Serendipity
965 Words
Five years ago…
Leslie yelled, "Finally!"
Venus added, "I still can't believe we made it."
I cried, "Well, believe it or not, we survived!"
Leslie yelled, "GROUP HUG!" once more. Yes, that's true. She's crazy right now.
What's up? Summer Vacation! Wohoooo. And we made it through the dreaded college life! Then next year is our final year in college, one step closer and we'll finally be working gals.
Our classmates spent a lot of time discussing which beach resorts we should visit this summer. But I've already planned my summer vacation. It is a vacation in Cagayan De Oro, our province. That is not what I desire. It was all planned by my parents. I don't have a choice but to go.
It's not possible for me to go on an outing with them, no matter how much I want to.
"Perhaps you could ask your parents," Venus proposed.
Leslie suggested, "Or we'll talk to them."
"You know that when they make a plan, nothing can change it." I told them, sadly.
They hugged me and expressed their hope that Mom and Dad would reconsider. And if not, I'll be with them next time.
We are now traveling to CDO just a few weeks after I told my friends about it.
Some of my batchmates are sad that I can't be with them, while others don't mind it.
Due to the distance of the drive, I decided to sleep in the back seat of the car, while Mom and Dad talked about their business in CDO.
I awoke to the soft pat on my face from Dad.
I rubbed my eyes to make sure I could see everything clearly. This isn't a new place for me because I've been here every summer.
I was born in CDO, according to my parents. On my father's side, this is also where my Grandma and Grandpa reside. Mom's parents are in Manila.
When I got out of the car, I went right to Grandma's backyard because I knew she was there.
When I saw her, she was sitting on the rocking chair, reading a newspaper.
Grandma enjoys hanging out here because, in addition to the beautiful scenery, the breeze is also cool. The sun's rays do not harm the skin.
I dashed toward her. When she saw me running, she glared at me. Uh-oh.
"Charity! How many times do I have to tell you to act your age? You are not a child anymore, you're eighteen!" she preached. Grandma is a staunch conservative.
Before I said anything, I waved at her.
"I miss you, Grandma," I said as I hugged her. She returned my hug.
"Oh Charity, not because you're my favorite grandchild, you can easily sway me. Huh! Didn't I tell you to act like a lady? You can get here without running." Grandma says. Grandma tends to say long and deep litanies.
"Grandma, I'm your only grandchild." I laughed, and she glared at me. Woops.
"How many times-" I knew what Grandma was going to say, so I kept going.
"-do I have to tell you that you shouldn't laugh like that? I can already see your throat from here, lady!" I continued.
"Are you trying to mimic me?" she petulantly said.
"No, Grandma. I was just continuing it for you. It's not bad to admit that you missed me, you know." I pout.
"You, truly, are my granddaughter; come here, I missed you." she said, pleased. I'm home.
Grandma and I also talked in her garden for a few hours. It didn't break until Dad summoned us for lunch.
I can't deny that I'm happier and more at ease with my Grandma than with my parents. Despite the fact that they are the ones I've been with for a long time, I couldn't feel their presence. That is, so connected yet so far apart.
Under the mango tree is one of my favorite spots in the province. The shade and the peacefulness it brings. This is all I'll be doing this summer.
You're probably thinking that my summer is dull. Perhaps it's because I don't have anyone close to me, but the peace of the place soothes my mind.
I don't have any friends here because we don't get along well. It's like the ladies here are all Maria Clara. Oh well, maybe Grandma is to blame.
I'm going to stay under this tree. I lay down a blanket. I also listened to music, wearing earphones.
As I lay there, I noticed that the mango had a lot of fruit. It is neither ripe nor raw. I feel as if I've had a taste of it. When dipped in fresh bagoong, it's scrumptious. However, I am unaccustomed to climbing trees. That— Never mind.
I began climbing the tree; it was a little difficult, but I did the deed.
Mangoes are within my reach. Delish. I threw down the mangoes so I could get more.
When I was satisfied with what I had gotten. I decided to go down. However...
"I can't" I said quietly to myself.
"How can I go down?"
"I'm a moron; I should've asked Grandma's men."
"You're a dimwit, Charity."
"Why else was I born?"
I'm still talking to myself. I would not have done it if only I had known that going down a tree is that difficult.
"That's what you get, you gluttonous lady!" I'm going to cry right now. No one is passing by.
As I sat on a relatively large branch, all I could do was sit there. I'm a hopeless case.
Grandma, I hope you realize what was taking me so long to return home.
"Oh, wow! There are a lot of fallen mangoes!"
I turned around and almost fell when I heard a voice.
- Writer
