Just a Summer Thing

Liciada

"Camille, wake up. We're here." I heard Kuya calling my name while poking my right shoulder.

Dahan-dahan akong nagmulat ng mga mata. Napadaing ako nang alisin ko ang sarili ko sa pagkakasandal sa bintana ng bus. It was an eight-hour travel and it sores my body.

I looked around inside the bus at kami na lang ang nasa loob maliban sa driver na nag-aayos ng bintana sa pinaka-dulo.

I took a deep sigh as I followed my brother going out of the bus with my black backpack.

Sinalubong ako ng preskong hangin that chills inside me but it was lasted for seconds when I felt the pain of the past.

Sinusundan ko lang si Kuya Vin habang bitbit niya ang malaking bagahe at isang maleta sa kabilang kamay. I offered him to carry the suitcase but he refused.

"Last trip na po 'to kaya magsisakay na po tayo!" sigaw ng lalaking barker habang tinatawag kami para sumakay na sa jeep.

"Faster, Cam. We need to reach there before six. Walang gaanong street lights do'n," Kuya reminded.

I didn't bother to speak habang nasa byahe. I felt his head leaned on my shoulder and I let him. Afterall, he is the only family that I consider.

We reached the street by six thirty in the afternoon dahil nasiraan kami ng gulong along the way.

"Wala pa ring pinagbago rito. The street lights are like Christmas lights. Patay-sindi," he started the conversation while we're walking on the rocky road.

Good thing that it didn't rain so our way is dry but rocks hurt my feet because they were too pointed.

"Isang taon lang naman ang lumipas, Kuya. Nothing will change for a year," sagot ko while holding my phone and using the flash to lights our way.

No houses at all pero may mga kubo sa malalayo. Wala ng gaanong dumadaang sasakyan. We can't get a vehicle because here in Liciada, 6 PM is late already.

Until we reach the end but there are two arches going to the right and to the left. We turned left leading to our old house where our parents are waiting.

Tanaw na namin ang bahay dahil sa mga ilaw sa loob. It was actually a big house but we only stay there for vacation.

"You're here finally!" Mommy raised her voice as she hugged us both. Hindi ako bumati o yumakap pabalik.

"I miss you both! Ngayon ko lang ulit kayo nakita't nahawakan," dagdag ni Mommy.

Kuya is smiling at her. "I miss you too, Mom," he replied. I took my eyes off of them and I accidentally met my father's gaze. He was standing beside the sofa.

He smiled but I took my sight away.

My mother held my left arm and she leads me to the dining area for dinner but before we could enter, inalis ko ang kamay niya sa braso ko.

"I'm tired. You didn't even fetch us there given that you have your new car. What a waste," I sarcastically stated without looking to them.

I heard Kuya Vin hissed but I faced my back to them and started to run upstairs.

It was not my decision to go back here nor Kuya. It was my parents' decision. If only I afford living without them, I will probably leave my old life.

Malakas kong sinara ang pinto ng kwarto ko at magdamag na dinamdam ang lungkot with my old stuff around me. Until tiredness swallowed me.

I woke up with the bright light coming from my window pane. I forgot to close the curtain last night.

I was about to get off from my bed when someone was knocking on my door.

"Camila, time for breakfast," malumanay na wika ni Kuya kaya agad ko siyang pinagbuksan.

"Where are they?" I asked him while walking down the stairs and my eyes were roaming around.

"They went to Mia's house," he almost whisphered.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko nang marinig muli ang pangalan niya.

"They care so much about her, huh? What do they think about us? Guards in this house? 'Di naman nila tayo kailangan so why do they have to bother their selves to invite us here?" Pagpapahayag ko ng damdamin ko habang naglalagay ng pagkain sa plato.

"Let's just follow them, besides wala ka namang pasok." Pilit na ngiti ang sumilay kay Kuya.

I behaved myself and we finished our breakfast silently.

I received a text message from my childhood friend, Arlene. She was inviting me in her house so I didn't waste the time to change.

We met under the old mango tree, sa gitna ng tuyong taniman ng gulay. Kahit mainit ang panahon ay presko ang hanging dumadampi sa aming mga balat.

Arlene is taller than me for about three inches. We only talk over the phone for a year since the last time I came here. She's beautiful with her dark skin. Her father is a black American and unfortunately, he left them.

"Tangkad mo na lalo ah!" masiglang puri ko sa kanya. "You are qualified to be a Miss Universe given that you are smart and talented," dagdag ko habang nagyayakapan kami.

"Bola! Mas maganda ka naman kaysa sa'kin," puri niya pabalik kaya natawa kami sa isa't isa.

"Nga pala, nasabi mo sa'kin na tumigil ka sa pag-aaral this year. What happened?" curious kong tanong habang hawak-kamay kaming naglalakad sa gitna ng palayan patungo sa bahay nilang maliit pero gawa sa semento.

"Inatake si Mama ng ulcer niya kaya kailangan kong magbanat ng buto para masuportahan ang gamot niya. Alam mo namang ako lang ang maaasahan," malungkot niyang paliwanag.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko dahil sa awa sa kanya. "But why you lied to me? You can borrow money from me," tanong ko sa kanya pero nginitian niya lang ako ng pilit.

"Okay na si Mama kaya 'wag ka na ring mag-alala sa'kin," masiglang wika niya bago pisilin ng mahigpit ang kamay ko.

Seeing her dealing with her life, she's strong enough for her battle.

"Bakit nga pala kayo napauwi rito? Dahil ba kay Ate Mia?" She stopped when she realized what she said pero ngumiti lang ako nang hindi lumilingon sa kanya.

"You were there last year and you know how I curse her. She left a scar to my brother," sagot ko nang may galit sa mga mata ko habang inaalala ang sariwang pangyayaring 'yon.

"You also know why I don't want to come back here anymore. Not just because of Mia but also because of him," I added.

My hands became sweaty but she still holding it. She used to it because we are like sisters.

"Pero sila rin ang dahilan kung bakit ka bumalik dito," seryosong dugtong niya sa sinasabi ko.

We stopped the moment we reached their home and I met her eyes. "What do you mean?" I narrowed my eyes, trying to read her mind.