a home. And that is why he never understood himself and why he always ended up driving to here after his day at the police station. Whether his day ends at 6PM, 10PM, at midnight. Or even if its 3AM already or daytime already. It confused and frustrates him. It’s the way that he could never stop himself from turning the steering the wheel to the direction of Astra Apartments that is way opposite from his home that makes him pull his own hair and scream in aggravation.He’s losing his mind. He don’t know what’s the force behind why he preferred this dark and moldy apartment.

But it must be the feeling of longing and missing. Feelings he didn’t know were there. Olivia was a friend to her. A sister even. The day he tied her hair after reading Rapunzel on class was the day he decided to be a brother to her. Though he didn’t know if he actually needed a family, and if Olivia also needed one. But they for sure needed someone. And having each other was not a bad idea anyway. But how long could that stand true?

With how things changed with them, with how their changed fates that brought them apart changed them, can someone still say having each other is still a good idea for them? After all, after everything, will it still be best for them to have each other?

They can’t even say they miss each other. To who’s to say?

Juan opened his eyes. He took a deep breath and glanced at his watch. He stood up. It’s time.

Juan silently hoped Olivia will be with him by the next time he comes back .

JUAN made his second step at the Queen Spear’s mansion few days after his first. He couldn’t pay attention to anything the last time, so he tried to take some mental note today, turning on his detective skills. The mansion’s interior is in a shade of gray to black, from the marbled floors to furnitures to walls and to the high ceiling. Windows are a scarcity, as noted on his first visit. Juan made a reminder to himself to ask Marie about obsession on black and hate of windows for the psychologist’s opinion.

Juan was guided to the to kitchen area by a man in full suit he believed in his age or few years younger. Juan couldn’t make out his face as he only stared on the floor since he told him to follow him and until now that he is in his front guiding the way. It’s as if they had a protocol to keep your head low and to never look at people and even on the ceiling. Juan felt bad on the bent slender neck in front of him.

After few more steps and a trip to a staircase up they reached a large double wooden doors. His guide knocked on the door thrice then left him alone. Juan opened the door himself, pushing the large twin doors hard. He got welcomed by a long table full with foods, both his favorite and some just so-so. At the end of it is Stephanie, now busy with cutting her own steak.

“I asked what would you like to eat. But you didn’t answered so I just prepared whatever.”

“For reference, it’s chicken wings.”

Juan said, pulling a chair where the chicken wings is. He also whipped up his own sauce using soy sauce, vinegar and chili powder.

“And why is that?”

“I like things that fly?” Juan replied, tasting the sauce he’s making. He added some chili powder. “I’ll just trust there’s nothing in here that will make me fly to heaven very soon. Thanks for the food!”

Juan started ripping the wings. Stephanie watched him as she munch on her own steak.

“For someone afraid of being poisoned you’re eating too well.”

Juan looked at her, chicken hanging on his mouth. “It won’t be bad to die in front of chicken wings. I’ll still think it was a good life.”

They grew silent, focusing on their own food and side glancing each other. Sure Juan is not here to eat. But eating is for sure one of the agendas.

“So what do you have prepared?”

“I really thought you’ll let me finish this bowl first.”

“You are almost through them, Valencia.”

Juan did a silent burp, then wiped his mouth and hands using the table napkin prepared. He then took out the brown envelope he came with and let it slide across the table.

“Name Stephanie, just Stephanie. Age 28, citizenship Filipino, a philanthropist who travels the world to extend her kind heart to the most needing.”

Juan went back to the chicken then added.

“A travelling good samaritan. What do you say?”

“I like the narrative.” Stephanie said, checking her “identity” documents from the envelope. She hummed and smiled while on it, satisfied by the perfection of it from an NSO birth certificate, baptismal certificate and college diploma down to bank and credit card statement and call history. All necessary IDs and such were also present.

“So really. Who are you?”

Juan asked in front of his chicken. But of course the question not for the crispy wings dipped in the spicy sauce to answer. Stephanie just chuckled on the question.

“I am the Queen’s Spear, Valencia.”