Summer is my Favorite Season

Chapter 8

"It's beautiful here," I said while admiring the view. Jacob held my hand. "I want to marry you here."

He smiled at me. "Really?" he asked, and I nodded. "Well, guess what? My grandparents were married here."

I looked at him. "Really?"

He nodded. "Yeah. My grandpa proposed to her here. And my grandma wanted to marry him here, so they did." he said.

"I want it, too." sabi ko habang nakangiti.

He sighed. "This is my favorite place. My grandparents used to bring us here while we were having a summer vacation here." sabi niya habang nakatingin sa kawalan.

"Where are they now? Bakit hindi mo sila kasamang magbakasyon?" tanong ko.

"They're in heaven. We lost them last year," he answered. "I really admired their relationship. They were so perfect before. I witnessed it because I grew up with them." he added.

Umakbay siya sa 'kin. "I'm sorry about your grandparents," I said. "I wish they're here with us right now. I want to see them."

He smiled at me. "I'm sure they want to see you, too. Magugustuhan ka no'ng mga 'yon." saad niya. "You're as lovely as my grandma." I smiled at him.

"Alam mo bang sa beach din sila nagkakilala gaya natin?" saad niya. "Well, I guess the history repeat itself." sabi niya pa habang nakangiti sa 'kin.

May kaunting tao ang dumadayo habang nakatambay kami. Nasa van lang kami habang kumakain at umiinom ng beer.

Nagkukulitan at nag-aasaran lang kami habang hinihintay na mawala ang mga tao sa paligid. Halos hating-gabi na yata nang maubos ang tao rito.

"Anong balak niyo after ng summer vacation?" tanong ko sa kanila. "'Di ba, hindi naman magkakalayo 'yong pinapasukan natin?"

"Wala, 'no. Magkikita lang kami ni Ethan every week siguro." sabi ni Rana. "Kung p'wede lang lumipat ako sa university nila, lilipat ako."

Ethan laughed. "You don't have to do that. Ako na lang pupunta sa 'yo every weekend." he said.

"Ang plano namin ni Julian is kapag na-clear na namin 'yong meron kami, 'pag tumagal, kukuha na lang kami ng condo or apartment na parehas malapit sa 'min." Fiona said. "Okay naman sa parents ko na bumukod ako. I have a work, though."

"Gano'n din 'yong parents ko. Actually, pinapakuha na nga nila ako ng condo, e." saad naman ni Julian. "Kaya gano'n na lang 'yong plano namin."

Rana looked at me. "Kayo ba ni Jacob?" tanong niya.

"Ah. Napag-usapan namin na lagi kaming magkikita after class--"

"After class!? Isang oras kaya ang biyahe. Sabagay, mayaman naman 'yang si Jacob. Kaya niya yatang bumili ng sampung gasoline station." Rana said.

I looked at Jacob. May katawagan siya sa phone niya. He looks so serious. Hinayaan ko muna siyang matapos bago ako lumapit sa kanya.

"Hey. Who was that?" tanong ko sa kanya. "May problema ba?"

Agad siyang umiling. "Nothing," he said. "Wear my sweater, Cali. Malamig na," saad niya. Hinubad ko kasi 'yon kanina dahil naiinitan ako.

Nakapamulsang humarap si Jacob sa magandang view. "I'll marry you here someday," he said. "I have a question, Cali."

Lumingon ako sa kanya. "What is it?"

Matagal lang siyang nakatitig sa 'kin. "Nothing. I forgot," saad niya. "Tara na." hinila niya ang braso ko at lumapit na kina Rana.

Umupo ulit ako sa tabi ni Rana at uminom ng beer. Sino kaya 'yong katawagan ni Jacob? He looked so worried. Ayoko nang itanong pa kahit gusto kong malaman 'yon.

Hindi ko alam kung nakakailang bote na ako. Nakikinig lang kasi ako sa kanila. Na-enjoy ko yata masyado 'yong pag-inom ko.

"Nakarami ka na, Cali. Tama na 'yan," kinuha sa 'kin ni Jacob 'yong boteng hawak ko.

Inalalayan niya akong makapasok ng van. Medyo nahihilo na ako pero alam ko pa ang ginagawa ko.

"Jacob?" I called him.

"Hmm?" he answered and he kissed my forehead.

Humarap ako sa kanya at tumingin. "You won't leave me, right?" I asked.

He looked so nervous when our eyes met. "Of course I won't leave you, love." he smiled. "Now, rest. You're tipsy," he said.

"I don't want to rest. Just stay here with me," sabi ko at sumandal sa balikat niya. "If you left me someday, I swear to God I'll burn your freaking house... Oh, I don't have your address." I said, laughing.

"I won't leave you, Cali. Don't worry,"

"I'm just scared..." saad ko. "I'm scared. What if, one day, you're not by my side anymore? And you left me alone? I don't want to be alone again, Jacob. You made me feel special, and I can't lose you."

He hugged me. "Stop overthinking, love. I'll be by your side forever. 'Di ba kukuhanin pa kita sa inyo after ng graduation mo?" sabi niya.

I calmed down when he gave me those assurances. I really trust Jacob. I hope he'll keep his promises one day.

I fell asleep in his arms. I just felt him carrying me to our room. I didn't notice that we were home. I'm still sleepy, so I just continued to sleep.