Summer is my Favorite Season

Chapter 11

"Come on, Cali. We need to go," Fiona said.

I smiled at her. "Yeah, I know. Just give me a minute." I said. Tumango naman siya at umalis.

I'm watching the sunset alone. I'm just picturing that he's with me right now. Tahimik akong tulala sa kawalan. I didn't sleep because I thought he'd be home last night.

Hinayaan kong tumulo ang luha ko habang nakatitig sa araw. Hinayaan kong hanginin ang buhok ko habang nakahawak ang dalawang kamay ko sa magkabilang braso.

Nang malapit nang dumilim, naisipan kong umalis na. "I'll wait for you, my love. I'll wait for you forever." I said before I walked away.

Sumakay na ako sa van at hinayaan muna silang magpaalam sa isa't-isa. I'm watching them smile at each other. I'm happy that my friends are with the right person, I know that.

Lumapit sa van sina Ethan at Julian. Binuksan niya 'yon at pinasakay na sina Rana at Fiona.

"Everything's going to be alright, Cali. We'll update you kapag may alam na kami kung nasaan siya." sabi ni Ethan.

Julian smiled at me. "Hey, we all know how much he loves you. I know there's a reason why he left." he said.

Ngumiti ako sa kanila. "Thank you. I'll be fine... I'll wait for him." sabi ko.

Sinara na nila ang van at kumaway sa 'min. Natulog lang ako buong magdamag pauwi. Nagising na lang ako dahil kinakalabit ako ni Rana.

"Cali, wake up. We're here na," sabi niya.

Iminulat ko ang mata ko at nakita ko ang bahay namin. Napasinghal na lang ako at kinuha ang mga gamit ko sa likod.

Lumapit ako sa kanila at yumakap. "Thank you sa inyo." sambit ko.

They smiled at me. "No problem, Em. Just call us if you need someone, okay?" sabi ni Rana at tumango ako sa kanya. "Good. Take care,"

I smiled. "Take care. See you at school," I said.

Pumasok ako sa bahay at nagtatakang lahat sila ay naroon. Umiwas ako ng tingin at akmang aakyat na sa kwarto pero bigla akong tinawag ni Dad.

"Emily, come here." he said.

Hindi ako lumapit. Tumingin lang ako sa kanila. "What? Is there a problem? If it's about the laptop, I'll pay for it--"

"It's not about it, sweetie." my mom said. "Go on, Yuno and Jon. Sabihin niyo na ang gusto niyong sabihin." she said.

Lumipas ang ilang segundo pero ni-isa sa kanila ay walang nagsalita. "Uh... I'm going to bed. I'm really tired."

"They just found out that you're not the one who broke Yuno's laptop." Ate Lana said. "It was Thea. And you know it, don't you, Em?" she said.

Marahan akong tumango. "Yeah. I know it was Thea."

"Then why you didn't tell them?" she asked.

"Because I'm still wrong if I did, ate. Baka lumala lang 'yon kung sinabi ko ang totoo. I knew they wouldn't believe me, so I kept quiet. Ayoko na ng gulo no'ng araw na 'yon." I said.

Tahimik lang sila habang nakatingin sa 'kin. "Oh, come on. What's wrong with you guys? Bakit parang hindi kayo sanay? 'Di ba ganito naman lagi?"

"I'm sorry if I said those words to you, Emily." Kuya Yuno said. "I know I was an asshole to you."

Tipid akong ngumiti. "I'm used to it, so it's fine. You don't need to apologize. It's totally normal for me," I said. Yeah, I'm lying.

"I'm sorry, Em." Kuya Jon said. "I just realized that after all these years, you needed a brother. And all we did was hurt your feelings."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "I'm sorry, but what's up? Why are you being like this? Why are you saying sorry out of nowhere? This isn't you."

Nagkatinginan silang lahat at iniwan kaming tatlo sa may sala. I'm confused. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito sila. They should be shouting at me right now. Hindi ako sanay.

"Lana talked to me. She helped me realize that I was being an asshole and a mean brother to you." Kuya Jon started. "I'm so sorry, Emily. I shouldn't have blamed you for what Dad did." he added.

Kuya Yuno sighed. "Yeah. I'm so sorry, too, Em. I'm sorry for being a dickhead to you." he said.

"When we found out that you didn't break Yuno's laptop, I realized that we'd done enough hurting you." sabi ni Kuya Jon. "I'm not hoping that you will forgive us after what we did. But I'm hoping that you'd give us a chance to be your brothers, Em."

I smiled at them. "I already forgive you. Kahit sobra niyo na akong nasasaktan emotionally, tinuturin ko pa rin kayong mga kuya ko." I said.

Ngumiti naman sila sa 'kin. "Can we hug? I know it's weird, but--"

"No, we can't hug." I said. Kita ko sa mukha nila ang pagkadismaya. "I'm kidding." iniwan ko ang gamit sa lapat at tumakbo sa kanila. I hugged them tight.

Niyakap nila ako pabalik. "Thank you." they said.