The Hidden Past
1415 Words
A sunny afternoon at the seashore. Yana and Oliver sit on a checkered blanket, surrounded by Yana’s parents and friends, while Oliver’s best friend Sam lounges nearby with a cold drink. Carla, Yana’s mom invited Oliver and Sam together with their relatives and friends to have a picnic at the seashores, where, everyone excitedly agreed.
Yana smiling brightly. “This is perfect—good company, the ocean breeze, and everyone together. I can’t imagine a better day.”
“Yeah, I agree. The beach always has that way of making everything feel lighter, more carefree. Thanks for inviting me, Yana. and of course to your mom who thought the idea.” Oliver expressed.
“Oh, honey, you’re like family already. We’re so happy you could join us. And Oliver, it’s wonderful to see you both so happy.” Carla said.
“Looks like everyone’s having a good time. Oliver, try this fresh fruit salad my wife made. It’s got a hint of mint—perfect for the heat.” Ben, Carla’s dad suggested.
“Mmm, wow, that’s delicious! You’ve outdone yourself, Tita!” Oliver praised.
While Sam raising his drink. “Cheers to good friends and great days like this! Nothing beats a day at the sea with good vibes all around.”
“Yana leaning into Oliver, “I love how everyone’s just relaxing and having fun. It’s like a little paradise”.
“Absolutely. And I’m grateful to be here with all of you. It reminds me how important it is to take time for the simple joys.” Oliver agreed.
“Hey, want to go build a sandcastle? I challenge you, Oliver!” Yana’s litte cousin, Leo, the little brother of Stephanie called out.
Oliver laughs and accepted the challenge. “You’re on! Let’s see if your castle can top mine.”
While Yana playfully nudging him. “Just don’t forget, I’ll be the judge of the best one.”
“Okay, everyone! Who wants a turn at jumping the waves? Come on, kids!” Carla added.
Yana grabbing Oliver’s hand. “Race you! Last one in the water is a rotten egg!”
“Oliver laughing. “You're on! But beware—I’m faster than I look.”
They dash toward the shoreline, kicking up sand and laughing as the waves crash around them. The scene fades with the group enjoying the sun, surf, and each other’s company.
“Oh my! I’m so tired! That was so fun! Thank you Tita!” Richard said, Yana’s other cousin.
“ Yes Tita, you’re the best! Thank you for inviting me too. I love it. It’s rare to come here lately. “ Megan, Yana’s best friend said .
“ Yeah, you are so busy now and you almost forget to visit us here.” Carla sadly said.
“ oh, noh! It’s not like that tita, just this time we’re busy at work. I promise to come more often to see u all. I really have fun today.
“I love that you enjoyed it!, let’s have fun eveytime we reunited again.”
The boy nod to agree. Yes, tita, we will here again during vacation. I love your food here.
Carla just smiled at him and chatting then to her other friends and relatives.
“Yes beshy, i hope you will find your forever when we will comeback here.” Yana winked and laughing loudly.
Megan and Carla laugh too and giggles. “ I hope i will find him from the vast of the ocean down to the river and to the field.” She laughs even louder.
“Oh, i will look for it now, bye! Megan stands and jump again into the seawater happily. “
Yana just laugh and even Oliver laughs her jokes too. “She’s so jolly.” He said happily.
“Yeah. “ she agreed to him. That’s why she loved her bestie. Since their childhood until now they’re always have fun to each other after schools and even weekends. She’s like a sister to her.
“Oliv, do you remember this place? Yana asked.
“Huh?, why?” Oliver is sipping his shake while turning his head to his right side and puzzled looking at Yana.
“This place where I found you 6 months ago, remember?” She said.
“Oh really?, i’m sorry, i was unconscious that time. So, it’s here.” He said.
Everything flashes back. From their arguments with Sofia, he’s badly broken that time with his family too. Then, the engine malfunction and the accident. Everything was horrible! But, he is also thankful of that, he found Yana then. She is a beautiful reward of what he had sacrificed.
“It’s okay, i know. But now, you came here not because of the accident but for an invitation for having fun with us!” Yana said.
“Of course, i’m very much thankful that God gave me you after the tragedy.” He gave me a chance to be happy. He then lean to her lovingly.
The team decided to stay overnight at the nearby resort so that they extend their fun and will go home early in the morning because Yana’s cousins will travel back to the city.
IN THE EVENING
A cozy restobar by the beach, with soft lantern lights swaying in the evening breeze. Everyone has their dinner at seaside. Carla is so busy assisted her relatives and friends with the foods when she accidentally meet her long time friends inside eating together with their family too.
“ Hey! Yara! Is that you? Oh my! Lena too? What a small world.! They hugged each other. Here, sit down!” Her friend invited.
Yana’s mother, Carla’s old friend Yara, and another childhood buddy, Lina, sit around a table, drinks in hand, reminiscing as the waves crash nearby after the meet and greet.
Yara laughs. “Oh, Lina, do you remember that time we tried building a sandcastle so tall we almost needed a ladder to get to the top?”
Lina giggling. How could I forget? We spent hours stacking wet sand, and then I sneaked away with the bucket of shells, claiming I was giving the castle a jewel crown!
“And I was furious when I saw you sneaking off. So I loudly declared that our ‘royal palace’ needed a real treasure—so I hid my grandmother’s tiny silver spoon inside one of the turrets!” Yara said.
Yana’s mother, Carla smiling. You two were such mischievous kids. The beach was your playground of secrets and silly adventures.
“Speaking of secrets, Carla, do you remember how you used to hide your candy stash under your pillow before bedtime, and then blame the missing chocolates on the neighborhood cat?”Yara teased.
Lina laughs. “Oh yes! She’d swear the feline was sneaking into her room just for sweets. We always joked that her cat was the worst candy thief in town.”
Carla playfully. “Well, what can I say? I still believe Lina was secretly a professional candy burglar in her feline life!” But something jolts to her throat. She remembered the candy she had kept a long time ago.
“This brings back so many good times. It’s funny how those childhood secrets feel so silly now, but back then, they were world-changing discoveries!”
Lena observed Carla became quite after she mentioned a candy. She tap her shoulder and hugged her. Yara understands then hugged their friends too.
“Are you still not okay this time, right? I’m sorry for mentioning it, I forgot.” Lena comforted Carla.
“ Don’t you have any lead where is he now? It’s been 18 years.” Yara added.
“ Carla is teary eyed. We still have no idea. We are not completely happy until now.” Her tears flow freely. I relly missed him.
“Don’t worry, maybe he’s just around. God has a bigger plan for us. Just have faith and wait his plan.” They hugged again until Ben called for dinner. Carla bid goodbye and ask to let that be a secret to her daughter. She will tell her in the right time.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Yara asked her.
“Yeah, don’t worry, i can manage everything despite of that incident.” She assured.
“So, i leave you for a moment, my husband called.
They nodded. “Bye.” Take care.”
Her old friends breathe heavily.
- Writer
