Summer Paradise

SUMMER PARADISE WRITTEN BY Aira Shanne Cuevo

Finally, a vacation that I've been waiting for. It's always been good to take a summer break after long months of studying and paperworks. Ugh, that exhaust me so much! I will finally see my grandma again and already preparing my stories to tell. Aha, I will tell grandma that mama was so strict whenever I'm going somewhere with my friends in Manila. I love my ally, just kidding. I can't wait to roam around our province's town with my cousins again. Oh, I miss the Night Market. And how about going to a resort and take a swim? That would be nice! I have so many plans, although we have one month to stay there. I feel kind of nervous because it's been a while since the last time I went there. I really want to make memories and have something to cherish when I come back in Manila. Uh wait, I don't want to think about it yet, let me enjoy!

\"Who's that guy? The one wearing blue shirt.\" I asked my cousin, Josh. He turned to look for the boy near the field. \"Ah, he's kuya Jude. Why? Your type?\" He gave me a suspicious smile. \"What? Shut up!\" I felt my face blushed because of his question. After my cousin finished his drink, they continued playing basketball on the field. I can't take my eyes off the guy wearing blue. I'm amazed. He's good in playing basketball even if it's sandy and muddy in here.

One afternoon, Josh invited me to stroll around a neighbor village. I didn't expect that we are with that guy. I stopped myself to be shocked in front of them because obviously, that would be so embarrassing. \"Ride on kuya Jude's bike, Asha. I don't have a seat on mine.\" What? Why would I? \"Ahm... I can walk, Josh.\" I presented. \"Hop in or you want to spend the night on the road?\" Jude said. Wow, he can talk to me like we are close? \"Come one, Asha, don't be stagy. Let's go!\" Oh dear cousin wants me to be \"friend\" with his friend huh? I just rolled my eyes and followed these two lunatics. I think my cousin was planning something weird.

As days passed by so quickly, I seemed to recognized my feelings for Jude. My heart beats so fast whenever I look at him. I feel the butterflies in my stomach. It may sound cliché but that was not just a simple crush. My young heart fell. Hard. \"K-kuya Jude, this might be weird but I really wanted to tell you this because it feels like I'm going to explode if I wouldn't. This is my first confessing to someone so I feel embarrassed right now.\" He's listening intently to what I'm saying so I continued. I just gathered all the confidence I have. \"I think I'm falling in love with you. I don't know exactly where and when but I just did. I'm not pushing you to love me back. I just want to tell you this since I'm going back to Manila soon and I don't want to regret anything.\" He was silent for a minute. I'm kind of nervous but I felt relieved after confessing. \"I honestly don't know what to say but thank you, and I appreciate you. You know, you're still young and I think you might still find someone worthy of your love. But whatever happens, we can't tell the next moves of the fate. So yeah, thank you.\"

We came back to Manila and continued life. Back to being a student again. I told my friends about him. I admit that I'm thinking about him like, everyday? I missed him so much. Holiday breaks and vacations passed by, I didn't see him again in our province. Josh told me that kuya Jude was studying college in Manila. I just followed him on social media. Look for updates about him but I guess he's that busy to not be active on facebook. I just messaged him once on his birthday, he just replied a simple \"thanks\". Maybe he doesn't remember me anymore? Or he already have someone? I don't know. But one thing's for sure... that hurts.

I snap back to my state after all the flashbacks of my childhood love. I admit that I miss those moments sometimes. I still check out his social medias to see if he's doing fine in life. He loves to travel though. He now have his own travel buddy. He still have a special place in my heart because he was once my inspiration. A love that is pure and innocent. Tears slowly fall from my eyes as I look at the post of his girlfriend or should I say, his fiancé– on Instagram with a caption, \"Yes. I said Yes.\" I am happy. Genuinely happy that he finally found the one for him. Jude will always be my favorite childhood memory. 9 years of great love ends here. I have now decided to leave my summer paradise.

SUMMER PARADISE This story is from my personal experience. Some events happened in real life, some were just added. I am honestly moved on from this 9 years of patient love. I just want to take this opportunity to end it here. We may not end up together, I'm still happy for the childhood moments I had with him. Aira Shanne Cuevo 3EDENG5A ENG 112 Prof. Amabel Capistrano